Chronic disease of the brain affects reward, motivation, memory, and other brain systems. It is a constant and extreme stimulation of the brain system that provides pleasure or euphoria. At the same time, it inhibits the brain systems that control anxiety, stress, and the fight-or-flight response. A person in active addiction becomes focused on the pursuit of that response and loses the ability to stop themselves.
What Are the 5 Characteristics of Addiction?
As mentioned, there are endless different things a person can become addicted to, including drugs, alcohol, caffeine, food, sex, gambling, and even shopping. Addiction is truly in place when the individual develops the inability to stop fixating on something, even when negative consequences are involved. These five main characteristics become apparent over time.
Tolerance
When someone is dealing with an addiction, they are battling the feeling that they always want more of what they are addicted to. This need—and its constant fulfillment—drives up the person’s tolerance level. As tolerance levels increase, the person needs more of the substance or behavior to achieve the same desired effects as before. While often associated with drugs and alcohol, tolerance can happen with any addiction.
Withdrawal
A negative reaction is experienced when stopping the use of a substance or behavior. The symptoms of withdrawal vary depending on the type of dependency and the severity of the addiction. The person can have emotional or physical reactions to not having their substance or activity of choice.
When using alcohol withdrawal as an example, individuals can experience anxiety, paranoia, nausea, tremors, and headaches, and in severe situations, they would need to seek medical treatment to alleviate the severity of symptoms. Serious withdrawal can result in seizures and other life-threatening side effects.
Denial or Rationalization
Addiction is rarely a private matter. At some point, friends, family, and coworkers notice a change in a person’s appearance or behavior. When questioned by loved ones, most individuals with an addiction will either deny or rationalize their situation. Common responses are, “I can quit at any time,” “it’s not that bad,” and “I only do it once in a while,” and the list can go on and on. There are many stigmas associated with addiction, which push individuals dealing with addiction to hide behind half-truths and lies.
Loss of WillPower
Breaking the chains of addiction can be difficult. Even if a person wants to commit to a sober lifestyle, it can still feel impossible to stay away from the substance or behavior. A person may tell their family they are ready to change but soon find themselves in a situation where they lose their ability to continue coping and engage in the activity once again.
Preoccupation
Addiction often starts small. You could be prescribed medicine, like the way it makes you feel, and once your prescription runs out, find yourself trying to get that medicine elsewhere. Addiction makes finding that drug or substance the main focus. Other things, such as going to work, spending time with friends and family, or participating in hobbies you enjoy, no longer seem as important. A person can develop tunnel vision when it comes to addictive behavior. Their lives revolve around thinking about it, preparing to have it, obtaining it, and repeating the cycle day after day.
Recovery
Through education and ongoing treatment, support services are essential components when attempting recovery from chronic alcohol abuse or addiction. Programs such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA, -step meetings or outpatient counseling often provide invaluable assistance during this time by providing a forum where former addicts connect with people who have experienced similar struggles while supplying resources that promote stabilizing independence which further reduces chances for relapse back into unhealthy habits associated with problem drinking behaviors in the past
Recovery from alcoholism is a challenging journey, but anyone can find success if they’re willing to put in the work. With the right strategies and support from loved ones, you can begin to rebuild your life and reclaim what alcohol has taken from you. By following the steps outlined in this blog post, you are on your way to achieving sobriety and a happier, healthier life. In other words, let’s get comfortable being uncomfortable. For more information, contact Chris at dcpackhams@gmail.com.
Chris Packham, LAADC, M-RAS, CCDS
