HANDLING ADDICTION

What is Addiction?

Addiction is an inability to stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. The term addiction does not only refer to dependence on substances such as heroin or cocaine. Some addictions also involve an inability to stop partaking in activities such as gambling, eating, or working. Addiction is now classified as a disease that affects the brain, not a personal failing or choice.

TYPES OF ADDICTION

Today, most experts recognize two types of addiction:

• Chemical addiction. This refers to addiction that involves the use of substances.
• Behavioral addiction. This refers to addiction that involves compulsive behaviors. These are persistent, repeated behaviors that you carry out even if they don’t offer any real benefit.

SYMPTOMS OF ADDICTION

The main symptom of an addiction is a problematic pattern of use, which leads to clinically significant impairment or distress.

The specific symptoms vary according to the addictive disorder.

Common symptoms of chemical addiction include:

Cravings intense enough to affect your ability to think about other things.

A need to use more of the substance to experience the same effects.

Unease or discomfort if you can’t easily access the substance.

Risky substance use, like driving or working while using it.

Trouble managing work, school, or household responsibilities because of substance use.

Friendship or relationship difficulties related to substance use.

Spending less time on activities you used to enjoy.

An inability to stop using the substance.

Withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit.

Common symptoms of behavioral addiction include:

Spending large amounts of time engaging in the behavior.

Urges to engage in the behavior even if it negatively affects daily life, responsibilities, or relationships

Using the behavior to manage unwanted emotions

Hiding the behavior or lying to other people about time spent on it

Difficulty avoiding the behavior

Irritability, restlessness, anxiety, depression, or other withdrawal symptoms when attempting to quit

Feeling compelled to continue the behavior even when it causes distress

HANDLING ADDICTION

The first step in handling addiction is recognizing the problem. Many people think they can kick the problem on their own, but that rarely works. Find someone you trust to talk to. It may help to talk to a friend or someone your own age at first, but a supportive and understanding adult is your best option for getting help. If you can't talk to your parents, you might want to approach a school counselor, relative, doctor, favorite teacher, or religious leader.

Unfortunately, overcoming addiction is not easy. Quitting is probably going to be one of the hardest things you or your friend have ever done. It's not a sign of weakness if you need professional help from a trained counselor or therapist. Most people who try to quit need professional assistance or a treatment program to do so.

Handling chemical addiction

After you start a treatment program, try these tips to make the road to recovery less bumpy:

Surround yourself with supportive people. One of the most important things you can do to stay sober is to find friends who are sober, too. While it may be hard to cut off unhealthy relationships of your past, hanging out with people who support your need to stay clean will pay off in the long run.

Find new hobbies. Staying busy is the best way to keep your mind off your desire to use. Not only that, but establishing an interesting and rewarding hobby can also help you find joy and purpose in your life, and replace your old unhealthy habits with new drug-free activities.

Exercise. Working out is good for the body and the mind. As your physical health improves, you’ll also experience the “natural high” of endorphins, which can elevate your mood. And an exercise routine creates a structure to your days, helping to reduce your risk of a relapse.

Volunteer -Finding a worthy cause to support while in recovery allows you to help others while helping yourself. Giving back to the community can help you discover a sense of purpose, build healthy connections and friendships, and feel good about the contributions you’re making to society.

Eat well. The food you eat has a serious impact on your wellbeing. By making sure you consume a healthy, well-rounded diet, you’ll keep yourself in shape – both physically and mentally. And if you’re feeling good, then you’re less likely to turn to drugs for a mood booster.

Talk it out. Sometimes, you need someone to talk to about what’s going on in your recovery. Sharing your thoughts with someone who understands your experiences and can help support you through the difficult times is invaluable. Find a local support group, work with a sponsor, or call up a trusted friend to talk to when the going gets tough.

Meditate -Mindfulness exercises have been proven to relieve stress and anxiety, as well as to decrease blood pressure and improve immune function. Developing a meditation practice can help you to find calm and peace, and quiet your mind in an otherwise turbulent time.

Seek professional help. Recovery from drug addiction is hard, and there’s no shame in asking for extra help from a medical professional when you need it. Physicians and behavioral therapists can set you up for success with structured programs, providing a safe way to prevent relapses and maintain sobriety.

Handling behavioral addiction

The fight against a behavioral addiction begins with professional treatment. Therapy can help you understand the factors underlying your addiction, while assisting you to implement healthy coping skills.

Know Your Triggers

Every addict has specific triggers that encourage them to indulge their addictions. Some of the most common include:

Boredom.

Physical pain.

Psychological pain.

Peer pressure.

Frustration.

Identify your triggers, and be as specific as possible. Maybe you feel fine after a fight with a friend, but a fight with your spouse has you heading for a credit card-sponsored spending spree. Knowing this in advance can help you prepare for the inevitable challenges of daily life.

For each trigger, make a list of alternative coping strategies that distract you from your craving. Some options might include:

Exercise.

Meditation.

Talking to a friend.

Playing with your dog.

Painting.

Playing a game you love.

Doing something nice for yourself, such as getting a massage.

Talk to a therapist or someone you trust about your alternative coping skills since sometimes one addiction can lead to another. A gambling addict, for instance, might start compulsively spending money to cope with his cravings.

Set Clear Guidelines (and Stick to Them)

Impulsive decision-making, especially in a world where we all must make dozens of decisions each day, rarely produces a good result.Rather than trusting yourself to make a good decision in the heat of the moment, set clear guidelines for your behavior ahead of time.These rules can guide you during moments of weakness.

Enlist Some Assistance

In the 12-step model of recovery, everyone picks a sponsor. There's a reason for this. Just as peer pressure can encourage bad decision-making, it can also empower you to resist temptation.Find someone whom you can trust to counsel you when you're overwhelmed by cravings.

When you face a situation that you know might trigger a relapse--such as the rush of Black Friday for a compulsive spender--take the loved one with you.

Better yet, consider outsourcing "necessary" behaviors to someone you trust, or even paying them. This isn't possible with every potentially compulsive behavior, of course. But you can pay someone else to do your shopping, to make your meals, and to keep up with your business's social media page.

Find Another Source of Gratification

Here's something you might not hear in rehab -indulging an addiction feels good, and removing it feels bad. Otherwise, no one would become an addict. We all need the shot of dopamine that a behavioral addiction offers, but there are other options for feeling good. Find healthy behaviors that give you pleasure to replace your addiction.

Love spending money? You might enjoy the hunting and gathering inherent in gardening just as much. Constantly looking for your next gambling fix? Find something else that offers intermittent reinforcement, such as birdwatching or trying to break your previous fitness records.

Name: OKECHUKWU UZOMS MARIA

State code: OS/21B/0181

Discipline: AGRICULTURAL/HOME ECONOMICS EDUCATION

Institution: MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE,UMUDIKE

State of origin: ABIA STATE