From Craving to Coping: How Addiction Impacts Your Life and How to Overcome it.

Addiction significantly alters your life in a number of ways affecting your health, relationship and overall quality of life. Addiction changes the brain’s reward system, which increases the desire for substances or experiences.

These changes in the brain also affect impulse control and judgment, which makes quitting more difficult.

Addiction vs. Dependence
Addiction refers to compulsive substance use or performance of activity despite negative consequences whereas dependence refers to reliance on a substance to function normally.

What is addiction?

Addiction is a chronic condition that involves compulsive seeking and taking of a substance or performing of an activity despite negative or harmful consequences.

Every habit starts as a one-time act which is then repeated until it becomes part of someone, same applies to addiction. Ideally, most people think they will be able to regulate the substances they use and the activities they engage in, not until they are stuck in the loop.

Most people suffering with addiction may have had past painful or distressing experiences that they were trying to relieve using substances or activities.

These work by overstimulating the reward system in the brain to release dopamine leading to a feeling of extreme pleasure and well-being. An individual will want to recreate this “feel good” moment over and over again until they can’t live without it.

Substance related addictions vs. Behavioral addictions
There are two main types of addiction: substance related addictions and behavioral addictions.
Substance related addictions involve use of drugs that have addiction potential, such as alcohol, nicotine, opioids, stimulants, and others.

Behavioral addictions involve activities that stimulate the brain’s reward system, such as gambling, gaming, shopping, and eating.

This post describes the effects of addiction on one’s life and the path to overcome it.

Effects of substance related and behavioral addictions

Physical health

Prolonged substance use results in chronic medical conditions such as liver damage, lung diseases, heart disease, gastrointestinal diseases—gastritis, stomach cancer etc.

Behavioral addictions can lead to sleep deprivation, neglect of self-care. In pregnant women, substance use may cause miscarriage, preterm labor, birth defects, withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth—Neonatal abstinence syndrome.

Mental health

Mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis can be induced by substance use. However, mental illnesses such as depression and anxiety can trigger a person to start using substances too.

Relationship problems

A person may start displaying erratic behavior such as uncontrolled anger, fighting, neglect etc. A person suffering with addiction may find it hard to love and care for anyone anymore because the only thing that pleases them is the substance or activity they’re addicted to.

Work problems

A person may tend to miss work deadlines, make poor decisions, exhibit increased absenteeism, poor performance and poor relations with co-workers. A person can’t work productively and, in most cases, they may find themselves losing the job.

Academic problems

A person may experience impaired concentration and memory, increased absenteeism, reduced motivation to pursue academic goals therefore resulting in poor academic performance. Some people may even drop out of school.

Legal problems

A person is prone to committing crimes such as theft, child abuse, traffic road violations since they can’t make right decisions under the influence of substances.

Loss of interest

An individual tends to lose interest in the previous pleasurable activities, such as hobbies. This is because the brain’s reward system has been compromised therefore only the abused substance or performed behavior induces pleasure and motivation.

Risky behaviors

A person may engage in risky behaviors such as unprotected sex—contracting STIs, careless driving that can lead to loss of life. Substance use impairs one’s judgement therefore unable to make rightful decisions.

Death

The main cause of death in people battling addiction is overdose. Most people relapsing may be at a risk of overdose because their tolerance is lower than before management. Their bodies can no longer tolerate high doses of substances as before.

Tolerance vs. Withdrawal
Tolerance is where a markedly increased dose of the substance is required to achieve the desired effect whereas withdrawal is a syndrome that occurs when blood or tissue concentrations of a substance decline in an individual who had maintained prolonged heavy use of the substance.

Breaking free: steps towards recovery

Acknowledge the problem

The first step is recognizing the impact addiction has on your life and admitting that you need help. Denial is a powerful barrier to progress.

Seek professional support

Therapists, counselors, and addiction specialists can provide invaluable guidance, develop personalized treatment plans, and equip you with coping mechanisms.

Top-notch health care for your loved ones

At Ray of Hope Medical, we provide both mental and medical health care services to all age groups.

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Join a support group

Connecting with others who understand your struggles can offer emotional support, accountability, and a sense of belonging.

Address underlying issues

Often, addiction stems from deeper emotional or psychological issues. Therapy can help you uncover and address these root causes.

Develop healthy habits

Replacing addictive behaviors with healthy activities like exercise, hobbies, and mindfulness practices can provide positive reinforcement and reduce cravings.

Celebrate victories, big and small

Recovery is a journey, not a destination. Acknowledge and celebrate every step forward, no matter how small.

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A word from Ray of Hope

Addiction is not a life sentence. Recovery is possible, but it requires commitment and support. Quitting is quite challenging, in fact most people relapse along the way nevertheless there is still hope to reclaim your life back. Remember you are not alone.