Are We All Addicts?

We may not all be addicts, but we all have the potential to become one. Addiction is most widely associated with substance use (alcohol, pills & other drugs), this is a form of addiction that people are aware of and to some extent understand the physical and mental harm that can come from this. What many people aren't aware of however, are process or behavioral addictions. Examples of these can include, sex, love, food, shopping, gambling, gaming and exercise. Just because you do these things does not automatically mean you have an addiction, after all, almost everyone engages in some form of these. However, when engaging in these behaviors becomes a compulsion and it is having an effect on your daily life and significant relationships it is time to look a little bit closer at the purpose of the behavior. When are you engaging in these behaviors and what are you getting from them? These activities can unknowingly be used as a form of self-medication or to alleviate a symptom by providing that quick boost of chemicals that make us feel better. Things such as eating and shopping can cause the same chemical effects on the brain as alcohol or drugs, providing you with that "high" feeling. These effects are short-term however and do not address the root of why we engage in these behaviors. This often results in feelings of shame and guilt, you engage in a behavior and then you feel bad about it, you beat yourself up about it, or try to minimize how often you're engaging in these activities. So what are some things you need to look out for?

• Disruption - Are the activities you're engaging in disrupting your level of functioning? A disruption could be something like showing up to work late because you stayed up all night playing games, or getting behind on your bills because you went shopping because you were having a bad day.
• Relationships - Are your relationships being affected by your engagement in these activities? Do you and your partner fight over these activities or has someone close brought it to your attention that they've noticed you're engaging in these activities frequently. 
• Impulsivity - Are you engaging in these activities impulsively without considering the consequences or not realizing the consequences until the guilt and shame set in?
• Hiding - Are you attempting to hide or lie about your engagement in these activities? People often hide or lie about things when they feel what they're doing is wrong or will be perceived negatively. 
• Tolerance - Do you find yourself having to engage in these activities more often to get the same psychological or emotional effect that you were getting previously? Because these activities do not target the root of the problem, we often have to continue engaging in these activities so we don't have to face the true problem. 

Now, don't go accusing everyone of being an addict, it is absolutely possible to engage in these activities in a healthy and appropriate manner. However, if you feel that you or someone you know may be displaying some of the addictive characteristics above, consider seeking some help. 

The information and resources contained on this blog are for informational purposes only and are not intended to assess, diagnose, or treat any medical and/or mental health disease or condition. The use of this blog does not imply nor establish any type of therapist-client relationship. Furthermore, the information obtained from this site should not be considered a substitute for a thorough medical and/or mental health evaluation by an appropriately credentialed and licensed professional.