What causes addictions? By Dr. Collins Blog Comments Off on What causes addictions?
Could You Be An Addict Even Before Ever Using?The cause of addiction has long been explored. There have been debates over whether addiction is a lifestyle choice, or a mental illness that one is born with. There is some factual evidence that points to addiction being genetic. If addiction is in fact something that is inherited, could an individual be an addict before ever touching a substance? Read the definition of addiction here
Addiction has two very important components that are easily recognizable in any addicted individual: obsessive and compulsive behaviors. This is when the individual does something compulsively, an activity or a substance, without thinking of the consequences. Their minds are consumed with obtaining more of, or participating in more frequently, that particular habit. Their thoughts are obsessively wrapped around the behavior or substance, and it viciously consumes all brain activity forcing the individual to spend most of their time thinking about that obsession.
Addiction manifests itself in many forms. An individual can be addicted to food, sex, gambling, self-harm, shopping, substances, social media, video games, or anything else that gives off a rushing surge of excitability to the brain that can only be described as a high. Addicts continuously chase that high from whatever it is that will give it to them. It is possible for individuals to be addicted to more than one habit at a time in a detrimental form of addiction called cross-addiction.
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