Addictions – Types, Causes and how to overcome Addiction?
Addictions are in various forms and it is quite common in nowadays. Addictions may be a drug, may be a behavior, even sometimes it is psychological. Addiction is one of the important reasons for huge turmoil in many people lives. This article, I am going to talk about types, cause and some suggestions to overcome certain form of addiction. The main aim is to create awareness about addiction which may help people who got in to some addiction and want to overcome from addiction.
What is Addiction?
Addiction is something that your body or mind craves for a substance or a behavior, especially if it causes a compulsive or obsessive pursuit of reward and lack of concern over consequences.
Compulsive engagement in a rewarding stimulus despite adverse consequences.
What are the types of Addictions?
Addiction may be Substance, Behavioral or Psychological.
Substance Addiction: It includes not only nicotine, tobacco or alcohol but also includes sugar and chocolate
Behavioral Addiction: Eating, Watching TV, Watching Porn, Shopping, Sleep, Playing video games
Psychological Addiction : Status, Power, Money, Approval and chaos.
Causes and management of Addiction:
The following categories, I grouped for the need of understanding which helps you to identify and creates the path to overcome from addiction. Remember, seeking professional assistance is the wisest way to overcome your addiction.
Just think about the scenarios..
“I am craving for junk foods. Regularly, while returning to home, I used to eat burger. Even though, I am obese and even I know about burger is such a toxic substance which spoils my health, but I cant stop to eat that”
“ I started playing this game on last vacation, later every time, I feel free, I started playing that particular game. But now, daily I am playing this game. I feel good, but unfortunately I am sleepless now”
This is how; many people developed certain form of addictions. The main reason behind these patterns is “Habits”. Habits never formed in a single day.
Addiction recovery – Unknown {Habits}:
Habits are formed as a result of repetitive actions and it is elicited without any conscious effort. Eg. The first day when you go to your office, you take a conscious effort on the direction and route from your home. But after a few days, you start your vehicle but without any conscious effort, you will reach the office. Similarly, when you first ride a car, your focus and efforts on gears, accelerators etc, but after you get practiced well, you don’t put a conscious effort; your hand automatically put gear, your legs on accelerator and brake, you are talking with your partner while riding.
So when you are engaging in certain group of behavior or action, your brain strengthens the neural pathways associated with that habit. Your brain never knows whether it is a good habit or bad habit, whatever it may be, brain just strengthening the neural pathways.
So it is very difficult to change the habit. That’s why Habits are crucial for your Health, Success and Happiness.
How to overcome this bad habits which is in the form of Addiction:
First you have to understand that why you are engaging in one repeated action or behavior. It is because of some triggering factors, your routine and reward you get.
Triggering factors: It may be a particular place, time, moment, emotion or a person. Examples are whenever I see this shop, I will buy this chocolate, Today is Sunday, a perfect time to take alcohol.
Routine: It is adapted in your day to day life. Examples are while returning from office, I buy burger, Every day after dinner, I play video games.
Reward: It is nothing but your feeling of “Pleasure”.
Breaking this pattern helps you to withdraw from the addicted thing for a short duration. Again it will relapse. Our aim should be forming new habits and replace it with the old bad habit so that you can able to recover gradually from Addiction in a sustainable manner.
Eg. Everyday after dinner, go for a slow walk or talk with your loved ones. Instead of buying burger, buy another crispy item for 2 to 3 days, and change the item in to a healthiest one. Start buying Banana!!
One thing you need to remember, “Don’t stop the bad habits immediately, and instead change the habit in to Healthier one”
Next scenarios..
“I lost my job, I am having financial issues..Still I am single..So what do expect from my side? That’s why I have started smoking..Drinking”
“I am having relationship issues, my partner doesn’t show love. I feel sad, I feel lonely, that why I have started shopping more”
Addiction Recovery : Known factors {Psychological}
Sometimes, the above unknown addictive behavior also has psychological pattern. The main cause if “since you feel empty inside, you started seeking Happiness, peace, fulfillment from outside” But what you are seeking is not happiness, it is just a pleasure effect.
Later, again you have to face the same world.
Addiction is a kind of escape from facing the reality.
How to overcome from this pattern of addiction:
Firstly, you have to understand that Happiness and peace is within you. Secondly, you need courage to face the reality. Here are some suggestions which helps you to overcome
Cultivate Self-awareness:
Do Introspection and Retrospection. Ask yourself, when did you feel empty inside? Why do you feel like that? What do you need during that time? How do you fill this emptiness?
Explore yourself.
Practice Self-compassion:
Just be kind to yourself, Accept yourself as a whole and change it for better, Practice mindfulness in handling your emotions neither ignores nor amplifies it.
Focus your Diet :
Take care of your gut health because it has a huge impact on your moods. So have a balanced diet, eat at right time, take probiotic and prebiotic rich food.
Good Sleep Hygiene:
Go to bed and wake up at same time. Avoid Gadgets usage at least one hour before bed. Don’t use phone immediately after waking up.
Practice Mindfulness and Meditation:
Mindfulness and Meditation plays a huge role in overall health. It is one of the healthiest habit everyone should adopt.
Find your purpose:
Start practicing spirituality, start finding your purpose, question yourself, Why you are here in this world?!!
When you are in to spiritual practice, dealing with everyday challenges become easier and you don’t seek happiness and peace outside.
Seek Professional Help:
The best thing that you can do to yourself is seeking for help. Don’t hesitate, seek professional assistance to get rid of your addiction
“If you can quit for a day, you can quit for a lifetime” -Benjamin Alire Saenz
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