Picture of the word “Addiction” in the dictionary. CC BY-SA 2.0 (No changes made)
Over the course of the past decade, there has been a surge in addiction. There is no minimum or maximum as far as fixations may go. Addiction can happen to anyone and can come in a variety of forms. Including the most extreme forms such as substance abuse or in the simplest of forms similar to shopping.
Addiction Statistics
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, (CDC), majority of adults who have substance-use disorders started using substances in their teenage years. Moreover, 15% of high school students had reported using select illicit or injection drugs, (cocaine, inhalants, heroin, methamphetamines, hallucinogens or ecstasy.)
Although addiction is commonly associated to only the misuse of drugs, addiction can include seemingly harmless topics. According to the Center for Internet and Technology Addiction, over 50% of Americans believe they have an addiction to their phones. In addition, over 60 million people around the world have an addiction to video games. Besides these, there are incredibly unhealthy forms of this type of addiction. Between 7-10% of online pornography viewers show compulsive use of it.
“Addiction is for sure a struggle, many people say you cannot get addicted to weed but that is a lie. Knowing I cannot quit, worries me.” Anonymous said.
Psychological Aspects of Addiction
The psychological aspect can be extremely damaging to one’s overall health. According to Psychreg there are a variety of correlations between mental health and addiction. More commonly, how those who are struggling with their mental health will turn to addictive forms of comfort. Rather than what is usually recommended. Aside from mental health disorders, stress, trauma, social and environmental factors all play into one’s decisions in turning to addiction.
“It is very isolating, even when you know there are many others experiencing the same things as you. Yet you feel like no one understands.” Isabel Avila, ‘24 alumnus of South Salem High School, said.
Furthermore, suffering from addiction can rewire one’s brain chemistry. These unhealthy habits change the brain’s natural reward system, also known as the brain’s reward circuit. It uses a neurotransmitter called dopamine to signal to the brain and body that it is experiencing happiness, pleasure, and relief. Dopamine can be acquired by engaging in activities or being with people that bring happiness. With this being said, addictive methods, create an excess of dopamine within the body and this overwhelms it. To support this excess, the body requires more of the addictive method to build tolerance to continue to produce dopamine.
Forms of Addiction
There are two different categories of addiction that other forms of addiction fall under, behavioral and physical.
Behavioral addiction includes gambling, internet, shopping, video games, exercise, food, sex, work, social media and pornography. This refers to the compulsions in rewarding non-substance related behaviors. According to Addiction Resource, behavioral addiction is an uprising issue within the United States, with nearly 1% to 3% of adults struggling with some form of compulsive behavior. While behavioral addiction is not exactly like physical, other issues stem from it such as financial, emotional and even social consequences.
Physical addiction refers to the addiction of substance use, hence the other name, substance addiction. Substance addiction includes but is not limited to, alcohol, nicotine, opioid, methamphetamine, benzodiazepine, cocaine, inhalant, prescription drugs, caffeine and cannabis.
Risk Factors
Though anybody can succumb to substance abuse and addiction, there are many key risk factors that play a role within one’s fixation. According to the CDC, factors may include but are not limited to, family history of substance abuse, parental substance use, association with delinquent or substance using peers, childhood sexual abuse, lack of school connectedness and mental health issues. Overall, many people who ultimately find themselves struggling with addiction have a low perception of risk. According to the National Library of Medicine, (NLM), low perception of risk is the act and belief of underestimating the dangers to oneself and others. Not only does addiction affect oneself, but it affects the wellbeing of others as well.
“My mom’s ex husband, (36,) struggles with addiction to alcohol and methamphetamines and one particular night he got so intoxicated that he got into his car and he drove off and he killed a man on the way to his family.” Anonymous said.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA), approximately 37 people in the United States die due to drunk-driving related incidents every day, this includes direct and indirect deaths.
“Having to show up to court and testify against him and telling the jury that he was indeed guilty is something that I do not wish upon anybody.” Anonymous said.
Prevention
“My mom struggled with alcoholism. This was such a difficult time in my life, as your mom is your rock. She finally took the steps to go to a rehabilitation center last year, which was incredibly beneficial to her and our family.” Anonymous said.
Many questions arise towards those who suffer from addiction and why they refrain from seeking assistance regarding their addiction. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, 21% of people sentenced in state prisons and jails are imprisoned for crimes that are related to illicit drugs and illegal substances.
“It was hard to go through her ups and downs and even after rehab not everything was fixed for a while. There were some moments where I really was forced to grow up fast, whether it included finding alcohol where there really should not be alcohol or dealing with constant lying; it was difficult.” Anonymous said.
Effects in Health and Recovery
The longer a person endures substance abuse, the longer the pathway to recovery may be. According to Psychology Today, (PT), the first step to recovery is stopping. Though it may seem impossible, many people have recovered from addiction. According to the U. S. National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 73.1% or 22.2 million adults reported to be in the process of recovering or have already recovered.
“Please, please, please, do not let fear stop you. It gets so bad dealing with things alone. You always have people in your corner!” Anonymous said.
For help on recovery, the National Drug Helpline offers a 24/7 hotline, 844-249-0879. For more information, the Oregon Health Authority offers a variety of resources for those affected by any forms of addiction.
