Addiction
People can become addicted to many different things. Starting a new hobby or developing an interest in new things is not necessarily an addiction in the beginning. For example; starting a new hobby or playing a new game can cause an increase in certain types of behaviour that can be associated with addiction, but at this stage it is not necessarily an actual addiction, and may just be an initial enthusiasm. Addiction can easily be confused with a routine or a habit – isn’t your morning coffee quite a habit, just like the first cigarette of the morning? Addiction is distinguished from routine by the fact that an addiction is a pattern of action that harms oneself or others. Also, addiction noticeably limits the normal everyday functions that a person would normally perform.
People can become addicted to many different things. Starting a new hobby or developing an interest in new things is not necessarily an addiction in the beginning. For example; starting a new hobby or playing a new game can cause an increase in certain types of behaviour that can be associated with addiction, but at this stage it is not necessarily an actual addiction, and may just be an initial enthusiasm. Addiction can easily be confused with a routine or a habit – isn’t your morning coffee quite a habit, just like the first cigarette of the morning? Addiction is distinguished from routine by the fact that an addiction is a pattern of action that harms oneself or others. Also, addiction noticeably limits the normal everyday functions that a person would normally perform.
Harmful addiction can develop towards any activity or substance that induces feelings of pleasure. Addiction can be behavioural in nature, where a person is addicted to a specific process, such as gambling, or the addiction can be to a substance, such as alcohol, nicotine products, or another stimulant/intoxicant. For example, even energy drinks can be a form of substance addiction. Furthermore, addiction can be physiological, mental or social in nature. Traditionally, addiction is seen only as alcohol or substance abuse. but addiction can be many other things such as the excessive need to use social media. Eating disorders are also a common form of functional addiction.
Addiction refers to a situation where a person is willing to spend a considerable amount of time and effort in order to obtain and use a substance, or perform an activity, despite its social or health disadvantages. If the addictive substance or activity is not available, it causes anxiety, nervousness and possibly other withdrawal symptoms. Although not every addictive substance or activity is permanently addictive, many times the use of the substance or performance of the activity and the subsequent consequences are detrimental and harmful to the addict and their family and friends. Addiction can expose a person to additional addictions, risk behaviours, and mental health problems. It can be useful to notice that an existing mental, social, or economic situation or crisis in life can push you to “seek relief” through a harmful substance or activity and potentially lead to an addiction developing.
Recovering from addiction requires acknowledging the problem and a real desire to give up the addictive substance or activity. Addictions can be treated, and it may also be possible to recover by yourself. If needed, help is available. You can get help for substance abuse and addictions from voluntary associations and organizations such as your local Health Centre, Occupational Health Care and Student Healthcare. Local support information such as substance abuse services, peer support groups and helplines can be found from AddictionLink.
More about addictions on AddictionLink and Mieli, in Finnish Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry. About parenting and substance abuse see The Federation of Mother and child homes and Shelters. If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink.
Recovering from addiction requires acknowledging the problem and a real desire to give up the addictive substance or activity. Addictions can be treated, and it may also be possible to recover by yourself. If needed, help is available. You can get help for substance abuse and addictions from voluntary associations and organizations such as your local Health Centre, Occupational Health Care and Student Healthcare. Local support information such as substance abuse services, peer support groups and helplines can be found from AddictionLink.
More about addictions on AddictionLink and Mieli, in Finnish Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry. About parenting and substance abuse see The Federation of Mother and child homes and Shelters. If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink.
The emergence of addiction is a chemical process in the brain
The development of addiction is associated with the sensitisation of the brain's pleasure centre, or addiction memory, which causes the person to "get hooked" on a behaviour or substance. The brain’s pleasure centre has been important to human evolution, and therefore its way of learning and remembering is very effective. The addictive memory operates partly consciously and partly unconsciously, making it more difficult to recover from addiction. Due to the complexity of the brain’s chemistry, successful recovery from addiction usually requires support from others as well as the efforts of the addicted person. Even a small amount of substance use or addictive activity can activate the pleasure centre, resulting in a desire for more of that substance or activity which caused the pleasure. The circle of addiction is established. The sensitivity and tolerance towards addictive behaviour differs from person to person: what one doesn’t feel at all causes the other to feel weak at the knees.
The feeling of pleasure is accompanied by strong behavioural conditioning. Seeing an addictive activity or substance, seeing other people use the substance or perform the activity, items related to the addiction, or even hearing music that is associated with the addictive event can reawaken the previous desire for the object of the addiction and the associated pleasure, which is stored in the addiction memory. When the addiction memory is triggered it is hard to resist its message, leading to strong cravings. The strength of the emotions associated with the addictive memory affects how it is stored. The stronger the emotions, the easier the memory is stored in the brain, and the easier other types of conditioned behaviour are associated with it. After recovery from addictive behaviour, it is still possible for the craving to be triggered by the same strong emotions that were associated with the previous substance use or activity. The emotions may be triggered by something totally different to the initial addiction, but may still result in recurrence of the previous addictive behaviour. This emotional connection can be hard to recognise, and it can be difficult for other people to understand. Therefore, the most important part of stopping addictive activity is to find ways to tolerate the cravings for a previous substance or behaviour, and learn how to make informed decisions to counteract these feelings.
The development of addiction is associated with the sensitisation of the brain's pleasure centre, or addiction memory, which causes the person to "get hooked" on a behaviour or substance. The brain’s pleasure centre has been important to human evolution, and therefore its way of learning and remembering is very effective. The addictive memory operates partly consciously and partly unconsciously, making it more difficult to recover from addiction. Due to the complexity of the brain’s chemistry, successful recovery from addiction usually requires support from others as well as the efforts of the addicted person. Even a small amount of substance use or addictive activity can activate the pleasure centre, resulting in a desire for more of that substance or activity which caused the pleasure. The circle of addiction is established. The sensitivity and tolerance towards addictive behaviour differs from person to person: what one doesn’t feel at all causes the other to feel weak at the knees.
The feeling of pleasure is accompanied by strong behavioural conditioning. Seeing an addictive activity or substance, seeing other people use the substance or perform the activity, items related to the addiction, or even hearing music that is associated with the addictive event can reawaken the previous desire for the object of the addiction and the associated pleasure, which is stored in the addiction memory. When the addiction memory is triggered it is hard to resist its message, leading to strong cravings. The strength of the emotions associated with the addictive memory affects how it is stored. The stronger the emotions, the easier the memory is stored in the brain, and the easier other types of conditioned behaviour are associated with it. After recovery from addictive behaviour, it is still possible for the craving to be triggered by the same strong emotions that were associated with the previous substance use or activity. The emotions may be triggered by something totally different to the initial addiction, but may still result in recurrence of the previous addictive behaviour. This emotional connection can be hard to recognise, and it can be difficult for other people to understand. Therefore, the most important part of stopping addictive activity is to find ways to tolerate the cravings for a previous substance or behaviour, and learn how to make informed decisions to counteract these feelings.
Substance use is often associated with social situations and feelings of togetherness.
The most important and effective way to combat the social pressure of drinking, for example, is to make sure that the group is united by more than just drinking. Do we need alcohol for having fun? How else could we spend time together?
If you are told to not think of a pink elephant - you are probably going to think of a pink elephant. Unfortunately, the brain remembers clearly what we try to forget. To support the recovery from substance abuse or an addiction it is very helpful to find other, healthier sources of gratification that can replace the addictive behaviour. For example, many cigarette smokers find it helpful to quit by exercising more, which increases the production of endorphins (pleasure hormones) in the brain, similar to the effect of smoking a cigarette.
Trying to get rid of addiction, you have to be prepared to make a decision to quit many times: on every shopping trip, your brain reminds you that you could buy a pack of cigarettes, a couple of bottles of beer, or use the loose change in your pocket to play the gaming machines. Telling the brain not to remind you of these cravings is almost impossible, but the decision to act differently and divert thinking or action towards something healthier is the path to success. Involving a friend or spouse in this process can be very helpful: go for a run together or go and play frisbee golf; go to the store together and avoid impulse shopping by writing a grocery list. If your appetite and eating habits change a lot when you try to stop addictive behaviour or give up an addictive substance, search instructions online for making healthy treats.
More about addictions on AddictionLink and Mieli, in Finnish Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry. About parenting and substance abuse see The Federation of Mother and child homes and Shelters. If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink.
Trying to get rid of addiction, you have to be prepared to make a decision to quit many times: on every shopping trip, your brain reminds you that you could buy a pack of cigarettes, a couple of bottles of beer, or use the loose change in your pocket to play the gaming machines. Telling the brain not to remind you of these cravings is almost impossible, but the decision to act differently and divert thinking or action towards something healthier is the path to success. Involving a friend or spouse in this process can be very helpful: go for a run together or go and play frisbee golf; go to the store together and avoid impulse shopping by writing a grocery list. If your appetite and eating habits change a lot when you try to stop addictive behaviour or give up an addictive substance, search instructions online for making healthy treats.
More about addictions on AddictionLink and Mieli, in Finnish Ehkäisevä päihdetyö EHYT ry. About parenting and substance abuse see The Federation of Mother and child homes and Shelters. If you are concerned for a loved one, see this page on Tuntuu.fi and AddictionLink.
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