Addiction is a much broader topic than dependence on alcohol or drugs.
There are process addictions in in addition to addiction to illegal drugs or alcohol. Some compulsive behaviors have been viewed as an addictions such as gambling, shopping, and disordered eating. When active in addiction, pain is generated to self and others. Some questions come up. What actually is addiction? How does it start in when? It is hard to discern when a pattern of behavior moves into addiction?
A lot of people can participate in substance use or engage in certain behaviors and not have it become problematic. Those who cannot stop and control their behaviors get addicted, and that is unfortunate. Addiction strikes across all strats of race, culture, and economic status.
All addicts are not alike. There is no poster child. Although there a lot of research has been done on addiction scientists and researchers cannot agree on you the cure or cause. On aspect that we are sure of but is very difficult to measure is the emotional aspect of addiction. Often addiction is fed by the seeming relief it can bring from uncomfortable emotions. It is strange that the more one engages in addiction the worse the negative consequences and the greater the need to soothe the negative effects.
While addiction manifests itself in different people in different ways, here are the most common signs and symptoms of addiction:
Symptom 1 - Unable to meet responsibilities of relationships or at home, school or work.
Symptom 2 - Compulsive preoccupation, meaning one spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance or behavior
Symptom 3 - Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior. Loss of control becomes a reality.
Symptom 4 - Engages in the behavior or substance use knowing it is dangerous or in dangerous situations such as driving.
Symptom 5 - Because of the addiction, one stops activities or hobbies that were fun or enjoyable.
Symptom 6 - There is a need to increase the amount and frequency of the behavior or substance to achieve the desired felling or affect.
Symptom 7 - Ones life has become centered around the addiction, isolation from others occurs.
If one or more of the above symptoms are occurring, it is time to talk to someone. Everyone agrees that addiction is a progressive disease. Left alone, the addiction will stengthen.
There is more information available here on addiction treatment.