Battling Addiction

By Jeanette Joy Fisher

Psychologists disagree as to whether computer obsession is even a real addiction. Although many therapists treat “computer addiction” as a disorder, other therapists claim that computer obsession is more like pathological gambling than a true addiction, because it involves a behavioral failure to resist an impulse and not a physical dependence upon some sort of substance.

There have been few studies on the fairly recent phenomenon of computer addiction, so there are few scientific facts to quote. However, there’s plenty of anecdotal evidence that seems to suggest that computer addiction not only exists, but may actually be close to an epidemic worldwide. Most heavy computer users are aware of their own problem or know of other people who seem to display all the symptoms of an addicted personality.

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By Jan Edward Williams

The answer to the question in the title of this article is: “Yes, but with the need to understand the limits of online help.”

Definitions

The words “alcohol dependence” or “addiction” are often used without definition. So, let’s first define some terms. As used in this article, alcohol or drug addiction means that a person’s alcohol or other drug use has reached the point that the person cannot use without loss of control over use of the substance and/or cannot use without producing adverse consequences in significant life areas. The addicted person has developed a psychological and/or physical dependence upon the substance. An addicted person will continue to use the substance in the face of adverse consequences.

The term alcohol or drug dependence is often used interchangeably with addiction, but here I use the term dependence to mean physical dependence on a substance, meaning that stopping use of the substance will result in withdrawal symptoms. A person can develop dependence on a substance without developing addiction; the best example of this physical dependence would be the person who takes a narcotic analgesic (pain killer such as oxycodone or morphine) as prescribed by a doctor long enough to be physically dependent on the drug, a natural, inevitable consequence of chronic use of such a drug. Under these circumstances, abruptly stopping use of the substance will result in the withdrawal syndrome typical for the class of substance involved. Most persons with addiction (for ex., alcoholism) are NOT physically dependent on their drug and will not experience the full blown physical withdrawal for the substance. They will, however, experience cravings, sleeplessness, and other symptoms caused by their psychological dependence on the drug.

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By Aaron Walker

Every smoker has one single thing in common - they want to quit smoking. Even those diehard fans of the “habit” want to quit. Ironically the most common thought on any smokers mind once they start smoking is how to stop smoking. There are those who say they enjoy smoking. To those people I say “each to their own” but for the rest of the smokersout there this article will aim to put you that one step closer to being a healthier and happier former smoker forever.

There are some important considerations to present here before we start. Firstly smoking is a choice. This choice then becomes habit and like all habits that can be a difficult thing to break. The more often we do something the stronger that habit becomes. It could be chewing gum, spitting, playing with our hands and especially smoking. Our brains become accustomed to smoking, it develops associations between smoking and relaxation or smoking and pleasure. The point is that the more you choose to smoke the harder it can be to break the habit of smoking.

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By Howard Keith

Parents now realize if their teenager develops a compulsive gambling addiction their future course of action and time involvement is unknown. This isn’t something that is here today and gone tomorrow.

Compulsive teenagers with a gambling addiction have one or more of the following in common:

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By Jonni Good

Several different theories about food addiction are being considered by the scientific community. Most of us have heard of the “thrifty gene” theory. This theory suggests that people who have this gene will eat more calories today as an instinctive response to the possibility of famine tomorrow.

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By T Young

Do you want to feel better, sleep better, and save $1500 or more of your hard-earned cash per year? Then it’s time to wake up and STOP smelling the coffee!

Coffee addiction or, more specifically, the addiction to caffeine found in the coffee, is a true addiction for some people because it has the capability of increasing the body’s tolerance. This means that as your body becomes accustomed to the caffeine levels that you introduce, it will require more caffeine to reach the same level of satisfaction. A caffeine addiction can also cause actual withdrawal symptoms including these:
• Increased cravings for coffee throughout the day
• Excessive tiredness or lethargy as the caffeine effects wear off
• Periods of confusion or an inability to maintain focus
• Headaches during periods of withdrawal.

Heavy coffee users also develop an emotional dependency on coffee which results in their actually believing themselves when they say “I can’t wakeup without my coffee.” Other interesting things you won’t hear in coffee advertisements

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By Ryan Bombard

Coke, more commonly known as cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant which instantly affects the brain after introducing it to the body. The effects of this drug are extremely pleasurable and give a false sense of euphria. Like caffiene, coke makes the user feel awake, and energized. Cocaine addict’s usually experience a sense of well being and feel ‘powerful’, combined with restlessness and anxiety. When the effects of cocaine wear off the user will ‘crash’, become depressed, and crave another ‘hit’ or ‘wack’. Cocaine addiction is hard to beat, because of the great length’s the user will go to get the drug. Some will even neglect their job, family and loved ones, in order to satisfy their craving for cocaine. This is one of the reasons why cocaine addiction is considered so harsh. It effects the user as well as everyone around him or her.

Signs of cocaine abuse include: change in mood, appitite and sleep cycles, depression, absence at work and home, running/ sniffly nose, new group of friends and a drop in school grades. Loss of interest in hobbys and other activities are also common signs of cocaine usage. Teenagers may also have a frequent need for money, without a good reason. Confronting the suspected user is the best solution. Cocaine addiction’s should not go overlooked and should be treated ASAP. Long term effects of cocaine include: irritability, mood swings, restlessness, paranoya, possible auditory hallucinations and the number one long-term effect is addiction to the substance itself.

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