NG LifeMag EMAG Feb 2024 - Flipbook - Page 14
Addiction takes various forms,
spanning both substance and
other behavioural addictions:
1. SUBSTANCE ADDICTIONS
These can include alcohol, drugs (e.g., opioids,
cocaine, prescrip琀椀on medica琀椀ons), and
tobacco/vaping. Substance addic琀椀on involves
physical dependence and withdrawal symptoms
when the substance is not used.
2. BEHAVIOURAL ADDICTIONS
These encompass non-substance-related
behaviours, such as gambling, internet and
gaming, work and shopping addic琀椀ons. While
they may not involve a substance, they share
the core characteris琀椀cs of addic琀椀on, including
compulsivity and harm.
Unfortunately, common
misconceptions about addiction
still proliferate, such as:
ADDICTION IS A MATTER OF
CHOICE AND WILLPOWER.
We now know that addic琀椀on alters brain
func琀椀on, making controlling it di昀케cult
without professional support.
ADDICTION IS A MORAL FAILING,
NOT A HEALTH ISSUE.
This is par琀椀cularly damaging for people
trying to recover from an addic琀椀on as it
may discourage them from seeking
support, in fear of the poten琀椀al s琀椀gma
that could be a琀琀ached.
ADDICTION CAN BE FIXED VOLUNTARILY.
In reality, addic琀椀on o昀琀en involves physical
dependence and withdrawal symptoms
which must be managed in conjunc琀椀on
with a healthcare professional.
ADDICTION IS LESS SEVERE THAN
OTHER HEALTH CONDITIONS.
Addic琀椀on can o昀琀en lead to severe health
problems, strained rela琀椀onships, 昀椀nancial
issues and legal trouble.