Review [Issue 77] Editorials: Addiction Unfolded

[Chronicle 164]

 

Hello Tanker! In order to live a balanced life, one must consider various aspects of living, such as friends/family, relationships, work, happiness, environment, etc. Sometimes, we can get addicted to substances that can have a negative effect on different aspects of our lives. Let's unfold the complexities of human addiction

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What is Addiction? 

 

Addiction is simply the state of dependence that is produced either by habitual consumption of drugs or by regularly engaging in certain activities. Addiction is also defined as lacking control of doing, using, or taking in something to the point where users develop physical and psychological symptoms of dependence. Dependence is a strong desire to take the substance or exercise the behavior, an impaired capacity to control such behavior or craving, an indicator of tolerance development, and a social and mental preoccupation.

 

You can think of addiction as an intense devotion. This is the fundamental reason why the addiction is created and why it is so hard to kick it. What keeps a man from quitting smoking? The desire for nicotine. What stops us from quitting gaming? Simply our desire to continue playing, therefore our addiction is attributed to a purely psychological dependence. But why?

 

Well, because it fuels our addiction, that enjoyable feeling creates a powerful urge for stimulation which makes us addicts to the game; it separates us from the outside world which is convenient to the youths of today — I think it's valuable to step outside yourself and to examine yourself from an objective standpoint rather than trap yourself into eternal abyss.

 

There are thousands of ways addictions can harm you both physically and mentally, too many things come to mind so I won't list them all. In the case of substance misuse, be it alcohol or drugs, the addiction can have serious or even fatal psychological effects. The stress and strain of managing the addiction affects relationships and the work life.

 

Addiction is a means of escaping difficult issues such as unemployment or poverty. Substance abuse is common among those that are fighting a depressive issue. Another large factor, as it relates to the cause and effect of addiction, is the environment. Studies show that being exposed to addicts encourages abusive behavior or increases the risk of that happening.

 

Generally, addiction is associated with drugs, alcohol and gambling, nevertheless there are other possible outlets such as the internet, work, substances (solvents) and most importantly shopping —  bear in mind those poor husbands that wait for long hours outside, let us take a moment to commiserate. There is of course a lot of grey area, which is why I will only cover a few aspects.

 

Alcoholism

 

Alcoholism is the syndrome of physical dependence on alcohol. It impairs intellectual function, memory, and physical skills. Alcohol is a Central Nervous System (CNS) depressant. Once utilized, it triggers depressive side effects like bitterness, laziness, and sadness. Heavy consumption of alcohol causes cardiomyopathy and peripheral neuropathy; the side effects are fatal, despite the fact that people drink alcohol for the fun of it, for the buzz. If sudden sensations crop up, it will result in "delirium tremens" which is an acute confusion state. It's a slightly complicated topic, but it simply means that there are consequences even when alcohol is out of the equation. Your body hasn't adapted to the immense change therefore you would begin to experience anxiety, slight tremors, visual and sensory hallucinations and excessive sweating. In most cases, intensive rehabilitation is needed and multiple plans in specialist units.

 

Nicotine

 

Nicotine, commonly found in tobacco, is a legal recreational drug. Likewise, it can cause health problems if misused. It has been estimated that about 120,000 people die every year as a result of smoking illnesses. Cigarettes may look deceptively simple, but they are highly engineered killing products. From growing the tobacco plant to the disposal of both the cigar and packaging, the entire life cycle of the cigarette has a destructive toll on the environment.

 

In essence, nicotine is one of the most addictive substances humans consume. The addiction to nicotine is so strong that it cannot be overcome with simple willpower, except for extremely rare cases. Yet again, leaving it would need time and patience. Users can't simply stop smoking as it could take toll on their mental health, hence why nicotine gum, nicotine patches, therapy, and support groups are used as tools to overcome the addiction.

 

Food and Water

 

I love oatmeal, it makes up almost 90% of my daily intake. Does that make me an oatmeal addict? I think not. There is a distinct difference between an addictive substance and something that is required for physiological function. Water is said to make up 66%-75% of our body, and 90% in other living organisms. It's hard to imagine that someone could be considered an addict if they're consuming the substance that 75% of their body is made up of.

 

The addiction requires one to have this physical and mental fixation in order to cope with whatever the person goes through in life, be it emotional, social or physical. Water is merely a key component in psychological function, and it has no addictive effects and on the contrary alcohol does, therefore it cannot be considered an addictive substance. Similarly with food, it makes up our dietary needs, we rely on it because it fuels our tanks for the day so we can carry out everyday activities, there are exceptions to do with food of course.

 

Shopping, Work and Solvents

 

As I have mentioned, it's possible to be addicted to just about anything. Some people are obsessed with clothing, so shopping becomes an addiction. The victim goes on a shopping spree, purchases things that are not needed for the fun of it. Others have obsessions with work. They exert pressure beyond their limitations to an extent where they are physically exhausted, affecting their social life and relationships as they are devoting the majority of their time at work. Lastly, solvents such as glue, petrol and aerosols. Yes, that can actually be considered an addiction as it gives you a feeling of intoxication.

 

Internet and Gaming

 

Overtime, we develop faster and stronger computer and mobile devices; therefore, their uses have also increased, so too have computer and internet addictions. As of this moment, the internet (and games) provide just about anything a person could ask for. A new ID to wander the web, a new world where the person can be anything he wants. It's a two-way ticket to endless skies and seas that stretch from shore to shore; what better thing to do besides surf the net.

 

But what can make gaming an addiction? The sense of achievement and gratification that the person achieves by accomplishing tasks and missions to distract from other issues in real life. It simply makes the person want to come back for more. You can't just walk away once you start the game, leaving it takes time and patience just as alcohol and nicotine would. But the side effects of gaming are as serious as ones from alcohol and nicotine addictions.

 

Generally, games can be somewhat of an addiction, they fulfill a need just as alcohol would. Games allow the person to live a different life through the game, limited to an extent but is a way out of the real world and into a world created by the person's imagination as an "escape". 

 

Furthermore, unlike addictive substances, we get bored of games hence why we have more than one sitting at our shelf. Whereas drugs must be pumped into our system every now and again, damaging both our health and our bank accounts, possibly resulting into poverty. Gaming itself isn't considered an addiction, unless the person is physiologically dependent on the stimuli. In that case it would be as it meets the definition of addiction. 

 

What are the effects of Gaming? 

 

Personally, when I'm not playing a game I'm more aggressive and snappy. Studies show that gaming can alter chemical codes in your brain, giving you attitude. This is comparable to how alcohol and other serious drugs work, they alter the levels of certain chemicals in your brain such as dopamine and serotonin, which generally make you feel happy. The effect of the chemicals causes an imbalance, which mean that the drug is the only thing that can make you feel happy. Similarly, I can relate this to gaming as it starts the addiction in a similar way as alcohols would, and gaming would be your only route to happiness. Because of this you devote most of your time playing the game, neglecting other aspects of your life. 

 

How are Addictions treated? (Drugs, Alcohol and Nicotine) 

 

Addiction is a treatable condition and treatment is always available in various ways. Typically, treatment is directed to the withdrawal of the drug (or behaviour caused by the drug) with the aim of partial or total abstinence. Depending on personal circumstances of the patient, treatments for drugs include treatment with medicines, detoxification and talking therapies. Deprivation of the substance may cause withdrawal to the symptoms, in this case tremors, hallucinations and delusions. However, sudden cutoffs in (chronic) alcoholics can cause a confused state.

 

Is drug and gaming addiction a choice?

 

Despite the distinct difference between a drug addiction and gaming addiction, I believe that drug addiction is a choice. Addicts of all kinds make that conscious decision to go ahead and drink alcohol, play a game or do whatever fuels their addiction. If we are simpler animals like mice for instance, we wouldn't have much of a choice over addiction. I don't think mice can consider their position, option or dream of a better life like a human would, this is reality. People are consciously able to make small steps towards addiction. It is possible to consciously make the decision to turn themselves for therapy or knowledge if they so choose to. We all inherit human conditions, so genetic factors being passed down a family of addicts doesn't necessarily mean we have no choice. We are born more or less equal but are what we are because of the decisions and choices we make throughout our lives. People with an abundance of choices can endure great hardship even when alone, it's whether or not they are willing to put everything into quitting the addiction they have dragged themselves into. 

 

This ongoing stigma (for reasons unknown) welcomes depression. Depression induces the consistent longing for substances, gaming, work, shopping... etc. Craving breeds addiction, early utilization of medications increases one's odds of creating compulsion. Prevention is the best strategy. This helps parents, teachers, and social insurance experts shape adolescents' recognition's about the dangers of substance utilization.

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I hope this article was helpful to those that may be exposed to or suffering from an addiction of some kind. As noted, addiction is a treatable condition and if you are within reach, contacting support groups and services (local and international) is highly recommended.

 

                                                           

 

 

 

                                                           

 

           

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

[Mystique 1,127]

Well done Ghosty ;D

really well written! me proud :^^

im addicted to hoomans  :ph34r:  

 

Edited July 6, 2018 by Mystique

[Kraken 1]

Ghosty. This is actually very helpful. Good work there, Keep it up. .

[hishamyas 364]

Good job.

[Rocket_Raccoon_XXX 1,507]

Very well written great writing Ghost kepe up your hard work and succeed! ;D

[Deliquescence 557]

One of the best thing I have read in a while.  :D

[Spartan 3]

Well written, Ghosty!!! Lots of important facts in this article which really help and its structured well too. Keep up the good work bro!

[Chronicle 164]

Thank you all! Can't take much credit though, lots of edits had to be made, so thanks to whoever did them. 

[Gamma 99]

My blin wrote an article :D 

[Pyre 3,485]

Something helpful in the TO newspaper? Am I dreaming?

[Chronicle 164]

Something helpful in the TO newspaper? Am I dreaming?

Not sure if that's a compliment, I wrote it hoping that it would cater to everyone's style. I see it as a neutral article. What do you see? 

[Pyre 3,485]

Not sure if that's a compliment, I wrote it hoping that it would cater to everyone's style. I see it as a neutral article. What do you see? 

Keks, I like it. As good as they are, its nice to see a change from things like this.

[Chronicle 164]

Keks, I like it. As good as they are, its nice to see a change from things like this.

Oh, why thanks neighbour, don't be a stranger now!  ;)

Edited July 7, 2018 by Chronicle