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What is Addiction?

Addiction is a condition in which individual engages in using a substance or seeking a behaviour which leads to rewarding effects in the brain and it reinforce the individual to repeat the using or seeking behaviour again and again. Addiction develops gradually over a period of time and due to the repetition of same pleasure seeking pattern individual become physically and psychologically dependent on the substance or to any other object at the center of addiction.

People can get addicted to many substances like alcohol, nicotine, drugs, solvents, etc. In the case of these substances, physical and mental dependency both can occur. There are other objects and behaviours which also activate brain reward system in the same way and can make people dependent on them, like gambling, shopping, videogames, watching pornography, etc. But in case of these objects or behaviours, psychological dependency can be more prominent.

It has been seen that there are lots of other mental problems found among individuals suffering from any kind of addiction, like anxiety, depression, personality disorders, psychosis, etc. Individual who is addicted to a substance or an object or behaviour indulge into compulsive pattern of seeking the same in spite of their detrimental consequences. Consequences of addiction can be seen on a person s health, personal life, occupational life and social life. Addiction can lead to severe unmanageability in one s life.

Especially when it comes to substances, like alcohol, nicotine or any kind of drugs, we must understand how the tolerance level of the brain develops? Tolerance develops when an individual no longer responds to a substance in the way he/she did at first. So, it takes a higher dose of the substance to achieve the same effect as when the individual first used it. This is why people with substance use disorders use more and more of a drug to get the high feeling that they seek.

A blog posted by an alcoholic:

I always wished I could drink like other people. But I never could. I thought it was the third drink that got me into trouble. If I only had two, then I d be fine. Thing is, once I put that first drink to my lips, I could no longer accurately predict what would happen next. I might go home, but I might not.

You d think if I made it home, then my drinking was a success. Wrong! If I made it home after two drinks, there was an insatiable need raging within me and I was gonna take it out on you. After all, you re the reason why I had to come home. I would punish my family by being silent or mean, or emotionally distant.

Looking back, it was never intentional. I didn t purposely choose not to go home. I didn t leave the house with a suitcase containing a fresh set of clothes, a toothbrush and my cosmetics. Seriously, I was only going out for a few.

If anybody can relate to this or can understand this, he or she can understand tolerance, powerlessness and unmanageability.

How to recover from addiction?

To be an addict can t be anybody s choice, but recovery can be one s choice. The first key step to come out of your addiction is developing acceptance. For a person to admit their powerlessness in addiction to drugs or alcohol or to any other object at the center of addiction is a monumental first step to recovery. Powerlessness means the person do not have any control over his/her use of substance. Powerlessness may indicate weakness and helplessness; some may think it fosters a victim mentality. Acceptance starts developing when a person admit that he or she is powerless over the substance or object at the center of addiction and their lives have become unmanageable because of that.

Addiction is a disease and recovery is not an easy process. Individuals who are already into the grip of addiction need to seek help. One cannot go through the journey of recovery alone. There is a myth that addiction is a habit and one can get out of it if he or she has the Will Power . It s actually not true. To get out of the disease you need to develop Skill Power , like skills to understand your physical and psychological mechanisms when it comes to the substance or the object of addictions, skills to handle cravings, skills to be assertive enough to manage social cues, skills to deal with day to day life stressors, etc. And in this process of developing skills and maintaining your recovery, you need the help of professionals.

A complete treatment program has three important approaches. First one is psychopharmacological (medicine) approach, second is psychotherapeutic approach and the third one is the 12 step program of alcohol/narcotics anonymous. A combination of psychotherapies along with the basic essence of 12 step program can bring greater outcomes in individual suffering from addiction.

Rehabilitation describes a drug and/or alcohol treatment programme that is provided in a residential setting. Rehabs are usually abstinence-based and provide an intense programme of support and care aimed at people who have difficulty becoming drug free in the community. Managing it after you're out of rehab requires lifestyle changes, regular doctor visits and, from time to time, changes in treatment plan.

Alcohol consumption is a common problem in our society. Ranging from economic issues, to strained relationships, to neglect, to abuse, it can lead to multiple problems. The key point is that in many people, it may go completely unnoticed. While different people could have different tolerance levels, there are some definitions to qualify someone as having alcohol problem'.

Alcohol consumption resulting in blood alcohol levels of 0.08 or more; some men might need about five drinks and women might need four drinks to reach this level. When an individual is compelled to drink up to five drinks on a day regularly, it is considered to be a problem.

Symptoms

If you are suspecting that your friend or relative could be having a potential drinking problem, look out for the following symptoms:

Constant, strong craving for drinking
Unable to control their urge to drink alcohol
Inability to succeed in efforts to reduce or stop alcohol usage
Drinking more than the intended quantity on most occasions
Spending extra effort in terms of time and money to lay their hands on alcohol
Strained relationships at work or at home
Health issues including liver failure, poor overall health, intestinal problems, etc.
Failure to see that their health (physical and emotional) is affected by drinking
Failure to acknowledge that there is a drinking problem (denial mode)
Stealing or lying in an attempt to get money for alcohol
Being violent towards spouse or children or even strangers to get alcohol and/or money for alcohol
Not very reliable in assigning tasks or fulfilling responsibilities
Ability to hold more than their regular quantity of drinks, over a period of time, capacity to tolerate more alcohol
Constantly seen in the company of people who enjoy alcohol
What should you tell your friend/relative?

Admit the problem

Stay away from people who drink with you or encourage you to drink
Space out drinks, drink with food and drink enough water as it will reduce the amount of alcohol getting into the body
Involve close friends and family for emotional support
Enrol for a detox program
Get into exercise, sports, photography which are both creative and productive ways to improve your quality of recreation and life

It is a common belief that alcohol consumption is a social menace and is injurious to health. It is the third leading lifestyle causes of death in the United States and takes a toll on the health care costs of the country. Many organs like the liver, kidney, heart, and brain are affected in people who are addicted to alcohol. However, it has been proven that alcohol consumption in minor amounts can have beneficial effects on the human body including the heart.

The side effects depend on a number of factors listed below.

Type of alcohol consumption (social or habitual drinker)
Amount of alcohol consumed
Frequency of drinking
Age, gender, and genetic predisposition of the person to develop alcohol-related diseases
Family history of alcoholism and its related diseases
Age at which the person started drinking
The number of years that a person has been consuming alcohol
Overall health condition of the person
Exposure to alcohol as a fetus
As the adage goes, anything in excess is bad. It is not necessary that a habitual or social drinker who consumes a drink or two per week would end up with these issues. In fact, if recent studies are to be believed, mild to moderate intake of alcohol does have a benefit to overall health.

The cardiovascular benefits are the most prominent. Red wine and beer, in particular, are shown to provide benefits against cardiovascular damage in the long run. This could be due to the antioxidant properties of red wine. Alcohol itself (ethanol or ethyl alcohol) also has a positive effect. Some varieties of beer, porter and stout varieties, in particular, are also shown to be beneficial. The anti-inflammatory properties and antiatherogenic (effect on plaque formation in the blood vessel) are what contribute to these positive effects.
There is evidence to show that cholesterol profile is improved (good cholesterol increase) and clotting function is improved in people who have mild alcohol consumption.
Insulin sensitivity is also better, leading to better control of sugar levels.
Light alcohol consumption also is believed to reduce the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. However, heavy alcohol consumption is believed to increase the risk of stroke and other cerebral events.
Limited alcohol use is also linked with a reduced risk of dementia. Heavy consumption leads to faster memory decline.
The key to note is that these benefits are only when alcohol consumption is mild to moderate. In excess, the negative effects of alcohol are well established and numerous. Some of the most significant ones being cirrhosis of the liver and cancers of various organs including mouth, liver, larynx, oesophagus, colon, breast, pancreas, etc. To reduce these effects, alcohol screening and brief counselling to reduce habituation are helpful.

Tips For Healthy Life

Eat a variety of food.
Cut back on salt.
Reduce the use of certain fats and oil.
Limit sugar intake.
Avoid hazardous and harmful alcohol use.

Hello,

I am Dr. Somiya Mudgal, consultant psychiatrist. Hum aaj baat karenge addictions ke baare mein. Addictions kai prakar ke ho sakte hai jaise ki, most commonly jo addiction hum dekhte hai vo hota hai sharab ka, cigarette ka, paan ka. Uske alawa addictions kai baar apko neend ki dawaiyo ka bhi mil jayega, aap dekhenge addictions ho sakte hai gaanja ka, affeem ka, pot ka, hash ka. Ye different tarike ke addictions hai jo ki chhoti umar se kaafi badi umar ke logo mein dekhe ja sakte hai, jinki wajah se life mein kaafi problems aa sakti hai. Usually addictions ke shuru hone ki reasons hoti hai ki log peer pressure ki wajah se karte hai. Kisiko lagta hai ki unki life bahut kharab chal rahi hai toh vo solution hai ya medicine hai. Ya Koi complain karta hai ki neend nahi aati hai toh hum alcohol lete hai toh koi nasha karte hai. Usually isi tarike ke reasons hote hai toh koi nasha karna shuru karta hai. Unfortunately ye saare hi substances ye saari hi cheeje habit ban jaati hai, eventually chhote dose se kaam nahi chalta and dheere dheere addiction badta jata hai. Addictions se hone wali problems ke baare mein baat karein toh addiction se do tarike ki problems hongi, ek toh aapko sharirik problem hogi jaise ki apka lever kharab ho sakta hai, akpo hotho ka cancer ho sakta hai, lungs ka cancer ho sakta hai, apko lever ka cancer ho sakta hai, aur cancer ke last stage se pahle aapko choti choti lever ki aur beemariya, lungs ki beemariya bhi apko ho sakti hai.

Parantu, mukhya taur pe jo problems dekhi jaati hai aur jo sabse pahle dikhai deni shuru hoti hai vo hoti hai mansik beemariya, jaise ki long term addicton karne ke baad ghabrahat, baicheni ki pareshani ban jaana, udasi ki pareshani ban jaana, daure padne ki pareshani ban jaana, ya fir severe pareshani jaise ki pagalpan, jisko hum psychosis kahte hai, bhi ho sakti hai. Inn pareshaniyo se peecha chhudane ka jo tarika hai vo ye hai ki agar apko lagta hai ki apke ghar pariwar mein ya apko khud ko iss tarike ki koi problem ho rahi hai, iss tarike ka koi nasha kar raha hai, chahe vo alchohal ka ho, vo chahe ciggerate, paan ka ho ya ganja ko ho ya opioid ka ho, neend ki goli ka ho, cough syrup ka ho, toh ye jaruri hai ki aap treatment karaein warna dheere dheere aadat badti jati hai aur uske baad usse chhodna mushkil ho jata hai. Achchi baat ye hai ki, humesha ye samjha jaata hai ki ek baar nashe ki aadat lag gayi toh kabhi chhutegi nahi, ye baat sach nahi hai. Haan chhudana mushkil hai par asambhav nahi hai. Dusri baat ye hai ki log samjhte hai ki uske liye ek nasha mukti kendra mein band hona hoga aur wahi rahna padega, bahut kharcha hoga aur iss wajah se log samne nahi aate ya arthik samsayao ki wajah se ye sochte hai ki ye na karein, toh ye bhi sach hai.

Agar koi bhi insan nasha chhodna chahta hai aur vo puri tarah se taiyar hai toh OPD basis pe bhi hum nasha mukti kar sakte hai. Isme humara do tarike ka phase hota hai. Ek hota hai humara detox phase, jisme ki hum aapko thoda jaldi jaldi bulayeinge kyunki dawaiya jaldi jaldi badalti hai. Uss samay hum apke shareer se aur apke khun se jo nasha hai usse nikal rahe hai, jis se ki apko jyada pareshaniya bhi na ho aur shareer se nasha chala jaaye. Dusre maintenance phase mein humara jo uddeshya hota hai vo hota hai apko vo dawaiya dena jis se apki nasha karne ki ichcha kam ho. Uske saath saath hum apko therapy aur aisi bahut saari strategies sikhate hai jis se ki aap apne aapko nashe se dur rakhe. Hamesha nasha chhodne ke liye jaruri hai ki aap motivated rahe, apne pariwar ka sath de, apne pariwar ko ye baat jarur batayein ki aap kisi nasha mukti kendra mein ja rahe hai ya kisi nasha mukti doctor se mil rahe hai ya madad le rahe hai, kyuki kabhi kabhi ye jaruri hota hai ki agar koi complication ya pareshani aa rahi hai toh apke ghar ke sadsya doctor se consult kar sake. Chhodna bahut aasan hai par agar aap nahi chhodte hai toh bahut saari mansik beemariyo ka shikar hone ka chances rahta hai jaise ki maine apko pahle bhi bataya tha aur jo ki severe form mein fir apki sharirik health aur mansik health, dono ko hi bahut bure tarike se bigad sakti hai. Agar aapke aas paas kisiko bhi nashe ki problem hai ya apke pariwar mein hai toh ummeed na chhode aur kisi bhi nasha mukti kendra ya nasha mukti doctor se jarur milein.
Thank You!

Psychologists and other researchers study the antecedents of substance use and how what we know about the human brain and its development can inform our understanding of why people use substances and how their use becomes problematic.
They often study specific types of alcohol and drug problems, their origins and effects, how these problems change over time, how they are distinct from or may overlap with other conditions and how they may interact with biological, social, behavioral and other cultural issues.

Prevention & treatment -
Psychologists and other professionals apply the findings of research to treat substance use in individual people, couples and whole families and may sometimes provide treatments to people brought together as a group or in a community.
They also may integrate more biological approaches, such as the use of medications, with social and behavioral treatments, work to motivate people to engage in the process of change, maintain long-term changes and even prevent the development of alcohol and drug problems in the first place.

Behavioral therapies for opioid use disorder -
That's a missed opportunity, experts argue, since evidence-based behavioral treatments used in concert with medication have the potential to make a real difference in long-term recovery" substance use is not just about biology. When someone comes into treatment for opioid use disorder, there's a lot of history that predates that, and a lot of things that happened when they were engaged in drug use" says Sharon Walsh, PhD, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Kentucky college of medicine who studies opioid use disorder and its treatment" it's critical for people to also have behavioral interventions as needed. You need to treat the whole person to get them well"

Have you ever felt you should cut down on your drinking?
__Yes
__No

Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
__Yes
__No

Have you ever felt bad or guilty about your drinking?
__Yes
__No

Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover (eye-opener)?
__Yes
__No

If you answered Yes to at least 2 questions, then you may have a problem and require professional help.

Alcohol, tobacco and drugs; these are some of the most common substances that people can get addicted to. Getting addicted is easy but to get rid of your habit is hard.

Here are a few things that could help:

Set a date: Addicts who tell themselves that they will quit tomorrow often never end up doing so. Set a date for yourself when you will have your last smoke and drink. Ideally, you should set this date a few weeks from the day you decide to give up your bad habits to allow yourself to be mentally prepared.
Find new friends: Peep pressure is one of the most common reasons for an addiction to begin. Hence, the first thing to do when you are trying to give up a bad habit is to stay away from the people you associate with that habit and make new friends.
Hold yourself accountable to someone: While you can give in to yourself, it is harder to make excuses for doing something when you are being held accountable by someone else. Find a mentor or a friend who will be there for you and who will sponsor your deaddiction.
Find your weak spots: Every habit is triggered by certain factors. If you have decided to try and give up a bad habit, identify the factors that trigger it and avoid them. For example, your morning cup of coffee may trigger the need for a cigarette. By replacing coffee with juice, you can make your morning a little easier.
Take up a new hobby: A hobby is a great way to distract yourself from cravings. Crossword puzzles and Sudoku are great as indoor hobbies while swimming is an excellent outdoor hobby. You could even try gardening or crafts.
Exercise: One of the many benefits of exercising is that it can help boost endorphins and make you feel happier and thus less likely to crave cigarettes of alcohol. Aim for at least half an hours exercise each day.
Maintain a journal: Some days are good and some days are bad. To give yourself a balanced view of your deaddiction process, maintain a journal. Write down your achievements as well as your pitfalls and be proud of what you have achieved for yourself.
Help someone else: The best way to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Similarly, with addiction, the best way to be strong and give up a bad habit is to help someone else do it. This way, you are forced to be a good example and give up the habit yourself.
Ask for help: Do not be so proud as to not be able to ask for help when you need it. Remember, it is better to appear weak and ask for help rather than go back to your addiction.
Don t give up: Relapses are common but they do not have to be the end of your efforts. If you do have a bad day and have a few drags of smoke or maybe a drink, tell yourself that it s ok. Identify the reasons why you gave in to yourself and start afresh from the next morning.
Treatment through Mindfulness

The practice of mindfulness involves two primary elements: focused attention and open monitoring. During the practice of focused attention, attention is concentrated on a sensory object (often the sensation of breathing) while one acknowledges and then stops from distracting thoughts and emotions. Focused attention practices are often preceded by the practice of open monitoring. Open monitoring is a metacognitive state of awareness in the sense that it involves monitoring the content of consciousness while reflecting back on the process or quality of consciousness itself. This form of mindfulness practice is thought to reduce anxiety to a larger extent.

Alcohol addiction commonly known as alcoholism is a fairly common problem that has shown to affect people from every walk of life. Scientists have tried to pinpoint the absolute cause behind alcoholism, but to no success. Certain factors like sex, genetic, and socioeconomic factors have shown to have some effect on alcoholism. The cause of alcoholism is never singular. Alcohol addiction is indeed a disease, where a person may not have full control over his actions and is seen to change the neurochemistry of the brain.

The symptoms of alcohol addiction can be seen in many ways and the severity of the situation varies from person to person. Other factors such as the frequency of consumption may also be specific. While some people are heavy drinkers and drink throughout the day; others may drink occasionally and remain sober for a few days.

A person who is dependent on alcohol will prioritise drinking over other essential activities and will eventually cause disruption in his social life, work or other areas of his life. It can also create a negative effect in the victim s life along with their families and their near and dear ones.

What are the signs of alcohol addiction and alcohol abuse?
The signs and symptoms of alcoholism or addiction are rather conspicuous. Since drinking alcohol is common in social events in most cultures around the world, it becomes difficult to recognise when someone is addicted to alcohol, unlike drugs like cocaine and heroin.

The physical signs of alcohol abuse include:

Loss of control over the quantity of alcohol consumed.
Lack of adequate sleep, followed by overcompensation for sleep.
Expression of anger and other negative behaviours my increase in inappropriate places and situations.
Lack of proper attention towards the priorities in life.
How does alcohol affect the body?
Chronic abuse of alcohol can have negative effects on almost every part of your body and plays havoc in your system. Alcohol is liable to cause irreversible damage to several organs of the body which is vital for sustenance:

Nervous system
Stomach or Intestines
Liver
Heart
Brain
Alcoholism in itself can lead to several diseases like:

High blood pressure
Cancer
Increased incidences of osteoporosis, especially in women
Sexual issues