What Makes an
Addiction?
Addiction?
Physically addictive substances used daily can bring these uncomfortable physical symptoms.
Withdrawal
The oldest known and most popular intoxicating substance used specifically for recreational purposes.
(Existing at least as early as 10,000 BC!)
Alcohol.
We experience these in our mind, heart and gut and it is important to learn how to manage our reaction to them
Feelings/Emotions
Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone
Support
A strong addictive urge that can pull you in a way you may not want to go if you are not careful
Craving
When it takes more and more of a substance to get the same effect, one is building a higher...
Tolerance
Class of drugs used medicinally for thousands of years to relieve physical pain. Currently, they are associated with an international addiction crisis.
Opiates/Opioids
It is important to learn to manage this uncomfortable mental experience that can occur when we worry or stress over things
Anxiety
Something just about everyone needs when overcoming a difficult challenge, because it is so difficult to do it alone
Support
In AA, this term could be used if you went backwards a little bit but still didn’t completely relapse.
Setback
Failure or unwillingness to recognize the truth about a problem, particularly an addiction, is often referred to as this
Denial
Even though life may be spiraling out of control with dependency clearly increasing, some people may believe that they are not addicted just because they may be obtaining drugs this legal medical way
Prescription
These changing temporary states of mind can be make us feel high, low and everything in between so it is important to be able to regulate these
Moods
The essential Inner drive, focus and desire, that brings about positive change and attainment of goals
Motivation
Some people may try to deal with substance use issue by attempting use less, or change to a less harmful substance. If that isn’t working you may need to consider this more old-school option
Abstinence/ Sobriety
Every choice we make has these. Addiction can cause people to foolishly ignore these repeatedly.
Consequences
The vast majority of people who use this legal plant use it as often as 10 or 20 times a day despite knowing it is the number one killer of all addictive substances in the world.
Tobacco
Many individuals with mental health symptoms start using substances as a way to...
Self-medicate.
This categorizes and includes all that is most important in your life and, what you care about the most, and what has the most worth to you
Values
With more severe addiction, particularly opioid, if the withdrawal or cravings are overwhelming it may be wise to consider seeing a doctor for this
Medication or Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT)
When you spend too much, use too much or too often and life problems are steadily piling up, it is a good sign you have lost this
Control
Stimulants such as cocaine, speed and methamphetamine, when taken for long periods can induce a mental state of hallucinations and extreme paranoid delusions called:
Psychosis (Or stimulant-induced psychosis)
Sometimes addiction can be directly linked to deeply disturbing or distressing experiences that occurred earlier in life all of which is referred to as: _____
Trauma/PTSD
If you find and discover this it can help you define your goals and add meaning and direction in your life
Purpose
They say relapse doesn’t suddenly happen out of nowhere – It’s not an event, it is often much more of a gradual _____
Process