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How can I help someone with an addiction?

Lopez John

Addiction is a pathological craving that prevents a person from living a full life. The “object” of the addiction can be an object or bad habits. A person cannot get rid of negative experiences without the object of dependence, the behavior acquires the features of cyclicity and repetition.

An important fact: addiction is formed psychologically.

There are several stages in the development of the syndrome:

  1. Initial. A person begins because of banal curiosity. At this stage, all thoughts and conversations are devoted to addiction, but he can still give up the addiction on his own.
  2. Addiction. The body gradually gets used to it and soon, after the development of tolerance, cannot do without satisfying the craving. At the same time, giving up the harmful habit can cause physical discomfort, headaches, and other painful sensations.
  3. Necessity. A person becomes a slave to his desires and repeats the addiction not for pleasure, but in order to bring the body back to a normal state.

Destruction: health problems and conflicts in the family.

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Types of Addictions

The most common types of addiction and their symptoms:

  • Addiction is a disease caused by dependence on a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance. It is more difficult to identify a “newcomer” than a patient with a long history. The latter does not care about his appearance or physical needs (eating and hygiene). In addition, the patient has a detached and vacant look, as well as wide or narrow pupils, depending on the light in the room. In addition to the appearance, loved ones will be able to notice other negative changes.
  • Overeating (excessive eating) is a disorder of the mental state in which a person eats food not to satisfy hunger, but to increase his or her mood. At the same time, the person feels guilty after eating and can hide it from others. Other striking signs are the inability to stop, eating regardless of pain or discomfort, repeated attempts to stop overeating (through diets) and frequent relapses afterwards. In the short term, addiction can lead to low self-esteem, dramatic weight gain, acne and other health problems.
  • Internet addiction is a compulsive desire to constantly sit on the expanse of the network, without a specific purpose (information search, work or study). Internet addiction – not a harmless hobby that can bring discord to family relationships and provoke the development of emotional instability (mood swings, depression, irritability, emotional alienation). On the physiological level the user feels the consequences of long sitting at the computer: pain in the eyes, aching joints, sleep and eating disorders. Most likely, the user forgets about his family and work duties, and when relatives make remarks about it – he gets indignant and angry.
  • Alcoholism is a chronic and progressive disease. Daily use of alcohol, memory lapses after another “party”, binge periods (from 2-5 days and more), lack of self-criticism and inability to stop are symptoms that characterize the patient.
  • Workaholism is an altered state of consciousness caused by mental and physical exhaustion. Most of the time, a person’s thoughts are absorbed in work, he/she cannot rest – this causes stress and leads to emotional burnout.

On initial stages it is possible to overcome addiction independently, but on subsequent stages it is necessary to consult a specialist and, possibly, a clinic.

Causes of addiction

Individuals potentially at risk are those who have communication problems. For them, addiction is a kind of alternative to the real world and its joys. Also, pathological cravings can form because of a dysfunctional childhood and psychological trauma.

Other factors:

  • Lack of positive emotions in life;
  • Traumatic experience (death of a loved one, an accident, etc.)
  • Bad heredity (parents also had similar problems).

An example of a chain of addiction formation:

  1. Source of the problem (e.g., cigarettes, alcohol, etc.).
  2. False belief in inability to resist his desire (“I won’t be able to give up a drink”).
  3. The person considers himself/herself to be controlled from the outside (“it’s not my fault, it’s just the way things are”).

How to help a person with an addiction?

First it is important to find out what is bothering the person – politely and accurately ask about the problem, and then listen carefully to the interlocutor, do not interrupt.

The next step is to go to the doctor. A specialist will prescribe the necessary tests, listen, diagnose and prescribe treatment.

Treatment is determined based on the duration and severity of the disease. Non-pharmacological means include a number of social and psychological measures:

  • individual psychotherapy;
  • psychological support groups.

An important condition for recovery is the patient’s own desire to seek help.

Relatives can also help by providing moral support:

  • not to forget to show attention and interest in the treatment;
  • Limit access to the source of the addiction (e.g. hiding alcohol);
  • constantly listen and support.