It seems that ours is an addiction society. Period. We are hooked on a host of substances, legal, illegal and prescribed. We are hooked on food, especially caffeine and sugar. A look at ourselves and our lifestyle in society tells us we are surely addicted to gambling, chaos, money, contact (internet, cell phones), games and sex. We are addicted to exercise, fame, technology and, of all things, work. Why? What is it about our genetic make-up or our social structures that makes these things increasingly apparent?

What is Addiction?

1. Oxford Illustrated Dictionary:

• a) a state of physiological or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful drug.
• b) devotion to, or habitual application to, a particular thing.

2. Budddhist philosophy: "The satisfaction of the ego's desires; prevailing attachment to joy and pleasure".

3. DSM IV: "A maladaptive pattern of substance use, leading to clinically significant impairment or distress".

4. Quantum Physics: "physical addiciton is a product of our thoughts".

5. William Blake (poet): "He who binds himself to joy Does the winged life destroy...".

6. Anon: "An addiction is a behavour we can't stop, or don't stop, despite evidence of its harmfulness.

Who Becomes Addicted?

Generally accepted in western medicine is a genetic predispositon. The likelihood of becoming an addict is proportionate to the number of 1st degree relatives who are addicts. Statistically, for instance, if one of two parents is addicted, fifty percent of their children will become addicts; where both parents are addicts, the number increases to eighty percent.

The tendency to become addicted to substances or behaviours increases as a result of self-medicating co-occurring conditions that cause physical and/or emotional pain and distress. These may include chronic pain, terminal illness, attention deficit disorder, eating disorders, social phobias, anxiety, panic, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder.

Other contributing factors may include…

• society promoting separation and isolation, in which those who are perceived as different are alienated.
• a society in which commerce instructs our values; reverence for unattainable and unsustainable qualities such as wealth, youth and beauty.
• a society fuelled by instant information and sensationalism, encouraging the insistence upon instant gratification.
• environmental factors such as air, noise, light and water pollution; genetically modified foods.

Warning Signs of Addiction: Substance use or behaviour may be an addiction if…

• It is the #1 priority in day to day living.
• It compromises physical health.
• It can be linked to the breakdown of any relationship.
• Others remarks about it are annoying.
• The use or behaviour is secret.
• More and more is needed to feel ‘normal’, much less a ‘rush’.
• It leads to feelings of guilt or shame.
• The people around the user are also addicts.
• There are occasional thoughts of the need to cut relationships.
• There is depression, plus possible black-outs, and/or memory gaps.
• The need to continue is rationalized.
• The craving is as strong as, or stronger than, the need for food or water.
• Self-discipline is poor or absent.
• Using is done alone.
• Stopping causes anxiety and panic, tremors, sweating or pain.
• There are observable, significant changes in behaviour.
• There are observable changes in peer group.
• There are observable changes in eating and/or sleeping habits.
• There are significant changes in appearance and personal hygiene.

Substances: a substance must cause the release of dopamine to be considered addictive. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter (brain chemical) that affects thought and learning new motor sequences. It increases motivation, heart rate and blood pressure, and assists memory, attention and problem-solving.

Dopamine is associated with the system of the brain that provides feelings of pleasure, in turn providing reinforcement to repeat behaviours leading to pleasure.

Treatments include:

• de-tox.
• medication.
• rehabilitation.
• peer and familial support.
• professional psychosocial and psycho-educational interventions.

Note: With all substances, evidence of paraphernalia indicates probable use. Pieces of broken glass or mirror, rolled money, tubing, syringes, burnt spoons or razor blades are common tools in substance use.