ADDICTIONS. BEHAVIOURAL Internet Shopping Work Sex Gambling Food. SUBSTANCE - RELATED Alcohol Drugs Medicine Tobacco

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1 ADDICTIONS BEHAVIOURAL Internet Shopping Work Sex Gambling Food SUBSTANCE - RELATED Alcohol Drugs Medicine Tobacco Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease affecting the brains's reward, motivation and related systems.

2 BEHAVIOURAL ADDICTIONS Internet addiction: Internet addiction is a psychological disorder causing excessive and obsessive need to use a computer which interferes in daily life. When you feel more comfortable with your online friends than your real ones, or you can t stop yourself from playing games, gambling, or compulsively checking your smartphone, then you may be using the Internet too much. There are different types of Internet addiction: Addiction to social networks Addiction to online games Addiction to chats Addiction to online shopping Addiction to cybersex Losing track of time online. Having trouble completing tasks at home or work. Isolation from family and/or friends. Feeling guilty or defensive about your Internet use. Feeling a sense of euphoria while being involved in internet activities. HOW TO HELP ADDICTS? Trying to help an addict can be a long, challenging, and painful process for friends and family members. Unlike having a physically debilitating condition like cancer, an addict may not initially recognize the true danger of his illness or understand the inherent risks of not treating it. 1. Know the signs and symptoms of addiction. 2. Consider staging an intervention so the addict s loved ones can demonstrate how the addiction is affecting them. 3. Find an appropriate rehabilitation program. 4. Expect relapses. 5. Be the best friend you can be. 6. Encourage and suggest the potential freedoms of new, healthier lifestyles, when the addict recovers. No one is immune from addiction; it afflicts people of all ages, races, classes, and professions. Patrick J. Kennedy

3 Tobacco addiction: Nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, causes a temporary rush of adrenaline when absorbed in the bloodstream or inhaled via cigarette smoke. Nicotine also triggers an increase in dopamine the brain s happy chemical and stimulates the area of the brain associated with pleasure and reward. Like any other drug, repeated use of tobacco over time, whether in cigarette or chew-form, can cause a physical and psychological addiction. Cannot stop smoking or chewing, despite repeated attempts to quit. Experiences withdrawal symptoms at cessation of using, such as shaky hands, sweating, irritability, or rapid heart rate. Needs tobacco products to feel normal or turns to them during times of emotional stress or irritability. Continues to smoke despite health problems. Physical symptoms: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (pain and numbness in hands and wrists) Dry eyes and strained vision Back and neck aches, head aches Sleep disturbances Pronounced weight gain or weight loss Shopping addiction: Shopping addiction, often referred to as compulsivebuying disorder or compulsive shopping, is a mental health disorder and can cause severe financial consequences for the addict. In general, shopping addiction is the compulsive need to spend money, regardless of need or financial means. Obsession with shopping and making purchases on a daily or weekly basis. Use of shopping to cope with emotional distress or stressful circumstances. Maxing out credit cards or opening new ones without paying off previous balances. Intense feelings of euphoria or excitement after making purchases. Buying unnecessary things or purchasing items that go unused.

4 Work addiction: Work addiction is a real mental health condition recognized by medical professionals. Like any other addictive behavior, work addiction is the inability to stop working. It often stems from a compulsive need to achieve financial or professional status or to escape emotional stressors the individual cannot cope with when not working. Prescription drug addiction: While many people rely on prescription medications to help them manage physical or mental health conditions, it s possible to become addicted to prescription drugs. In fact, prescription drug addicts often become hooked by taking pills that may not even be prescribed to them. Commonly abused prescription drugs include painkillers, like Percocet or morphine, or stimulants like Ritalin or Dexedrine. Long hours at the office, even when not necessary. Intense fear of failure at work. Losing sleep to engage in work projects or to finish tasks. Sex addiction: In general, sex addiction is referred to as a compulsive need to perform sexual acts in order to achieve the kind of kick that an alcoholic gets from a drink or an addict from a drug. Sex addiction can be a highly dangerous and destructive condition. Sex addiction is a common, but infrequently diagnosed, condition that affects the addict s mental health, personal relationships, quality of life, and safety. Inability to function in daily life without the drug. Lying or stealing in order to maintain a supply of the drug. Attempting to hide the behavior, such as going to the bathroom to take a pill or hiding the drug in secret places. Faking symptoms to doctors or other health professionals in order to get a prescription. Gradual or rapid increase in frequency of use or dosage.

5 Illicit drug addiction: In general, illicit drugs are substances that are illegal to make, sell, or use, such as cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, or hallucinogens. An illicit drug addiction tends to progress more rapidly than other addictions, often requiring the user to consume increasingly higher doses of the drug to get the same effect. Significant increase or decrease in energy level, especially if the shift is out of the ordinary or has a sudden onset. Aggressive behavior or violent mood swings. Increased social activity with other users or only attending social events where the drug will be present. Withdrawal from friends and family. Chronic health problems or continued use of the drug despite physical health risks. Gambling addiction: Someone with a gambling addiction may have a compulsion for buying lottery tickets, visiting casinos, playing slot machines, betting on sports, or gambling online. The type or frequency of gambling may vary, but a gambling addict will typically be unable to control his behavior and will continue gambling despite negative social, financial, or legal consequences. Avoiding work, social obligations, or other commitments in order to gamble. Stealing money in order to gamble. Disintegration of relationships or friendships due to gambling. Loss of house, job, car, or other personal possessions due to financial losses in gambling. Failed attempts to control or eliminate behavior

6 Food addiction: Like addictive drugs, foods trigger feel-good brain chemicals such as dopamine. Once people experience pleasure caused by an increased dopamine transmission in the brain's reward pathway from eating certain foods, they quickly feel the need to eat again. The reward signals from highly palatable foods may override other signals of fullness and satisfaction. As a result, people keep eating, even when they're not hungry. End up eating more than planned when you start eating certain foods. Keep eating certain foods even if you're no longer hungry. When certain foods aren't available, go out of your way to obtain them. SUBSTANCE-RELATED ADDICTIONS Alcohol addiction: Alcohol addiction, more commonly known as alcoholism, is often referred to as the disease that knows no boundaries. Alcoholism has no singular cause and can afflict anyone. In the medical community, alcohol addiction is referred to as a psychosomatic condition, meaning that social, psychological, and behavioral factors can all contribute to the onset and progression of the disease. Increased amount of alcohol consumption or increased frequency of use,' Higher tolerance when drinking or lack of hangover symptoms. Changes in friendships. An alcoholic will almost always surround himself with others who drink just as heavily. Hiding alcohol, such as in the closet, bathroom or other places where no one will find it. Dependence on alcohol to function or to be normal in every day life.