It is believed that the combination of environment, genes and biological predisposition are the recipe for most addictions. A person genetically predisposed to addictions will not automatically become addicted unless they experience stress in their environment that causes the addiction to manifest. Individuals may be addicted to one or more behaviors such as:
- Drug and alcohol abuse
- Pornography
- Gambling
- Shopping
- Internet
- Video games
- Overeating
- Exercise
- Workaholism
- Relationships
What are the signs?
Studies have found connections between personality traits such as impulsivity and compulsiveness and addiction. People battling addictions sometimes switch from one addiction to another and may even be dealing with multiple addictions at the same time. Addictive personalities are prone to anxiety, depression and anger.
When determining whether an individual might have an addiction, experts assess the problematic behavior using a spectrum of five concepts:
- Patterns: People with addictions frequently exhibit various compulsive behaviors. ie. high caffeine consumption, Internet use, eating chocolate or other sugar-laden foods, television watching, or even running.
- Habits: The behavior is more than a hobby. It is negatively affecting the person’s productivity and overall well-being.
- Compulsions: People prone to addictions act on impulse and cannot deal with delayed gratification.
- Impulse control disorders: Addicted individuals have low-self esteem and trouble dealing with emotional stress leading them to use their addiction as a coping mechanism.
- Physical addictions: Substance-based addictions experience the release dopamine, upon which the range of sensations produced by the brain changes the brain’s immediate behavior, causing more susceptibility for future addictions.