Addiction: Alcohol, Substance, and Behavior

ADDICTION DEFINED

Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance or engages in an activity that can be pleasurable but the continued use of it becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities such as work, relationships, or health. Oftentimes individuals may not be aware that their behavior is out of control and causing problems for themselves or others.

While not everyone agrees on what constitutes an addiction, in general, it is recognized that an addiction can be to any substance; for example, alcohol, amphetamines, nicotine, opioids, or caffeine. In addition, addiction includes a dependency on things as well as substances, such as gambling, food, sex, the internet, pornography, or video games.

We understand that the challenges faced throughout recovery can be incredibly difficult to maintain. Substance and behavioral addiction services consist of highly structured and intensive individual approaches to helping clients develop healthy levels of personal understanding and adjustment regarding maladaptive behaviors. Our experienced addiction counselors will explore with clients a wide range of issues relating to their addiction, from the physiologic mechanisms and causes to the aspects of their social environment that may affect and trigger their behaviors.

A holistic treatment approach is utilized at Clarity Clinic as our clinical staff recognizes that individuals will have needs in relation to their addiction that are physical, social, or perhaps spiritual in nature. For example, often times addiction may be a symptom of a deeper issue, such as a lack of comfort in one’s own skin. Our aim is to treat the whole individual, rather than just symptoms that need fixing. An emphasis is placed on the client as an individual with the strength and courage to overcome their addiction, ultimately growing as a result.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF ADDICTION

Alcohol-Use Disorders

Drinking that is problematic or severe can be diagnosed as an alcohol-use disorder and is characterized by excessive alcohol intake, loss of control during alcohol consumption and an negative emotional state when not consuming alcohol. Alcohol-use disorders are ranked on severity – mild, moderate and severe and can impair relationships, school and/or work functioning.

The age range of people who misuse alcohol is between 20-35 and studies have shown a difference in the patterns of drinking between men and women. Women, who seem to start drinking later in life and progress faster, are most likely drink alone to hide their guilt and shame about their alcohol use. While men tend to drink out socially. Many who who struggle with alcohol abuse have other underlying disorders such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, and use alcohol to make them feel better. Although, because alcohol is a depressant, alcohol abuse may lead to worsening symptoms.

Substance-Use Disorders

Similar to alcohol use disorder, excessive or compulsive use of a substance that is problematic or excessive and impairs relationships, school and/or work functions. More than 50 percent of those will substance abuse disorders have other co-occurring disorders. Additionally, those who abuse drugs have difficulty with impulse control, controlling emotions, low self-confidence, and managing stress.

Behavior/Impulsive Addiction

Behavioral addiction can include gambling, sex, pornography, video games, food, and internet addiction. People with these types of addictions tend to use the behavior as a way to reduce negative emotions and detach from their problems. Many who struggles with these excessive or impulsive behaviors struggle with co-occurring disorders and use these activities as a replacement for developing and sustaining intimate relationships or friendships.

CAUSES OF ADDICTION

While there is no definitive cause to alcohol, substance or behavior disorders, there are several factors that can trigger addictive behaviors. Those include:

Genetics – a growing body of research have linked genetics and addiction. Those who relatives had a substance or alcohol-abuse disorders are at a greater risk of developing an addiction. When you start drinking alcohol or using substance, you may be at a predisposition for the disorder to develop and progress faster in those who relatives struggled with addiction.

Environmental – those who have a limited support system, or whose peer group engages in excessive alcohol consumption or substance use can contribute to the development of these disorders. Additionally, those who are victims of trauma – sexual, physical, emotional — are more prone to alcohol and substance abuse disorders, as well as impulse behaviors, such as sex addiction, gambling, pornography, food.

Chemical changes in the brain – Studies have found that the pleasure center of the brain gets activated producing a euphoric effect that can only be repeated with more drugs or alcohol. Re-experiencing that pleasure typically requires more alcohol or substance use to get the same effect resulting in reliance or addiction.

TREATMENT FOR ALCOHOL, SUBSTANCE, AND BEHAVIORAL ADDICTION

At Clarity Clinic, we have certified alcohol and drug counselors who specialize in the assessment and treatment of those struggling with substances and alcohol. We understand that the challenges faced throughout recovery can be incredibly difficult to maintain. Our experienced addiction counselors will explore with clients a wide range of areas relating to their addiction, from the physiologic causes to the aspects of their social environment that may affect and trigger their behaviors.

Medication Management

Our psychiatrists ensure a proper diagnosis and take care in specialized medication management for clients who seek to treat their substance use disorders through pharmacological treatment.

Psychotherapy

Our certified addiction specialists work in conjunction with the treatment team to individually tailor the treatments and therapies. Studies have found that a combination of motivational interviewing, cognitive therapy, and social skills training has shown to be effective in treating alcohol, substance, and behavioral addiction.

Friends and family members of those who struggle with alcohol and substance abuse can also be affected by the addiction. Clarity Clinic’s marriage and family therapists can work with couples, and others in the support network help support them through their loved one’s recovery process.

Signs and Symptoms

Alcohol and Substances

Those struggling with alcohol symptoms include:

• Use of larger quantities of alcohol or substance over a longer period than intended.
• The intention or desire to cut down or control the alcohol or substance but with limited ability to stop.
• Spending a great deal of time trying to obtain alcohol or substance, use them or recover from the aftereffects of the drug or alcohol.
• Consistent cravings or desire to use alcohol or substances.
• A consistent failure to fulfill major responsibilities or obligations at schools, work, or home
• Recurrent use of alcohol or substances despite its interference in interpersonal relationships or responsibilities.
• A reduction of activities or obligations you once enjoyed because of alcohol or substance use.
• An increase in risky behaviors or hazardous situations because of alcohol or substance use.
• Continued use of alcohol or substance despite knowing that the alcohol or substance is contributing to poor physical or psychological health.
• A need for larger quantities of alcohol or substances to get the desired effect or development of a tolerance to the previous amount.
• Experience of physical withdrawal symptoms — nausea, shaking, sweating, heart racing – when the effects of the alcohol or substances were wearing off.

Gambling Disorder

To be diagnosed with a gambling disorder,symptoms can include:

• The need to gamble with more money in order to achieve the desired effect of excitement.
• Becomes irritable or restless when attempting to stop gambling or reduce gambling.
• Has made repeated attempts to cut down or stop gambling.
• Is often preoccupied with thoughts of gambling including thinking about when to gamble next, reliving experiences, thinking about ways to get money to gamble.
• Often gambles when distressed.
• Continues to gamble after losing money to “chase” one’s losses.
• Lies to conceal gambling.
• Interference in interpersonal relationships or obligations because of gambling.
• Relies on others to provide money or “bail” them out of financial distress because of gambling.

While sex and pornography are not listed as an official diagnosis in the DSM-5 doesn’t mean these addictive behaviors aren’t problematic. If you believe that you or your loved one is struggling with impulsive control behaviors connected to sex or pornography that is interfering with interpersonal relationships and daily activities and causing distress, please contact Clarity Clinic to discuss treatment options.

Additional Resources

For more information on alcohol, substance, or behavior disorders, below are several additional resources to help learn more:

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)