Vol.III, No.19
www.renewssource.com
October 1, 2017
Are You An Addict?
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID San Antonio, Texas Paid Permit #1590
By: Pat Farrell Most people’s reaction when the subject of addiction is bandied about is to immediately think only of the abuse of some type of chemical substance like narcotics or alcohol which probably results from the fact that that is the addiction issue we most hear about in the news. Also, many among us, or perhaps a family member may have just such a “problem,” but it is important to note that some addictions have nothing whatsoever to do with the abuse of chemical substances. There is still much disagreement about whether addiction, per se, is actually a “disease” or not, and some definitions read simply that it is “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity” or that “it is the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, such as narcotics.”
Others, however, claim that it is "a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry where dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations.” Phew!! Putting that debate about addiction to the use or abuse of chemical substances aside, it may be more interesting to look at other “behavioral” types of addiction. While there are Impulse Control Disorders like aggressive behavior, gambling, setting fires and stealing there are also those things that people are addicted to like pornography and sex (but we are not going to go there), food, working, exercising, reading, shopping, spiritual obsession, seeking pain (or cutting one’s self) and, of course, the Internet. Some would have you believe that the term “addiction” is a misnomer since it would only take the application of a little self-control to solve the problem. Really? What is evident and cannot be disregarded is that there are many behaviors, including gambling, eating and risk taking, that are occurring at an addictive level and left untreated are destroying lives. According to many pundits, any behavior that becomes the focus of one’s life, and that usually excludes other activities or that causes harm to the individual or others, should be considered a form of addictive behavior. There are many of us who enjoy good food, including some we are able to prepare for ourselves and some for which we choose to have served to us at a good restaurant. However, there are also those that beyond usual eating behavior, actually crave food, where some must have the taste associated with fatty foods, others
need to experience sweetness, or may crave salt. Whatever the food choice, when it becomes an “I must have” or it is always being sought after because of the “high” it produces in the individual, then there may just be a serious addiction problem. And, similar to substance abuse, it is possible for one to build a tolerance to the desired food so that more and more of it will be required to get that sought after “high.” No doubt we have all heard of, read about or may actually know someone who has a gambling “problem” such that they are always preoccupied with finding the “game of chance” of their choice, and once there will continue to bet, as they are so sure they will finally get all their losses and more back on the next roll of the dice, hand of cards or pull of the handle, etc. However, it usually does not happen that way and brings with it the serious potential of huge losses and they may eventually lose it all: family, home, job and even life. And the “high” that gamblers experience may be similar to one that many people are seeking when they engage in activities that most consider to be dangerous, like surfing the highest waves and snowboarding off high mountains or driving while totally drunk and engaging in unprotected sex with strangers. If common sense tells them it should not be done they will usually do it anyway! With the digital age now in its prime, there so many of us that have become tethered to our digital devices and are probably aware that most teens, and a large number of adults for that matter, would likely suffer severe withdrawal pangs should their cell phones be removed from their person for even an hour – just think of all the calls, texts and email messages that would be missed during that
time! It can be fascinating to watch people in public places, who even though they are with other people are individually engrossed in their own phones and seem to have no time for each other. Then, with the coming of the Internet era, there are a whole new crop of addictive behaviors to consider. While today’s video games are to some just time wasters they are to others a chance to escape into a fantasy world that has little to do with the surrounding realities of their lives. Though we may not appreciate the allure that seems to call gamers to the computer, many of them have found that being able to communicate online with previously unknown others from around the world who share their fascination and whom they will never have to meet, all while playing the latest and greatest game with them, is much more satisfying than having to deal with those who are currently a part of their lives or local environment. Does anyone else see a problem here? Also, because of the Internet there are those who must always buy the latest and greatest thing available online because it may be needed now or later, even if they cannot afford it, and we all know of others who must constantly post any and everything they do, where they go, what they do there and even what they are now eating, and at what restaurant! The Internet is also a Mecca for those who are addicted to viewing and hoarding pornographic images for their personal use and to share with other likeminded people. On a lighter note (I think) there is one addictive behavior that most would never have thought much about and that is the addiction to reading. I just happen to be acquainted with someone who fits that