Psychological Addiction Essay

In section 2 we further our understanding of addiction by recognising and hopefully you will be able to identify with the physical/psychological characteristics of addiction. In addition recognise the progression of addiction, the importance of an abstinence-based recovery and alternative treatments to support recovery success. Finally the important key factors of addictions I want you to always remember. So let’s get started:

Physical Symptoms of Addiction
Physical symptoms of addiction are the result of the user’s body becoming dependent on something external to their inner self. Over time with repeated abuse the body craves more of the drug /alcohol to help them feel better about themselves, their life and others. Symptoms occur as a
This cause abuse of a particular substance or compulsive behaviour to make the user “feel good” or “feel better about who they are” or function better than they are capable of doing, without their drug of choice.
A psychological addiction can be characterised by the need to change his/her mood or how they feel about themselves or others, or fail to address the underlying cause of their emotional pain and suffering.
Please note this is a trap many people fall into. The trap is because they don’t have any physical withdrawal symptoms many think they don’t have a problem. Not so! The craving for their drug of choice may not be a physical craving, rather a psychological craving.
Let me explain. People can be addicted to many things. Wanting to feel a certain way, or can’t get emotionally the things they desire, want and need are a few of many reasons why a person use drugs, drink or act
Not because I don’t have another drink in me, but because I don’t have another recovery in me. Picking up is a risk I choose not to take. Perhaps you feel the same? I have learnt my lesson. What about you? Are you choosing to look on recovery as a positive step going forward, rather than grieving for the loss of what may be on offer?
Clearly not all agree with these findings. That’s okay. We’re all individuals. Things would be pretty boring, even mind-numbing if we all agreed with each other. Nonetheless, it is vital that you understand the complexity of addiction and realise your life is at stake, if you should choose not to abstinence from your drug of choice. I say this because working in the field for many years I have witnessed many people dying a very painful and slow death, simply because they chose not to accept abstinence as a viable alternative to their addiction problem. To name a few things they had in common are listed below:
• Most failed to realise addiction is the most insidious, tricky and dangerous disorder, known to