Addiction Disorder

Recognising addiction is the first step to recovery. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Mood swings and difficulties in personal relationships.
• Developing a tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the desired effects.
• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when usage is stopped suddenly.
• Consuming more than initially planned or intended.
• Prioritising addictive behaviors over other important areas of life.
• Repeated failed attempts to reduce or stop usage.
• Feeling unable to stop despite knowing the harm caused.

If there are concerns about addiction, seeking professional help is crucial for recovery.

Addiction develops due to a combination of factors, including:

• Biological: Changes in brain chemistry and reward systems.
• Psychological: Stress, trauma, or underlying mental health conditions.
• Environmental: Peer influence, accessibility of substances, or exposure to addictive behaviors.

Understanding the root causes helps create a tailored recovery plan.

Diagnosing an addiction disorder involves a comprehensive assessment by a qualified mental health professional. The process includes:

• Detailed History: Gathering information about the individual’s substance use or behaviour patterns, including frequency, duration, and impact on daily life.
• Identifying Symptoms: Evaluating common signs of addiction, such as increased tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and difficulties in controlling usage despite negative consequences.
• Screening Tools: Using validated questionnaires and assessments to identify the severity of the addiction and its effects on physical, emotional, and social well-being.
• Assessing Co-occurring Conditions: Screening for underlying mental health disorders, such as anxiety or depression, which often coexist with addiction and may contribute to its persistence.
• Excluding Other Conditions: Ruling out other medical or psychological issues that might mimic addiction symptoms.
• Family and Social Input: Collecting collateral information from trusted family members or caregivers (with consent) to gain additional insights into the individual's behaviour.

A thorough diagnosis ensures the development of a tailored treatment plan, addressing the unique needs of the individual and increasing the likelihood of a successful recovery.

Effective addiction treatment often includes a combination of:

• Psychotherapy: Addressing negative thought patterns and behaviors contributing to addiction.
• Medications: To reduce cravings or manage withdrawal symptoms, if appropriate.
• Support Programs: Participating in detox programs or rehabilitation services.
• Lifestyle Changes: Developing healthy routines to replace addictive behaviours.

‍

How to Overcome Addiction

Addiction is something that many people successfully overcome; however, it can take some time. Professional mental health assistance makes the healing process much more manageable. Stopping addictive behaviours is only one component of proper recovery; another is feeling healed in all facets of life.

‍

Addiction and Relapse

• Relapse is a common and regular part of the healing process.
• For those who are in recovery, stress is the leading cause of relapse.\Planning coping mechanisms for complex circumstances is critical for people recovering.
• Planning coping mechanisms for complex circumstances is critical for people recovering.
• Maintaining progress in recovery requires anticipating and being ready for possible relapses.