The notion of addictive behavior includes both addictions to psychoactive substances, but also behavioral addictions. How to differentiate passion from addiction?
Drugs, alcohol, sex, games, but also pornography, shisha, social networks, sport, shopping, selfies… it is possible to develop an addiction in many areas, this one being characterized by the impossibility of controlling one’s behavior despite knowledge of its negative consequences on health, social and affective relationships or even finances.
The notion of addictive behavior includes both addictions to psychoactive substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs, etc.) but also behavioral addictions, such as gambling or sex. “Addictions are brain pathologies defined by a dependency on a substance or an activity, with deleterious consequences”, describes Inserm.
How do you know if you are passionate or addicted?
Recognizing the signs of an addiction can save lives when it comes to life-threatening addictions. The primary symptom of an addiction is a pattern of excessive drinking that leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. An addict has difficulty controlling himself, even if he is aware that his behavior is harmful to him or those around him. Strong urges characterize her addiction: she would like to stop, but cannot. His desire is stronger than his will. Some people even continue to use despite the health problems caused by the addiction.
The domino effect
Addiction often leads to a series of adverse circumstances, significantly impacting quality of life. People addicted to psychotropic substances, games, or sex are particularly exposed to this kind of danger: job loss, family conflicts, separations, debts, mortgages, isolation… Certain impulses can also push them to commit irreparable (theft, assault, prostitution, etc.). People who are addicted often have relationship problems. Some isolate themselves, cut themselves off from the outside world. Addiction can also often be seen in their physical appearance or in their attitude: weight loss or gain, drawn features, dark circles, lack of hygiene, carelessness, aggressiveness, nonchalance, loss of interest, motivation, depression. ..
Addiction changes a person
She can become obsessed, lie, invent excuses, find subterfuge to get what she needs, put herself in danger. Nothing else interests him than relieving his urges, which in the case of alcohol or drugs, become physically painful. Despite all these signs, it is possible to miss the addiction of a loved one.
In early 2018, to raise public awareness of the situation of alcoholic women who often mature in silence out of shame, the Addict Aide association reproduced the apartment Laurence Cottet occupied between 2004 and 2010. Wine stain on the carpet, empty fridge, broken mirrors, open bottle of perfume… the apartment bears the story of this former alcoholic senior executive. 7000 people investigated the places, actually or virtually, to discover “Lawrence’s secret“. Who is she? What happened to her? The theories are rife: “Laurence was murdered”; “She is a vampire fighting against her natural state”…
But none of the 7000 people understood that Laurence was in fact an alcoholic. That her fridge was empty because she ate only alcohol. That her bottle of perfume served as a reserve. That the mirrors were broken because she couldn’t face herself anymore. Addiction drives its victims to reorganize their lives around it.
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