The A-to-Z’s of mental health, Addiction
April 1, 2014 | 
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For the month of April I am participating in the annual A-Z Blogging Challenge. The Challenge was started by author/blogger, Arlee Byrd. Each day of the month (except Sundays) we will post something based on that days correlating letter. Some of us chose a theme and others are winging it. My theme is the A-to-Z’s of Mental Health, Raising Awareness. It is a topic that is very close to my heart. I hope you find the posts interesting and you will comment and share the posts everywhere. To see a list of all of the participants or for more information-
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com
Today’s letter is A
Addiction
In 2010 the American Society of Addiction Medicine [ASAM], after four-years of research that involved eighty experts, released a new definition of Addiction.
Short Definition of Addiction:
Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursuing reward and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.
Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, and craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death.
Debates are ongoing on whether addiction is an actual disease or a mental illness.
I believe that there are two types of addiction. One is an actual physical addiction, where the body adapts to the substance. Removing that substance causes an actual biological response. Treating this addiction, I believe is much easier and has a higher success rate. You just have to remove the substance.
The other type of addiction is the type that is not related to physical dependence but is a psychological habit. These people compulsively use drugs, alcohol, food, sex, gambling, shopping and many other activities in reaction to being emotionally stressed. Treating this type of addiction is more complicated and requires an understanding of how it works psychologically as well as extensive behavior therapy.
Is it a disease or a mental illness? Is it both? What do you believe?
The good news is no matter how many times the addict has tried to quit, no matter how hopeless the situation appears recovery is always within reach if the addict is willing to commit to change.
You must change and learn a new way to deal with stress. You must choose very carefully who you allow in your life. People are either for you or against you, learn the difference. Keep busy. Examine how you think about yourself and learn to have a positive self image. Lean on your family and friends if they are positively supportive. Build a sober network. And, “because you can get the monkey off your back but the circus never leaves town,” [Anne Lamott] attend meetings and pay it forward.
September 2014 is National Recovery Month. There will be opportunities to volunteer…
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I’m loving your theme. We need to spread the awareness of all things “mental”
It should not be hush hush. The more we know, the sooner we recognize things, the quicker we can help.
Thank you.
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
We truly do inspire one another.
Absolutely Jamie.
Thank you so much Jamie.
Hi Doreen,
I think addiction is both mental and physical. I believe it starts on an emotional level (trauma, abuse, abandonment, etc) then that can escalate into the physical need. I also believe it’s hereditary. I’ve seen it and I’ve experienced it. Either way, it’s tough!
Elsie
AJ’s wHooligan in the A-Z Challenge
I really believe it is hereditary and also can be a learned behavior.
Addiction is a terrible illness, both physical and mental. Thanks for sharing your informative post and putting it out there for others to see.
Best wishes for your journey on the A to Z Challenge. 🙂
Thank you so much!
A detailed informative post Doreen! Addiction is more of a mental disease I think…even when the patient goes into recovery the trauma doesn’t lessen. Spreading education on mental health is so imp – thank you for doing this!
Thank you Aditi. I agree with you.
Visiting on the 1st day of the #challenge. You have selected a heady theme requiring research and good writing to present. I know you will find new blogging friends interested in the subject. If you have time and have an interest in gardening as inspired by my Pinterest boards, come and see me. Good luck with this large topic.
Thank you Stepheny. I love gardening and could use some inspiration. I look forward to reading your posts.
What a great way to spread awareness. I think we all suffer from an addiction whether minor or major and it’s something we need to support each other on and not be afraid to talk about. Great post.
Thank you and yes I think we are all addicted to something.
This is an excellent topic to cover for A to Z.
I strongly believe that addiction is a mental dysfunction that can affect us physically in that the mind controls many aspects of our body. I think we can will ourselves into “sickness” either consciously or subconsciously and that’s what happens with addiction. I also believe that anyone who is addicted to anything can get over it if they set their minds to it.
My own addiction is sugar. I still don’t know what would happen to me if I eliminated it from my diet since I haven’t tried. I need to curtail it at least.
Lee
Wrote By Rote
An A to Z Co-host blog
That sugar is a tough one. I’m working on cutting down too.
Thanks for spreading awareness. This is a serious issue nowadays.
It is a topic close to my heart.
I used to think I was addicted to certain drugs (coke and pills mostly) but when I decided to clean up my act, I just stopped cold turkey, and never had any averse reactions. I’ve been clean for sixteen years now, with no inklings of a relapse. Perhaps I wasn’t as addicted as I assumed I was…or perhaps I have alien blood and therefore am immune to such things. I like to believe the latter.
When it comes to “lighter fare” addictions, I do have a few. Obsessively collecting things (Comic Books, Movie Trading Cards, Pez Dispensers, Cats) is up there, but obviously this isn’t all that dangerous.
Anyhoo, that’s my three or four cents. See ya ’round the web.
Good for you! I have a few Pez dispensers too:)
The disease of addiction is often so misunderstood. You’re doing a great public service via your posts. You can turn this into an e-book once you’re done.
Hugs to you, Doreen!
Thank you Corrine. I am hoping to turn the posts into a book.
Addiction is a scary experience both for the addicted, and those related to them. Communication is very important, as is support. It is disturbing how school children succumb, because of the performance pressure they go through.
I am looking forward to reading your posts.
Love,
Vidya Sury
Rocking the A to Z Challenge with Team Damyanti
Affirmations
The ABCs of Living with Type 2 Diabetes
It is such a frustrating and frightening thing for families and communities to deal with.
Hi Doreen, this a very educative,insightful and inspiring post. Many people do not give any thought to addiction. This post must be comulsory for every one. Thanks for sharing.
Kindly visit me at http://eccentricgrandmum.blogspot.in
Thank you Usha It is a misunderstood illness for sure.
Doreen, thanks for dropping in to my blog. You need to link your name to this site, I had to hunt through to find you. If you check on the A to Z site there is a blog about making a hyper link like this one below.
JO ON FOOD, MY TRAVELS AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE
Thank you Jo. I will give the linky thing another try tonight when I get home.
I think addiction is both a disease and mental illness that feed off of each other (physical addiction to the substance aside), and this constant cycle of disease feeding mental illness and mental illness feeding disease fortifies the abuse so strongly that the addicted person sees no way out. Bless them and those caregivers that help them break this hold over them.
I was so looking forward to your theme – you did not disappoint!
Cristina from Filling my Prayer Closet
(sorry I commented in the wrong spot!!)
Thank you so much Christina. I am learning as I go with this theme.
Looking forward to learning from you. God bless your blogging challenge!
Thank you so much Ronda. I am learning too.
This is one of those themes that make you go wow. I love it how you are spreading awareness about topics like these. Keep up the good work!
Sania @ Fragile Words
Thank you Sania. I am learning as I go…
Firths of all, thanks for visiting my blog this morning.
Very interesting post. It’s always good to learn something each day. I don’t know if addiction is a disease or an illness, but I do know it can sometimes destroy people’s lives.
Thank you Cathy. Yes it absolutely can destroy lives, sometimes generations.