The psychology of addiction
Addicts are everywhere in today's society, treatment is important
Jessica Miller
Issue date: 5/3/04 Section: Passion
Addicts are everywhere. They're in the mall, walking down the street, sitting in history class - they are seemingly normal. Factors include environment, genetics and personality, but chemicals in the brain are the main causes of addictions.
There are many more addictions than the usual alcoholism, gambling and shopping. Among the less common: addiction to peanut butter. Some researchers have even suggested that there is an enzyme in peanut butter that causes people to crave it all the time.
Other strange addictions: addiction to ferrets, addiction to bananas, addiction to Styrofoam and addiction to pencils.
Engaging in a particular activity, whether it be surfing the Internet or surfing, triggers pleasure centers in the brain; therefore, every time an activity is undertaken, the person will feel happier.
The brain's pleasure and pain centers are located close to each other, so masochists, for example, will feel happy by hurting themselves.
The main chemical that produces happiness is dopamine, a neurotransmitter.
"If you get hooked, you have to do it. (Addiction to) exercise is clearly related to the release of dopamine and endorphins. It's going to feel good," psychology instructor Randy John said.
Jogging for one hour releases enough endorphins to equal a shot of morphine. In fact, endorphin means "morphine within".
Surroundings greatly contribute to addictions.
"I think addictions are caused by the environment. You don't just wake up one day and crave a cigarette - you have to be exposed to it," student Allison Weingardt said.
Growing up in a home around drug and alcohol abusers increases the risk of becoming addicted. In the same way, living in an environment where drugs and alcohol are not present greatly reduces the risk of becoming addicted.
Addictions are characterized by losing control over one's actions, obsessing, breaking rules and altering personality.
"The brain will be affected. Mind-wise, everything gets revolved around the addiction. Social relationships and work take second place to it. There are also many health problems," psychology instructor Robert Pugh said.
All addictions cause unnecessary stress. Stressed individuals can feel nauseated, depressed and tired. There are also many physical changes that occur with an addiction, including loss of appetite, weight loss or gain and a general deterioration of the body.
Recovery can be a painful process.
"Recovery is a very dangerous time for the addict. However, the shorter the addiction lasts, the greater the percentage of recovery. It depends how fast people recover; it depends on their will," Pugh said.
Withdrawal treatment is often used to cure drug addicts. It usually consists of detoxifying the patient and sometimes temporarily substituting the substance with one having less severe consequences.
Pugh estimated that the recovery rate is around 50%.
No matter how silly some addictions may seem, they are never healthy and should always be treated.
There are many more addictions than the usual alcoholism, gambling and shopping. Among the less common: addiction to peanut butter. Some researchers have even suggested that there is an enzyme in peanut butter that causes people to crave it all the time.
Other strange addictions: addiction to ferrets, addiction to bananas, addiction to Styrofoam and addiction to pencils.
Engaging in a particular activity, whether it be surfing the Internet or surfing, triggers pleasure centers in the brain; therefore, every time an activity is undertaken, the person will feel happier.
The brain's pleasure and pain centers are located close to each other, so masochists, for example, will feel happy by hurting themselves.
The main chemical that produces happiness is dopamine, a neurotransmitter.
"If you get hooked, you have to do it. (Addiction to) exercise is clearly related to the release of dopamine and endorphins. It's going to feel good," psychology instructor Randy John said.
Jogging for one hour releases enough endorphins to equal a shot of morphine. In fact, endorphin means "morphine within".
Surroundings greatly contribute to addictions.
"I think addictions are caused by the environment. You don't just wake up one day and crave a cigarette - you have to be exposed to it," student Allison Weingardt said.
Growing up in a home around drug and alcohol abusers increases the risk of becoming addicted. In the same way, living in an environment where drugs and alcohol are not present greatly reduces the risk of becoming addicted.
Addictions are characterized by losing control over one's actions, obsessing, breaking rules and altering personality.
"The brain will be affected. Mind-wise, everything gets revolved around the addiction. Social relationships and work take second place to it. There are also many health problems," psychology instructor Robert Pugh said.
All addictions cause unnecessary stress. Stressed individuals can feel nauseated, depressed and tired. There are also many physical changes that occur with an addiction, including loss of appetite, weight loss or gain and a general deterioration of the body.
Recovery can be a painful process.
"Recovery is a very dangerous time for the addict. However, the shorter the addiction lasts, the greater the percentage of recovery. It depends how fast people recover; it depends on their will," Pugh said.
Withdrawal treatment is often used to cure drug addicts. It usually consists of detoxifying the patient and sometimes temporarily substituting the substance with one having less severe consequences.
Pugh estimated that the recovery rate is around 50%.
No matter how silly some addictions may seem, they are never healthy and should always be treated.