Addictions

According to Action on Addiction, one in three people are addicted to something. When we think of addiction, we imagine addictions to alcohol, drugs and cigarettes. We can however be addicted to a number of things, including work, the internet, gambling and even sex.

Addiction is defined as not having control over using, taking or doing something, to the point where it can be considered to be harmful for you.

 

What is addiction?

Addiction is a fairly complex issue that can affect both body and mind, impacting on people’s lives and affecting relationships and even careers. There are various reasons why individuals develop addictions, including genetics and environmental factors. Substances like alcohol, drugs and nicotine can temporarily make people feel physically good, resulting in an urge to do it again (mental high). A similar mental high can occur as a result of activities such as shopping, gambling and going online, leading people to want to recreate the feeling. 

Occasionally a substance or activity is used to numb out difficult feelings or other conditions such as depression.

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Experts believe there is a link between the repeated use of certain substances and activities, and how the brain experiences pleasure. Over time, repeated use of a substance or activity changes how the brain feels pleasure, so a user has to increase the dose or frequency in order to recreate the desired 'high'. When tolerance increases, withdrawal symptoms become more severe and this increases the likelihood of addiction.   

 

How addictions can affect your life

Having an addiction can be very tough to live with and can affect both your relationships and your career. If your addiction requires you to spend money, you may quickly find yourself in

 

Signs and symptoms of addiction

Signs of addiction will vary from person to person and will depend on what it is they’re addicted to. There are however some signs and symptoms that are common for most cases and these include: 

• defensiveness

• tiredness

• irritability

• mood swings

• withdrawing from responsibilities

• losing interest in activities previously enjoyed

• withdrawing from social situations 

• difficulty focusing

• memory problems

• low self-esteem

• poor performance at work/school

• secretive behaviour

• paranoia

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Getting help early can make a real difference when treating addiction.

Hypnotherapy works by encouraging you to fall into a deeply relaxed state, and the hypnotherapist can help change your perspective on addiction, and help to change habits, behaviours and thought patterns that lead to addiction. 

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If you would like to discuss how hypnotherapy can assist you with your addiction, please contact me so that we can discuss the matter.