Addictions - Bloomingdale Psychological

Psychological Testing

Relationships

Stress Management

Women's Issues

There are many addictions that negatively affect families and relationships. Some of the more common ones like substance abuse, eating disorders, and the Internet affect young people as well as adults. Other addictions to, work, sex, sports, spending, gambling, caffeine and nicotine, affect many adults and impinge upon family life.

Addictions are very difficult to break. Physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms vary with each particular addiction. Stress, anxiety, depression and conflict are some of the feelings that lead one to the use of a substance. Problems develop when use of a substance becomes chronic or particular behaviors become a habit.

Substance Abuse

The misuse of alcohol, cigarettes, and legal and illegal drugs are by far the predominant cause of premature and preventable illness, disability and death in our society. A distinction is made between substance abuse and substance dependency. Drug abuse interferes with family life, social relationships, work performance and causes or aggravates a psychological problem. Substance dependency victims suffer all the symptoms of abuse plus a tolerance for the drug so that increased amounts of it are necessary for the desired effects. Opiates, alcohol, and amphetamines also lead to physical dependence in which the user develops withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop the drug.

Alcohol

Alcoholism is a progressive disease.
Drinking patterns vary by age and sex.
Alcohol dependence tends to cluster in families.
Alcohol dependence is often associated with depression.
It takes between 5 to 15 years for an adult to become an alcoholic. It takes an adolescent between 6 and 18 months of heavy drinking to become an alcoholic.
Physical complications of alcohol dependence include liver damage, hepatitis, altered brain-cell function, nerve damage, gastritis, premature aging, impotence, and infertility.
Psychotherapy helps patients to understand their behaviors, develop higher self-esteem, and cope with stress in ways other than substance use.

Drug Use

The following drugs, marijuana, cocaine, opiates, hallucinogens, inhalants, sedative-hypnotics, and nicotine are not all physically addictive but can lead to a psychological addiction in which the user needs the drug in order to function.

Marijuana is typically used in combination with other substances, particularly alcohol and cocaine. Cigarette smoking by very young children is another pattern strongly related to marijuana smoking. Young people, ages 14-17, who are current cigarette users, are five times more likely to be marijuana users. A substantial majority of marijuana users will go on to try other illicit drugs.

Cocaine use continues to rise dramatically. Cocaine is a white powder known by a variety of names, it is a stimulant that gives a temporary illusion of limitless power and energy. Most cocaine users in this country snort the drug through the nose. Some dissolve it and inject it to experience the drug's fleeting highs. Cocaine is one of the most potent drugs of abuse. It causes chemical changes in the brain that leads to an intense craving for more of the same. Dependency on this drug comes to rule all aspects of a user's life. Addiction can erode physical and mental health, zap resources, ruin careers, and drive off family and friends.

Inhalants

Inhalants are breathable chemicals that produce mind-altering effects. This group of substances includes solvents, aerosols, some anesthetics and other chemicals. Examples of inhalants are gasoline, glue, paint thinners, nail polish removers, lighter and cleaning fluids. Aerosols used as inhalants include spray paints, hair sprays and cookware coating agents. Anesthetics include halothane and nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.

Sedative Hypnotics

Sedative-hypnotics are a group of drugs referred to as tranquilizers and sleeping pills, or generally as sedatives. These drugs are used medically to relieve anxiety and promote sleep. When they are abused or taken at high doses, however, many of these drugs can lead to unconsciousness and death.

Spendaholics

One way that addictive behavior can manifest itself is in the area of overspending, with enormous debt and addictive habits. The Internet makes spending beyond one's needs even easier and problematic. People are used to spending and don't worry about it. The average individual debt burden is between $10-15,000.

The root cause of overspending has a lot to do with unhappiness. Spending is an immediate high when you're feeling down; it's like drinking. Treatment for overspending involves working on the anxiety and depression that most often triggers the addiction.

At Bloomingdale Psychological Services we can help with treatment of a child, adolescent, adult or family experiencing difficulties in any of the above addictions.

For more information call Bloomingdale Psychological at 610-688-2737.

Related Workshops

Alcohol & Drugs