Signs & Symptoms

The signs and symptoms can be broken down into Psychological, Physical and Bevavioural. Let's look at them :

Psychological : Preoccupation with the substance or behaviour, mood swings, and denial.

Physical : Tolerance, withdrawal symptoms, and neglect of physical appearance.

Behavioural : Loss of control, neglecting responsibilities, and social isolation.

Common Types of Addiction

Addiction comes in all shapes and sizes. Let's take a look :

Substance Addictions : Alcohol, drugs, prescription medication.

Behavioural Addictions : Gambling, shopping, internet.

Food Addictions : Sugar, caffeine.

Sexual Addictions : Pornography, compulsive sexual behaviour.

Treatments

Let's look at some of the treatments :

Medical Detox : Supervised withdrawal from the substance.

Counselling & Therapy : Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), group therapy.

Medication : Antidepressants, opioid antagonists.

Rehabilitation Centres : Inpatient and outpatient options.

Self-Help for Addiction

There are a few things you can do that can help yourself. Some of them include :

Support Groups : AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous).

Mindfulness Techniques : Meditation, deep-breathing exercises.

Healthy Alternatives : Exercise, engaging in hobbies.