Addiction is a much broader topic than dependence on alcohol or drugs.

Process addictions can occur in addition to chemical dependency. Some compulsive behaviors have been viewed as an addictions such as gambling, shopping, and eating dysfunction. When a person is actively using they hurt themselves and others. Some questions come up. What actually is addiction? How does all this get started? It is hard to discern when a pattern of behavior moves into addiction?

A lot of people can participate in substance use or engage in certain behaviors and not have it become problematic. The unfortunate however, are not capable of controlling thier use, cannot stop and get addicted. Addiction strikes across all barriers of race, culture, and economic status.

There is not a standard addict profile. No one is ‘typical’. Though addiction has been studied for years, few researchers can agree on causes or cures. A really difficult part of addiction to measure is the emotional impact. It is not uncommon to see addiction being fed by the quest to gain relief from emotional distress. The irony is that using generates more negative emotions that require more relief.

While addiction manifests itself in different people in different ways, here are the most common signs and symptoms of addiction:

Symptom 1 - Unable to meet responsibilities of relationships or at home, school or work.

Symptom 2 - Compulsive preoccupation, meaning one spends a great deal of time thinking about the substance or behavior

Symptom 3 - Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior. Control is sacrificed.

Symptom 4 - Engages in the behavior or substance use knowing it is dangerous or in dangerous situations such as driving.

Symptom 5 - Because of the addiction, one stops activities or hobbies that were fun or enjoyable.

Symptom 6 - There is a need to increase the amount and frequency of the behavior or substance to achieve the desired felling or affect.

Symptom 7 - Ones life has become centered around the addiction, isolation from others occurs.

Get some help if any of those danger warning signs are occurring. Virtually all addiction professionals agree that there is a progressive element to addiction. If you eat addiction untreated, it will progress.

There is more information available here on addiction treatment.