Internet Addiction: A Hoax Or A Real Mental Disorder?

Many experts have declined to comment on the status of the internet addiction disorder for a long time. Actually, the internet addiction disorder started as a satirical hoax made by Ivan Goldberg sometime in 1995. It was not really intended to be part of the wide array of disorders that threaten the modern person’s sanity at that time but as move on into the digital era, the very idea of internet addiction as a form of diseases is no longer remote. In fact, many health professionals are now convinced that too much attachment or destructive type of dependency on the internet can already be classified as a form of disease. Yes, there are still a lot of criticisms and discussions to be resolved before this type of disorder can be included in the books but the possibility that this type of disorder will indeed become a leading form of mental disorder in our generation is not really remote.

Who Are Internet Addicts?

People who work online and spend so much time working in front of their computers are not exactly what you may call as internet addicts. Internet addiction is much more than just spending some time online trying to earn a living. In fact, even if you spend several hours surfing the net but you do feel this obsessive need to be online most of the time, you cannot really say that you are already an addict. We must understand that addiction is a strong word and before you can say that you are addicted to something, you must have that uncontrollable and insatiable craving for that something. Internet addiction therefore should be viewed in a more complex manner than just simple need to be online most of the time.

When exactly can you be considered as an internet addict? According to some experts, internet addiction happens when one becomes dependent on some aspects of the internet. Having a pathological relationship with some specific online sires such as those online gambling, online auctions, adult sites and others can actually make one an internet addict. A lot of people who are hooked on these sites often become agitated and restless if they cannot log into the internet and check out these sites during the day. In fact, some people are known to spend long hours on these sites that they often forget some themselves.

In most cases, internet addicts face their computer the whole night that they can no longer function well during the day. According to some experts, denying this person access to the internet may result to extreme anxiety and withdrawal symptoms.

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Addiction Treatment

Common Addiction Treatment Strategies

Addiction is a very serious problem which can affect people from various walk s of life. Addiction can also come in many forms some of which are not noticeable. Addiction treatment varies from the kind of addiction that the individual has.

Kinds Of Addiction Treatment

The various kinds of addiction treatment depend on what kind of addiction an individual is experiencing. The motivation to overcome the addiction must come from the person himself. Some addiction treatment methods include counseling, self determination, detoxification and withdrawal from the substance or item that has incurred the obsession or compulsion. In most substance abuse cases of addiction, detoxification and rehabilitation are the more common addiction treatment therapy that experts recommend.

For less serious types of addiction such as email addiction and gambling, the need to realize that there is an addiction is one of the main concerns for therapists. Addiction treatments for these are usually in the form of counseling and sometimes self help. Some addicts also treat themselves by quitting cold turkey. There are some levels of success for those who do quit their addiction this way but sometimes there are also some who return to their former way of life after trying to quit.

Some other forms of addiction treatments are medical therapy or psychotherapy. Medical addiction treatments enlist the help of medication to control impulses and obsessions. There are heated debates regarding the use of medicines to curb addictions. Psychotherapy on the other hand can be more tricky than using medication as addiction treatment. This is because you will need experienced and compassionate doctors to implement this kind of therapy.

The Benefits Of Quitting Addiction

Some people view their addiction as something that they have complete control over. They do not realize that some compulsions or obsessions may need professional help. Addiction treatments are there to extend help to those who wish to start anew and kick their habit. Most addiction ruin your physical and mental health especially those that deal with substance abuse, smoking and liquor. The physical health of the person and mental state usually declines after prolonged exposure to the substance to which he is addicted to.

Addiction treatments are available for many forms of addictions. People who recognize an addiction in themselves as well as in loved ones or friends need to be aware of the risk of the prolonged addiction. Letting things stay as they are can hasten the demise of the person since many addictions has an aspect of danger with them.

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Cocaine Addiction

What We Get From Cocaine Addiction

Addiction of any kind can be hurtful for the person suffering from it. Cocaine addiction or any kind of substance abuse can lead to many health issues not only for the person using it but also for those who are around the individual. This addiction usually starts with the curiosity of this forbidden substance. Many individuals who have cocaine addiction believe they can stop themselves voluntarily but the need for this illegal substance is so great that it can be compared to food and water.

Effects Of Cocaine Addiction

The initial symptoms of cocaine are accelerated heart rate and blood pressure, hyper activity and euphoria. This is what usually hooks a person to cocaine, the feeling of such bliss and euphoria that they wish to experience the fleeting moment again. This is the time that it becomes a cocaine addiction. The need to feel the ecstatic feelings produce by the substance and the compulsion to take the substance again to feel these feelings is the triggers to cocaine addiction.

As users get more and more hooked to the illegal substance, the symptoms of cocaine addiction affects our brain and functions of the body. Chronic cocaine use affects the brain of the user by producing a depressed state due to our neurotransmitters trying to compensate for the imbalances which cocaine creates in the brain. Other signs of the addiction are suicidal tendencies due to the depression created by our brain and the need for larger doses to counteract the tolerance that cocaine addiction builds for long term users.

Other risks that cocaine addiction has for long time users are the increased risk of heart attacks, connective tissue diseases, kidney disease and renal failure. Cocaine addiction also brings about the risk of hemorrhagic strokes and lesser attention span. Males and females with a cocaine addiction also run the risk of having children with abnormalities even if they stop using the substance during the duration of pregnancy. More effects of this addiction are the disappearance of the cartilage in the nose, ischemic stroke, lung trauma, shortness of breath, dyspnea and some symptoms which are flu like.

There are no benefits for cocaine addiction. This addiction deteriorates brain function and physical capacities. People suffering from cocaine addiction will need strong support from family and fiends in order to overcome it. Same with other addictions, one needs to be willing to end it before any real progress can be done.

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Heroin Addiction

Battling Heroin Addiction

Every day, thousands across the country are fighting a dangerous fight – the fight against heroin addiction. While methadone clinics around the country have given many a chance to stop using this dangerous drug, many do not have access to these clinics; or simply replace their addiction to heroin with an addiction to methadone.

Heroin addiction does not only affect the poor. Many associate heroin addiction with the homeless, or with those living in less than desirable conditions. But the sad truth of the matter is that heroin addiction can affect anyone – regardless of age, or position in life. A lawyer can just as easily become addicted to this deadly substance as a young woman living in the local projects. Addiction knows no boundaries, and can strike at anyone; but with the proper attention, it can be beaten.

Drug Rehabilitation

The first step in battling heroin addiction is through professional drug rehabilitation. It is virtually impossible to combat this terrible addiction without professional help. If you are fighting an addiction to heroin, you should first check yourself into a rehab program. Do not let your financial situation, regardless of what it may be, stop you from getting professional help. There are many rehabilitation clinics that offer programs for those with little or no income; and state medical programs often cover this type of treatment.

Depending on your level of heroin addiction, your stay in a drub rehabilitation program will last anywhere from thirty to ninety days. Typically, methadone is administered in increasingly smaller doses, so as to wean your body gradually off of the drug. For some, however, it may be necessary to go through a complete and rapid detoxification process, in order to get the drug out of your system completely. There are several schools of thought on which type of detoxification works best; but the fact remains that heroin addiction is a deadly and dangerous habit.

Support

Even after you have completed a drug rehabilitation program, heroin addiction will be a daily battle. You must own your addiction, and make the conscious choice to not give into the cravings. It is much easier to do this if you have a healthy support system in place before you get out of your rehabilitation program. Family and friends are a great comfort, as long as they were not enabling your addiction prior to rehabilitation; and there are countless support groups available, such as Narcotics Anonymous, where you can find daily support from those who are just like you.

Whatever you choose to do, the fact that you can admit that you have a heroin addiction is the first step toward overcoming that addiction. Take whatever steps you can to fight this deadly drug – your family, your friends, and your very life will be changed for the best when you can overcome a heroin addiction.

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Alcohol Addiction

How Alcohol Addiction Can Endanger The Baby Inside Your Womb

Alcohol addiction does not just affect men. There are plenty of women all over the world who are hooked on alcohol and could not stop themselves from drinking. If you are one of those women who have for some reasons developed dependency on alcohol, you should be aware of the impact of alcohol addiction on your body and your reproductive system. According to experts, alcohol addiction can affect the normal menstrual cycle in women and may affect the fertility. Furthermore, taking alcohol while pregnant can have some grave consequences on your body and the fetus inside your womb. The danger of miscarriage is great and the danger of having a mental and physically defective baby is even greater!

Alcohol And Your Baby

According to experts, there is no such thing a safe level of alcohol intake during pregnancy. You cannot just say, “I will limit my alcohol intake to one glass a day because I am pregnant.” Things simply don’t work that way. Note that if you take alcohol, your baby also taste the alcohol. Alcohol addiction is always bad for the baby especially during the first four weeks of pregnancy can cause severe damage to your baby. Note that the central nervous system, the heart, eyes, arms and legs of your baby starts to develop during the first four weeks of pregnancy that if you take any substances that can hinder this development process, your baby might end up with some incompletely developed limbs. The critical development process of the fetus in your womb continues until such time when you deliver your baby therefore, it is imperative that you stay away from any alcoholic beverages during your entire pregnancy.

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

Alcohol addiction can destroy your baby’s future. Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is irreversible. Children who are born with mental, physical and neurobehavioral disorders will most likely suffer from this disorder for the rest of their lives. Mental retardation and physical malformations can be quite severe in some cases that the child can end up in some institution or die at a very young age.

The fetus inside your womb can suffer irreparable damage from alcohol exposure so if you value the life of your baby, forget about drinking any alcoholic beverages while you are pregnant. Never take things for granted when it comes to your baby. If you are diagnosed with alcohol addiction, you should not become pregnant until such time when you have successful overcome your alcohol addiction.

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Chocolate Addiction

Is There Such A Thing As Chocolate Addiction?

A lot of jokes are made about chocolate addiction. (“Ooo, she’s cranky – better give her some chocolate!”) There are even desserts listed in popular chain restaurants as “Death By Chocolate”. But are there actually people who have a psychological compulsion to eat chocolate, even if they are allergic to it? Debate still exists in the medical world as to whether there is such a thing as chocolate addiction. But everyone agrees that there are such things found in chocolate that you can become addicted to – sugar, fat and caffeine.

Women More Affected

Although it is a popular joke that you can get to any woman’s good side with a box of Godiva or a pint of Ben and Jerry’s, women do crave chocolate more than men. This is thought to be due to the hormonal tidal waves women go through every month as part of their normal menstrual cycles. These cravings are especially intense during the pre-menstrual time.

Chocolate does contain similar chemicals that mimic the same chemicals the brain puts out when they are experiencing the sensation commonly known as “being in love”. Chocolate is also associated with rewards, good times and celebrations in most societies. When someone claims they have a chocolate addiction, they have become dependent on the whole chocolate experience in order to feel good about themselves.

Not Dangerous, But Harmful

Those with a serious chocolate addiction problem consume staggering amounts of chocolate, such as two or more bags of fun-size candy, per day. Chocolate was only meant to be a small part of our diets. When your diet becomes mainly chocolate, you risk some serious health problems, including obesity, chronic fatigue, mood swings, tooth decay, diabetes, insomnia and heart problems.

Although chocolate alone won’t kill you, a chocolate addiction or dependency can seriously compromise your quality of life. For example, eating an enormous amount of chocolate every day will condition your body to high levels of caffeine, especially if you also drink cola or coffee. Just the caffeine alone will interrupt your sleep patterns and make you feel tired all of the time.

You Can Beat This

In overcoming your chocolate addiction, you need to see a doctor for help and advice for proper nutrition or any dietary supplements you might need. Since you probably get comfort from chocolate, you need to nourish your spirit on other ways of handling stress, such as walking, meditation, taking up a hobby or being creative. Having a regular exercise routine will not only distract you from your cravings, but can also help you manage your stress better.

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Drug Addiction

What Parents Should Know About Teenage Drug Addiction

Teenage drug addiction is one of the most common problems faced by parents in the country today. Studies show that about 36 percent of teenagers in the United States are hooked different forms of illegal drugs and about one-half of American teenagers are most like to experiment on drugs before they graduate from high school. This rate is really alarming considering that many of these young people are not really aware of the negative impacts of drug addiction in their bodies. More often than not, these kids just want to have some fun that’s why they take drugs.

Most these teenagers who experiment on drugs do so due to peer pressure. According to experts, young people who want to belong to “in” crowd at school experiment on drugs to be accepted by their peers. Unfortunately, a single experiment could lead to drug addiction and a lot of troubles. In some extreme cases, these experiments can cause the loss of lives. If you are one of those parents who have teenagers at home, here are some things that you can do to stir your kid away from drug addiction.

Find Our Who Are Your Kid’s Friends

Friends can have tremendous influence on your kid. To stir you kid away from drug addiction and other troubles, find out about your kid’s friends. Do this is a discreet and non-invasive way. Always remember that teenagers can be quite protective of their privacy. Instead of asking your kid about his or her friends, throw a barbecue party and ask your kid to invite some of his or her friends. Inviting your kid’s friends over to the house is the best way to get to know them better. You may also encourage the kids to hang around the house every now and then so that you can observe them without really appearing too nosy or something.

Divert Your Kids Attention To Worthwhile Activities

Being engaged in some worthwhile activities can help keep your kid away from drug addiction. If your kid is interested in some worthwhile hobby, support him or her. Make him or her feel that you are genuinely interested in what he or she is doing. For instance, if your kid in interested in sports, encourage him or her to join sports activities at school or in your community. Note that if you kid is preoccupied with something; he or she will have less chances of associating with undesirable people. Moreover, if your kid is into team activities, he or she will not only develop physically, he or she will also improve socially and emotionally.

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Coffee Addiction

Coffee Addiction: Why People Should Give Up Drinking Coffee

Coffee addiction is a very common nowadays. Many of us could not really function well without a cup of coffee especially in the morning. Coffee can certainly boost our energy and can keep us alert. However, the perks that coffee can offer the body do have their price. If you are one of those people who cannot live without a cup of coffee in the morning, you might want to look closely at your coffee drinking habits.

According to experts, coffee addiction can have some really bad consequences on your body. An overdose in caffeine can lead to irritability, headaches, mood swings, and difficulty in concentrating, insomnia and diminished productivity. On extreme cases, coffee addiction can cause heart diseases, hypoglycemia, cancer and disorders in the nervous system. Yes, coffee does have some positive impacts on the body and it can even help fight Parkinson’s disease but if you take a look at the full equation, the negative effects of coffee outweigh the positive.

Getting Off The Brew

Coffee addiction, like any other types of addiction can be quite difficult to shake off. According to experts, once our bodies get used to caffeine, it will crave for caffeine everyday. The craving can s0 very difficult to suppress at times that for some people, no matter how they try to give up drinking coffee, they always find themselves lining up in front of the coffee machine, eager to get their serving for the day. However, the good news is that it is not impossible to give up your daily dose of caffeine. You just have to be patient and very creative in diverting your attention from the brew.

One of the best ways to get over coffee addiction is to divert your attention from coffee. Find a substitute for coffee. For instance, instead of drinking coffee, you might want to go shift to drinking tea. However, you have to be careful in choosing your tea. Note that some types of tea contain huge amounts of caffeine so be careful. To make sure that your tea does not contain lots of caffeine, go for green tea. Green tea is known for its mild flavors and medicinal value.

If you do not like green tea, you may want to try some other forms of coffee substitute. There are many coffee substitutes being sold in the market today. You may sample some of those products that use ingredients such as beetroot, almost, fig, corn and the likes.

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