Although not a clearly defined medical and psychological diagnosis, video game or computer game addiction is a reality for both males and females of different ages. Overall the addiction is more associated with excessive playing of video and computer games and does not have the same physiological (physical) addiction seen with substance abuse. The psychological dependence may be similar though. It is more common with males and particularly adolescents and young adults. Video games refers to gaming consoles, including handheld units, while computer games are those games played on a personal computer or laptop. Addiction to games on mobile phones is less common but would fall under the video gaming category.

Crystal meth is a narcotic that has a stimulatory effect on the central nervous system (psychostimulant). It is known by several different street names globally including ‘meth’, ‘ice’, ‘white’, ‘snap’, ‘crank’, ‘P’, ‘tik’, ‘batu’ and ‘shabu’. The popularity of crystal meth, apart from it being highly addictive and the usual euphoria associated with illicit drug use, is that it is cheap when compared to other illicit psychostimulants like cocaine. Crystal meth use has spiked throughout the world and is a common drug among teenagers and young adults, thereby leading to a life of addiction.

Cigarette smoking involves the inhalation of smoke derived from the burning of tobacco. In addition to nicotine, cigarette smoke contains several thousand other chemicals, many of which are very dangerous, to ease the cravings of a regular smoker. While nicotine itself is known to be the addictive substance, the play among the different compounds within cigarette smoke may contribute to the overall need to use cigarettes. Many of these pathways are not clearly understood but certain chemicals have now been identified that have a similar effect on the central nervous system. Cigarette smoking is an addiction, both in the physiological and psychological sense.

More Sex Addictions

There is a fine line between having a healthy sexual relationship and enjoying sex and actually becoming addicted to sex. Some people do have a higher sex drive than others but you are said to have crossed the line and become addicted to sex if at the time you are not satisfied after the act of lovemaking. If after making love you are still having thoughts of sex or need more then this is a sure sign that you are addicted.

Why do some people become addicted to sex?

While some might think that becoming addicted to sex is all about the pleasurable feelings that one gets during the act there are other reasons behind sexual addiction. There are also biological and psychological reasons some come to rely on and need more and more of the chemicals such as endorphins and enkephlines that are released into the brain at the time of reaching orgasm. This is very similar to the feelings or rush that people get when they are taking and are addicted to drugs. For others it can be the need to escape from something which very often can be some form of abuse such as mental or physical. Of it can be a mixture of both and this is why if you think you may be becoming addicted to sex you should the help of a sex addiction specialist.

Addiction online games

With the huge advancements in home computing and the internet, online games have come a long way and now you can meet up with others online who are half way around the world and you can battle them in the world of online gaming.

While online games are meant to be a way of relaxing, having fun and escaping for an hour or so many people are now becoming seriously addicted to the escape that online gaming brings.

However for some the fun ends and their life is taken over by this new fantasy world and in some cases even to the point of giving their life for it. There are many mental and physical perils to online gaming and fun can very quickly turn into addiction, some of the online fantasy games give you a new persona to the point where the gamer believes they are that person and nothing else matters but mixing potions and welding swords to advance through the levels of the game to the coveted number one position. For some gamers this means never leaving their homes, they don’t eat, sleep and their normal day to day living ceases including work and school.

The risk of being addicted to risk taking

Have you ever stopped to wonder what it is that attracts people to go sky diving, snow boarding, riding death defying roller coasters or any other form of extreme sport or lifestyle? The simple answer is the adrenaline rush that all of these give you.

However while the odd ride or sky diving trip does you no harm and can break the boredom, you can become addicted to risk taking. Actually it isn’t that you enjoy the actual risk taking but rather the rush of adrenaline that course through your body at this time. Adrenaline gets your heart bumping and sends the blood rushing around the body at high speed; it boosts the mood and makes you feel invincible.

The addiction to risk taking can however begin to affect your life and eventually to take it over, you are forever getting more daring in the risk taking until it gets to the extreme, the adrenaline no longer flows as easily or quickly as it once did and you need to take things to the extreme in order to send the boost of adrenaline rushing through your body and bring the feelings that you have come to love and consider to be normal. But whereas you were once getting the rush from enjoying sports you find you are now taking risks in your everyday life that can cause severe problems in life and extreme danger to yourself and to others.

Addiction to work

We have all heard of the term “you’re a workaholic” and the majority of us more than likely believe that it is nothing more than just a joke term.

However for some people workaholism does have true meaning and goes far beyond a joke, in fact it can tear their life apart and their family.

Workaholism is actually an addiction and if left to its own devices then it can become a very serious addiction that can have a profound affect not only on the person’s personal and family life but also on their health too. We all like to do the best job we can when working and like to get on the bosses good side, but when does this turn into an addiction? And what can be done about it once it has got a hold?

The latest addiction for teenagers

A startling study recently conducted has shown that binge drinking in teenagers is on the increase and seems to be the latest addiction when it comes to teenagers.

In a recent survey on teenagers in the US over 45% of those attending college and a third of seniors in high school admitted to binge drinking on at least one occasion during the previous two weeks of being asked. The problem is not just confined to the US, binge drinking in teenagers in a wide spread occurrence around the world and is increasingly becoming a problem.

Binge drinking is the drinking of more than 5 alcoholic drinks following one another on a single occasion and it has been reported by the National centre for addiction and substance abuse that more than five million high school students are reported to binge drink at least once a month and this figure is on the increase.

Beat addiction tips

1. The support of family and friends

Recovering from addiction is the time when you realise who your friends really are, true friends will help you through this particularly hard time by being there for you. This is a time also when you should accept the help your family is willing to give instead of trying to push them away.

It is important that you be open and honest with them and lean on them when you need to and don’t be afraid to admit that you need help. This may be difficult at first as part of the addiction will probably have caused you to have become withdrawn from those you love.

2. Take part in support groups

Support groups can provide invaluable assistance when trying to beat addiction, groups will be able to provide helpful advice and you will be in the company of others who are in the same predicament as yourself so know what you are going through. Most support groups will meet once weekly and many local authorities run groups which can be found listed in the yellow pages or online.

Understanding addictions

Addiction is defined as being something that brings uncontrollable urges and cravings which a person cannot deny even when faced with the facts of the negative aspect that their addiction brings them. However scientists are now saying that addiction is a disorder of the brain brought on by the changes that persistent drug use has on the brain structure and its function and these changes are felt for a long time after the person has stopped using drugs.

However it seems that some people can become addicted more easily to drugs than others and that not everyone does become addicted to them therefore it is thought that genetics may play a part in the susceptibility to addiction.