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What is addiction?

'Addiction' is a word that usually refers to drugs. Sometimes it's also called 'dependence'.

When someone first starts to use drugs, it is calledsubstance abuse. We say someone is addicted to drugs when they have no control over whether they use the drug or not. That person feels that theyHAVE to have that drug.

But people can be addicted to a whole variety of things which are not usually labelled as 'drugs'.

Types of addiction

There are two types of addiction.

1 Physical addiction is when a person's body becomes dependent on something. After a while that person's body craves more and more of whatever it is to be able to feel OK. Trying to give up can make that person suffer withdrawal symptoms which can last for quite a long time, but slowly get less as the body gets used to doing without.

These withdrawal symptoms can feel like a really bad dose of flu and make a person feel so sick and depressed that they want to go back to whatever they were taking to feel OK again. It is hard to give up.
addiction

2 Psychological addiction is when someone craves something which will change their mood or feelings. They may not get physical withdrawal symptoms, but they may feel lonely, depressed or anxious if they can't get the thing that they desire.

What can be addictive?

People can become addicted to a wide range of things.

drugs - legal and illegal (for more info look at our topics on Drugs)
alcohol (our topic on Alcohol - it can affect your life can tell you more about this)
tobacco (Smoking and Passive smoking will give you the details)
some medications (look up Be sure to take you medicine)
inhalants, like sniffing glue or petrol.

But people can also become addicted to behaviours, which take over their lives...

harmful or risky behaviours - such as breaking things, vandalism, shop stealing
hurting themselves - like cutting their bodies
compulsive behaviours (compulsive means that they feel they have to do it to feel better about themselves).

Compulsive behaviours can include:

eating disorders, like bingeing on food and then making themselves vomit, or
compulsive exercise, where they are constantly exercising to make themselves feel good, but are really harming their bodies (yes, professional athletes need to train a lot to keep their bodies ready to compete, but they are following fitness programs which include food, exercise and sports psychology, based on their sport and themselves).
gambling, video games, mobiles and SMS, and chatting on the internet.

Signs of addiction

If someone you care about is showing several of these signs, then they could be suffering from an addiction and need help...

when someone uses drugs or alcohol to get away from problems or as a usual way to relax
when someone seems to 'drop out' of life among family and friends
when someone loses interest in something that used to be a big interest
wagging school or work, or getting behind with workload
avoiding friends, or hanging out with kids who use drugs
selling their stuff or stealing yours!
being very moody and behaving in ways which are unlike their usual behaviour
getting upset, anxious or really depressed
having problems with sleeping or getting out of bed
being sick or shaky
changes in eating - maybe too much or not enough, or eating at 'different' times.
putting on weight or rapidly losing weight.

If someone you care about is suffering from an addiction

Tell that person that you care about them and are worried about what they are doing.
Tell someone you trust about it.
Do some research on whatever they are using or doing and show them or tell them what you have found.
Think about your trusted adults and talk to them until something is done.
Keep yourself safe by:
- asking smokers not to smoke near you (see the topic Passive smoking)
- avoiding being around someone who is addicted to alcohol or drugs because they may not act as they used to
- telling someone if you feel unsafe
- not hanging around with that person or their friends
- not making the mistake of thinking what that person is doing must be cool because they are older than you
- never trying whatever drug they are using.

What can you do to help?

You cannot really help someone who has an addiction. That person has to help himself or herself.

All you can do is show that you care what happens to him or her, tell those adults you trust about your concerns, and be ready to praise every small step that he or she takes to stop the addiction.

What kids say

"My mum and dad split up because of alcohol".
"My big sister had to go into hospital because she wasn't eating properly. It was very worrying for all the family".
" I felt sad when my friend's brother got killed in his car. He had been drinking a lot of alcohol and he was showing off".
"My dad still smokes but mum makes him smoke outside. He doesn't smoke in his car though".
"If someone in your family is trying to give up drugs don't shout at them. It's really hard. Just tell them that you love them and want them to be happy".

Drugs are bad
They make you sad
They can even make you mad.
They can make you glad
But not for very long.
Taking drugs is wrong.
So, if you want a happy life
Don't take drugs
And stay out of strife.

- Mikayla

Dr Kim says

Giving up an addiction is not easy. There are organisations that can help. Someone giving up will need to make a plan on what they will do and when.

It is important that people in the family know and can be ready to help by being patient and supporting that person while their body and mind cope with withdrawal from the drug or behaviour. It may take several tries before that person can start to feel that they have beaten their addiction, but that's what being a family or a friend is about, isn't it? - being there and caring for those you love whatever happens.

See the 'Related topics' section for other topics that may be helpful.

Our Teens site also has information about drugs and addiction.

I'm in charge

Don't tell me what to do!
You make bad choices too!
Don't tell me what to think!
Your own ideas stink!
Don't tell me what to wear!
Look at your clothes and hair!
Don't tell me what to say!
We don't talk like that today!
Don't tell me how to be!
No-one's the boss of me!

So, why do I think it's cool
To let drugs make me a fool?

BH

We've provided this information to help you to understand important things about staying healthy and happy. However, if you feel sick or unhappy, it is important to tell your mum or dad, a teacher or another grown-up.

General informations

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Addiction