9 key questions and answers about addictive behaviors

A summary of the fundamental information to be taken into account in order to understand what addictions are.

Addictions make up a very diverse set of pathologies, in which we find both some that are based on consuming psychoactive substances and others that arise without the need to introduce substances into our body.

But despite being very present health problems in our society, at a popular level not everyone knows the basics about them, and therefore many myths circulate about these alterations.

To make this subject more accessible, we have prepared a series of questions and answers about addictive behaviors and everything that surrounds these pathologies..

Questions and answers to find out the basics about addictive behaviors

Here are some questions that will help you understand addictive behaviors.

1. Can everyone be addicted?

Virtually all human beings can develop addictions, since these pathologies are based on psychological and physiological mechanisms that are already present in practically all healthy people. In other words, addictions work on neural and hormonal circuits typical of the average human body.

Although it is true that, as in practically any psychological or Biological characteristic, there are individuals who are particularly at risk of addiction, there are individuals who are especially exposed to the risk of developing addictions easily, and others who find it difficult to develop addictions.and others to whom it would be more difficult to develop a problem of this type (taking as a reference what happens in most human beings when initiating behaviors that can generate dependence).

2. Is any action that we feel like repeating over and over again an addiction?

No, there are many actions that can be considered routines or habits and that, even if they are harmful to us, cannot be considered addictions.

In order for a pattern of behaviors to be considered part of a clinical picture of addiction a number of specific characteristics must be present. Among them, the loss of control over day-to-day life because that aspect of our life comes to overshadow everything else, and the need to get more and more involved in those actions to "satiate" ourselves.

3. What percentage of the population has addiction problems?

It is estimated that about 2% of the population suffers from one or more addictions.. The countries most affected by this health problem in terms of population are Russia and Eastern Europe and the United States of America, although it should also be noted that there are several ethnic minorities on which drugs have had a particular impact, such as indigenous Australians and North Americans.

4. Do addictions arise in the brain?

Yes and no. It is undeniable that without taking into account what happens in the brains of people suffering from addiction, it is impossible to understand what lies behind these pathologies, but it is also true that addictions arise in the brain. it is also true that addictions are not limited to being a neurobiological fact..

In fact, the context is so important in the development of an addiction that the simple fact of moving to a totally different place is a factor that, in itself, can put an end to addiction-type problems. And likewise, if behavioral and contextual issues did not matter, the only remedy for addiction cases would be medical, which is not the case, since psychotherapy is also effective in treating these health complications.

5. Are all drugs addictive?

Technically, not all substances that are considered drugs have the capacity to give rise to chemical addictions.The existence of which is based mainly on the way in which their molecule interacts with our nerve cells. For example, hallucinogenic mushrooms tend not to produce addictions, although they still have the capacity to damage our nervous system, and caffeine is not addictive either.

On the other hand, we must not forget that the medical field is full of substances that are drugs (having psychoactive effects) and at the same time do not generate addictions, which contributes to the fact that they are little known at the popular level.

6. What is the most widely consumed drug?

If we take into account all drugs in general, both legal and illegal, the most consumed substance of this type is alcohol. However, if we focus on illegal drugs, if we focus on illegal drugs (or, at least, those that are prohibited in most countries), cannabis is the most commonly used drug, followed by cocaine.followed by cocaine.

It should be noted, however, that the popularity of the different illegal drugs varies greatly depending on the demographic and socioeconomic group we focus on. For example, cannabis is much more popular among young people.

7. What are the main behavioral, rather than substance-based addictions?

The main addictions that occur without the use of psychoactive substances are two: pathological gambling (also popularly known as pathological gambling), and video game addiction.. Both have experienced a boom with the development of new technologies linked to the Internet, since they have increased their scope and make it possible to develop addictions without leaving home.

8. Do addictions compete with each other?

No, the fact of having developed an action does not make us immune to developing more; on the contrary, those who have already begun to establish a relationship of dependence with a psychoactive substance or with a pattern of behavior with addictive potential are more likely to start developing others, are more likely to begin to develop other addictions.. Among other things, because they are subjected to many moments in which they must manage the frustration of not being able to have immediate access to the substance they feel they need to consume, or to the context in which they can perform the action "that their body is asking for" (gambling in a casino, playing online video games, etc.).

9. Is it possible to completely cure an addiction?

Health professionals help people with addictions to put an end to the spiral of self-destruction to which addictions subject them, reaching a point where they can lead an almost normal life. However, there is a part of the addiction that remains latent, so special measures must be taken to prevent relapse. they will have to take special relapse prevention measures for the rest of their lives, even though for the rest of their lives, although it requires some effort in the first few months, but there comes a point where this is not a significant problem or a perceived sacrifice.

Are you looking for professional help for addictions?

If you have decided to start a treatment to overcome an addiction, contact us. At CITA Clinics we are specialists in addictive disorders, and we offer services both in outpatient care and occasional therapy sessions, as well as in admissions in our residential module located in the middle of nature. On this page are our contact details.

Bibliographical references:

• American Psychiatric Association (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
• Kauer, J.A.; Malenka R.C.. (2007). Synaptic plasticity and addiction. Nature Neuroscience Opinions (8): pp. 844 - 858.
• Ritchie, H. (2019). Drug Use. Published online at OurWorldInData.org. Retrieved from: "https://ourworldindata.org/drug-use"
• Winstock, A.; Barratt, M.; Ferris, J.; Maier, L. (2017). Global Drug Surey 2017. Global Drug Survey GDS2017.