It is well known that there are many types of addiction, most of which can be overcome if the person
afflicted first A. realizes they have an addiction and B. wants to overcome it. If both A and B are
not agreed upon then the possibility of giving up on an addiction is slim and most unlikely - but not
impossible in the long term with the right help and guidance.
Some of the kinds of addictions we see today are nicotine/smoking, drugs and alcohol as well as less-
thought of addictions such as that of gambling, hoarding or shopping.
Some of the signs of addiction include, but are not limited to:
• Mood Swings
• Lying
• Detachment
• Denial
• Financial Problems
• Dependence
• Altered Sleep Patterns
• Changes in Self-worth or Appearance
Not every addiction is the same and so the signs may change drastically from one to the next - for
example, a drug or alcohol addiction may leave the addict with more physical signs of abuse compared
to that of a hoarder, yet there may still be a drain on emotional stress and finances to obtain the item
desired by the addict and they may not be able to stop themselves from repeatedly engaging in his or
her addiction of choice.
A smoking addiction is quite common and some of the signs that you may have an addiction to smoking
include: not being able to go a day without a cigarette, buying cigarettes instead of food with the last
of the change in your wallet, mood swings when you are not engaged in smoking for an hour, several
hours, a day or so on. You may also experience withdrawal sweats, headaches and irritability, which
are also common signs that you may be addicted to smoking when you haven't smoked for just a short
period of time.
A drug addiction is similar to a smoking addiction but much less expensive in most cases and the physical
affects may be a lot worse. A heroin addiction may see the addict pick at their skin, lose a lot of weight,
seem agitated, overly talkative or nervous or exhibit jolty or jerky movements or just the inability to sit
still.
Of course, smoking is NOT the same as taking hard drugs, but some of the signs that you are addicted
to either can be the same and the rush of smoking that cigarette or taking your drug of choice could be
a very similar rush as that, which you might get from spending lots of money as a shopping addict or
perhaps even a gambler.
A shopping addiction might be something you could think of as less of an addiction than that a drug
addiction but when you can't help but buy everything you like without a thought for finances or the
bigger picture, then it can put you just as much, if not more, in debt as you throw money away on credit
cards or cash on things you perhaps will never use and that you just felt compelled to buy - it can have
a devastating effect on those around you as finances take away money from the family, bills or general
cost of living and if you are constantly thinking about the next big hit, buy or action it can be detrimental
to your ability to interact with those around you on a day to day basis.
No matter what your addiction may be, there are options for a cure, or at least a management plan to
curb your addiction and to get it somewhat under control.
Whether it be treatment for a heroin addiction, alcoholism or one of the many addictions we can all
fall victim to, the need for drug rehab centers, alcohol treatment centers and other health and wellness
centers is apparent - and they are there, waiting to offer you or someone you might be concerned with
as having an addiction, the help that you might so desperately need, want and desire.
The Recovery Village at Ridgefield or The Recovery Village at Columbus are great places to start that road to recovery.
