Does Addiction Carry A Negative Meaning To It?

The word addict stirs up a very negative image of the person indulging wilfully in such actions, which can only be summed up in one word, weakness; weakness in character, will, and morals.

The word addiction literally means any sort of activity that is repeated over and over again, and by doing so, one gets a disrupted behaviour in the everyday routine.

How a layman perceives addiction is altogether different from the scientific point of view that explains how and why a person gets addicted to something. This case is similar in nature to how people used to perceive mental problems as social problems, instead of perceiving them as medical problems, in the recent past. The treatment of addiction has not been considered as a health problem, but a social problem. Addiction is a problem that should be addressed with psychotherapeutic approach.

The repetitive use of a substance, whether it is medicinal or recreational, brings about biological changes in the body and brain, leading to a physical need for using. This need may be psychological, physical, or both, and would lead to constant craving. The lack of availability would then cause various physical reactions or withdrawal symptoms.

Some drugs give stronger addiction than others, and any kind or degree of addiction is sure to bring a negative transformation in the social life, especially when one is unable to get the desired drug. This is another reason why addicts get so rash, violent and deceitful in their behaviour. The society shuns such people, and this problem aggravates their situation by worsening their relationships, ties with their families, and affects their personal lives.

Various genetic, biological and pharmacological factors are termed as the causes and reasons of addiction. When people do not realize that they are drinking, gambling or using drugs in high quantities as a way of keeping out the pain, or to overcome their frustration, they are slowly getting addicted to it. At some point in their lives, it becomes really hard to give up their habits, and that is the time when they should be alarmed of being addicted.

According to a statistical study, an estimated 2 million people in the UK are addicts. The apparently harmless social activities, like food, sexual activities, shopping, etc, can become sources of addiction for some people who are hooked.

It is very much possible that one overcomes his/her addiction on his own- by changing the lifestyle, or the environment which has helped to develop that addiction, or with the support of his family and friends. People attach a sense of shame with addiction; hence, the addicts are hesitant in coming forward and seeking help. Nowadays, professional help and rehabilitation centres are available to help the addicts in leaving their addiction. Tough and difficult kinds of addictions need a difficult and time-consuming process, which must be borne patiently. Many addicts have been successful in getting rid of this problem. Sometimes, the social stigmas and stereotypes attached to addiction are too strong that they actually make it misunderstood in the society.