If the use of a substance and/or the engagement in a particular behavior is resulting in negative consequences in your life, you may have an issue with addiction.
Addiction is a term casually thrown around these days, which has watered down the true meaning of what addiction really is. While there are certain objective markers and features of addiction, it can be a subjective term, unique for each individual.
How do you know if you’re addicted to something? In addition to objective negative consequences of engaging in using a substance (alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, other drugs) or engaging in a behavior (gambling, shopping, sex, video games, social media, etc.), paying attention to how you get sucked into a certain activity and how you feel after engaging in a particular activity can be particularly revealing in helping you determine whether or not you may be suffering from a true addiction.
First, objective observations: be honest with yourself and note whether your use of a substance or engagement in a particular activity is negatively affecting one or more of the following:
Next, consider how you tend to get sucked into a behavior that you are starting to realize is not helpful for you, or is clearly detrimental. How does it start? Is it triggered by a stressful event, circumstance, thought, or feeling? Do you become easily irritated between periods of use? Do you find yourself obsessing over when your next opportunity will be to engage in this particular activity? Do you look forward to the substance or activity as a welcome chance to escape negative feelings?
Finally, note how you feel after the high of the substance or activity has passed. Do you feel fulfilled or empty? Are you happy that you engaged in the activity, or are you feeling awful and wondering how this managed to happen yet again? Answers to questions such as these can help you determine if you are indeed struggling with addiction.
When you come to Rosetta Mental Health for treatment for addiction, our clinicians will guide you in exploring the origins of your unwanted behaviors and help you find the context in which your chronic substance abuse or compulsive behavior actually makes sense.
You will learn the biological and chemical components of addiction, such as the dopaminergic and reward systems of the brain; and you will be taught effective coping mechanisms and methods for day-to-day use of addiction control. While you will never be judged or shamed, you will be challenged to look openly and honestly at what will likely be painful aspects of your life which are subconsciously feeding your addiction.
Through methods such as psychodynamic psychotherapy, mindfulness, and CBT, you will be empowered to be the agent of change in your life as we encourage you to take responsibility for your contribution to your suffering.
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You may be addicted to a substance or an activity when engaging in that behavior starts to negatively affect one or more of the following areas of your life:
