Definitions, types and characteristics of addictions

Definitions

GRIFFITHS (2005) defined addiction as ‘any behaviour that features all the core compotents of addiction.’ These are:

1. Salience – the addiction becomes the most important activity in the person’s life. It controls their behaviour, thoughts and feelings.
2. Mood modification/ Euphoria – the subjective experiences that if felt while engaging in the behahviour. Things like a ‘high’ or ‘buzz’.
3. Tolerance – when the activity needs to be constantly increased for the individual to get the same effect.
4. Withdrawal – the unpleasant thoughts/physical effects felt when the addiction is reduced or stopped.
5. Conflicts – when the individual begins to have conflicts with the people around them.
6. Relapse – the chances of a person returning to the addictive behaviour are high and the most extreme patterns can be restored even after years of abstinence.

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Types 

Alcoholism – addiction to alcohol even if it brings negative consequences in the individuals’ personal, social and professional life. The contributors are:

• Physical dependence
• Neuro-chemical conditions
• Perception that alcohol is beneficial 

Impulse control disorders – characterised by a failure to resist a temptation or urge that may be harmful. There are five stages:

1. An impulse
2. Growing tension
3. Pleasure when the impulse is satisfied
4. Relief from satisfaction 
5. Guilt or lack of guilt

• Kleptomania – urge to collect/steal things and hoard items in the house. The more difficult the challenge to attain the object, the more thrilling and addictive the behaviour becomes.
• Pyromania – Inability to resist the urge to deriberately start fires because of an attraction to them or to seeing fire services in action. 
• Compulsive gambling – failure to resist gambling urges to get a sense of euphoria, especially if money is won.

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Physical and psychological dependence

Physical – appearance of withdrawal symptoms. This will vary on the frequency of the addiction, the method used and the substance itself.

Psychological – related to the mind, leading to psychological withdrawal symptoms. This occurs because the activity or drug becomes important in keeping a person’s mental state ‘stable’.