Did you know that thirty-seven million people over the age of twelve are illegal drug users? When most people think of addiction, their minds tend to instantly go toward these types of illegal substances.
However, the reality is that there are many different types of addiction. That’s why we made this guide.
In it, we’ll be breaking down the common types of addiction categories, including chemical addictions, behavioral addictions, and impulse control disorders.
That way, you get a full picture of what a broad category addiction can be. Let’s get started!
What Are Chemical Addictions?
Chemical addictions, also known as physical addictions, are more widely known. They occur when someone ingests a chemical. Despite this, there’s still a lot of confusion about what constitutes a chemical addiction.
Do substance misuse and dependency count? Or is it just reserved for addictions? The clarify this confusing subject, professionals now recommend using the term substance abuse disorder when referring to chemical addictions.
There can be mild, moderate, or severe cases of this disorder which make classifying it easier. There can be drug addiction in teens as well as the elderly. No group is immune.
Some of the common substances used with this disorder include things like alcohol, cannabis, nicotine, opiods, amphetamines, cocaine, and methamphetamines.
More broadly, you can break the substance down into alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription medication. There are a lot of signs that someone might have a chemical addiction. Some common symptoms include:
- Intense cravings that distract from everything
- A need to use more and more of the substance
- Discomfort when they don’t have access to the substance
- Trouble with relationships
- Spending less time on things they used to love
- The inability to quit
- Withdrawal symptoms when they don’t use
If someone you know exhibits symptoms like this, they may be battling addiction.
What Are Behavioral Addictions?
Sadly, behavioral addictions aren’t as straightforward as chemical addictions. That’s because there’s a lot of debate in the community about whether or not these types of patterns are truly an addiction.
For the time being, the APA doesn’t classify these types of addictions in their standard Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (or DSM-5).
They cite the lack of peer-reviewed studies. However, that could change in the future. It’s still important to note that obsession with these behaviors can have a negative impact on people’s life.
Some common behavioral addictions include TV, shopping, sex, food, exercise, video games, pain, and social media.
And while there are no official criteria for diagnosing this, some of the common symptoms include things like:
- Spending almost all of their time on the behavior
- The behavior begins to affect their life, relationships, and work
- They use the behavior to manage emotions
- They lie about how much time they spend on the behavior.
- They keep doing the behavior even when it causes them distress
- They can’t quit the behavior when they try
If you believe you have a behavioral addiction, you should still consider seeking help. Just know that you’re not as likely to find the same infrastructure that’s in place for physical addictions.
What Are Impulse Control Disorders?
Impulse control disorders occur when someone has trouble controlling their emotions around a particular behavior.
It can be similar to some behavioral addictions. However, the difference is that it’s related to specific types of actions. Some common types of impulse control disorders include:
- Intermittent explosive disorder (a compulsive addiction to aggressive acts)
- Gambling
- Pyromania (a compulsive addiction to setting fire)
- Kleptomania (a compulsive addiction to stealing)
Unfortunately, the reason for these disorders still isn’t known. However, experts tend to agree that it combines environmental, physical, and genetic factors.
In terms of treatment, it’s generally the same as most behavioral addictions.
Typical Addiction Timeline
The addiction timeline can vary from person to person. However, they generally involve four distinct phases. The first there’s the reward system.
This occurs in our brains when we begin associating a particular substance or activity with the neurotransmitters that it releases. Next, come the cravings and tolerances.
After we do the substance or behavior, our bodies want more. This can lead to cravings. And, the more we engage with it, the more we’ll need to do to fit against our growing tolerances.
After that comes a disinterest in other activities. All of a sudden, things that seem important to the person will drop away.
Finally, there’s a loss of control. This is when the addiction begins negatively affecting relationships, jobs, and other aspects of an individual life.
Treatment Options For Addiction
The treatment options for substance abuse disorder and behavioral addiction are quite different. That’s because, for chemical addiction, a medically-supervised detox period is typically required.
This typically occurs at a rehab facility. However, addiction treatment doesn’t end after rehab.
Once the withdrawal symptoms die down, the person will need to go to therapy to get to the root of why they use substances to control emotions. In some cases, medication might be required to prevent relapses in the substance.
In addition to this, it’s common for people with substance use disorders to seek support groups for help. The treatment for behavioral addictions is much less intensive.
Because there typically aren’t any physical withdrawal symptoms, therapy is usually the only form of treatment needed. Specifically, CBT can help a person identify patterns that cause their harmful behaviors.
Appreciate Learning About the Common Types of Addiction? Keep Exploring
We hope this article helped you answer the question, What are the common types of addiction? While some types of addictions are more harmful than others, it’s important to treat all of them with seriousness.
So, if you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, please seek help. The earlier you get it, the more successful you’ll be at beating an addiction you’re facing.
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