By Dr. Femi Ogunyemi

The word “addicted” is commonly used nowadays. We have all heard people say someone is addicted to alcohol, drugs, smoking…….An addiction is ALWAYS to something that alters our senses (taste, touch, smell, vision and hearing) or alters our behaviour. Traditionally, the word is used in reference to things like alcohol, drugs, cigarettes and such.

But, people have used the word to describe excessive cravings for sex, dangerous adventure (adrenaline junkie), parties, sport, television, and even digital social media. Often, including medical practitioners, the term is misused or misapplied.

Before someone can become “addicted” to something, they must pass through 3 identifiable behavioral markers. These are compulsion, tolerance and dependency.

Whatever the addiction, these markers are present. The period anyone exhibits any of the markers vary for the same addiction, X.

Compulsion

This is an immediate need for X. This first stage is quite normal as a behavioral response in everyone. After all, the substance or behaviour is for a purpose. The person is merely fulfilling that purpose. Taking or doing X gives a response of , say, grade 5 satisfaction.

Tolerance

After an unpredictable time, compulsion leads to tolerance. At this stage, taking or doing X does not give grade 5 satisfaction; the person will need 2 or 3X to achieve that grade 5 satisfaction. This stage is often a warning sign that there is impending dependency. Unfortunately, for the afflicted individual, this is also the time of denial and lack of insight.

It is the time of excuses: “I only take X or do X when I need it; not all the time.” his critical stage is the best time to deploy various interventions to prevent dependency and possibly addiction. Counselling, behavioral modification, coping mechanisms and weaning strategies should be initiated at this stage. Typically, attempts at reducing exposure to or experience of X, will be tricky and difficult. For example, if the person has reached the level of 8X to get Grade 5 satisfaction, X has to be gradually reduced over time.

This may be complicated by symptoms and signs of “withdrawal”. This can manifest differently in different persons for different addictions. Withdrawal symptoms may be physical like sweating, vomitting, hypertension or psychological like irritability, impatience, anger, argumentative and confrontational attitudes or labile emotions. If this stage manifests and is unsuccessfully corrected, it may progress to…

Dependency

Dependency is a state whereby the body MUST have X. If the person is unable to have X the body reacts with clearly recognizable “withdrawal” symptoms. Dependency can be physical or psychological. “Oh, I can stop X any time. In fact, I have done so. But I had to start it again because I needed it.”“”I can choose to stop it anytime. I have it under control.”

At this stage, sadly, its the other way round….X has the person under its control. Many in the medical profession misuse the term “addiction” for what is really a “dependency”. In most patient contacts, the doctor is unable to determine the criteria that justifies the final stage……addiction.

Addiction

Addiction is that final stage when dependency has been surpassed. The person now tries BY ALL MEANS to obtain or experience X. The use, abuse or experience of X now causes social, economic, work and family conflicts for the afflicted person.  The person will lie, deceive, and use any legitimate or illegitimate means to use or experience X.   X would be experienced or sought from unconventional channels, often hidden from significant others.

X is now causing problems in the person’s life and relationships. Addiction goes beyond deadly substances like alcohol and drugs like heroin, cocaine and cigarettes. Society now relates it to non lethal behaviour like sex, gossip, coffee, video games, social media….and more. These cravings may not kill, but research has shown that they can and they do destroy interpersonal relationships.

Replace X in this article with any of these things. Do you know of someone whose pattern fits into these criteria?  What could YOU be addicted to? Addiction can be treated. However an excessive, destructive craving for anything, good or bad, is not complimentary to a healthy lifestyle.