Addiction - Why?

What I am driving at is a greater understanding of addiction. In other words why do people become addicted to things. Obviously, if something is pleasurable or exciting people will wish to repeat the experience. But if excessive time, energy and resources is spent on such an activity, thereby creating an imbalanced lifestyle, it then becomes a problem.

I think there was an experiment with rats that proved that their habits and preferences could be changed or directed within a different environment. Therefore the need for repeating an activity was based on a learned procedure.

Why do some people become 'driven' by the need, which can lead to a compulsive status, whereby the person feel powerless to reject or dispel the urges. Whereas others may try an activity and find it enjoyable, but are able to either stay in control or just take part from time to time, without any issues.

For starters, I would query your starting point, that addiction is necessarily linked to risk-taking.

Consider it as a form of avoidance/numbing out. And then work backwards.

Why do people need to do that.

It's definitely nurture. Probably some degree of nature - but overwhelmingly, addiction is learnt.

This video might help

https://www.ted.com/talks/johann_hari_everything_you_think_you_know_about_addiction_is_wrong

Good question. Surprisingly little debated, given its obvious relevance

I think addiction is pretty well understood by those who choose to educate themselves around it.

Agree with Louis, addiction is learnt behaviour, there is no evidence whatsoever it is genetic or heridatary.

Make me feel happy, stop me feeling bad, addictions primary purpose.

Thanks cardhue/day@atime.

Actually this is very helpful for me to understand the subject even more, because although I had come to the conclusion that ultimately, everyone has the power to decide whether or not to do something, I still had the notion that my addictive nature was set in stone, acting as a permanent force to be reckoned with. Like someone had said: 'our minds are not wired right'. But if in fact addictions are learned - can we reverse the learning? Or will we forever need to keep reminding ourselves of the pointlessness and destructive capacity of gambling in order to remain GF.

You cant unlearn that addiction works anymore than you can unlearn your abc's. Its's more about learning new ways of living rather than trying to block out old ways. Without having something to say yes to, how do you continue to say no

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Thanks for your helpful posts regarding this topic. I think for me it was part of my 'finding a reason' why I had become addicted, and probably looking for a plausable excuse. But regardless of the cause, I do realise that we can learn from our mistakes, make changes, and take control of our lives.

A little bit more about my perception of addiction:- Perhaps it may not be an illness - rather a weakness. Certainly any habit could esculate into an addiction. As the advertising slogans proclaim: You need it - because you are weak! - When an addiction takes over your life you convince yourself that you are in control, rather than the addiction controlling you!

A friend of mine who is a frequent drinker and smoker once claimed that he would rather have alcohol and nicotine than food. This honestly took me back, but I have heard since that some addicts view their compulsive activity just as important as the air that they breath!!!

I think that people become addicted to many things, but it is perhaps a fine line between just enjoying the endulgence on a regular basis, instead of losing control or becoming reliant on it. We tend to focus on gambling, drugs and alcohol as the main addictions, but lets not forget that people over-endulge on fizzy drinks, over-eating. mobile phones, se.x, por.n and tattoos.

I feel its very complex and there have been whole papers written on the subject. I dont believe it can NOT be termed as softly as weakness....like he had a bit of weakness for cream cakes or something

We are talking about addictions which can kill people. Gambling, Smoking, Drinking and Drugs are addictions which can and do kill people.

If someone has been warned to cut out over eating as a real danger to health its more of a mental illness if they continue.

The problem with the word mental illness is that people are scared of the term like they need a straightjacket and a padded cell.

Addiction is a complex form of reinforced pleasure centres and paths in the brain which take control. It may even be a form of devil may care, self destruction. I still cant fully understand how I was continually attracted to something so harmful. £500 of my food and rent money in one session...what was that all about??

I can have a pint of ale but I know of someone that having one drink leads to an all out binge...jumping into taxis they can barely afford and going off to where they can source drink in someones flat for several days or a week at a time. Its an escape and an addictive drug. She is classed as a binge drinker and maybe I could be classed as a binge gambler. The cravings were similar in that it suddenly just seemed right to be doing it even if we couldnt stop

Gambling on machines was an escape for me and took over my body like any drug. People do get addicted to different things and which can hamful in varying degrees.

Gambling is one of the most dangerous addictions and the real danger is that some people dont take it as seriously as it deserves. It will get you bankrupt, homeless,divorced and suicidal faster than just about anything.

So I consider addiction an illness and they feed off each other. When I very first gambled I wasnt ill but it soon made me addicted and ill with it

Best wishes

Thanks Joydivider - some excellent observations. Definately food for thought!