Addiction is life-changing. It can completly change who you are, and it’s very easy to become addicted to something. Unfortunately, if you suffer from mental health problems, you are more likely to have an addictive personality. This increases your chances of becoming addicted to something, and can make it more of a challenge to recover.
The first step in coping with addiction is realizing when you are becoming addicted. Being addicted means you no longer have control over something – you don’t want it, you need it. This could be a psychological need, or a physical one. You might find that you suffer from withdrawal symptoms, such as shaking, feeling unwell and sickness, when you don’t have it. You might find that your body needs more of the substance to get the same effects – for example, you might find you need more painkillers to numb the pain.
Psychological addiction is when your life begins to revolve around getting, and taking, the drug. An example of this is lying to the pharmacist or doctor to get more tablets, or stealing them.
People with addictions, physical or psychological, might find that they have drastic mood changes, and that their weight changes – you might lose a lot of weight, or gain a lot. Your sleeping habits might change, and you might feel anxious, depressed, and become less interest in things you used to enjoy.
If you think you might be becoming addicted, or are already addicted, you need to seek help. Addictions can be difficult to fight, and you are unlikely to succeed on your own. Speak to someone about your problem – you might want to confide in a friend or family member as a ‘practise run’ before telling a doctor or counsellor. There are many ways to fight an addiction, from addiction ‘holidays’ where you spend time in a camp to steps you can take at home, with help from your family and friends. You will get a choice in what you want to do – you’ll also get plenty of support to kick your addiction.