Addiction – what does it mean ?

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Addiction – what does it mean ?

06 October, 2021Articles, News

Addiction comes in many forms, alcohol and drug addiction being the most well-known. Alcohol and drug addiction are defined as the loss of control over the use of a substance. There are other ways of acting out in addiction that can be just as harmful to the person. Gambling, sex addiction, food addiction and other addictive behaviours are the equivalent of drug and alcohol addiction as they too result in a loss of control and powerlessness as well as loss of family support, financial insecurity, legal problems and health problems. These consequences, when they do occur, are very real and devastating to the addict and their families.

Alcohol Addiction

Alcoholism is characterised by compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcohol, binge drinking, blackouts and irresponsible behaviour when under the influence. Missing work, school or important occasions, social withdrawal and isolation are all symptoms of alcoholism.

http://www.aasouthafrica.org.za/

Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is the compulsive use of a chemical substance despite the negative effects, health risks, loss of social standing, financial risks, risky behaviour, which may lead to an active engagement in criminal activities to support a drug habit. This may be followed by arrests and confinement in prison or institutions, loss of family and friends, social withdrawal and isolation. Commonly used drugs are heroin, cocaine, marijuana, crack cocaine, CAT, crystal methamphetamine or tik, prescription medication, GHB, ecstasy and LSD.

http://www.na.org.za/

Sex addiction

The term “sexual addiction” is used to describe the behaviour of a person who has an unusually intense sex drive or an obsession with sex. Sex and the thought of sex tend to dominate the sex addict’s thinking, making it difficult to work or engage in healthy personal relationships.

Sex addicts engage in distorted thinking, often rationalising and justifying their behaviour and blaming others for problems. They generally deny they have a problem and make excuses for their actions.
Sex addiction is also associated with risk-taking. A person with an addiction to sex, engages in various forms of sexual activity, despite the potential for negative and/or dangerous consequences. In addition to damaging the addicts relationships and interfering with his or her work and social life, a sexual addiction also puts the person at risk for emotional and physical injury.

http://www.sexaa.org/
http://www.slaafws.org/

Gambling

Addictive Gambling is as destructive if not more so then any drug or alcohol addiction. Compulsive gamblers lie, steal and wreak havoc with their finances in order to get there “fix”. Unable to control themselves, they will gamble their life savings away and in the process, put tremendous strain on their relationships with friends and families. The next big win is always only one bet away and sadly never comes. There is no such thing as a big enough win for the addicted gambler to stop. Unfortunately this addiction does often not receive the attention it deserves and many gamblers may resort to suicide as the only way out of their addiction.

http://www.responsiblegambling.co.za/

Food addiction

Food addiction is a contemporary term used to describe a pathological disorder; the compulsive, excessive craving for and consumption of food. This condition is not only manifested by the abnormal intake of food, but the intake and craving for foods that are, in themselves, harmful to the individual. While society and the medical profession have readily understood alcoholism and drug abuse, it is only in recent years that there is an equal acceptance of the fact that persons may be addicted to food in the same way. When any substance is taken into the body regardless of its potential for harm or in excess of need, that substance is said to be abused. Individuals who abuse substances in such a way are addicts; these persons become physiologically and mentally dependent upon certain substances, in this case food.

http://www.foodaddicts.org/

If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment. Crossroads rehabilitation centres offer many options for recovery, including an outpatient programme. Contact us for advice on how to best proceed with your recovery. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best possible care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s only a phone call away.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

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  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
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Home / Posts tagged "sex addiction"

Sex Addiction

29 September, 2021Articles, News

We live in a highly sexualized society; sexual content is abundant and apparent in just about every corner of our lives. Porn addiction is an easy temptation. As far as society has developed, there has been no effective way to regulate the human sex drive (Britannica, 2021). The human capacity to derive pleasure from sexual stimulus, renders most human beings helpless in the face of a world that is constantly intoxicated by it. Human beings are socialized to be in constant pursuit of a satisfaction that they will in many ways never achieve. Like all addictions, it is not simply the substance that drives the addict- it is the lifestyle as well. The pursuit of the perfect ideal of sexuality is what is often considered as the pay off, in and of itself. Nothing makes this more apparent than pornography.

Pornography represents the exaggerated, controversial, and extreme appeal of the so-called taboos that many desire but never achieve. Pornography is anything that openly promotes, sells, and advertises sexuality, it is derived from the term “porni” which was a term used to refer to both exploitation of the impoverished and the overindulgence of the wealthy in ancient Greek times (Britannica, 2020). Even in times where sexual liberalism was in abundance, this term was often used to refer to transgressions against what were considered to be the healthy expression of sexual desires. This is a possible reason for a sense of entitlement when it comes to porn addiction, many of the addicts enthralled by it, feeling justified in their indulgence on profanities of various shapes and sizes. It’s a small wonder many do not consider it as a problem, they minimize it, citing the notion that those involved in it are in the pursuit of pleasure and venturing to alleviate boredom.

Pornography as an industry often promotes rape culture in modern society, subtly conditioning the human mind to no longer consider that which is a violation of human dignity. This is often made clear in illegal sex trades, such as those found on the dark web and human trafficking markets. Those with means often use these channels to indulge themselves in fetishes of all kinds some of which reach levels of violation and degradation of human dignity that many cultures consider as evil. The above content indicates that the primary problem with pornography is that it is not considered a problem. Its abundance in society is indicative of the fact that societies around the world are being socialized to believe so. Those who suffer from sex addiction are thus rendered blind to the suffering of others and themselves.

Human culture is caught between two extremes, one being the prohibition of pornography, which when implemented in eras gone passed, has only served to exacerbate the problem. The alternative being to promote it and inspire liberalism- this approach having a similar effect. These extremes represent the crux of the problem with pornography and that is that, it represents extremism as a form of normalcy (Britannica, 2020). There are almost no instances where pornography represents sane as well as healthy sexuality, in fact it promotes the sacrifice of it for the sake of gratification (Britannica, 2020).

Due to the effect of heightened sexual stimulation on the human nervous systems pleasure centre- when an individual stops using pornography or indulging in extreme forms of sexual gratification, they go through a type of withdrawal process (Britannica, 2021). This state of
intense discomfort renders them vulnerable to relapse, as many who have progressed to a point where they experience some form of withdrawal are prone to choose pleasure over the pain of it. According to Sigmund Freud, human beings are hardwired to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. Pornography blurs the lines between these two and this is what perverts the norms of healthy sexual activities.

If you or a loved one are battling a sex addiction and need assistance – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one, but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, Johannesburg, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

References:
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020). Catharine A. MacKinnon. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catharine-A-MacKinnon.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2021, May 27). Kamala Das. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Kamala-Das.

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  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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Treating Porn Addiction

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Home / Posts tagged "sex addiction"

Treating Porn Addiction

26 February, 2021Articles, News

Porn addiction or rather sex addiction, like many addictions is a form of escapism, and as a result it has an inherent capacity to diminish an individual’s social relationships and distort their sexual activities in a way that continues to destroy their lives by causing harm to themselves and others (Hall, 2018).

Porn acts as a superficial sexual stimulant and is often used to enhance visual, audio and sensational experiences accompanying the process of masturbation (Hall, 2012). This is done in order to achieve a release from compounded sexual tension and frustration that accumulates when an individual’s healthy sexual desires are not met (Hall, 2018). This means that it acts on the brain in the same way as many other drugs, in that it stimulates an individual’s pleasure centre and releases dopamine into the individual’s brain when they indulge in such activities (Hall, 2012). Repeated excessively over time, this can lead to worsening consequences that occur when an individual indulges in this addictive activity in order to cater to what in its natural form is a healthy drive for procreation and recreation (Hall, 2012).

Withdrawal from reality and deviation towards sexual fantasies and the pursuit of purely sexual interests in instances where an individual experiences stressors in life are common place in sex addiction (Carnes and Adams, 2019). An individual will in such instances, use pornography and other sexual activities to seek relief from these stressors, further reinforcing the habit making the individual even more inclined to sexualize stress and any other forms of discomfort associated with building healthy relations with other human beings or facing life challenges (Carnes & Adams, 2019). This is reflective of one of the many psychological detriments that are brought about by porn/sex addiction as well as how this illness progresses (Hall, 2018).

Most porn/sex addicts develop a view of the people in their lives that is different than that of others who are not as afflicted as they are (Carnes & Adams, 2019). To a porn/sex addict, people tend to become objects, as the addictive disease takes hold of an individual’s mind and relationships become tools for sexual relief. This characteristic is a manifestation of porn/sex addiction in the addict’s social life as it refers mainly to how an individual gripped by this affliction relates to others in their lives (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

This is often known to lead to social withdrawal as the porn addict begins to isolate themselves even further, mistaking the apprehension and concern of others regarding their sexual activities as an aberration of them as human beings, therefore setting them apart from the normal (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

With human beings being social creatures, the withdrawal and isolation brought upon by porn/sex addiction contributes to further disregard an individual places in themselves- and others, and contributes to other self-destructive habits (Hall, 2018). The fact that an individual seeks a superficial relief from stressors using porn can often act as an indicator for unmet needs (Hall, 2012).

The premise of unmet needs often acts as a foundation for recovery from porn/sex addiction, as is the case with most addictions the acceptance of the futility and pain that the addict continues to experience and the lack of pleasure that occurs from individuals being constantly jaded causes them to reevaluate their approach to relief and question if this high is worth the pain and price (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

If they get to this point, it then becomes possible to utilize the twelve step programmes of various sex and love based process addiction fellowship support groups such as Sex and Love addicts Anonymous and Sex Addicts Anonymous to alleviate this affliction (Carnes & Adams, 2019). This is done by utilizing self-reflective exercises to review the individuals sexual conduct over the years past and to help them identify the experiences that they preferred to do in isolation as unhealthy and toxic (Hall, 2018).

An added effect of this initial process is to help individuals embrace the reality that their sexual and social activities never quite fulfilled their needs and as such these needs have become overbearing and unmanageable (Carnes & Adams, 2019). They also come to realize, that they have reinforced the habit for so long that sudden cessation without assistance becomes almost impossible (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

These are the first and second steps of the recovery process from porn addiction and this is immediately followed by the introduction of healthy behaviors that act to stimulate an individual’s social drive and to bring the individuals sexual drives to a point of equilibrium (Hall, 2018).

After this, the individual begins to reinforce their recovery by committing these healthier behaviours into a set of practices that can be carried out daily (Carnes & Adams, 2019). This is the third step in the recovery process, which is proceeded by an inventory of the individuals social, emotional and mental conduct revolving around their sex lives and how this has affected them and others. This is done to identify the individual’s part (responsibility) in these situations as well as where they have been at fault and where they have not. These are the fourth and fifth steps in the recovery process and these are often used to determine an individual’s locus of control (Hall, 2018).

At this point of the recovery process the individual has developed a desire to continue to recover from their sex addiction by acting in a way that is contrary to their past behaviour and by identifying and reconciling any damage that they had done by acting out (Carnes & Adams, 2019). This brings this discussion to steps six through to step nine of the recovery process this is then followed by the maintenance and growth aspects of this programme which involve yet another self-reflective exercise, which helps an individual identify their behaviour daily and actively work to correct it (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

The tenth step is when an individual constantly reinforces their new behaviour by practicing it with others and by using various meditative exercises to help regulate themselves in the face of the many challenges that life is sure to present them (Carnes & Adams, 2019). After this, the addict utilizes the process of giving back to society. He or she shares their individual recovery, providing an opportunity to contribute to the recovery of others (Hall, 2018).

Sex addiction often comes across as the willful sexual exploitation on oneself or others or both, what the SLAA or SAA twelve steps are aimed at accomplishing with regards to sex and pornography addiction, is to emphasize an individual’s sense of self-love. Many sex and porn addicts have a misconception of their needs and as such are not often readily equipped with the knowledge of how to cater to them effectively (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

Henceforth another primary function of the SLAA and SAA twelve step is to debunk myths and distorted thinking in afflicted individuals by providing practical methods for them to apply in their lives, which when practiced regularl, alter their perception of themselves, others and the nature of sex and porn for them (Carnes & Adams, 2019). They eventually begin to perceive such forms of detachment as unhealthy, unneeded and unwanted (Hall, 2018). Through following this process and developing a willingness to have healthier sexual and social relationships many who have followed this path have recovered (Carnes & Adams, 2019).

In conclusion, porn addiction has been seen to have detrimental effects on an individual despite how casually it is approached. It can also be seen that addiction to pornography is a manifestation of the addictive disease. What also becomes clear is the solution and the hope that no one need suffer for too long in the face of this ailment when true relief from life’s stressors lies in overcoming and not avoiding.

If you or a loved one are battling an addiction to porn and are in search of rehabilitation – know that help is readily available. The road to recovery is not always an easy one but getting yourself or your loved one the best care from the team at Crossroads Recovery Centre, Johannesburg, provides you with a map to sober, healthy living. No matter how bad things seem, there is hope and it’s just a phone call away. If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

References

Hall, P. (2018). Understanding and treating sex and pornography addiction: A comprehensive guide for people who struggle with sex addiction and those who want to help them. Routledge.

Hall, P. (2012). Understanding and treating sex addiction: A comprehensive guide for people who struggle with sex addiction and those who want to help them. Routledge.

Carnes, P.J., & Adams, A.M.(2019). Clinical management of sex Addiction. Routledge.

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  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
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  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
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Behavioural Addictions VS. Substance Addictions

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Home / Posts tagged "sex addiction"

Behavioural Addictions VS. Substance Addictions

11 November, 2020Articles, News

Seeking treatment and help for substance addiction is a lot easier than seeking help for behavioural addictions. One of the reasons for this may be the denial surrounding behavioural addictions.

ADDICTION EXPLAINED:

The simple explanation of addiction is a primary chronic disease of the brain reward, motivation, memory and body that involves compulsive use of one or more substances despite the serious health risks and social consequences that may result from our actions. Addiction disrupts regions of the brain that are responsible for reward, motivation, learning, judgement as well as memory. It damages various body systems as well as families, relationships, education and work.

One of the primary reasons for making it difficult to identify that a specific behaviour has become an addiction is that substance addiction affects the body and has serious visible health consequences and behavioural addictions do not present themselves with this specific consequence thus admitting to having a behavioural addiction is challenging.

  • Addiction is often characterized by:
    • Inability to abstain.
    • Impairment in behavioural control.
    • Craving or increased need for drugs or rewarding behaviours.
    • Diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviours and interpersonal relationships.
    • Dysfunctional emotional responses.

BEHAVIOURAL ADDICTION EXPLANATION

Behavioural addiction happens when an individual becomes pathologically focused on pursuing reward by engaging in behaviour. Often the individual struggles to refrain from the behaviour, experiences intense cravings, has difficulty resisting and has minimal awareness of the problems and or consequences that arise as a result of their behavioural addiction, including- loss of time and loss of the ability to prioritize other life functions and responsibilities.

  • Some examples of behavioural addictions are:

It is difficult to seek help or treatment if you are not sure that there is a problem. Identifying your addiction and understanding the consequences of it and deciding to seek help are the first steps to recovery.

CONSEQUENCES AND OR DANGERS OF ADDICTION

Whether it is sex, gambling or substances- when these activities are indulged and enjoyed the reward pathways in the brain release dopamine, also known as the “feel-good” hormone.

This chemical rush acts as a positive reinforcement to the body and over time the brain is conditioned to seek out that dopamine release. This leads to an altered mental state affecting decision-making and potentially leading to dangerous consequences as is the case with substance addiction which could result in an overdose. A behavioural addiction, such as gambling, could result in bankruptcy.

Behavioural addictions carry the same characteristics as that of substance addiction.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ADDICTION

Compulsive use or acting out on behaviour.
As the addict continues to ingest the substance or engage in the behaviour, tolerance develops and it takes larger doses of the substance or behaviour to produce the sought-after pleasure or relief.

Craving
This means that the body and brain send intense signals that the drug or behaviour is needed. Psychological cravings related to the experience of taking the substance or engaging in the behaviour may occur.

Loss of control
Addicts cannot predict or determine how much of the substance they will be using or when they will be using, however, once they begin, they cannot stop. The same loss of control applies to behavioural addictions such as gambling, sex, food or gaming.

Continued use despite adverse consequences
Behavioural addictions have negative consequences. Addicts often are not aware of these consequences due to denial. Adverse consequences include loss of time at work, failing interpersonal relationships and negatively impacted financial well-being. Addicts feel that the pleasure derived from the substance or behaviour outweighs the consequences.

Tolerance
Continual use of a substance affects the body which soon adapts and begins to tolerate the drugs pharmacological effect, as a result, the addict needs more of either the substance or the behaviour to achieve the same effect of the initial experience.

Withdrawal
Withdrawal symptoms are unpleasant physical symptoms when the substance or behaviour is withheld.

To conclude that the effects of substance addiction are different or more severe than behavioural addictions would be erroneous.

The mental, physical and spiritual effects of behavioural addiction are much the same as with substance addiction and both carry dire consequences to both the addict and significant others in the addict’s life and treatment for both is equally important.

If you or anyone close to you needs help with an addiction to sex, gambling, substances, alcohol or food, please contact us for a free assessment.

www.crossroadsrecovery.co.za

074 89 51043 JHB

012 450 5033 PTA

Resources
American Psychiatric Association www.mentalhelp.net
World Health Organisation: ICD 10 classification of behavioural disorders (www.nlm.nih.gov)
Goodman A: Addiction definition and implications (www.researchgate.net)
American Society of Addiction Medicine policy (www.asam.org)

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  • The encouragement, love and support from the team at Crossroads allowed me to eventually see that I was worth something - that my life could be turned around and that I could accomplish the things that had long been a forgotten dream.
    Oliver VG
    Read more
  • On the last day of my stint at Crossroads I could only express gratitude towards all who works there. A wise councillor once commented on my question when one is ready for rehab by explaining that when one is ready for rehab, rehab is ready for you.
    Johan B
    Read more
  • I was lost and my soul was broken until I ended up at Crossroads and was introduced to the Twelve Steps. With the help of their excellent staff and amazing support I have recently been clean for 18 months, I could not have done it without them!
    Carla S
    Read more
  • "Just for today I am more than three years in recovery. I have Cross Roads to thank for this wonderful gift. Cross Roads helped me to set a firm foundation in my recovery on which I can continue to build."
    Angelique J
    Read more
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