Addictions are anything that becomes the sole focus of people’s daily lives to the point that they neglect others and their responsibilities. Regardless of the item, behavior, activity, or substance, it provides a sense of reward or pleasure to a person. A person who is addicted recreates a high in their brain from time to time to maintain their high.
Many people incur debt, lose personal relationships, and lose their health as a result. Whatever the form of addiction, its effects begin to harm the individual, and upon quitting, they will often experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that can be very challenging to cope with.
The patterns of use and abuse of almost every addiction are similar and are extremely dangerous, despite some slight variations.
Behavioral Addiction
An individual who suffers from this disorder engages in repetitive and compulsive behavior that does not involve drugs. Individuals who engage in the behavior enjoy ecstasy or find relief from stress.
Because of this, addicts cease to see any obstacles or adversities as barriers that might attempt to intervene as they become singularly focused on the pursuit of this activity.
Substance addiction
Chronic drug abuse occurs when a person has the persistent desire to use a substance despite its potentially harmful consequences. Many of them have difficulty controlling their urges and cannot function without using a particular substance regularly.
Initial use of the drug is usually voluntary; however, repeated use is the result of an addiction that robs a person of their ability to resist. When an addict tries to stop using the drug, their bodies become accustomed to the withdrawal symptoms and often relapse due to the cravings that follow.
Difference between drug and behavioral addiction
Despite the similarities between behavioral addiction and drug addiction, there are significant differences.
Individuals with behavioral addiction don’t become addicted to substances but are addicted to certain behaviors or emotions as a result of taking part in certain activities. In addition, behavioral addiction often occurs without accompanying physical signs.
Addiction to behavioral and drug substances leads to changes in the brain, which produce a feeling of high that addicts become addicted to replicating. On the other hand, a drug addiction that persists for a long time could cause permanent brain damage and impairment of chemical balance.