Any person has it in them to develop an addiction. Many do. These addictions just may not be as popularized in culture or as damaging in an obvious sense as an addiction to something like drugs and alcohol. Design has all types of addictions: physical, behavioural, and mental. Hundreds exist that are medically recognized. If it’s something you crave, are compelled to do, are unable to stop, and experience lifestyle dysfunction, this defines an addiction.
Here are a few types of addiction a person may encounter within them.
Type #1: Alcohol Addiction
Alcoholism can range from very mild to severe, with the consequences being devastating. It is associated with compulsive drinking, losing control over intake, and negative emotions emerging when/if alcohol is not available to them. Addiction treatment centers can guide you on your road to recovery.
Type #2: Food Addiction
A food addiction is when a person uses highly palatable foods to trigger feel-good brain chemical releases and does so to an unhealthy degree. A food addiction can be related to sugars, fats, salts, and more. It can also be an obsession with what to eat, when, and how to eat more.
Type #3: Cigarette Addiction
Tobacco, or nicotine addiction, was one of the most common addictions of the twentieth century and continues to be at the forefront of addiction discussions. The dependence on cigarettes can be particularly difficult to break as physical, psychological, and social factors are at play.
Type #4: Hard Drug Addiction
Substance addiction to hard drugs may include cocaine, amphetamines, benzos, heroin, and the like. This form of addiction progresses to such an extreme degree that a person can no longer control their use, much like prescription drugs.
Type #5: Internet Addiction
Internet addiction is the compulsive use of the Internet. It’s someone who spends long periods on the Internet, to the point where relationships, work, and health suffer. Subcategories of Internet addiction include online game playing, social media addiction, online dating and cyber-relationships, online shopping, and more.
Type #6: Hallucinogen Addiction
Hallucinogens are a drug that alters how a user sees, hears, tastes, smells, or feels, affecting their mood and thoughts. They are sometimes called psychedelic or psychoactive drugs and are widely abused worldwide.
Type #7: Pornography Addiction
A pornography addict views an excessive amount of pornography that damages relationships and interrupts their daily life. It’s an emotional dependence on the presence of porn, typically occurring in someone who is disengaged or dissatisfied with their sex life or is more likely to engage in risky behaviour.
Type #8: Work Addiction
Work addiction is real. It’s the compulsion or need to work incessantly. It often stems from psychological needs and can negatively impact health, relationships, and job performance. A work addict is someone who feels overly driven or compelled to work and who feels guilty while not working.
Type #9: Prescription Drug Addiction
Just as devastating as hard drugs are prescription drugs, including opioid addiction. These medicines are prescribed by a doctor and designed to treat symptoms, and, unfortunately, some patients continue using these medicines long after it is medically necessary.
Type #10: Exercise Addiction
Too much of a good thing is trouble. This applies to exercise and fitness. Exercise addiction is performing excessive amounts of exercise to the point where it’s hurting your physical or mental health, regardless of injury. It’s often pursued for the perceived rewards, as a habit, for social support, the belief that it’s relieving stress or helping manage a condition, and to help reduce anxiety.
Type #11: Marijuana Addiction
Marijuana can provide many benefits used in moderation, treating chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and many diseases, medical conditions, and symptoms. As with anything, however, it can become a dependence and start causing problems, from work issues to problems in social situations and relationships.
Type #12: Gambling Addiction
The perils of gambling addiction are extensive. The uncontrollable urge to gamble can take a toll, putting someone in financial difficulties, ruining relationships, and causing various personal and professional issues. Even if they lose a lot of money, these people will continue gaming and take the risk, believing the eventual reward will be more valuable.
Type #13: Shopping Addiction
A person can become addicted to compulsive shopping. This addiction is becoming more common with the rise of online shopping and easy accessibility to buying anything online. A shopping addict is someone who shops compulsively and who uses it as a coping mechanism, using it to avoid negative feelings such as anxiety or depression, and/or who feels like they have no control over their behaviour.
Type #14: Sex Addiction
While there is no normal amount of sex to desire, sexual behaviour can become unhealthy. Sex addiction is defined as extremely intense and frequent sexual urges or activities that cause distress and that become destructive.