COVER STORY
An addiction may be defined as the state of being dependent on a particular substance, material or activity to the point that not having access to it causes extreme distress and an inability to function. An addiction provides the addict with short-term boosts of relief, energy, confidence, distraction, entertainment and desirable emotions such as happiness, which the addict then begins to seek either constantly or at frequent and close intervals. However, any behaviour that is carried out in excess and interferes with human nature, the body and its design will undoubtedly bring hardships which manifest in an addicted person’s life in the form of loss of health, money, relationships, self-respect and, in many cases, one’s life. An addicted person lacks discipline and self-control which causes others to view them in a poor light as well.
The intensity of suffering varies between different addictions; some are simply more destructive than others. Addiction to alcohol, for example, is much more severe and dangerous compared to, say, addiction to caffeine.
The following is a list of some of the most common and harmful addictions and their symptoms.
Alcohol: Alcohol addiction afflicts a very large number of people across the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports three million deaths yearly due to alcohol consumption. Alcohol addiction occurs when an individual is unable to control or restrict their intake of alcohol and requires it very frequently in order to function in their day-to-day life. Alcohol addiction is very common and occurs consistently because, in many societies and cultures, alcohol is ubiquitous and highly encouraged in social gatherings. Large, frequent and long-term consumption of alcohol is known to damage vital organs of the body such as the brain, heart and liver. Research shows that heavy alcohol use over a long period weakens the heart muscles and causes high blood pressure, an increased heart rate as well as an irregular heartbeat. It also causes a deficiency of the red blood cells and the white blood cells and hinders the absorption of certain vitamins and nutrients such as vitamin B12 and zinc, which leads to cognitive decline and loss of memory. Fatal diseases such as cancer, diabetes and liver cirrhosis may also result from heavy drinking.
Prolonged alcohol use is also associated with rapid signs of ageing. It causes dehydration of the skin, which makes it look dull and aged, and reduces collagen, leading to sagging skin and wrinkles. Alcohol negatively affects eye health by damaging the optic nerve and causing cataracts to appear earlier, along with other eye ailments. It affects dopamine, a neurotransmitter and hormone responsible for mood and reward, in that alcohol hinders the brain from releasing this hormone naturally, and therefore one must keep drinking in order to maintain the desired feelings.
After consuming a substantial amount of alcohol, an individual is prone to exercising poor judgement and making wrong choices, as well as getting into accidents and injuring themselves and others.
Gambling: An addiction to gambling poses very serious risks to an individual’s life. A person addicted to gambling puts their finances, relationships, career, time and mental health at stake. What begins as a recreational activity develops intensity over time.
There are four stages of gambling addiction: the winning stage, where the individual is on a roll, playing well and winning almost consecutively; the losing stage, where the player begins to experience more frequent losses; the desperation stage, where they become increasingly frustrated while trying to regain control; and finally the hopeless stage, where the addict has lost all control over themselves in relation to gambling.
Addicted gamblers are known to gamble away a large part of their money - often their life savings - bringing themselves under severe debt. They also risk the money of family members and partners. Their relationships suffer as partners become frustrated with the loss of money and the time spent on gambling. Their mental health deteriorates as they try desperately to return to the 'winning stage'. Gambling addicts become restless unless they are gambling and, after constantly losing money, may try to hide it from family members out of fear of backlash.
Social media: In recent years, there have been many studies detailing the problematic effects of the increased use of social media. Individuals addicted to social media suffer heavily, especially in terms of their mental health, with depression and anxiety being the key effects. The purpose of social media is to connect people, but ironically it tends to make people more isolated and alone.
A study at the University of Pennsylvania found that high use of Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram increases (rather than decreases) feelings of loneliness. The study also found that reducing social media use can actually make one feel less lonely and improve their overall wellbeing. It has also been observed that spending too much time on social media produces feelings of sadness, frustration and dissatisfaction.
Moreover, social media creates FOMO (fear of missing out) in people, who then feel the need to constantly check and respond to updates by their peers. FOMO makes people think that others are having a better time than themselves. Constantly checking the phone for updates and replying can be hazardous, especially if one is driving or missing sleep because of it. The endless alerts can be distracting and affect concentration.
Social media addiction is also associated with an increased number of selfies, as people try to impress others with their travels and adventures. In a bid to wow their peers, people have put themselves in danger and even died while taking risky photographs and videos.
Drugs: The very term drug addiction sends a shiver down one's spine because the condition is known to completely destroy the lives of those it afflicts. There are a number of drugs that people become addicted to. These might be opioids, which are pain relievers; stimulants, which provide energy; or depressants, which relieve stress and anxiety.
Heroin is one of the most addictive drugs in the world. It is an opioid that blocks pain and gives a feeling of intense pleasure. Heroin is said to increase dopamine levels by 200 percent. After using heroin for a prolonged period, the brain adjusts itself and develops a tolerance, requiring higher doses to achieve the same level of happiness as before. Heroin can be injected, smoked or snorted.
People who inject drugs are also at risk of contracting serious viral infections such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B, as well as bacterial infections. Using heroin with alcohol or other drugs can cause overdose and lead to coma or death.
Cocaine is another highly addictive stimulant drug which causes positive emotions, good mood and high energy. It alters how the brain manages dopamine and curbs its reabsorption, allowing it to remain for longer. Alternatively, it can also produce feelings of anger and paranoia. Cocaine use increases blood pressure and heart rate, and has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. A cocaine overdose can occur immediately and may even happen the first time someone uses it.
Effects of cocaine addiction include sleeping less, frequent upper respiratory infections, feelings of anger, impatience and depression, as well as hallucinations and paranoia.
Methamphetamine, commonly known as meth, is a stimulant drug that provides a rush of energy. Methamphetamine use causes severe tooth decay, gum disease and tooth loss - a condition known as ‘meth mouth’. Long-term users may be prone to mood swings and violent behaviour. It is known to cause brain damage, particularly affecting memory and body movement. If a large quantity of methamphetamine is taken at once, it can lead to dangerously high body temperature, uncontrollable jerking and death.
Tobacco: According to WHO statistics in 2021, nicotine and tobacco addiction kills more than 8 million people every year. Smoking triggers the release of dopamine in the brain, which provides feelings of pleasure and relaxation. The negative effects of smoking on human health have been widely documented.
Within seconds of the first puff of a cigarette, the toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke reach the brain, heart and other vital organs. Lung cancer, heart disease and respiratory problems are the main illnesses associated with smoking. Smoking also restricts the body’s immunity. By hindering the activity of an important component of the immune system known as macrophages, it causes tissue damage and inflammation. It increases a person’s risk of infections. A 2012 review of 140 studies found that smokers had a higher likelihood of delayed healing, post-surgical site infections and wound complications.
Heavy smokers have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma - a type of skin cancer. Smokers with melanoma - another type of skin cancer - are 40 percent less likely to survive than non-smokers.
When it comes to appearance, smoking takes its toll on the smoker. It accelerates ageing by reducing collagen and elastin production, thereby causing wrinkles and sagging skin. Furthermore, it promotes melanocyte formation in the skin, which can lead to age spots and dark patches. Heavy smoking restricts blood flow to the skin, depriving it of oxygen and other nutrients, making it appear dull and bluish or grey in colour.
It also stains the teeth, as nicotine and tar in tobacco settle on the tooth enamel. Cigarettes are so incredibly harmful and addictive that many countries require cigarette packets to display warnings about their effects.
Video gaming: Addiction to video games has become a concern in recent times. Video games affect the reward centre of the brain and provide visual stimuli, which can be highly addictive. Addicted individuals can play video games for hours on end and still not feel satisfied.
Video game addiction negatively affects eyesight due to bright, excessive and stimulating screen time. It also hinders face-to-face social interaction, causes decreased physical activity and leads to a significant amount of wasted time. There have even been cases where teenagers reacted violently towards their family members when told to stop playing.
It is essential to live a moderate and balanced lifestyle. One must exercise discipline in activities related to leisure and entertainment. Substances known to be addictive and damaging should be avoided altogether. A person should not indulge in any harmful substance with the belief that they will not become addicted, because humans are naturally inclined to seek shortcuts to pleasure. It is wise to stay away from anything known to be addictive and harmful.