The problem one addiction is one that has plagued society since it was first identified as a condition that required some attention of some kind. During the early years the term addiction was mainly used when referring to things like alcohol or drugs that at the time had the most recognizable form of addiction.
However in today's society the use of this term has been expanded to include other types of addictions or compulsions such as addiction to food, shopping, pleasure or just about anything which someone does excessively and without the ability or desire to exercise restraint or even stop.
In the United Stated the problem of addiction and drug use is especially rampant despite concerted efforts by the government to tackle the problem through rigorous drug enforcement laws and rehabilitation programs. The social and economic effects of drugs are apparent in broken homes and the loss of jobs due to drug use.
Although it would be unjust to say that government efforts have failed totally there are some programs like the methadone maintenance program that a have had some success as far as helping addicts off drugs is concerned. This a program that seeks to help heroin addicts by giving them a fixed amount of methadone over a given period of time. But like most things it has faced a number of problems like causing addiction to the drug itself as addicts prefer to avoid quitting than suffer through methadone withdrawal.
Quite a number of people have struggled with the question of why they are unable to just stop doing something or a bad habit when they decide to. In many cases their decision is only short lived as they soon find themselves going back on their decision.
Part of the reason is because an addiction is usually symptomatic of a problem that in turn leads to addiction and relying on willpower alone to quit without taking care of the problem is like treating the symptoms of a disease and not the actual disease itself. Also in the case of drugs or alcohol there is also the chemical effect of the drug which affects the brain and causes certain feelings to be experienced.
Willpower is simply not enough to overcome an addiction, further investigation into the cause of the addiction is likely to bring about a more permanent solution.
However in today's society the use of this term has been expanded to include other types of addictions or compulsions such as addiction to food, shopping, pleasure or just about anything which someone does excessively and without the ability or desire to exercise restraint or even stop.
In the United Stated the problem of addiction and drug use is especially rampant despite concerted efforts by the government to tackle the problem through rigorous drug enforcement laws and rehabilitation programs. The social and economic effects of drugs are apparent in broken homes and the loss of jobs due to drug use.
Although it would be unjust to say that government efforts have failed totally there are some programs like the methadone maintenance program that a have had some success as far as helping addicts off drugs is concerned. This a program that seeks to help heroin addicts by giving them a fixed amount of methadone over a given period of time. But like most things it has faced a number of problems like causing addiction to the drug itself as addicts prefer to avoid quitting than suffer through methadone withdrawal.
Quite a number of people have struggled with the question of why they are unable to just stop doing something or a bad habit when they decide to. In many cases their decision is only short lived as they soon find themselves going back on their decision.
Part of the reason is because an addiction is usually symptomatic of a problem that in turn leads to addiction and relying on willpower alone to quit without taking care of the problem is like treating the symptoms of a disease and not the actual disease itself. Also in the case of drugs or alcohol there is also the chemical effect of the drug which affects the brain and causes certain feelings to be experienced.
Willpower is simply not enough to overcome an addiction, further investigation into the cause of the addiction is likely to bring about a more permanent solution.
About the Author:
Check out Jay's site on methadone addiction a review of Substance abuse programs and how to find the right one. This article, Wining Over Addiction by Sheer Willpower has free reprint rights.
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