Addictions are not just about the substances themselves, but also the people who abuse them. Addiction is a way to escape from reality and take refuge in something that feels good for a moment. There are many types of addictions, some physical, others emotional, or psychological. These different types of addiction can vary dramatically in terms of what they do to your body and how hard it is to overcome them.
Examining these various forms of addiction can help us understand their individual characteristics as well as provide insight into our own behaviors. It’s important to remember that even if you have an addictive personality type there is still hope for change through therapy or other treatment options available today. In this article, we will explore some common examples of addictions and how they affect your body.
Smoking
Tobacco addiction is the most commonly abused addiction worldwide. Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals in them and these substances are absorbed into the body within seconds after inhaling. The addictive properties of nicotine make it one of the most common addictions and cause a high 90% of smokers to relapse after quitting. As a type of physical addiction, smoking can have very serious effects on your body when prolonged for a long period of time.
The main health consequences associated with smoking cigarettes are cardiovascular disease and cancer. It also increases your risk for stroke, respiratory disease, and many other conditions. Therefore, people are advised to quit smoking as soon as possible since it has serious health consequences. In addition, cigarette smoking can have a huge impact on your appearance. Nicotine reduces the amount of oxygen in the body which prevents cells from renewing themselves at a normal rate. This causes the skin to wrinkle more quickly and gives you a pale complexion. People who smoke generally feel unattractive, and the smell of cigarettes on your clothes and in your hair is a turn-off to most people.
Alcoholism
Alcohol addiction is another very common addiction that people face today. Alcohol is one of the oldest drugs in use and can be found in almost every social situation around the world. It has become so widespread that it is even used as a means to relax, celebrate, or help someone feel better after an argument with their significant other. The compulsion to drink alcohol is associated with a genetic variation that takes place in the brain. The body tries to eliminate the buildup of alcohol by flushing it out through your kidneys, but if too much alcohol accumulates in your system causing a build-up in the central nervous system. As a result, you will experience symptoms such as slurred speech and loss of coordination, which can lead to more problems.
Alcoholism can affect your appearance, too. Consuming too much alcohol has the potential to damage every cell in your body and cause you to age more quickly than you would if you had never drunk so much in your life. Some of the visible effects of alcoholism are dark circles under the eyes, premature wrinkles, redness of the skin, and dry skin. Alcohol also has consequences on your liver, heart, and brain that can be life-threatening.
Drugs
Drug abuse is also a very common problem that people face in today’s society. Drugs like cocaine, ecstasy, and marijuana are becoming more mainstream with young people by the day. Due to the growing popularity of these substances, it is important to understand how they affect your body when abused over an extended period of time. Of course, drugs have many negative effects on your health, but the main effect is your blood pressure.
Cocaine, for example, can put you at risk for a heart attack due to high blood pressure and thereby lead to death. Also, drug abuse affects your brain chemicals which cause you to feel euphoric or “high” when you use them. You might feel better temporarily because of this, but the consequences are not worth it. There is a disconnect between your brain and body that causes you to think differently and therefore make decisions that will negatively impact your life.
Furthermore, drug abuse can lead to mood swings, sudden weight gain or loss, paranoia, psychosis, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, insomnia, itchiness on the skin with bumps underneath, and even respiratory failure. Unfortunately, drug addiction can be very difficult to overcome for some people because of the powerful physical and psychological effects that it has on them.
Food
Yes, food can also be an addiction! People fall into the pit of addiction when they overeat and become overweight. You probably know someone right now who has or is struggling with an eating disorder like this one. It is a common problem that many people do not really understand, but it has serious consequences on your health. Being overweight can lead to diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and certain types of cancer.
Furthermore, you will start to feel depressed and uncomfortable in your own skin because of the overwhelming desire to lose weight. Your self-esteem drops and you become more withdrawn from people. You might even be afraid to reach out for help due to the negative way that you feel about yourself.
Gambling
Due to the pervasiveness of online gambling, it may seem like a common addiction that everyone faces in today’s society. However, there are many people who have become addicted to traditional forms of gambling with cards and dice, which can be found at local casinos. Although it is not as widespread as alcohol or drug abuse, you still need to be aware of it. Gambling addiction can lead a person to lie, cheat, and steal in order to continue his or her habit. This type of behavior can negatively affect your family, friends, work relationships, and romantic partners if not addressed.
The act of gambling can cause stress that is very difficult to handle. In fact, gambling addiction has been shown to hormone levels in the blood which increase impulsivity and decrease self-control.
These different types of addiction can be very dangerous. It is important to understand the consequences of any type of addiction on your health so you can make educated decisions about what you put into your body, whether it’s food or drugs. If you find yourself struggling with an eating disorder like obesity or alcoholism, please reach out for help from a professional who specializes in treating these problems.