Maybe there‘s a little addiction, disorder in all of us

Addiction and Recovery

By Bob Gaydos

   
Opioids and alcohol get most of the attention, although marijuana, currently undergoing a reputation rehabilitation, has been grabbing plenty of headlines lately. But if you spend any amount of time studying the issue, it doesn’t take long to wonder if there isn’t an addiction, compulsion, behavioral disorder — call it what you will — for every human on the planet.

    Some conditions are more serious than others, but all

either involve the brain’s reward system or relieve anxiety, stimulate compulsive use and bring with them an opportunity for negative consequences. Consider the following an inventory of sorts, a look at some of the substances people use or behaviors they engage in, perhaps to excess. Maybe someone you know shows some of the signs of trouble.

Medically recognized substance use disorders

    Alcohol Use Disorder: Alcohol is a depressant. Alcohol use disorder is more common among adult men than among women, but the gap is narrowing. It typically develops at a young age. Severe use is commonly referred to as alcoholism.

Caffeine Intoxication: Heavy intake of caffeine resulting in symptoms including restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbance, rambling thoughts and speech, cardiac rhythm disturbances.

Cannabis Use Disorder: Highest among 18- to29-year-olds. Often the first drug used and often used with other drugs. Prevalence decreases with age.

Hallucinogen Use Disorder: These substances alter perception. Phencyclidine — “angel dust” or PCP — produces feelings of separation of mind from body.

Inhalant Use Disorder: Sniffing glue. Inhalant substances are volatile hydrocarbons, toxic gases that are released from glues, fuels and paints, that can have psychoactive effects. Occurs primarily among ages 12 to 17.

Opioid Use Disorder: Opioid drugs include heroin and prescription pain-relievers such as oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and fentanyl. According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, opioid-related overdoses are now the leading cause of death in Americans under 50 years of age and prescribed opioids are the “overwhelming initial source” of addiction.
    Sedative, Hypnotic, or Anxiolytic Use Disorder: Addiction to sleeping pills and anti-anxiety medications (Valium, Xanax, Librium). These are brain depressants. Rates are highest among 18- to 29-year-olds.
    Stimulant Use Disorder: This group include amphetamines, Ritalin and cocaine. These drugs are commonly prescribed for the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and narcolepsy. Cocaine use in the U.S. is highest among those aged 18 to 25.

Tobacco Use Disorder: Nicotine in tobacco acts as a stimulant for the central nervous system. Studies show that 68 percent of adult smokers want to quit and 50 percent of smokers have tried.

Behavioral disorders

Binge-eating disorder (overeating disorder): Uncontrolled eating, often accompanied by purging (bulimia).

Gambling disorder: Because of the quick feedback, it can provide reward symptoms to the brain much like alcohol or cocaine.

        Gaming disorder: It has been recognized officially by the World Health Organization, but is still under study in the United States for classification as an addictive behavior. Other behaviors under study include smartphone use, Internet gambling, pornography, eating and shopping.

Compulsive behaviors

        These can include such things as hoarding, shopping, sex, eating, gambling, exercise, even talking compulsively. While the behaviors may not provide the pleasure reward of an addiction, they serve to relieve anxiety and stress and, if unchecked, can have serious negative consequences in a person’s life.

What else to know

        Simply put, an addiction is a repetitive use of a substance or engagement in a behavior because of the rewards message the substance or behavior transmits to the brain, despite numerous negative consequences the activity produces in the person’s life. Tolerance increases with time. The person may not even be aware of the damage being done by the behavior, or may continue in spite of it. At some point, the substance or behavior may dominate the addicted person’s daily life. It is highly likely that these conditions are accompanied by other mental health conditions, such as anxiety or depression.

    Science has been unable to come up with one cause of addiction, nor can it predict who will become addicted. However, there are numerous risk factors that can be recognized, some of which may be avoidable, some not. Genetics/family history play a significant role in determining vulnerability as do environmental factors, including growing up in a dysfunctional family and early exposure to substances or abuse. The presence of other mental health issues can also contribute to susceptibility to addictive behavior. Even physiology may play a role since men seem to be more susceptible to addiction than women.

That said, there are a number of conditions that can predict the presence of an addiction. The following list is adapted from one used by the Mayo Clinic. Substitute the specific substance or behavior for the word “drug.”
    — Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day.

— Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts.

— Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect.

— Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended.

— Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug.
    — Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it.
    — Not meeting obligations and school, family or work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use.
    — Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm.
    — Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing.
    — Driving or engaging in other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug.
    — Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug.
    — Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug.
    — Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug.

Generally, two or three symptoms suggest a mild disorder, four or five a moderate one and anything more, a severe disorder.

The good news is that there is a variety of treatment available for all these conditions. If a problem is suspected, don’t try to deal with it alone. Consult with a health professional (doctor, psychologist, social worker, addiction specialist) and begin the road to recovery.

How to spot a food-related addiction

Addiction and Recovery

By Bob Gaydos

The list of substances or behaviors to which adolescents can become unhealthily attached, even addicted, can seem endless to a parent inclined to be caring and protective: alcohol, smoking, drugs, gambling, video games, social media, internet, cell phones, sex, shopping, eating …

Wait, eating you say? Yes, eating. Or food. It depends. There’s a debate over whether the problems are the same thing. Some say that someone who craves the same food, say sweets or salty chips, and consumes it in unhealthy amounts might be considered a food addict, a term not universally accepted, but one that is useful in defining a behavior. The food in question reacts on the brain in the same way that alcohol or another drug would. It rewards the person, who feels good.

Some say that someone for whom eating -- anything and plenty of it -- is a fulltime job with significant negative consequences might be considered to have an eating addiction, rather than a food addiction. Eating may provide the same kind of escape and temporary excitement that gambling, for example, would in someone else. An irresistible reward.

And, of course, these harmful behaviors often co-exist. Addictions may have biological, psychological, or social causes, or, likely, a combination of them.The focus here is not on debating the food/eating addiction question, but rather on recognizing that food addictions and eating disorders -- a different category of self-destructive behavior, including anorexia, bulimia and binge eating -- can often be ignored in teens when there is so much talk in media -- social and otherwise -- about drinking and driving, opioid abuse, the pros and cons of marijuana and the rest of that list.

Teens eat, adults say. Sometimes they eat a lot. Maybe a lot of junk food. They’re growing. So what’s the big deal?

Maybe nothing; maybe something. A primary goal of this column is to provide useful information to help readers identify and get help for addictive behavior and some studies say up to 10 percent of Americans may have a food-related addiction or disorder. One in 10 female teens may have an eating disorder. A smaller percentage of teen boys, perhaps athletes such as wrestlers or runners, also have issues that revolve around body weight and image. What follows are some symptoms and questions to help you decide if you or someone you know, perhaps a teenager, has a health issue involving food.

The following are possible symptoms of a food addiction:

• Gorging
• Eating to the point of feeling ill
• Going out of your way to obtain certain foods
• Continuing to eat certain foods even if no longer hungry
• Eating in secret
• Avoiding social interactions, relationships to spend time eating certain foods.
• Difficulty functioning in a job or school due to decreased efficiency
• Spending a significant amount of money on buying certain foods to binge
• Obesity
• Fatigue
• Difficulty concentrating
• Sleep disorders, such as insomnia or oversleeping
• Headaches
• Irritability
• Digestive disorders
• Thoughts of suicide

Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a 12-step group that seeks to help people with food addictions or disorders, offers its own quiz to help people determine if they have a problem with food. As always, answer as honestly as possible:

1. Have you ever wanted to stop eating and found you just couldn't?
2. Do you think about food or your weight constantly?
3. Do you find yourself attempting one diet or food plan after another, with no lasting success?
4. Do you binge and then "get rid of the binge" through vomiting, exercise, laxatives, or other forms of purging?
5. Do you eat differently in private than you do in front of other people?
6. Has a doctor or family member ever approached you with concern about your eating habits or weight?
7. Do you eat large quantities of food at one time (binge)?
8. Is your weight problem due to your "nibbling" all day long?
9. Do you eat to escape from your feelings?
10. Do you eat when you're not hungry?
11. Have you ever discarded food, only to retrieve and eat it later?
12. Do you eat in secret?
13. Do you fast or severely restrict your food intake?
14. Have you ever stolen other people's food?
15. Have you ever hidden food to make sure you have "enough"?
16. Do you feel driven to exercise excessively to control your weight?
17. Do you obsessively calculate the calories you've burned against the calories you've eaten?
18. Do you frequently feel guilty or ashamed about what you've eaten?
19. Are you waiting for your life to begin "when you lose the weight"?
20. Do you feel hopeless about your relationship with food?

A “yes” answer to any question could indicate a problem with food, the group says.

Obviously, these are complex issues with serious -- even life-threatening -- potential consequences that need to be addressed as early as possible by trained professionals. There are a variety of programs and organizations to turn to If you suspect a food-related problem. Consult your doctor to begin with and check any of the accompanying links for more information.

For help

-- www.foodaddictsanonymous.org

-- www.recoveryfromfoodaddiction.org

-- www.foodaddicts.org

-- www.oa.org

-- www.eatingdisordersanonymous.org

-- www.nationaleatingdisorders.org

-- www.nimh.nih.gov

-- www.mentalhealthamerica.net

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