Addiction
Supporting you on your journey of recovery.
What is addiction? It’s the compulsive need to indulge in an activity or substance despite its harmful consequences.
Addiction is complicated because it involves changes in brain functioning related to reward and motivation. The brain becomes addicted to the reward or pleasure that comes from indulging in that specific activity.
Ultimately, this makes it hard to get out of the addictive cycle.
Types of Addiction
Contrary to popular notions, addiction is not just about indulging in substances. It can also be behavioral. This involves the compulsive need to engage in specific behaviors that elicit pleasure.
Addictions can revolve around some of the following things:
Substances like drugs and alcohol
Smoking
Food
Gambling
Porn
Gaming
Shopping
Sex
Social Media
Causes of Addiction
While every individual is unique and has different driving forces, some of the most common causes of addiction include:
Peer influence
Early exposure
Genetics
Pain relief
Changes in brain chemistry
Symptoms of Addiction
People who are battling addiction display several signs that could point to a problem.
Here are some of its common symptoms:
Increased desire to indulge in addictive behaviour
Inability to function without the addictive stimulus
Actively seeking situations to indulge in the addictive activity
Changes in money spending practices
Loss of energy in everyday activities
Visible changes in appearance
Changes in appetite
Defensiveness (when confronted)
Downplaying harmful consequences
Impact of Addiction
Addiction can severely impact a person’s physical and emotional well-being and how they behave around other people in the following ways:
Changes in academic or work performance
Bankruptcy
Deceptive behaviour
Damaged physical health
Impaired memory
Worsening of existing mental health conditions
Intense symptoms upon withdrawal
Addiction Recovery
Addiction is a serious illness that requires immediate attention. Forms of intervention that aid recovery include addiction treatment centres as well as counselling. The treatment process is highly personalized and involves a combination of behavioural therapy and medication.
Many people may be struggling with an addiction, but also be very high functioning. As a result, they might not even realize or acknowledge that they have a problem.
We Can Help
Located in the beautiful Orchard Treatment & Wellness Center at 4012 Perth Rd #107, Shakespeare Ontario, we are local to Stratford, Tavistock, New Hamburg, and the Kitchener-Waterloo area. Our clinicians also offer remote therapy across Ontario so that you can access the support you need - no matter where you are!
To get started you can fill out a contact form, call (226) 215-4244, or book an appointment online with one of our counsellors by clicking below.
We’re looking forward to supporting you!