The 14 most important types of addictions

There are as many addictions as there are colors and tastes in this wide world. Some are better known than others, especially those that have to do with substance abuse.

In any case, addictions are not limited only to the consumption of chemical products that can imply some damage in the person who ingests them, there are also harmful behaviors both for the same person and for their environment more near.

Let's look at the three main types of addictions, in addition to some significant examples for each of them.

• Related article: "Addiction: disease or learning disorder?"

Types of additions

The world of addictions is vast and varied. Practically, you can be addicted to almost anything, as long as it is carried out in such a way that the person reaches the point that loses control over the addictive behavior in question.

Addictions are usually classified into two groups, depending on whether the problem behavior has to do with drug use. of a substance, both legal and illegal, or if, on the contrary, the problem has to do with carrying out the conduct.

However, and despite the fact that this is the most common classification, in this article we are also going to talk about other types of addictions, very important in the interaction with other people and that, sometimes, can be behind the development of certain toxic relationships: emotional addictions.

Substance addictions

Of all the addictions, the best known are usually those that have to do with substance use. The legality and severity of the effects of the drug itself can vary widely., having practically all kinds. Let's see some of them.

1. Alcohol

Alcoholism is one of the most common addictions in the world, since alcohol is a legal substance, but its health effects are very serious. In fact, it has been argued that alcoholism has a greater weight in the development of cancer compared to tobacco.

In addition to health problems, alcohol encourages riskier and more dangerous behavior for oneself and others. On many occasions, behind a crime is the consumption of this substance.

The problem with this substance is not only that it is dangerous by itself, but that most of the societies have very accepted its consumption, downplaying alcoholism and treating it as if it were a socially desirable practice.

However, despite the great pressure to consume alcohol, its effects are felt both physically and problems balance and hangover, such as cognitive and psychological, such as emotional instability, aggressiveness and decreased ability to reaction.

Furthermore, the withdrawal syndrome to this substance can be fatal, which makes people Those who suffer from alcoholism, in addition to the harmful effects of addiction, have great difficulty in overcome it.

• You may be interested: "These are the 9 effects that alcohol has on the brain in the short and long term"

2. Nicotine

The substance that causes addiction to tobacco is nicotine. Tobacco, like alcohol, is legal, however, there seems to be a greater social awareness about its harmful effects.

In fact, in most countries the broadcast of tobacco commercials has been banned, while advertisements for alcohol brands continue to be broadcast as if they were juices.

Nicotine is a substance that significantly alters brain function, causing addiction. Over time, if the person does not smoke his much desired cigarette, he begins to feel discomfort in the form of anxiety and nervousness.

Tobacco smoke is responsible for respiratory diseases, such as cancer in both the lungs and the larynx, and also heart problems such as heart attacks and cardiovascular accidents.

It should be said that the ‘healthy’ alternative to traditional tobacco, vaping, has been shown as a very little substitute efficient, and there are not a few ministries of health that are considering regulating its consumption as a potentially addictive.

3. Psychopharmaceuticals

Getting psychiatric drugs is not as simple as buying a box of aspirin can be, since many of them require a psychiatric prescription to be able to buy them.

However, this restriction does not prevent people, both psychiatric patients and people without the need to take psychotropic drugs, those who have developed an addiction to this type of substances. Each psychotropic drug has a different profile, and can involve very varied side effects depending on the dose and the type of drug.

Tolerance to psychotropic drugs is generated very quickly, making the person need to consume a higher dose to notice the desired effects.

4. Caffeine

In recent years, especially in the field of psychology, there has been a lot of debate about whether substance abuse with caffeine should be used as a true addiction.

Most addictions imply some negative repercussion both for the individual who suffers it and for your closest environment, however, the detrimental effects of drinking too much coffee or tea have been very discussed.

However, caffeine abuse qualifies to be considered an addiction, since it can affect the health of the person who cannot unhook from the coffee maker.

An example of this would be people who, despite knowing that caffeine is exciting and causes insomnia, decide to have coffee or tea at untimely hours, knowing that afterwards they will not be able to sleep.

Good sleep is essential to regain energy and have a euthymic state of mind. If you can't get to sleep, the next day you will be tired and in a bad mood, not working efficiently and having a bad relationship with loved ones.

5. Opiates

Among the opiates, heroin is probably the best known.

The consumption of this substance involves serious health problems, especially for the heart and the nervous, digestive and respiratory systems.

6. Steroids

Steroids they are substances widely used, especially in the world of sports. In most cases, they are synthetic variants of testosterone, used to increase muscle mass quickly and with little effort.

The abuse of these substances involves several effects, among the mildest we can find acne severe, although the most worrisome are heart problems, strokes and gynecomastia

7. Cannabis

Of all the illegal drugs, cannabis is one of the most widely used, especially since it can be grown in any garden, although the plant requires some special care.

There are many myths that revolve around it, including that as it is a plant and, therefore, 'natural' it must necessarily be 'safe'. By that same rule of three, the hemlock plant is also healthy, although it has the downside of being a deadly poison.

Leaving aside the debate about whether the natural is healthier or not, it must be said that cannabis has many unwanted effects on the health of those who consume it, either in the form of 'joints' or as an ingredient in pastries such as brownies or grass cakes.

It has been seen to have cognitive repercussions, impairing intelligence, memory and the ability to speak fluently. It has been linked to the development of mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

It must be said, however, that it has been found to have therapeutic effects, and is being consuming, under a prescription, for problems such as glaucoma, chronic pain, multiple sclerosis and anxiety.

Behavioral addictions

Addictions are not only those in which a certain substance is abused. Carrying out behaviors in an uncontrolled way and that can negatively affect the performance of the person are also considered addictive behaviors. Let's look at the main behaviors that can lead to addictions.

8. Pornography and sex

Sex is a basic human need, however, doing it becomes a problem when much of the time is spent on this activityEither in company or alone, using pornography to achieve sexual arousal.

Pornography, in fact, is a material that can become extremely addictive, since it involves getting aroused without having to interact with other people.

This can involve a number of problems such as unwanted effects. Among them, and especially due to the hypersexualization of people in porn videos and magazines, the person becomes unable to get excited with 'normal' people.

These problems emerge when it comes to having a real sexual relationship with another person, causing them to happen in bed. symptoms such as anorgasmia and erectile dysfunction. There is also social isolation by not straining to have sexual encounters.

9. Play

Gambling addiction, be it in the form of sports betting, poker, roulette, slots or any way to get money by chance, is becoming a serious problem in the face of the passivity of governments despite its more than evident boom.

To this day, society is still not properly sensitized to the problem, seeing it as simply a mere pastime, without being scandalized by watching TV commercials that promote pathological gambling without people being scandalized thus.

Gambling is a serious disorder, which can involve the loss of valuable time that could be spent much more productively spending huge amounts of money, being able to generate debts and not reach the end of the month.

Gambling exploits a phenomenon known in psychology as intermittent reinforcement, which involves that the desired reward is only received a fairly small number of times and without a pattern regular.

As they are waiting to receive the prize, the person does not stop playing, entering a cycle that may not have an end.

• You may be interested: "Gambling addiction: causes and symptoms of gambling addiction"

10. Food

Food is a basic need. Every human being needs food, because if not, he dies of starvation. The problem comes when it becomes something that controls our lives, causing complete loss of control over when to feed.

Food addiction is the prominent problem in eating disorders, specifically in the disorder binge-eating, in which the person loses control and eats huge amounts of food, feeling terribly unwell later.

The most serious consequence of food addiction is, especially, obesity, something that in recent decades has become the true epidemic in the western world.

Other problems related to having bad eating habits are diabetes, gastrointestinal problems, mobility problems and also cancer.

11. New technologies

New technologies have invaded practically every aspect of life as we knew it. Phones, computers, game consoles and all kinds of electronic devices can be found in practically any situation.

It is not surprising that more and more people cannot unhook from their devices, because they have developed a significant dependence on these devices and need them to do their day to day. They don't know anything else.

Internet addiction is of special mention, especially visible in young people. Whether it is for documentation or to play online games, there are not a few adolescents who would have a syncope if they had to go a day without being able to connect.

It should be said that it is not the fault of the person addicted to this, but of how society itself has been shaping in recent years. How many jobs today do not depend on the use of the internet or instant messaging?

12. Purchases

Shopping addiction, although not a well-known addictive behavior, has as its main problem that of consume huge amounts of money on products and services that are not necessary.

In addition, if unnecessary objects are bought, there is a risk that it will be occupied with useless junk in the house, with the development of disorders such as Diogenes.

13. Job

In the society in which we live, a culture of sacrifice has been promoted in the workplace, with the intention of achieving the maximum benefit for the family. The problem is that work itself can become an addiction, emerging in recent years the term ‘workaholic’ to refer to this situation.

Although work is necessary to survive, giving a greater role to the workplace before other aspects of life such as are personal relationships, taking care of children or investing in your own hobbies implies a general deterioration in the level of lifetime.

The advice that can be given regarding this type of situation is to do things with balance, and be aware of when it is necessary to stop and disconnect from work.

Emotional addictions

These types of addictions may turn out to be the least known, but the saying that you depend on someone or that you are addicted to being sad is not as figurative as you might think.

There are many people who, after having been dating someone for a long time but have just broken up, they still feel the need to be with the person they have lost. That is, they emotionally depend on them, something that can seriously affect the development of the person who suffers this peculiar addiction, not having enough motivation to seek a new relationship or dare to be single or single.

It is also common to find people who, even without suffering from a mood disorder such as depression, they feel sad for a long time but it does not seem that they are going to find a way to overcome the bad drink. Either because they receive attention from others or because breaking with the emotional routine that has been established, the person is not able to disengage from the emotion which, although adaptive, in the long run can pose problems in terms of their independence.

Bibliographic references:

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• Kauer, J. A., Malenka R. C. (2007).. "Synaptic plasticity and addiction" Nature Neuroscience Reviews (8): 844-858.
• World Health Organization (1992). International Classification of Diseases and Healt Related Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10). Geneva.
• Salamone, J. D. (1992). The motor and sensorimotor function of the striatum and dopamine accumbens Complex: Participation in the processes of instrumental behavior. Psychopharmacology (107): 160-174.