The dictionary defines addiction as “The condition of being habitually or compulsively occupied with or involved in something”. Millions of American are hooked or addicted on drugs, alcohol, sex, gambling and many other things. Addictive behaviors can be detrimental to families and relationships, and have led to many people’s personal harm and even death. There are many theories to why humans, and animals, become hooked. Some believe it is a self control problem. Others, it is a moral or spiritual weakness, while many believe it is a disease that is genetic. Methods have been used to help people get over their addiction such as self-help, acupuncture, psychosurgery, psychoanalysis, psychedelics, family therapy, hypnosis, meditation, and education.
My senior exhibition project is on the real reason why we become addicted I am going to find if we are addicted to things because it is in our nature, we voluntarily become hooked, or is it the world we live in that influences us to become addicted. The reason why I want to do this is not only because it interests me, but because I have personal experience with addiction and how it can bring problems to relationships and families. I want to help people (as well as myself) understand why we become addicted to things and how it can be treated. Through extensive research, I will determine a conclusion and answer to this question, and this does not have to be a simple answer. When I do, I will then construct a program, with the help of my experts, customized to the certain individual that will help them get over their addiction.
Miranda,
You’ve chosen a complex and worthy topic. Will you be narrowing down the type of addiction you wish to find the cause of? In other words, does all addictive behaviors stem from one cause, or does the cause for alcohol addition differ from gambling addition?
I think I’m going to concentrate on some main ones, but also I am going to try and see if there is a particular reason why people have the tendency to become addicted and rely on things for an “escape”. Still not completely clear on my essential question though or where this is heading…
Thanks for your comment Mrs. Sharpe
There are going to be three main levels of understanding on this. Physiological, Psychological and then psychospiritual which actually covers all of that and much more. All addiction comes from one “craving” truly, but you can speak about the countless egoic forms for a lifetime.
Ohhh ok…
Do you think you could email me some reccommendations for books or websites so I could learn more about that? Thanks for the input
I think you have a very noble cause and you’re asking a very important question. I’ve been contemplating on this for a while, and I wish I was doing this project! If I were to answer the question of why people get addicted to things which make them feel a certain way, I would say that it is a direct result of a modern, artificial lifestyle which puts them in a situation where they are not living by the laws of nature and they use the substances (or activities) to try to recreate the natural feelings of happiness, excitement, love, relaxation. I would be very interested in the outcome of your project
Hello, I just read some of your blog. You are asking some very “chicken and the egg” questions. You can read about addiction in books but I would suggest that you check out some AA/NA meetings. Also, read a copy of the Big Book – Alcoholics Anonymous and the “basic text” – Narcotics Anonymous. I am an addict and also bi-polar. I was addicted to everything. I am now in recovery, went back to school and I am now a substance abuse counselor. I could recommend some other books or answer some “first hand” experience questions. Good luck on your project.