When you think of addiction, the first thing that may pop into your mind is drugs and alcohol. But there is a vast number of addictions, many of which do not involve these substances. If you are wondering, “What are the types of addiction?” then you have come to the right place. Getting to know more about the different types of addiction and how to spot them can alert you to whether you or someone you know may have a problem that needs to be addressed.
If you think that you or someone in your life needs professional help to overcome addiction, you can count on the professionals at The Right Step Hill Country for guidance. Call us today at 1.844.675.1628 to learn more about our addiction treatment programs and how we can help you achieve your recovery goals.
What Is Addiction?
Addiction is defined as a chronic condition in which a person compulsively engages with a substance or behavior despite the negative consequences. Addiction involves the brain’s reward system, which leads to the persistent craving and seeking of the addictive substance or activity. Despite popular belief, addiction is not a lack of willpower or moral failing. Instead, it is a complex condition involving psychological, genetic, and environmental factors.
What Are the Types of Addiction?
Although alcohol and drugs are the most well-known types of addiction, any substance or activity that stimulates dopamine production and produces rewarding feelings in the brain can develop into an addiction. Here are some of the most common types of addiction:
Alcohol and Drug Addiction (Substance Use Disorder)
Alcohol and drug addiction involves a reliance on these substances and uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms when one tries to refrain from using them. Some of the most highly addictive substances are:
- Opioids like morphine, heroin, and fentanyl
- Alcohol
- Cocaine
- Methamphetamine
When a person has an addiction to a substance, they have an inability to control or stop consumption. They may begin to isolate themselves in order to use substances and neglect their daily responsibilities, such as household chores, child care, going to work, and paying bills on time.
Food Addiction
Food addiction involves an unhealthy relationship with food. Some examples include:
- Chronic overeating
- Binge eating
- Binging and purging
- Anorexia
- Orthorexia
Food addiction does not always involve eating too much or too often. While this is the case in overeating and binge eating, other forms of food addiction involve restriction. A person struggling with anorexia may eat very little, while someone dealing with orthorexia may be so concerned with the quality of what they are eating that they, too, are not consuming a healthy amount. Both conditions can result in malnutrition and worsened mental health.
Gambling Addiction
Gambling addiction is expressed as an uncontrollable urge to gamble despite the harmful effects it can have on one’s personal and financial well-being. A person can become addicted to gambling on:
- In-person games at casinos
- Online casino games
- Horse races
- Sports betting
Some signs that a person may be struggling with gambling addiction include a preoccupation with betting, increasing bets over time, lying about gambling habits, and borrowing money to gamble.
Digital Addiction
Digital addiction involves excessive and compulsive use of digital media, which may include:
- Social media
- Texting
- Computer games
Digital addiction has become much more common and may manifest as social isolation, irritability when not online, neglecting responsibilities, and withdrawing from real-life activities and relationships.
Call The Right Step Hill Country to Enroll in Addiction Treatment
Although there are many different types of addiction, the root causes are often quite similar. At The Right Step Hill Country, we utilize a whole-person approach that includes various therapies and medications customized for your addiction treatment needs. Whether you need medication-assisted treatment to ease the discomfort of opioid withdrawal or cognitive-behavioral therapy to address distorted thought patterns that accompany eating disorders, we are here to guide you toward your path to mental and physical well-being. Call us at 1.844.675.1628 or fill out our contact form to schedule an intake assessment.