Post by Alice on Nov 5, 2012 13:22:55 GMT -5
So we all know there are two distinct forms of addiction.
Chemical (AKA physical) addiction occurs when a substance which is not necessary to the body's basic functions is introduced, and the body (usually the brain) becomes so accustomed to the presence of this foreign substance that the removal of the substance inhibits natural chemical processes. Usually this occurs because the foreign substance performs the same function as a naturally occurring chemical or hormone and the body stops producing the natural equivalent.
Psychological addiction occurs when an individual develops a habit for a behavior or substance which has no intrinsic chemically addictive potential, but still exhibits addictive behavior, as well as withdrawal symptoms if the behavior is stopped. The mechanism of this is usually that the behavior causes the body to naturally produce a chemical which has a pleasing effect. Playing video games causes the brain to release dopamine, and "thrill seekers" are addicted to their body's own adrenaline, for instance.
I've long wondered what makes the difference between a chronic addict who just can't escape their addictions, and the people who can consume addictive substances to excess and then walk away from them without so much as a craving.
This past week, I decided to test a psychological addiction. Having been accused of being a computer addict on multiple occasions, I turned off my computer and walked away from it. On a couple of occasions I've checked bank information online in the intervening time, but for four days I did not otherwise use a computer for any purpose.
Nothing. Didn't miss it. Everything I wanted to look up I wrote down for later research, as I did in the days before the internet, and I made phone calls to friends I usually speak with online.
After four days my family felt I'd proved my point and asked me to end the experiment, so I did and here I am.
The point being, that this is certainly sufficient to convince me that the idea of psychological addiction is in essence a cop-out.
It would be silly to conclude that my body's ability to balance to the production of chemicals such as dopamine is somehow superior to the majority of the population, so the remaining conclusion is that physiological effects of so-called psychological addiction are the same for me as they are for everyone else, but some people are simply unable or unwilling to accept things like a decrease in dopamine production without it effecting their quality of life.
In other words psychological addiction is interchangeable with weakness of character.
I'd like someday to approximate this experiment with a chemical addiction, but I'd need to find a chemical I can take in sufficient quantities to become truly addicted to it without damaging my health.
May you find what you seek,
Alice
Chemical (AKA physical) addiction occurs when a substance which is not necessary to the body's basic functions is introduced, and the body (usually the brain) becomes so accustomed to the presence of this foreign substance that the removal of the substance inhibits natural chemical processes. Usually this occurs because the foreign substance performs the same function as a naturally occurring chemical or hormone and the body stops producing the natural equivalent.
Psychological addiction occurs when an individual develops a habit for a behavior or substance which has no intrinsic chemically addictive potential, but still exhibits addictive behavior, as well as withdrawal symptoms if the behavior is stopped. The mechanism of this is usually that the behavior causes the body to naturally produce a chemical which has a pleasing effect. Playing video games causes the brain to release dopamine, and "thrill seekers" are addicted to their body's own adrenaline, for instance.
I've long wondered what makes the difference between a chronic addict who just can't escape their addictions, and the people who can consume addictive substances to excess and then walk away from them without so much as a craving.
This past week, I decided to test a psychological addiction. Having been accused of being a computer addict on multiple occasions, I turned off my computer and walked away from it. On a couple of occasions I've checked bank information online in the intervening time, but for four days I did not otherwise use a computer for any purpose.
Nothing. Didn't miss it. Everything I wanted to look up I wrote down for later research, as I did in the days before the internet, and I made phone calls to friends I usually speak with online.
After four days my family felt I'd proved my point and asked me to end the experiment, so I did and here I am.
The point being, that this is certainly sufficient to convince me that the idea of psychological addiction is in essence a cop-out.
It would be silly to conclude that my body's ability to balance to the production of chemicals such as dopamine is somehow superior to the majority of the population, so the remaining conclusion is that physiological effects of so-called psychological addiction are the same for me as they are for everyone else, but some people are simply unable or unwilling to accept things like a decrease in dopamine production without it effecting their quality of life.
In other words psychological addiction is interchangeable with weakness of character.
I'd like someday to approximate this experiment with a chemical addiction, but I'd need to find a chemical I can take in sufficient quantities to become truly addicted to it without damaging my health.
May you find what you seek,
Alice
