One Can Tell Addiction Symptoms

One of the most important things to recognize about any type of addiction, regardless of whether it is a chemical addition or a behavioral addiction; is that it is not a matter of choice. Individuals who are addicts do not have the ability to simply decide to stop abusing their ‘drug’ of choice. Addictions affect not only the user, but their family and friends as well.

So, what is an addiction? How does it begin and when does a pattern of behavior become an addiction? Some individuals seem to have the ability to use a substance or engage in a behavior periodically over a period of years without becoming ‘hooked.’ Others; however are not capable of stopped and become addicted.

Addictions affect all social and educational groups. There is no typical addict.

The causes of addiction have been studied for a number of years. In many ways, addiction is caused by the feeling that the substance or behavior brings about in the user. The body, and mind, becomes dependent on that feeling and seeks to maintain it.

There are addiction risk factors that make some people more likely than others to become addicts. The child of an alcoholic may not grow up to become an alcoholic, however; they become addicted to gambling or some other type of compulsive behavior as an adult. Besides heredity, individuals who grow up in families with abuse, neglect and who are impoverished and undereducated are more likely to become addicts than those who do not.

For most addicts, it can be extremely difficult to recognize that what they have associated as simply a habit is actually an addiction. While every individual and addiction is different there are some symptoms that are prevalent among most addicts and addictions.

* Unable to meet responsibilities at home, school or office.

* Continues to use substance or engage in behavior even when it is dangerous.

* The need increases to engage in behavior or use more of the substance to achieve the same effect or feeling.

* Has tried but failed to stop using the substance or end the behavior.

* Continues to engage in the behavior or use the substance even when they know the dangers.

Answering yes to three or more of the above symptoms during a twelve month period may indicate that you or a loved one has an addiction. The first step to treating an addiction is recognizing that it exists.

Living with an addiction requires a daily commitment and there is always the possibility of relapsing. An addict who has been ‘sober’ for even twenty years, can succumb to temptation just as easily as they did decades before.

There is no cure for addiction. Treatment and counseling can help an addict learn to control their behavior, withstand impulses and recognize the presence of a problem, but an addict is never cured. Treating an addiction can take years and requires ongoing support from friends, families and =resource/support groups.

The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to medically diagnose, treat or cure any disease.

Innovate Ways To Higher Potential

1. Be honest with yourself about your skills and abilities. Most of us underestimate how many things we do well. Figure out your skills & abilities, and look for ways to incorporate them into your life & work.
2. Listen to compliments. Use the feedback to help you identify your strengths and abilities. If it’s tough for you to recognize your strengths on your own, let others help you.
3. Exercise at least 3-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes. Exercise gives you more positive energy, dissipates negative energy and builds your confidence.
4. Realize that you were given certain gifts, talents and abilities for a reason. You are supposed to use them!
5. Watch out for self-sabotage. Sometimes, it’s easy to believe that success & happiness are meant for other people, not for us. Thus, we do activities that keep us from being successful 

Reach Weight Loss Goals

Good intentions for weight loss are wonderful. I swore I would start to exercise more, go on a diet, and lose those extra pesky pounds for good. I'm still deciding on the 'best' diet for me, and paying the monthly gym dues for visits that I am 'just about' to get around to. I had the best of intentions to lose weight and keep it off. I never got started. According to the experts, I failed because I didn't have a specific, workable, weight loss plan. In my case, I wanted to lose weight and start a healthier lifestyle. But as you can guess, this isn't as easy as just writing down "Lose weight and exercise more", and sticking it on the bathroom mirror.

Developing an action plan is a process you must go through, really think about, clearly visualizing what you want. By answering the following questions, you can create your own weight loss and exercise action plan.
What are my goals? What, exactly, do I want to achieve? Get those ideas out of your head and on to paper. That helps to make them concrete and doable. Who doesn't like checking off lists when they get done?

There are five specific things you should keep in mind when writing down all of your weight loss goals:
1. Make your goals specific. Don't say you 'need to lose weight' or I'm 'going to lose weight', say you will do it.
2. Make your excercise and weight loss goals measurable and specific. 'I'll walk on the treadmill three times a week for a half hour at a speed of 3.5 miles an hour'.
3. Write down your chosen goals. Create both short term and long term goals for losing weight. Keep a chart or journal to track progress and give yourself some encouragement as you reach your weight loss milestones.
4. Set deadlines. Make your weight loss goals not only measurable, but time specific. Set your weight and exercise goals realistically. It's hard to pursue goals that can never be attained. Unrealistic goals that never seem to be reached can add to your stress level.
5. Give yourself emotional reasons for continuing to lose weight. What moves you to action? Imagine your feelings when you succeed. What will your reward for achievement be? Write it down and plan for it.

When should you begin? How about right now! It's decision time. You can continue to dream about a healthier life style, starting to lose weight and looking better, or you can do something about it today. You can stay stuck in your rut, or you can make a change. You can put off your happiness until another day, or you can begin doing positive things now, that you know you are capable of doing.