Kicking the Habit
Addictions, be they gambling, hoarding, smoking, sex, food, alcohol are driven by the brain's response in anticipation of the reward as a 'rush' or to the stimulus as 'kicks'. The feedback loop is one of the positive pattern type, that is, the more the pleasure derived from the previous episode or expected to be derived from the next, the more the object seeking behavior.
The motivation to repeat the act is the 'kick' derived from the previous one and the 'rush' felt in thinking of repeating the act. Hence, different motivations may include direct pleasure from sex, food, alcohol, drugs or the status that, for example, hoarding gives the seeker of material things, that winning gives the gambler or boldness gives the drug taker .
The characteristic of any addiction is the adaptations brought about as a result of sustained exposure to the object of addiction. Many start drug use, from curiosity, and do not like it, due to the side effects. They soon get hooked through peer pressure-- just to get along and be accepted in the fold. Sooner or later the motivation to continue may change and vary from the perceived courage of the imbiber, through the high social status of an up-market champagne drinker to the perceived benefits of the direct 'stimulant' effects of alcohol of the regular beer drinker in the local pub.
Whatever the initial motivation that drives the attachment to the object, the common convergent point is: being hooked to the pleasure of the 'kick' of the act and that of the 'rush' in anticipation of the next episode. It is this pleasure that conditions the brain and gives rise to the craving for the object of addiction and the attachment to it.
With stimulant drugs, 'pleasure receptors' later become fewer in number( or get down-regulated), as the brain's own attempt to contain the high and sustained stimulation(which is not normal and is damaging to the body) and this leads to tolerance, which means, more and more of the drug will be taken to try to get the desired 'kick' . However, this tolerance may be reversed if an infection or toxicity that provokes strong immunological response and gives rise to cytokines that stimulate the brain follows. This will lead to 'paradoxical' hypersensitivity to the stimulant, instead.
The hallmark of any addiction is the difficulty to quit the object of addiction. The depression which follows, soon after each episode of the 'kick' wears off, is the result of the fact that the brain's stimulus 'barometer' has been reset to a higher level, which cannot be satisfied by unaided normal physiological stimulus input. As the problem becomes more crucial, the frequency and duration of the habit increase, more so as tolerance progresses. Depression will set in if withdrawal is attempted. Withdrawal may now produce physical signs like tremors or even fits, with alcohol.
One way to 'kick the habit' is to simply say 'no' to any form of pressure and avoid places or the company of people that put you under any pressure to succumb to any unhealthy habit. This may entail you relocating, if you cannot withstand the pressure you are put under. The decision is yours and your success depends on your will-power to want to regain your good old self. Look for venues that promote more healthy habits like sports and make new friends within.
By far, the best preventive strategy in addiction is learning to be a bliss seeker rather than a pleasure seeker; to avoid any form of attachment(avoid detachment as well). Do everything in moderation, for that is the physiological and spiritual norm. Seek help from gurus if you cannot succeed alone.
Dr Oliver V Birnso,MD
The motivation to repeat the act is the 'kick' derived from the previous one and the 'rush' felt in thinking of repeating the act. Hence, different motivations may include direct pleasure from sex, food, alcohol, drugs or the status that, for example, hoarding gives the seeker of material things, that winning gives the gambler or boldness gives the drug taker .
The characteristic of any addiction is the adaptations brought about as a result of sustained exposure to the object of addiction. Many start drug use, from curiosity, and do not like it, due to the side effects. They soon get hooked through peer pressure-- just to get along and be accepted in the fold. Sooner or later the motivation to continue may change and vary from the perceived courage of the imbiber, through the high social status of an up-market champagne drinker to the perceived benefits of the direct 'stimulant' effects of alcohol of the regular beer drinker in the local pub.
Whatever the initial motivation that drives the attachment to the object, the common convergent point is: being hooked to the pleasure of the 'kick' of the act and that of the 'rush' in anticipation of the next episode. It is this pleasure that conditions the brain and gives rise to the craving for the object of addiction and the attachment to it.
With stimulant drugs, 'pleasure receptors' later become fewer in number( or get down-regulated), as the brain's own attempt to contain the high and sustained stimulation(which is not normal and is damaging to the body) and this leads to tolerance, which means, more and more of the drug will be taken to try to get the desired 'kick' . However, this tolerance may be reversed if an infection or toxicity that provokes strong immunological response and gives rise to cytokines that stimulate the brain follows. This will lead to 'paradoxical' hypersensitivity to the stimulant, instead.
The hallmark of any addiction is the difficulty to quit the object of addiction. The depression which follows, soon after each episode of the 'kick' wears off, is the result of the fact that the brain's stimulus 'barometer' has been reset to a higher level, which cannot be satisfied by unaided normal physiological stimulus input. As the problem becomes more crucial, the frequency and duration of the habit increase, more so as tolerance progresses. Depression will set in if withdrawal is attempted. Withdrawal may now produce physical signs like tremors or even fits, with alcohol.
One way to 'kick the habit' is to simply say 'no' to any form of pressure and avoid places or the company of people that put you under any pressure to succumb to any unhealthy habit. This may entail you relocating, if you cannot withstand the pressure you are put under. The decision is yours and your success depends on your will-power to want to regain your good old self. Look for venues that promote more healthy habits like sports and make new friends within.
By far, the best preventive strategy in addiction is learning to be a bliss seeker rather than a pleasure seeker; to avoid any form of attachment(avoid detachment as well). Do everything in moderation, for that is the physiological and spiritual norm. Seek help from gurus if you cannot succeed alone.
Dr Oliver V Birnso,MD
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