In our previous article, we looked at psychological slavery as one way the mind can be enslaved. In this article, we will focus on addiction.

Addiction is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by a recurring desire to continue taking detrimental substances or indulging in harmful activities despite their consequences [1].
When people think about addiction, they usually think about drug addiction. But there are two major categories: substance (drug) addiction and non-substance (behavior) addiction. Individuals with substance addictions may abuse drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, caffeine, and alcohol [2][3][4][5]. These and other substances interfere with the brain and body and can alter their physiology, sometimes permanently. Individuals with non-substance addictions have lifestyles that are severely affected by the abuse of certain activities. Some include pathological gambling, food, the internet, and mobile phone addiction [1].
Regardless of the type, addiction severely impacts and impairs our lives and the lives of our loved ones. Some individuals may hide their addictions because they are afraid of the stigma associated with them, but there is liberation in getting help. There are different treatments available for addictions, and specialists can help you find what works for you.
You are not alone. If you or someone you love has an addiction, I can help you find a specialist in your area. Contact me today.
References:
[1] Zou, Z., Wang, H., d’Oleire Uquillas, F., Wang, X., Ding, J., & Chen, H. (2017). Definition of Substance and Non-substance Addiction. Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1010, 21–41. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-10-5562-1_2.
[2] NIDA (National Institute on Drug Abuse). 2022, March 22. Drugs and the Brain. Retrieved from https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drugs-brain on 2023, July 13.
[3] Meredith, S. E., Juliano, L. M., Hughes, J. R., & Griffiths, R. R. (2013). Caffeine Use Disorder: A Comprehensive Review and Research Agenda. Journal of caffeine research, 3(3), 114–130. https://doi.org/10.1089/jcr.2013.0016
[4] Sweeney, M. M., Meredith, S. E., Juliano, L. M., Evatt, D. P., & Griffiths, R. R. (2019). A randomized controlled trial of a manual-only treatment for reduction and cessation of problematic caffeine use. Drug and alcohol dependence, 195, 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2018.10.034.
[5] Wang, S. C., Chen, Y. C., Chen, S. J., Lee, C. H., & Cheng, C. M. (2020). Alcohol Addiction, Gut Microbiota, and Alcoholism Treatment: A Review. International journal of molecular sciences, 21(17), 6413. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21176413.