Addiction can feel like a magic circle that pulls you in and makes you forget other things in life. An addiction can develop to practically anything that has at some point provided strong relief from a difficult state or situation for which no other solution was found.
Addiction can develop, for example, to substances, medications, sex, pornography, gaming, eating, or dieting. It may feel like breaking free from the addiction is impossible, but that is not true. If you feel that your addiction is negatively affecting your life, it may be the right time to seek help.
How does addiction develop?
Different types of addictions can stem from psychological distress and a desire to cope with difficult emotions. Initially, they may have provided relief or pleasure, but over time they can become harmful and even life-threatening dependencies.
Addictions can develop from almost anything that has once provided relief in a difficult situation. In the brain, a connection forms between pleasure and the object of the addiction, leading us to try to solve all our problems in the same way. The line between a well-being–promoting habit and a destructive addiction can be subtle, and it may be crossed without noticing.
From a biological perspective, addiction can take root deeply. It has been suggested that some people experience an especially strong need to create a sense of pleasure in the brain during stressful situations, for example through substances. This may be related to the brain’s reward system, which responds to pleasure-inducing substances and activities. Once an addiction to this pleasurable effect forms, it can be very difficult to overcome.
“Addictive behavior can help organize inner chaos or act as a calming mechanism when an internal soothing voice is absent.
Addiction may feel like a temporary solution, but it is based on a distorted illusion of connection and belonging.”
Addictive behavior can help organize inner chaos or serve as a calming mechanism when the internal soothing voice is absent. Addiction may feel like a temporary solution, but it is based on a distorted illusion of connection and belonging.
Addictions can lead to long-term harm and may limit your life. While complete freedom from all addictions might be an ideal, it is often practically unattainable. We all have our own ways of regulating ourselves and managing how we feel.
Am I addicted?
The line into addiction can be crossed when you are unable to be apart from the object of the addiction without experiencing excessive anxiety. One sign of addiction, therefore, is whether you can go without, for example, drinking or working, without significant distress.
If you are able to take breaks from, for example, working, you may need to regulate your activity in other ways. This, in turn, raises the question of whether you have truly found lasting happiness and satisfaction in constant work.
How to recover from addiction?
The first step is to recognize the problem and be willing to consider change. The timing of change is not always straightforward, and sometimes you need to wait until the harm outweighs the benefits. Willpower is necessary, but it alone is not enough to solve life’s big, emotionally charged questions about safety, care, belonging, or autonomy—issues that many people unconsciously try to address through their addictions.
“You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Change is possible, and it can be the first step toward a healthier and happier future.”
Supporting someone with an addiction and breaking free from it can be challenging, but help is available. At certain stages of an addiction, intervention may seem nearly impossible. At other times, readiness for change and motivation to break free from the addiction are stronger.
If you feel that you cannot manage your addiction on your own, don’t hesitate to seek help from professionals. They can provide you with tools and support to break free from the cycle of addiction and begin a new life. You don’t have to fight this battle alone. Change is possible, and it can be the first step toward a healthier and happier future. Learn more about Heltti’s therapists specialized in addictions.
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Is it possible to recover from addiction?
Addiction can be cured, and dependence does not automatically control your future. The following factors, among others, support recovery.
- Recognize the problem: Recovery requires that you acknowledge the problem and are willing to consider change. Timing the change is not always straightforward, and sometimes you may need to wait until the harm outweighs the benefits.
- Seek help: Breaking free from an addiction can be particularly effective if you seek support when you feel you cannot manage it on your own. Help is available from many sources, and, for example, Päihdelinkki’s website lists various support services. Short-term therapy can also be considered to support overcoming the addiction.
About the author of this article
I am Katri Kanninen, Doctor of Psychology, experienced psychotherapist, psychotherapy trainer (CAT), and non-fiction author.