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Habit to addiction: Now is time to make changes

  • Published
  • By Mildred M. Fitch
  • Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment
TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Having trouble trying to change a habit? Now might be a good time to considering making that change before it becomes an addiction. By analyzing the process of addiction, maybe understanding the need to change will become more important.

The first step should be to focus on desires and behavior. A search for pleasure is usually the starting factor. Sometimes it may be the desire for relief from pain, loneliness, boredom, sickness or grief. If the pleasure is derived from alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, compulsive shopping, Internet, video games or food, it may bring relief for a short time. If the action makes a person feel good or better, the action will probably be repeated. One concern, especially with substances, the body gets use to the good feeling. The habit may be moving toward developing into an addiction as the behavior -- such as gambling, viewing pornography, drinking, etc. -- needs to be increased in order to maintain the same effects.

Behavioral changes may become more evident due to efforts of coping with the issues. Other aspects of life and work may begin to suffer or be neglected. The craving can cause restlessness and tension.

Some defining symptoms or characteristics of addiction are: loss of control, compulsive behavior, inability to stop or cut back, habit having first priority, loss of self-esteem, lying, causing harm to self or others, motive to calm nerves, forget worries or boost a sad mood.

The brain gets involved by constructing strings of nerve cells for that thought, feeling or action. The addiction is from the pathway of good feelings which comes from the process of habits.

With the exception of tobacco, crack cocaine or heroin which produces addiction rapidly, it takes time to become addicted.

More information may be obtained from the Tinker Alcohol Drug Abuse Prevention and Treatment Program at 739-7141, www.militaryonesource.com or www.samhsa.gov.