Unhealthy dependencies

If we believe TV stereotypes, addicts are criminal characters lurking in the back alleys of town. That’s the myth. Today’s reality is that the addict is more likely to be your colleague in the next cubicle or the Mom dropping her kids off at daycare. The word addict comes from the Latin verb addicere, meaning “to sentence,” “to condemn” or “to enslave.” That’s right on target because addiction causes deep suffering for the addict, as well as for friends and family.

Addiction is often associated with substances like alcohol, nicotine or illicit drugs, but drugs don’t have to be illegal to become a problem.  Today, addiction to painkillers is reaching epidemic proportions. Prescription drugs now surpass heroin as the nation’s top drug problem.

There are many types of addictions

Addiction isn’t simply confined to physical dependence on chemical substances — it can also involve an unhealthy compulsion to certain behaviors. People can be addicted to eating, gambling, hoarding, shopping, sex, smartphone use or any number of other things. In fact, it can be helpful to view addiction as simply this: any unhealthy dependence or compulsion that interferes with ordinary life.

Are you an addict? Or living with an addict?

If you are trying to determine whether you or a loved one might have an unhealthy dependence on a substance or a behavior, here are a few questions to ask.