April Pater, RCT, RP

​​When assessing any addiction, there are two main components

to consider: physical addiction and psychological addiction. 

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​Physical addiction occurs when tolerance and withdrawal 

symptoms are present. Tolerance is having to increase your

intake of a substance to feel the same sensations you used to feel with less of the substance (ex., "I used to need 3 drinks to take the edge off, and now I need 5"). Withdrawal is a set of symptoms that occur when you reduce your consumption of a substance (ex., headache, irritability, nausea, lack of energy, etc.)

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Psychological addiction is often described as cravings for a substance. Cravings are a strong desire to consume a substance, paired with an internal dialogue that is always thinking about that substance and rationalizing its consumption (ex., "I had a stressful day, I deserve a drink", "I already had one drink, so I might as well have another"). 

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The body is no longer physically addicted once withdrawal symptoms are gone, however, psychological addiction can last for a very long time. This explains why some people may be able to stay sober for several months, feeling physically great, and then find themselves engaging in the same patterns again.

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TREATMENT

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In order to get an addiction under control, an individual needs to treat both the physical addiction as well as the psychological addiction. Treating the physical addiction involves cutting back on the substance (or eliminating it entirely) for a period of time to reduce tolerance and experience withdrawal. Treating the psychological addiction involves learning what the voice of one's cravings sounds like as well as how to cope with emotions in a healthier way.

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The clients that I work with have varying goals when it comes to tackling their addiction. Some work to abstain from all substances while some work to learn to only consume the substance in moderation or socially. 

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Behavioural Addictions 

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While some people may have an addiction to a substance, others may have an addiction to a behaviour, such as gambling, sex, shopping, etc. While this may present slightly differently, the core components of the addiction and the treatment of the addiction are the same.