Addiction grips millions, transcending mere substance use to encompass emotional and social struggles. To truly understand the word addiction, one must explore its different facets, its impact and the complex paths to recovery.
It’s easy for people to be quick to judge others who have addictions. Many people don’t understand how or why someone becomes addicted to something and attributes their addiction to having weak morals or an “addictive personality.”
Unfortunately, many people aren’t willing to listen to those suffering from addiction to truly understand their journey. In reality, there is no one path to addiction.
Instead, addiction is tied to what might be happening in someone’s life.
While drug abuse is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think about addiction, it’s important to recognize that addiction can manifest in different forms.
From behavioral addictions to technological dependencies, understanding what drives these compulsions is crucial. This understanding can help those who suffer from them take their first steps toward recovery.
According to a 2018 article published by The National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug addiction is characterized by a compulsive engagement in the brain’s “reward circuit.” This causes a momentary euphoria and the release of dopamine — a pleasurable reward and motivation chemical that forms a strong connection between the behavior and positive feelings — in the brain.
This tendency is rooted in the brain’s reward system, which is crucial to processing pleasure and reinforcement. Over time, this can lead to a pattern of behavior where the individual continues to seek out the trigger despite potential harm.
Because certain drugs change the brain, it becomes more difficult for a person to resist their urges. This is why drug addiction is also considered a relapse disease — a disease that returns even after a prolonged period of improvement.
In addition to the body’s internal fight against withdrawal, external pressures also contribute to the difficulty for teens to distance themselves from drug abuse. Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, PhD, a developmental psychologist specializing in cognitive and psychosocial factors involved in adolescents’ health and behavior, founded the initiative Safety First, which aims to educate the youth through drug intervention curriculum.
In a 2024 feature published by the American Psychological Association, Halpern-Felsher says, “Teens can make good decisions,” but that approaching this issue with adolescents is different because they care more about what their peers think of them compared to adults.”
That is why outreach is key in helping those who suffer from drug abuse. In most cases, these individuals have experienced deep depression or mental health issues. It’s also important to educate others on the possible risks of drug abuse to prevent its further spread.
One form of addiction that has gained attention in recent years is behavioral addiction, which can include compulsions such as internet use. Behavioral addictions can be as debilitating as drug abuse.
This type of addiction, particularly connected to social media and gaming, is especially relevant in the younger generations today.
The American Psychological Association (APA) notes excessive use of social media platforms can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
A social media addiction can stem from the desire for social validation, to the immediate gratification provided by likes and comments. Senior Mia Kenigsberg is especially familiar with what this type of addiction entails.
“When we post something and we do receive positive feedback, we feel good about ourselves,” Kenigsberg said. “We get likes, so there’s that crave to just get more and feel good about ourselves.”
The APA emphasizes that the immediate gratification and immersive experiences offered by social media can dominate the brain’s reward system, making it difficult for users to moderate their engagement.
Agreeing with APA, Kenigsberg expounded on this concept.
“We tend to compare ourselves to the people we see on social media,” she said. “There’s that need to make yourself feel better and so you just keep posting on social media to make sure that you’re more well liked.”
Similar to drug abuse, technological addictions share underlying similarities. They both involve the brain’s reward system, which turns these behavioral tendencies into a vicious cycle that can be difficult to interrupt.
“I think it’s never enough, so it becomes a cycle of trying to prove to yourself,” Kenigsberg said. “Prove that you are this great person, which really traps us into social media.”
As one navigates the complexities of addiction and recognizes its many forms, it’s crucial to remember that empathy and understanding can make a significant difference. Each person dealing with addiction faces a unique struggle, often hidden from view.
A supportive and non-judgmental environment could help peers feel less isolated and more understood. Collective compassion and awareness can pave the way for positive change and create a more encouraging community.
“We have to come from a supportive and sensitive place because we don’t know what they could be going through,” Kenigsberg said. “It’s important for them to know that they have people there for them that they can reach out to.”
