My thoughts…

I have chosen addiction as a topic to explore because it is something that interests me as well as confuses. I do not know much about the topic at all other than having some knowledge of what substances are addictive, some of the symptoms that people suffer from withdrawal, and have personal experience seeing what it looks like and how it affects the people around the sufferer. Some things I would like to explore in particular are how addictions start, what makes people more prone to forming an addiction and how it affects human behaviour.

I am aware of how dangerous some addictions can be would like to know more so I can inform myself and the people around me that I care about, as well as find out what small things I can do to help them without them feeling judged or me being overbearing.

Other than narcotics, I have very limited knowledge or awareness of what other things people do get addicted to and I do wonder if there are some addictions that are less dangerous for the body physically but may have detrimental effects just on the mind and how they may change our habits and behaviour. I would like to explore what the most common addictions are, who is most affected and if there are any serious addictions that do not come under narcotics or medicine.

Withdrawal is a topic that I have seen explored in movies and tv shows a lot and it is always presented as hot sweats, choking, criminal behaviour and betraying loved ones. I have only ever seen addicts villainised in media, made to look selfish and cruel. There is most definitely a stigma surrounding addiction and I would like to explore why that is and how it has a negative impact on those that are trying to overcome the illness.  I am going to research symptoms of withdrawal, how they are managed and what the healthy behaviour and habits that can be used to support recovery.

I would like to know what makes people more prone to becoming addicted to a substance and how much of it is environmental or biological. I am aware that genetically you are more susceptible to forming an addiction if there is history of addiction in the family, but why is that? If you are exposed to addictive substances in your life, it is thought by many that you have a higher probability or abusing that substance. Is there any truth to that? What are the statistics?

Addictions past narcotics and medications seems like a really interesting avenue to explore. I have wondered where the line is drawn between being totally engrossed and obsessed with something to having an addiction to it. Is there a method to ensure that you will not become addicted to something that you love? Are there addictions that people have that they may not be aware of?