What Is Dependency? Definition, Causes and Symptoms
How to escape the vicious cycle?
Introduction. Dependency and Addiction
Sometimes it is difficult to understand this very complex topic of dependency and addiction. To break it down, you will find information on what dependency is, as well as on the causes, symptoms, and treatment. Dependencies include taking substances or behaving in ways that become harmful. Behavioral addictions can include extreme shopping, gaming, internet surfing, eating, or acting out. Some addictions will have a physical aspect, where the body will be physically dependent, and other addictions come from the psychological and neuro-chemical aspect of the mind. At CHMC, we are prepared to diagnose and provide currently available treatment options for addition to support you into your recovery. We will discuss the goals of dependency treatment, will give you a definition of addiction, and explain why specialists speak of recovery and not a cure for dependency.
Definition of dependency
Social decline
Let’s have a look at the scientific definition of addiction. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) offers a good definition: “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristic biological, psychological, social and spiritual manifestations. This is reflected in an individual pathologically looking for rewards and/or relief by substance use and other behaviors.” Dependency affects many areas of life. In middle and long term to the social isolation of the addicted person. The definition puts focus on that the disease that has multiple areas of concern:
the physical aspect
the cognitive aspect (distorted thinking)
the social aspect (relationships)
and the spiritual aspect (connection to one`s spiritual beliefs)
Causes of dependency
Dependency can be triggered by different factors but all of them are based on a vicious circle of repetitive processes and conditioning
There are many causes for dependency. Psychiatrist and psychologists have identified genes, behaviors, and social and emotional reasons that underlie dependency. Repeated substance abuse and other harmful behaviors will cause irreversible changes in the brain. Those changes called “psychological addiction” make it impossible for anyone with a dependency to “just drink less”, or “gaming less”. To make it simple, we have to understand that the “off switch,” between the pleasure reward system and the pre-frontal cortex is broken. The only chance to stay clean and sober for the rest of your life requires full abstinence. Even a small sip of alcohol will bring the patient to “square one”.
Symptoms
The never-ending cycle of addiction and its shame and guilt
What psychologists and psychiatrists look at as dependency symptoms are the patterns of behavior and consequences. Typical symptoms of dependency are loss of control, constant thoughts about it, planning one’s day and life around it, and ignoring negative consequences. Other symptoms can be physical and emotional pulling away and gaps in memory. Alcoholics Anonymous have made a self–test available on their website and there is a science-based test online called the MAST. Your treatment professional will assess you and develop a treatment plan.
Treatment
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and behavioral addictions are treatable
Psychologists use different treatment methods in dependency work. They treat this disorder with motivational interviewing, dependency education, do Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address distorted thinking, use Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) to effect long term change, offer psychological support, help people in recovery discover healthy ways to live, and introduce the 12 Step program as a possible recovery tool and support network.
Psychologists will help uncover personal causes of dependency and treat them. They will motivate individuals towards abstinence and redirect recovering individuals into a positive lifestyle. The reason for this is that some people who become dependent to alcohol, chemicals or behaviors have used it as a form of “self medication.” It is vital to resolve mental health issues, as this sets the stage for long-term sobriety and being clean.
Comprehensive treatment approach
We approach dependency treatment from all angles and include the family of the dependent person. The disease of dependency affects the entire family. It is vital to understand family dynamics to make positive changes and offer support. We will introduce Al-Anon; the support network for the loved ones to help every family member affected by dependency.
It would be unscientific and unprofessional to promise an alcoholic or addict a cure, because we know that underlying this disorder is a permanent neurological change in the brain. There is no remedy in that sense. Rather than speaking of a cure, it is more realistic to speak of recovery. In recovery individuals are abstaining from mind altering substances and negative behaviors because they no longer have the obsession, nor need to do so. They are enjoying full lives, living up to their potential, and are free from the shackles of addiction and the emotionally eroding cycle of shame and guilt.
We offer advice in regards to the tailored therapy and the referral to rehabs or support groups.
Sources
Cognitive behavior therapy with Internet addicts: treatment outcomes and implications.Young KS.Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007 Oct;10(5):671-9. doi: 10.1089/cpb.2007.9971.PMID: 17927535 Clinical Trial.
Uppers, Downers, All Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs by Darryl S. Inaba, William E. Cohen, Elizabeth von Radics and Ellen K. Cholewa (Jul 15, 2011)
American Association of Addiction Medicing. 2022.l www.asam.org
