Everything You Need to Know About Addictions

An addiction is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or lifestyle. It is a powerful force that can take hold of a person’s life, altering their thoughts, behaviours, and overall well-being. In this article, we will explore the nature of addiction, the causes behind it, and the treatment methods.

What is an addiction?

Addiction is a complex disorder characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli, despite adverse consequences. It involves a repeated need to participate in a particular activity or consume a substance; characterised by a loss of control. Over time, the individual’s ability to resist this urge diminishes, creating a cycle that can be difficult to break.

Addiction can manifest in various forms, from substance dependency to behavioural patterns, and it can severely impact one’s physical and mental health.

What are the real causes of addiction?

The causes of addiction are complex and vary widely from person to person. Our mind and body are intricately connected, and through clinical practice, Radiant Flow therapists have found that the roots of addiction often exist in both parts. This view aligns with insights from the Medical Medium, whose reasoning on addiction resonates with these findings. The following explanation is adapted from their website.

On the physiological side, addiction can arise from deficiencies in glycogen and mineral salts in the brain. A lack of glucose, partly due to a high-fat, high-protein diet, and insufficient intake of mineral salts from sources like celery juice and leafy greens, starves neurotransmitters. Additionally, elevated levels of toxic heavy metals such as mercury, aluminium, and copper in the brain can independently contribute to or cause addiction.

Psychological and emotional stress can amplify these physical deficiencies, triggering addictive impulses. Factors such as stress, trauma (eg. adverse childhood experiences or ACE), or mental health disorders are significant contributors to addiction. Environmental influences, including peer pressure, family dynamics, and exposure to addictive substances or behaviours, further exacerbate the risk. Often, it is the interplay of these elements that leads to the development of an addiction.

These root issues can give rise to a wide range of addictions, including those to alcohol, drugs, sex, and food. When glucose levels in the body and brain are depleted, it creates a vulnerability to various addictions, such as those to processed sugar and alcohol; it even sets us up for adrenaline addiction.

These root issues can give rise to a wide range of addictions, including those to alcohol, drugs, sex, and food. When glucose levels in the body and brain are depleted, it creates a vulnerability to various addictions, such as those to processed sugar and alcohol, and even to adrenaline.

When the body lacks glucose, the adrenal glands start pumping adrenaline to keep us going. This surge, commonly known as a “rush,” becomes addictive. Today, many people operate on adrenaline constantly, often without realising it.

This dependence on adrenaline feeds nearly every addictive behaviour, whether it involves drugs, sex, extreme sports, coffee, or other activities.

In summary, acute and chronic psychological stress can lead to nutrient depletion. Existing nutritional deficiencies exacerbate this issue. When exposed to an addictive substance or activity, the individual experiences a pleasurable adrenaline rush that masks negative emotions. This moment marks the beginning of an addiction, a coping mechanism developed to manage life’s stressors.

What are the top 10 most common addictions?

When we hear the word addiction, many of us think of drug or alcohol abuse. However, addiction extends far beyond these substances. According to the American Psychiatric Association, addiction is a brain disorder marked by a compulsive need to use something or engage in an activity, despite the harmful consequences. Below are ten common addictions that people struggle with daily.

  • Alcohol addiction: A dependence on alcohol, marked by an inability to control drinking habits.
  • Drug addiction: Dependence on illicit or prescription drugs, which cause harmful physical and psychological effects.
  • Gambling addiction: A compulsive urge to gamble, often resulting in financial ruin and emotional distress.
  • Smoking and vaping addiction: Dependence on nicotine, primarily through cigarette or vape use, leading to severe health risks.
  • Pornography addiction: Excessive consumption of pornography, which can damage relationships and mental health.
  • Food addiction: Compulsive overeating, often leading to obesity and related health issues.
  • Video game addiction: Excessive gaming that disrupts daily life and responsibilities.
  • Shopping addiction: A compulsive need to shop, often resulting in financial problems and emotional strain.
  • Exercise addiction: An obsession with physical exercise, sometimes leading to physical harm.
  • Internet addiction: Excessive internet use, often at the expense of real-life interactions and responsibilities.

Other well-known addictions include work addiction, sex addiction, and coffee addiction.

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What are the signs and symptoms of addiction?

Identifying the signs of addiction can be difficult, particularly when the behaviours are hidden, such as binge drinking in private. Nevertheless, certain patterns and behaviours can suggest that someone may be facing an addiction.

Signs of alcohol addiction

  • Drinking alone or in secret
  • Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
  • Neglecting responsibilities at work, home, or school
  • Experiencing blackouts or memory lapses
  • Continuing to drink despite knowing the harm it causes

Signs of drug addiction

  • Sudden changes in behaviour or personality
  • Neglecting personal hygiene and appearance
  • Financial difficulties due to spending on drugs
  • Engaging in risky or illegal activities to obtain drugs
  • Withdrawal symptoms when not using the drug

Signs of gambling addiction

  • Inability to stop gambling despite repeated losses
  • Lying to cover up gambling activities
  • Neglecting personal or professional responsibilities
  • Borrowing money or selling possessions to fund gambling
  • Feeling restless or irritable when unable to gamble

Signs of smoking addiction

  • Inability to quit despite multiple attempts
  • Smoking in inappropriate or hazardous situations
  • Prioritising smoking over other activities or responsibilities
  • Irritability or anxiety when unable to smoke
  • Increased tolerance, needing more cigarettes to achieve the same effect

Signs of pornography addiction

  • Spending excessive time viewing pornography
  • Neglecting relationships, work, or other responsibilities
  • Using pornography as a primary means of sexual satisfaction
  • Feeling ashamed or guilty but unable to stop
  • Escalating use, seeking more extreme content over time

Signs of food addiction

  • Eating large amounts of food even when not hungry
  • Feeling guilty or ashamed after eating
  • Hiding food or eating in secret
  • Preoccupation with food, constantly thinking about the next meal
  • Inability to control eating habits, leading to weight gain

Signs of video game addiction

  • Playing video games for long periods, often at the expense of other activities
  • Neglecting responsibilities at work, school, or home
  • Using video games as a way to escape reality or avoid problems
  • Irritability or anxiety when not able to play
  • Lying about the amount of time spent playing

How to treat addictions naturally?

Treating addiction naturally requires a comprehensive approach that addresses the mind, body, and spirit. Here are some natural methods for tackling addiction:

  • Hypnotherapy: A highly effective technique that targets the mental roots of addiction. By accessing deep-seated trauma that fuels psychological and emotional stress, hypnosis helps bring calmness and peace to the mind, reducing the psychological need to engage in addictive behaviours.
  • Nutrition Therapy: Since an addiction can have physiological causes and can be helped with diet and nutrition. A high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables helps deliver the right sugars to the organs, diminishing the need for addictive substances. Supplementation as recommended can further support recovery.
  • Mindfulness and meditation: Mindfulness, particularly through meditation, is widely recognised for its ability to reduce anxiety. By focusing the mind on the present, meditation helps prevent dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, leading to a more peaceful and centred life. These practices can aid in gaining control over thoughts and impulses, reducing the urge to engage in addictive behaviours.
  • Reiki Healing: Beyond the mind and body, we have an energy field that interacts with our environment. Reiki, much like Qigong or Taiji, works by channeling healing energy into the body, helping to restore balance and alleviate the mental and emotional processes that drive addiction.
  • Sound Healing and Sound Bath: With the body consisting of 70% water, sound vibrations can have a subtle yet tangible impact. Whether through a one-on-one sound healing session or a group sound bath, practitioners use sound bowls to produce vibrations that restore harmony and balance to the body, much like Reiki but using sound as the medium.
  • Exercise and physical activity: Regular physical activity helps reduce stress, improves mood, and lowers the risk of relapse.
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Addiction case studies at Radiant Flow

Case 1: Smoking addiction

Jenny had been a chain smoker for over 20 years when she sought hypnotherapy. During the sessions, it became clear that she had been carrying a heavy load of mental and emotional baggage. This included the traumatic experience of witnessing her father’s near-death, the pressures of a stressful job, and other life challenges. Smoking had become her way of escaping these overwhelming feelings.

Over the course of two sessions, Jenny experienced a cathartic release of these emotions, bringing a sense of peace into her life. As this peace took hold, her need to smoke gradually diminished until she no longer relied on cigarettes as a crutch. She has remained smoke-free ever since.

Case 2: Addiction to alcohol

Shermaine had been battling binge drinking for over a decade. Through hypnotherapy, it emerged that her drinking habit had roots in past trauma, including bullying and mistreatment during her childhood and youth. Difficult relationships added to her emotional burden, leading her to turn to alcohol as a means of coping whenever negative feelings surfaced.

After three sessions, Shermaine’s urge to drink had significantly lessened. While she continued to drink socially, she no longer felt the need to overindulge. With the mental and emotional weight lifted, her reliance on alcohol to cope with life’s challenges faded away.

Case 3: Gambling addiction

Keith had been secretly gambling on soccer matches for years before he finally he came clean. Each match saw him spending hours and thousands of dollars, driven by the hope of making quick money. Seeking a way out, he turned to hypnotherapy.

During the sessions, it became clear that his primary source of stress was in his family dynamics. As a child, his parents played favouritism and neglected him, often comparing him unfavourably to his brother. Even when Keith excelled in his studies, his parents failed to show appreciation, leaving him with a deep sense of inadequacy.

As he grew older, he developed a coping mechanism centred on overworking to gain his parents’ approval. Feeling pressured to appear wealthy and successful, he turned to gambling as a way to make a quick buck. Through hypnotherapy, Keith identified the underlying issues and detached himself emotionally from them. The newfound awareness allowed him to arrest his gambling problem.

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How to cope with an addiction?

Learning how to cope with addiction is very helpful while you look for a solution and heal yourself. Here are some strategies to help manage addiction:

  • Acknowledge the problem: Admitting that there is an addiction is the first step toward recovery.
  • Use EFT Tapping: This self-help method works similarly to hypnotherapy by neutralising the emotions behind the addiction. It’s great for tackling the urge to engage in the addiction when it arises.
  • Develop healthy habits: Replace addictive behaviours with positive activities, such as hobbies, exercise, or volunteering.
  • Do self-hypnosis: Reprogram your subconscious mind to engage in productive activities to crowd out the urge to engage in addictive behaviour. With regular practice, the subconscious mind will replace the urge to smoke with the new healthy and productive habit.
  • Build a support network: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family, and peers who can help you through the recovery process.
  • Set realistic goals: Establish small, achievable goals to help track progress and stay motivated.
  • Avoid triggers: Identify and steer clear of situations or environments that may trigger the urge to engage in addictive behaviour.

Final Thoughts: Can addictions be cured?

Many believe addiction is a chronic condition that must be managed rather than “cured” in the traditional sense. However, at Radiant Flow, our experience tells a different story. We strongly maintain that addiction can be fully overcome.

The science behind addictions may be complex, but the art of healing is straightforward. Hypnotherapy can address the mental trauma at the root of your addiction, while nutrition therapy can tackle its physiological aspects. Complete recovery becomes achievable when both these underlying causes are resolved.

In the meantime, employ the coping techniques mentioned earlier to stay on course toward full recovery. Full recovery is possible, but it demands effort. Do not lose hope, and do not be hard on yourself if you slip up along the way. Keep working on yourself, and you will eventually reach a life free from the destructive habit.

Appendix: List of Addictions

Addictions to substances

The DSM-5 identifies substance use disorders linked to the following substances:

  • Alcohol
  • Tobacco
  • Opioids (e.g., heroin)
  • Prescription drugs (e.g., sedatives, hypnotics, anxiolytics such as sleeping pills and tranquilisers)
  • Cocaine
  • Cannabis (marijuana)
  • Amphetamines (e.g., methamphetamines, known as meth)
  • Hallucinogens
  • Inhalants
  • Phencyclidine (known as PCP or Angel Dust)
  • Other unspecified substances

Impulse control disorders

The DSM-5 also recognises disorders where individuals cannot resist impulses, often considered a form of addiction. These include:

  • Intermittent explosive disorder (compulsive aggressive and assaultive behaviour)
  • Kleptomania (compulsive stealing)
  • Pyromania (compulsive fire-setting)
  • Gambling

Behavioural addictions

Certain behaviours can also become addictive. The following behaviours have been noted for their addictive qualities:

  • Eating food
  • Sex
  • Pornography
  • Using computers and the internet
  • Playing video games
  • Working
  • Exercising
  • Spiritual obsession (distinct from religious devotion)
  • Seeking pain
  • Cutting
  • Shopping

Photo credits: Florian Paulus

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