Other Addictions

Some addictions are chemical, and others are behavioral or psychological.  However, even the behavioral addictions have a chemical component in that brain chemistry is altered when an individual is engaged in the addictive behavior, and these addictions share similar traits to chemical addictions. In this section, we cover one chemical addiction not discussed elsewhere, and review the multitude of possible behavioral addictions.

 

Steroids  Steroids are naturally-occurring hormones with chemical structures based on cholesterol.  There are several types of steroid hormones that are produced at differenct sites in the body and with differing basic effects.  The diverse effects of steroids are essential for normal body functioning.  If the body cannot produce steroids, they must be replaced by another source, such as a synthetic relative with similar action, in order to maintain normal function.  This is called replacement therapy.  Some steroids are drugs that are classified as controlled substances.

 

There are two types of steroids:  catabolic and anabolic.  Catabolic steroids, such as cortisol, favor the breakdown of cellular energy stores and even protein to provide glucose--effects that can be useful during stress.  Anabolic steroids, such as testosterone, favor the synthesis and accumulation of protein by muscle cells, which is the effect of interest for those who misuse steroids.  Anabolic steroids can be considered drugs that alter perception and image, but what sets them apart from other hallucinogens and marijuana is that the altered perception is that of self-image and it occurs in the user's mind rather than externally. There are also tangible changes in the users body that contribute to the altered self-image.

 

Steroid misuse quickly followed availability.  During World War II, German soldiers were treated with testosterone to increase their combativeness; Russian powerlifters took so much testosterone preparing for the 1950s Olympics that urination was impossible due to drug-induced prostate gland overgrowht.  Steroid abuse and its consequences were first recognized in the "anti-doping" laws adopted by the Olympic Committee in the 1960s.  Anabolic steroids are now designated as controlled substances (substances with abuse potential whose access, manufacture, and distribution are regulated by law.  Additional uncontrolled drugs that may give similar anabolic effects are also in use.  One such drug is gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, which stimulates the brain's "reward circuit" and is either used alone or in combination with amphetamines (MAX cocktail).  Serious side-effects including seizures, coma, and death have earned GHB the alternate nickname of "great bodily harm." 

 

There is ongoing debate whether tolerance and dependence occur for steroids as they do for other drugs of abuse.  Self-administration for non-medical reasons produces a sense of well-being, if not overt euphoria.  These drugs may be taken in cycles rather than continuously in an attempt to keep negative side effects at a minimum.  Doses in a cycle are increased and decreased gradually, a process known as pyramiding.  Several anabolics, either oral or injectable, may be used simultaneously, a process known as stacking, to obtain a theoretical range of different effects and minimize the side effects. Withdrawal symptoms including depression, restlessness, and drug-craving, have been reported.

 

For more information about steroids, see http://www.nida.nih.gov/Infofacts/Steroids.html.

 

Behavioral and Psychological Addictions  It may sound strange to discuss addiction in terms of such things as relationships, food, exercise, computer/video games, or shopping, and it may sound more familiar in the context of gambling, sex, and pornography, but the fact is, it is quite possible to develop addictive behaviors to all of these things and more.

 

To put behavioral addictions into context, remember what it is that distinguishes an addiction from normal behavior. There is more and more time spent thinking about, planning, and engaging in the behavior; the behavior is used as an escape from life's problems and stressors; there may be a change in friends to be around others who engage in the same behavior; there will be associated mood swings and/or personality changes; and negative consequences will occur due to engagement in the behavior. 

 

While a very few of these addictions may not be considered as serious or as potentially harmful as others, the nature of an addicition is that there is something unhealthy about the behavior.  For example, consider being addicted to exercise.  While this appears to be harmless and even healthy on the surface, those who are truly engaging in addictive behavior are risking physical injury or illness and may experience negative consequences with friends, family, work, or school due to the obsession with exercise.  An obsession with body image and related eating disorders may develop.

 

Other behaviors have consequences that are more readily recognizable, such as gambling or sex. The important thing to remember is that just like with any chemical addiction, help and treatment are available.  There are various 12-step support groups for things such as gambling, overeating, and sex. Therapy can help an individual discover the underlying causes and triggers for the addictive behavior and help that person eliminate or reduce the behavior to a healthy and adaptive level.  For example, some behavior such as gambling is likely to require complete abstinence; other behaviors do not have that option.  After all, people do need to eat, shop, and exercise. Healthy adults do engage in sexual behavior.  The key is to be able to balance the activities and behaviors we enjoy without them taking over our lives or resulting in negative consequences. 

 

For more information on these kinds of addictions, visit http://addictions.about.com/od/howaddictionhappens/f/behavioraladd.htm.