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Millennials have become increasingly familiar with the concept of addiction, and it’s no surprise.

We live in a world where technology, social media, and other forms of instant gratification and stimulation dominate our lives. We decided to take a closer look at the issue of addiction by asking the question: What are the three main addictions?

Addiction is defined as an intense craving or need for something that is difficult to resist or control. While this definition is broad enough to apply to any type of addiction—whether it’s drugs, gambling, sex, or alcohol—there are three main categories that tend to dominate conversations about addiction: substance use disorder (SUD), process addictions (such as video gaming), and behavioral addictions (such as shopping).

Addiction is defined as an intense craving or need for something that is difficult to resist or control.

Substance Use Disorder is an umbrella term used to describe any kind of drug addiction. This includes both illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine as well as prescription medications like opioids and benzodiazepines. Substance use disorders can cause significant physical and psychological harm, leading to problems with day-to-day functioning. It is estimated that around 8 percent of people in the United States have a substance use disorder at any given time.

Process addictions refer to activities such as compulsive gambling or video gaming. These activities can become addictive if people find themselves unable to resist them even when they know they shouldn’t be engaging in them. Playing video games can also become problematic if it becomes an escape from real-life problems instead of a recreational activity as well as interrupting sleep.

Finally, behavioral addictions refer to activities such as shopping or overeating that can become problematic if they are done compulsively or excessively despite negative consequences. These activities can lead to financial stress due to overspending or health issues due to overeating. It is estimated that up to 5 percent of Americans suffer from some form of behavioral addiction at any given time.

Addiction can be a severe problem that affects both physical and mental health; however, help is available for those who struggle with addiction issues. Treatment options include medication-assisted treatment (MAT) for substance use disorder, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for process addictions, and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for behavioral addictions. There are also support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous for those who struggle with SUDs which provide a safe space for individuals who want help but may not want formal treatment options like MAT or CBT/DBT therapy sessions.

In conclusion, we asked what the three main categories of addiction were: Substance Use Disorder (SUD), Process Additions (such as video gaming), and Behavioral Addictions (such as shopping). Addiction can be difficult but there are treatment options available for those who seek help; MAT programs for SUDs, CBT/DBT therapies for process addictions, and support groups like AA/NA, which provide a safe space for individuals wanting help but not wanting formal treatment options like MAT or CBT/DBT therapy sessions.

by Chase A.

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