The definition of addiction, also called addictive behavior, is as follows: the repeated impossibility of controlling the consumption of a product or the exercise of a behavior. The most common consumer addictions in humans are related to tobacco, alcohol and drugs. Behavioral addictions generally concern video games, social networks and more broadly the use of smartphones.
What about the causes of addiction? Behavioral addictions and consumer addictions are both explained by the stimuli they provoke on the brain. An addiction of any type is linked to increased dopamine in the brain and maintenance of the reward system. Find below some ideas and solutions that can limit addictive behavior by consuming differently.
Alcohol addiction, what natural treatment to get rid of it?
In 2019, and according to INSEE (National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies), 14.6% of men and 5.6% of women consumed alcohol every day or almost. During the period 2019-2020, the consumption average wine in France was 38.1 liters per person.
The daily consumption of alcohol is however dangerous for health, since it affects:
- the functioning of the liver;
- the brain and nervous system;
- the digestive tract and the ducts that control transit;
- the functioning of the heart;
- etc.
Reasonable drinking habits can, however, make wine and alcohol tasting more pleasant and, above all, occasional. In particular, it may be interesting to participate in a oenology course to learn the history of wine and have all the tools in hand to favor quality over quantity while limiting the risk of alcohol addiction.
How to successfully quit tobacco addiction?
France currently has an average of 15 million smokers. According to Public Health France:
- one in three cancers is due to smoking;
- approximately 13% of deaths occurring in France in 2015 were related to smoking ;
- one in two smokers, on average, dies from the consequences of smoking.
One of the solutions to tobacco addiction is gradual weaning using an electronic cigarette. The different tastes allowed by the use of and liquidate and the choice of the level of nicotine allow the smoker to detach himself from the taste of tobacco and gradually reduce his addiction. In order to permanently put an end to tobacco addiction, it is advisable to get rid of any object or product that relates to the consumption habits concerned: cigarettes, lighters, ashtrays, rolling papers and tobacco packets… All of this can be temporarily replaced by an electronic cigarette and a few bottles of e-liquid, until complete smoking cessation.
Behavioral addictions, what treatments and solutions?
According FinancesOnline, 73.4% of smartphone users take it with them to the toilet and 66% sleep with it. In the same line and, according to a study carried out by ExpressVPN in 2021, two out of three young people belonging to Generation Z would be concerned about addiction to social networks.
Addiction to video games, smartphones, the internet or even social networks like Instagram… Addictions linked to screens and the web can have significant psychological consequences on young people: anxiety, depression, loss of self-esteem, etc. Any parent can reduce the risk of addiction by:
- limiting screen time and/or use of certain applications;
- regularly discussing these topics;
- offering other equally entertaining activities;
- etc.
