What is functional alcoholism? How can you tell when someone is a functional alcoholic? These are important questions that need answering however it’s not one that has a cut and paste answer. Spotting the traits of functional alcoholism is tricky and can be difficult to spot. Continue reading “The Signs of Functional Alcoholism”
The words are easy enough to say, but to actually put that last cigarettes out and break the habit is not something to scoff at. It’s hard. And not just because we say so. Did you know that 7 out of ten smokers you meet want to stop smoking but only 7% actually stop on their first attempt? Scary stats. We know. But there is a silver lining. The moment you put out that last smoke your body starts changing. And it’s an incredible change. Continue reading “Stop Smoking Give up. Quit.”
You know what happens to your body when you Quit Smoking. But still, as you read this your palms become sweaty and your anxiety levels are on par with your blood pressure levels. Imagine having to give up that packet of smokes lying in front of you. Maybe it’s been something you have done for years. Maybe you have tried to give up several times. It doesn’t matter. Let’s just focus on the right here and right now.
It can be said that possibly not enough recognition is given to the fact that nicotine dependency is a serious addiction! Smoking is often seen as a really bad habit, and smokers should be able to drop that and Quit Smoking in a much simpler way than say cocaine. Add to that the many gums, sprays and patches available to help you wean yourself off cigarettes and the general consensus is that it’s something you can ace alone. Right? WRONG. It’s not just a case of a bit of a struggle for a few weeks and you are good to go. There is, on the whole none of the medical and moral support and understanding given to other substance abusers (e.g. alcoholics, heavy drug users etc.)
So, then, what do we do about it? If you want to Quit Smoking Well read on. We may have a bit of a push, a bit of a shove and a bit of a helping hand for you if quitting is what you want to do. Disclaimer: It’s not going to make it easier – but if you are serious, the following tips and advice may help in a real way.
Firstly ask yourself. Why do you want to give up? Like all addictions you must be the person that wants to quit. Peer pressure, awkward family conversations and someone else telling you to quit equals a recipe for disaster because you need to do it for you.
Facts about the devastating things smoking can and will do to you is a great motivator towards quitting. Ponder upon these facts for a moment:
– Smoking is the most important risk factor for cancer and heart disease. If you dont Quit Smoking you are about three to five times more likely to contract cancer or heart disease than non-smokers.
– Tobacco smoke contains more than 4000 chemicals and 50 of these have been identified as carcinogens. Gross.
– Smokers have increased rates of other cancers, including cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, liver, kidney, bladder, oesophagus, pancreas, cervix, stomach, colon and rectum. Smokers are also at greater risk for leukaemia.
– Smokers are twice as likely to die from cancer as non-smokers.
– Smoking contributes significantly to the development of high blood pressure and hardening of the arteries.
– Smoking causes chronic lung disorders like emphysema, asthma and bronchitis.
– Smoking causes impotence and erectile dysfunction in men and low libido in men and women. It can also contribute toward difficulties in falling pregnant and birth defects.
here are some aesthetic issues you will have to deal with as if you are a smoker and you don’t Quit Smoking:
– Smoking causes premature wrinkling,
– Smokers have yellow teeth, and foul-smelling breath, hair and clothes.
– It costs a lot. But that’s obvious. Often our wallets are the loudest reminders that smoking isn’t a good idea.
Oh and smoking is quite selfish. Smoking is bad for your family and those around you
Get hold of Houghton House Addiction recovery Centres and chat to them about their Smoking Cessation Programme. Talking to a professional is half the battle. Remember, you don’t need to Quit Smoking and fight this battle on your own.
For help or more information, call Houghton House now:
office hours: 011 476 1223
Click on the green envelope below and fill in our contact form, and one of our professional staff members will get back to you via email or phone, respecting your anonymity at all times.
The arrival of the Internet has not only changed the way humans communicate, study, do business and shop; it’s also changed our sexual behaviour dramatically. In fact, the consumption of porn online has mushroomed beyond control with more Porn Addiction sufferers that ever before.
A study in 2016 showed that a whopping 35% of ALL internet downloads consisted of “adult” material.
On the world’s largest porn site, people watched 4, 599 million hours of porn. That adds up to a staggering 525 000 years’ worth of hardcore porn viewing on a single web site in one year alone!
Pornography is nothing new. For literally thousands of years, people have created erotic images – paintings and statues – for titillation and entertainment.
As humans, we are sexual beings, with a complex range of emotions and thought processes that dictate not only how we go about achieving procreation (a basic condition for the survival of any species), but also how we can enjoy sex for its own sake.
In the late 1880’s the first known soft-core erotic film was produced in France. Fast-forward to roughly 100 years later: Modern porn has been consumed world-wide in books, magazines, film and video.
Then the internet arrives – and the ease of access to porn (previously self-limiting) sends consumption off the charts.
In 1997 there were around 1 000 porn sites. By 2015, that figure skyrocketed to over 2,5 million. It’s estimated that around 65% of people aged 13-25 seek out porn at least once a week. With mobile devices as well as computers, it’s literally at your fingertips within seconds.
Attitudes towards porn have changed over the years. Many less conservative people see it as essentially harmless, a “victimless” crime (although the back-story of “actors” being badly exploited is no secret). The trouble is, excessive porn viewing has been shown to have many negative spin-offs that mirror the side-effects of severe addictions like alcohol or drugs.
What are the side-effects?
The most critical damage is seen in the breakdown of interpersonal relationships – with spouses, family members and at work.
Excessive porn viewing has been linked to stress, irritability and depression.
Desensitisation to pornographic images can result in real-life sexual problems: dissatisfaction with partners; a compulsion to experiment with different sexual practices and/or partners; difficulty with maintaining intimacy and increasingly, erectile dysfunction in men. Failure to reach orgasm is not uncommon.
Ironically, the initial sexual thrill of watching porn becomes subverted to a compulsive need that can destroy your sex life!
That’s scary stuff; how can addiction happen?
Our brains can be our own worst enemies. In the case of addiction – any kind of addiction – the brain follows a similar pattern of reprogramming itself to seek and prolong a “high.”
We know that drugs and alcohol produce a pleasurable rush of the neurotransmitter dopamine, along with other biochemicals, such as oxytocin, serotonin, adrenaline and endorphins.
However, substance abuse isn’t the only way to achieve this rush. In fact, sexual stimulation to the point of orgasm results in a massive release of dopamine etc. The brain craves the pleasurable sensation and so it demands more stimulation. The more it gets, the more it wants. But, as with substance abuse, the addict builds up a tolerance over time, which requires increased doses to achieve the same thrill.
Eventually, the addict is no longer watching porn for pleasure; he or she is simply trying to avoid the depression and stress that accompanies the craving. That’s where their online addiction negatively spills over into real life.
Does it qualify as a real addiction?
In the US the jury is still out when it comes to porn addiction. Even in the face of overwhelming evidence, some authorities don’t recognize it as a “proper” addiction. In more tech-savvy countries like South Korea, China and Japan though, where “tech addiction” is already recognized, pornography addiction is listed as a subcategory. Interestingly, Online Gaming addiction is also listed, as the neurological effect is virtually identical.
Among the defining factors of any type of addiction are, the development of tolerance to the addictive substance, resulting in an irresistible compulsion to increase the frequency and amount of dosage.
On that count alone, porn addiction is as real as any other type of addiction out there.
In this day and age, it’s nearly impossible to avoid porn completely. It’s not just out there, it’s everywhere. Popular culture, including music, film and advertising, has always thrived on sex. And the line between what’s acceptable titillation and porn has become increasingly blurred.
That said, here are some signs that you may have a porn addiction:
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions you may be addicted or becoming addicted to porn.
Kenneth Wilson ( shown Left ) is currently the Director of Houghton House Outpatient Services.As a registered Counselling Psychologist he deals with Love addiction and sex addiction. Which are seen as are intimacy disorders and needs for control, power, love or affection. Like all addictions, intimacy disorders like sex addiction and love addiction are progressive in nature. More Details at http://cleanstart.co.za/
Just as your brain can be programmed into addiction, you can reprogramme it to overcome the addiction.
The first step in getting help is admitting that you have a problem. Sounds easy, doesn’t it? Actually, it’s one of the most difficult things – porn may be everywhere but it still carries a social stigma. You may feel embarrassed or ashamed. Rest assured though, you are not alone.
Find a therapist who is familiar with porn and sex addiction. These professional counselors are there to help you, not to judge you. Individual and group therapy is recommended, depending on the individual (you might feel uncomfortable discussing your addiction with others at first – that’s perfectly normal). They will also be able to offer the most effective
effective methods of reversing porn addiction, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
What is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy?
CBT is different from other types of therapy that typically examine how your past experiences are affecting your present.
CBT focuses on the immediate problematic behaviour. You’ll look at what is triggering emotional discomfort and the desire to escape through porn and sexual fantasy. Together, you’ll figure out how to short-circuit the patterns that result in you acting out your Porn Addiction.
There are so many possible triggers: boredom, stress, loneliness, unexpected arousal (seeing an attractive person in the street or on a TV show), travel, relocation, relationship problems, substance abuse (which lowers inhibitions), financial worries… the list goes on.
The main thing with Porn Addiction is to be aware of your personal triggers and train your brain (the old dopamine seeker) to derive pleasure from alternative sources. This could be simply talking to a friend, working out, building or fixing things around the home, meditating; basically anything that keeps your brain focused on something (besides porn) that will make you feel good. As these good behaviours are reinforced over time, your neurological patterns reset themselves and they become your norm.
It’s in every addict’s nature to conceal their addiction – often until their condition is critical. You might be totally unaware that your partner, friend or family member is a porn addict.
So, here are a few warning signs of Porn Addiction to watch out for:
If you think you may have porn addiction, or are becoming addicted to porn, or you are concerned about someone close to you, it is important to act fast. Porn addiction can have disastrous effects on a person’s emotional and physical health, but it can be overcome.
Professional therapy and support is available on either an outpatient or on a full-time basis. For more information, contact Houghton House
Article: written by Alistar Mathie
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