There are many people in society who see alcoholism as a moral failing or a consequence of bad behaviour when it is, in fact, an illness of the brain. Some refer to addictions such as alcoholism as a disease because of the negative impact it has on the lives of those affected. The idea of alcoholism being referred to as a disease may go against the grain for some people who would prefer it to be known as an illness. One thing is certain though; alcohol addiction can destroy the lives of those di...

It is common for some people to assume that everyone who uses illegal drugs such as cocaine are automatically going to go on to develop an addiction, but this is not always the case. It is true that cocaine is a highly addictive substance but there are some individuals who manage to use it recreationally without ever becoming dependent on it. So what causes cocaine addiction and who is affected? It is important to remember that anyone can be affected by addiction. No matter what gender, age, ...

Although classed as an illness of the brain, drug addiction is very often viewed in a poor light. Negative stereotyping of this illness and of those affected usually prevents most people from seeing it for what it actually is. It is not uncommon for those affected by drug addiction to be judged or discriminated against, with many believing that they are weak or bad because they have an addiction. But why is drug addiction called a disease? Is Drug Addiction a Disease? The word disease also bri...

Cornwall’s Andy Kent of Perranporth is a fifty-year-old RAF veteran who recently spoke out about his battle with depression, drugs, and alcohol addiction. He has been sober now for five years and has recently completed a degree in psychology. It has not been easy, but it was a necessary battle. He is now helping other veterans adjust to life after the forces and helps those who face the same challenges as he does. How Did His Addiction Issues Come About? Andy sets the scene by explaining, â€...

Benzodiazepine addiction is on the increase, especially among youth. Recently, twenty teenagers from Wiltshire required emergency medical treatment after taking Xanax for recreational purposes. Xanax is a tranquiliser designed to relieve tension and anxiety in users. Its active ingredient is a benzodiazepine called alprazolam, and it is potentially highly addictive. Xanax is only available on private prescription from a medical professional, and the NHS does not offer it as a treatment option...

With technology being such an integral part of modern life, it is no wonder that internet addiction has become a growing concern. We spend more and more time surfing the net, clicking on sites, shopping, gambling as well as gaming online, and our lives are starting to suffer the consequences of this kind of lifestyle. What Is Internet Addiction? Before we can look at what an internet addiction is, we need to define what exactly addiction is. Addiction can be defined as not having control over ...

Snooker champion Neil Robertson recently admitted to having a gaming addiction and that he stayed up nights playing games such as League of Legends and World of Warcraft. All this while, he was trying to raise his son and prepare for tournaments. He says about playing League of Legends, "In the past, I’ve been staying up and playing it. Then all of a sudden, it's 6am, the birds are tweeting, and I’m thinking: 'Oh my God, I’ve got to get up in a couple of hours to take my son Alexander to s...

Lynne has been sober for ten years and has managed her alcoholism successfully, but now she finds herself dealing with an eating disorder. She is binge-eating and has noticed several health issues as a result of it. Other than high cholesterol, Lynne has also gained several dress sizes and is very concerned about heart disease. Her waking hours are filled with despair as to where it’s all going to end, and the sugar that she binges on affects her sleep. Effectively she has traded one addiction...

Recently, TV-presenter Davina McCall spoke to comedian John Bishop about her decision to tackle her drug addiction. The moment came when she realised that she had lost all the good people in her life. She admitted to Bishop, “There was one person left, and she was the one that said to me in the end, ‘Look, we’re all talking about you. You think you’ve got this kind of mask up and you’re kidding us all, but you’re not. We all know that you’re a junkie and we all know you’re taking...

Recently, Jessica Brown Findlay, star of Downton Abbey, spoke out about her eating disorder. This opens the door to talk more openly about this illness that affects about 725,000 people in the UK. Females account for about 80% of this number. What Is an Eating Disorder? An eating disorder is a mental illness defined by abnormal eating habits that negatively affect a person's physical or mental health. This means that it is very serious and should be treated as soon as possible. Studies hav...