Addictive (dependency) behavior is one of the forms of behavioral deviation related to a person's behavior, addiction to something. In this, it is understood that a person is addicted to an object, is very attached to it, and enjoys this object. Such an object dominates the addicted person.
If the dependence on an object is not very strong, does not pose a great threat to a person's health and social status, and does not violate his normal behavior, it can be called a simple bad habit.
Dependent (addictive) behavior depending on which object is given
divided into many types. The most common objects of addiction in life are psychoactive substances (hidden and non-hidden drugs), gambling, sweets, sexuality, religious groups. In recent times, computer addiction is also spreading very quickly.
In any relationship lies the natural needs of a person. However, under certain conditions, some objects can become vitally important objects for a person, and the need for them can get out of control.
Different forms of addictive behavior can be connected to each other or pass into each other, because they have a common mechanism of their activity. For example, if he quit smoking, he wants to eat constantly. A person addicted to heroin may become addicted to alcohol if they stop taking it.
The similarity of the psychological mechanisms of addiction is that they try to escape from real life by artificially changing their mental and physical state.
Regardless of the chosen medium, the goal of addictive behavior is to escape from ordinary life, boredom, loneliness, and life's difficulties. This is expressed in a state of relaxation and experiencing strong positive emotions. All addictive drugs, especially narcotics, have the characteristic of creating positive emotions (feeling joy, happiness, pleasure, mental and physical comfort) or eliminating negative emotions (forgetting anxiety, sadness, guilt, boredom, lack) for a certain period of time. Dependent behavior is said to be a condition in which a person repeatedly behaves in the same way, expecting some kind of satisfaction.
Addictive behavior does not appear suddenly. It is a process of continuous formation and development of dependence. This is very well observed in the case of addiction. It begins with an introduction to addictive fashion that improves the mental (psychological) state. Receiving positive emotions encourages the next encounter with the object of drug addiction, which is often returned and eventually becomes a regular activity. This creates an attitude of extreme appreciation of this drug. And it takes the place of thoughts, memories, fantasies, a critical view of possible negative consequences reduces the attitude. A person begins to justify and defend his addiction, distrusting information about the harm of excessive use of this substance. Previous values and interests lose their importance. The craving for the addictive substance is so strong that the person is able to overcome any obstacles on the way. At the same time, he does not want to admit his addiction, which makes it difficult to help him and complicates relationships with those around him. Signs of social withdrawal are increasing.
A consistent chain of development of addictive behavior can be made as follows: tasting (trying it in one's own experience) - occasional consumption - regular consumption (overindulgence) - mental dependence -
physical dependence.
Such behavior is clearly self-destructive in nature. After all, it inevitably leads to the destruction of the organism and the person. Its formation is influenced by a number of psychological and social factors.
