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Do You Have An Addictive Disorder?

This article contains information about additive disorders. Could one of the following situations describe you?

 ALCOHOL: The face in the mirror makes you sick. "God I look awful," you say to the reflection. The eyes are puffy. The skin is slightly yellow. The mouth tastes like a clogged sink. Most of all, there is the dull ache of yet another "morning after." What happened? What about the promises to cute down? Other people seem to be able to hold their liquor. Why can't you just stop after a couple of drinks? You have tremendous willpower in other areas of your life. You've always been top salesman. You can run circles around the younger guys. Except today. Today you make a Bloody Mary and call in sick.

 COMPULSIVE SPENDING: He's on another business trip--without you. Why doesn't he take you? What's he hiding? Is he really at work? Maybe there's another woman. He says he can't afford to take you because there just isn't enough money. Sure. There's always enough money for the things he wants. The stuff you buy is on sale anyway. You told yourself it wouldn't happen again, that you'd stay within a budget. You promised him you'd have the willpower. And yet, here you are again. The credit cards in your purse are practically screaming. The sad, angry, hopeless feelings flood back as you finally get home and drop the packages on the empty bed. Where to hide the stuff this time?

 COMPULSIVE OVEREATING: The kids are asleep. The house is quiet. You promised yourself that tonight would be different. And yet, here you are again, bathed in soft light from an open refrigerator. Quickly, quietly, you consume as much high-calorie food as you can hold: ice cream, a dozen cookies, left-over macaroni and cheese, two slices of white bread with real butter. Later, slightly sick and a bit dizzy, you slip back into bed, careful not to make a sound.

What are addictive disorders?

All of these stories are examples of addictive disorders. Everyone has addictive urges and sometimes gives in to them. An addictive disorder exists, however, when you cannot control your habit or behavior despite the fact that it is undermining your health, relationships, work, finances, or your self-respect.

Common addictive disorders include compulsive overeating, alcohol or drug dependency, compulsive gambling, smoking, compulsive spending, or sexual addiction.

Signs of possible addition

If one of these behaviors has gotten out of control for your (or a family member), review the symptom checklist below. A "yes" answer to one or more statements may indicate a problem.

1. You think about the activity a lot when you're not doing it
2. You seem unable to control the among of time spent doing the activity
3. You keep increasing the amount of time that is spent doing the activity
4. You deny having a problem, when many things are obviously going wrong
5. You hide the activity from family and friends
6. When unable to do the activity you become irritable, moody, tearful, angry, or hostile
7. You would rather do the activity than spend time with a family member or friend
8. You have headaches, stomach disorders or other unexplained physical symptoms
9. You begin to neglect your appearance and to do hurtful or illegal things

WHAT TO DO

Whether you have reached the "addiction" stage or not, recognizing and admitting that your habit is negatively impacting your life is the first step toward overcoming it. You can build the strength to overcome your addiction, develop alternatives to it, and learn to live a healthy and full life.

An employee assistance program (EAP) can help you get started by providing you with information and referrals.

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