During family gatherings like Easter or Passover, you might notice someone overdoing it—talking too loudly, interrupting, or even turning a chat into an argument. Maybe they’ve had a little too much to drink. But does that mean they have alcoholism?
Understanding Addiction
Dr. Lance Dodes, an addiction expert, explains that overindulging once in a while doesn’t always point to addiction. If the behavior is a rare occurrence, it may just be due to poor judgment in the moment. On the other hand, if it keeps happening, the situation might require a deeper look.
Addiction isn’t just about occasional lapses in control. Sometimes, overindulgence is influenced by the environment. For example, casinos are designed to make people lose track of time, with bright lights, loud sounds, and free drinks. This can lead to excessive behavior but not necessarily addiction.
When Excessive Behavior Doesn’t Equal Addiction
Not every repetitive behavior qualifies as an addiction. Here are a couple of other explanations:
- Habits: Habits are actions done automatically without much thought. They can often be changed with awareness and effort. For example, someone might regularly eat a candy bar after lunch but stop easily once they decide to focus on healthier choices.
- Social Pressure: Social situations can also encourage excessive behavior. For instance, if everyone in a group is participating in a certain activity, you might feel compelled to join in—even if you know better. This happens with both teenagers and adults.
How to Recognize True Addictions
So, how can you tell the difference between a repeated habit and actual addiction? Both might involve destructive behavior, but damage alone doesn’t define addiction. Addiction is driven by an emotional need to cope with overwhelming feelings, especially helplessness. Unlike habits, addictions aren’t something you can quit through willpower alone.
The Role of Emotions in Addiction
Addiction functions as an emotional coping mechanism. If a behavior becomes excessive and repetitive because someone is struggling to handle emotional distress, it might be an addiction. For example, if a normally calm person becomes easily irritable and argumentative while drinking, their emotional state needs careful consideration before assuming alcoholism.
The Importance of Proper Diagnosis
It’s important to handle the subject of addiction thoughtfully. Quickly labeling someone as an addict can cause harm, making them resist addressing the issue. On the other hand, ignoring clear signs of addiction can be just as harmful. The best approach is to take time to understand the problem fully, considering the behavior and its emotional causes.
For more guidance on recognizing and addressing addiction, Dr. Dodes recommends his books, Breaking Addiction: A 7-Step Handbook for Ending Any Addiction and The Heart of Addiction, both published by HarperCollins.