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What is addiction?

Addiction... your life gets off track. Your life evolves around drugs, alcohol, medicines or gambling, for example. Addiction captures people. People who are addicted have no free choice - they have to have their drugs or show a certain behaviour. Often, they are not able to break with addiction.

Dependence
The main characteristic of addiction is psychological dependence. You have a large, irresistible need to use a certain substance or exhibit a certain behaviour (gambling, for example). You can also become physically dependent on a substance. You will experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance. Not every addictive substance is physically addictive.

Consequences
The need for the substance controls your whole life. Your thoughts, emotions and actions evolve around one thing: the desired substance. You spend a lot of time and energy in obtaining the substance. You neglect work and other important social or recreational activities. You continue using despite the fact that you realize the negative consequences. You loose control: you no longer have optimum control over the use or behaviour. It controls you.

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More information

Am I addicted?
When am I addicted? When I drink seven glasses of alcohol each day or eight?
When am I addicted?
Before being able to determine if you are addicted, we should make clear what addiction really is.
How can I break with my addiction?
It could be very difficult to stop using addictive substances on your own. But change is also possible for you!
What can I be addicted to?
Addiction is usually associated with drugs or alcohol. It is less commonly known that you can become addicted to television, candy, chocolate, sex, working, et cetera.
Tobacco
Tobacco consists of the dried and cut leaves of the tobacco plant. Tobacco that is being smoked usually consists of several kinds of tobacco, aromatic substances and flavourings.
Alcohol
Alcohol is formed when yeast transforms the sugars in fruits into alcohol. Different kinds of grains can also be used for the production of alcohol.
Cocaine
Cocaine or coke is a white powder that is extracted from the leaves of the coca plant. The most common way using cocaine is snorting.
Hashish
Hashish (stuff) is extracted from the hemp plant, which is also called cannabis sativa.
Weed
Weed is more commonly called marihuana. It is extracted from the hemp plant, also called cannabis sativa.
LSD
LSD is manufactured from lysergic acid. It is usually eaten as a paper trip. It is also sold as small bright-coloured tablets. Just a small dose of LSD is sufficient to experience a trip.
XTC (ecstasy)
XTC is a chemically manufactured drug, which is most commonly used during weekends and at parties. XTC does not only have a stimulant but also a mind-altering effect.
Speed
Speed or amphetamine is a chemically manufactured stimulant. Its effects are similar to the effects of cocaine but the effects last longer.
Eating disorder
There are several kinds of eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia nervosa are the most common ones. Usually, eating disorders originate from a feeling of being unhappy about yourself.
Gambling
In gambling, there are two core elements: money and chance.
Need help?
"My life is a mess." "I want to stop but I do not know how." Maybe, you have said this today. But change is possible for you! De Hoop Foundation wishes to support you in starting a new life.