- Internet and other Addictions - by Hector Gomez -

Hi Every one!!

When I first heard this topic, I thought well I can relate it to many pals I got because most of them have a serious problem of beeing on line many hours up to fall sleep in front of the PC, But talking about addictions before, used to have another sense like: Drugs, Alcohol, sex etc. It´s really Amazing to see the change of addictions troughout the times and its impact in society.

What is a addiction?

It´s a habitual psycholigal or phgysiologic dependence on a subtance or practice that is beyond voluntary control.

I´ve searched on different web pages, trying to find the cause of addictions and its changes, and found this wich I wold like to share:

People with an addiction do not have control over what they are doing, taking or using. Their addiction may reach a point at which it is harmful. Addictions do not only include physical things we consume, such as drugs or alcohol, but may include virtually anything, such abstract things as gambling to seemingly harmless products, such as chocolate - in other words, addiction may refer to a substance dependence (e.g. drug addiction) or behavioral addiction (e.g. gambling addiction). 

In the past addiction used to refer just to psychoactive substances that cross the blood-brain barrier, temporarily altering the chemical balance of the brain; this would include alcohol, tobacco and some drugs. A considerable number of psychologists, other health care professionals and lay people now insist that psychological dependency, as may be the case with gambling, sex, internet, work, exercise, etc. should also be counted as addictions, because they can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, hopelessness, despair, failure, rejection, anxiety and/or humiliation. 

When a person is addicted to something they cannot control how they use it, and become dependent on it to cope with daily life. 

A habit may eventually develop into an addiction

Many of us can use substances or become engaged in activities without any significant problems. Some people, however, may experience damaging psychological and/or physical effects when their habit becomes an addiction.


I totally agree with this article, especially when says ¨An habit becomes an addiction¨ because we first start loving a thing and then that pleasure increases up to you dont even Know you are addicted to that.