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By Dr Pius Musau
The word addiction had no bad connotation before it became anathema in the society.
It gradually came to signify an unhealthy dependence on a physical, or psychological reward system that moves from a craving to a robotic sustenance of the activities, in order to escape the unpleasant effects of withdrawal. The addicted person is one who has become dependent on a substance, or behaviour that is irresistible despite a negative social, economic or legal impact.
Types of addiction
People are widely conversant with the many friends, relatives or fellow beings that have succumbed to alcohol or drug addiction. This is addiction to chemical substances. What is not commonplace is the non-substance addict. These are people who either compulsively avoid doing things, or do them obsessively. In this category of addicts are the perpetual procrastinators, exercise jerks, gamblers and those heavily attached to pornography, sex and unhealthy feeding habit.
The common factor in the forms of addiction is the high that comes with initial exposure with a craving for and sense of reward after a repeat event. With time, there is dependence and need for more to attain the same level of satisfaction. Finally, what was done to meet a drive, becomes a boring ritual, this time done to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal symptoms.
The addictive person
The following are the known factors that predispose one to substance or behavioural addiction:
• Genetics: People whose relatives have history of addiction are six times more likely to become addicts. This is thought to be due to the body response to initial exposure based on how it is genetically set to process chemicals.
• Gender: Males are twice as likely to become addicted.
• Personality: The introverts who handle stress poorly or the extroverts who act for the world have equal chances.
• Age at first exposure: The younger one is the greater the risk.
• Nature of family and friend inputs including peer pressure.
• The potency of the substance used
• Frequency and duration of use
• An enabling environment that rewards impulsive intake or habit
-The writer is a consultant urologist and lecturer at the department of surgery, Moi University, and School of Medicine.
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