The document provides an overview of addiction, defining it as the compulsive use of substances or engagement in activities that disrupt daily life. It describes common addictions, symptoms, and the physiological aspects including tolerance and withdrawal. Additionally, it outlines risk factors for addiction, including biology, environment, and development, while offering resources for addiction recovery.

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Fitango Education
Health Topics
Addiction

2. 1
Overview
Addiction results when a person ingests a
substance (alcohol, cocaine, or nicotine, for
example) or repeatedly takes part
in an activity (gambling) that can be pleasurable,
but the continued use of

3. 2
Overview
which becomes compulsive and interferes with
everyday life.
Common addictions include:
-- Alcohol abuse
-- Drug abuse
-- Exercise abuse

4. 3
Overview
-- Pornography
-- Gambling
Classic symptoms of addiction include
impaired control over substances/behavior,
preoccupation with
substance/behavior, continued use despite
consequences, and denial. Behavior

5. 4
Overview
patterns and habits associated with addiction are
commonly characterized by the
pursuit of immediate gratification, coupled with
negative long-term effects.
Physiological dependence results when the
body is unable to function normally in the absence
of the substance or

6. 5
Overview
behavior. This state produces the conditions of
tolerance and withdrawl.
Tolerance is the result of the body
requiring larger volumes of the substance or
stimulus in order to achieve the
original effects.

7. 6
Overview
Withdrawal is the physical and
psychological symptoms experienced when the
body no longer receives the
substance in the same quantities it has become
reliant upon.

8. 7
Addictive behavior
**Why do some people become addicted, while
others do not?**
Nothing can predict whether or not a person
will become addicted to drugs. But there are some
risk factors for drug

9. 8
Addictive behavior
**Why do some people become addicted, while
addiction, including:
**Biology**
. Genes, gender, ethnicity, and
the presence of other mental disorders may
increase risk for drug abuse and
addiction.

10. 9
Addictive behavior
**Environment**
. Peer pressure, physical
and sexual abuse, stress, and family relationships
can influence the course of
drug abuse and addiction in a person's life.

11. 10
Addictive behavior
**Development**
. Although taking drugs at
any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug
use begins, the more
likely it is to progress to more serious abuse.

12. 11
Useful resources available on
Fitango
We offer the following Actionplans:
Track my addiction recovery
Track my addiction
You will also find additional information in the
following topics:

13. 12
Useful resources available on
Fitango
Alcohol control
Quit smoking
Seeking help
Relapse