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Claire Nielsen: All kinds of addictions

Columnist Claire Nielsen speaks about all types of addiction: from shopping and screen time, to workaholism, and the resources that are available.
screentimekids
Screen time is something many young people are immersed in, given the age of cellphones, tablets and TVs.

Addiction is a condition defined by a compulsive desire to continue behaviours or consume substances that bring immediate pleasure, despite potential long-term harm.

These behaviours often provide temporary relief, reduce stress, or fulfil perceived needs, making them difficult to resist. Over time, the impacts can become damaging or even life-threatening, particularly if an individual cannot stop.

Unhealthy addiction is a disorder of the mind, affecting brain circuits responsible for reward, stress regulation and self-control. Engaging in a rewarding behaviour releases dopamine and endorphins, chemicals that create a cycle of relief and craving, reinforcing the addiction.

Addiction is universal, affecting everyone to some extent. Some addictions may be acknowledged, while others remain hidden. In a deep meditation years ago, the phrase “It’s time to heal addictions” came to me clearly. Over time, I’ve contemplated this insight and gained some basic understanding through my personal research. I have written in more detail about some of the topics in this article and for further reading, please follow the links.

While "addiction" often refers to substances like food, drugs, alcohol, or nicotine, it also includes behaviours, mindsets, beliefs, relationship dynamics, emotions, and even personality traits.

Common addictions include the following:

Food addiction

This addiction often involves sugar, salt, fat, caffeine, and additives that trigger dopamine, making certain foods habit-forming. Highly processed and fast foods are engineered to be hyper-palatable by combining sugar (often fructose), fat, and salt for maximum reward. The fast-food industry, a multibillion-dollar sector, spends billions developing flavours, cost efficiencies, marketing strategies, and creating customer loyalty (dependence). 

The act of eating itself can become compulsive, driven by emotional, physiological, or psychological factors such as boredom, stress, or the need for comfort. Behaviours like grazing on junk food, binge eating, late-night snacking, or overeating highlight the connection between eating and emotional relief, which often stems from early-life comfort through food.

Substance addiction

Alcohol: A socially accepted yet highly addictive substance that can kill with overuse

Nicotine: Found in cigarettes, vaping products, and chewing tobacco.

Painkillers and prescription medications: Often misused, can lead to dependency.

Recreational drugs: Cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamines are notoriously addictive. 

Behavioural and emotional addictions

These disorders often involve a lack of impulse control, strong triggers, emotional patterns and behaviours that damage one’s mental health, self-esteem, relationships with others, ability to function day to day, and even one’s ability to hold down a job or long-term residence. Those afflicted with these addictions are usually unaware of them and the great cost to their well-being and relationships.

However, many of these attachment-based behaviours are indicative of deeper psychological issues and may require diagnosis and treatment from a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Personality and emotionally based addictions may include aggression, rage, passive aggressiveness, attention seeking, a strong need for constant approval and validation, competition and the need to win, the need to be right, controlling behaviours (being in charge), lying and storytelling, creating conflict or drama, defensiveness, victimization (and subsequent anger which can be followed by justified negative behaviour), and diminished self-esteem, just to name a few.

Many of these may seem like character traits but when they become chronic, they can become addictive behaviours that may really damage one’s mental wellness and quality of relationships.

Pain and body modification

Tattoo enthusiasts often describe tattooing pain as addictive. Similarly, compulsive behaviours like scab-picking, hair-pulling (trichotillomania), cutting, or repeated plastic surgeries may reflect deeper struggles, such as body dysmorphia.

Sex addiction

Includes chronic infidelity, deviant or violent sexual acts, pornography, and other behaviours that affect healthy relationships.

Shopping addiction

Compulsive shopping provides an initial sense of reward (retail therapy) but often leads to regret, financial strain, and even hoarding. Hoarding itself can become addictive.

Screen addiction

This relatively new addiction affects most of society in some way or another with our favourite screen devices (cellphones, gaming consoles, tablets, etc.).

Media violence can also be addictive as our exposure to it triggers chemicals in our brains that excite our nervous system (adrenaline is addictive). Unfortunately, many people love horror and media violence and are unaware of the negative long-term effects on our psyche.

Gambling addiction

Gambling stimulates the brain’s reward system. Winning provides a dopamine rush, encouraging repeated risky behaviour despite financial consequences.

Adrenaline addiction

Thrill-seeking behaviours like reckless driving and dangerous stunts are often driven by an addiction to adrenaline and poor impulse control.

Work addiction

Workaholism can make it difficult for individuals to find balance in their lives or even retire.

Sport addiction

We understand the draw to watching sports on TV, but activities like running or working out can also become addictive, as the "runner’s high" or other physical rewards reinforce the behaviour. Winning in sports can be similarly addictive.

Addictions underscore the complexity of the human condition and are deeply tied to biology, psychology and social environments. Healing begins with acknowledgement — without judgment or shame as change requires awareness and commitment to change.

We must be aware of the industries that profit from addictions, including food manufacturers, fast-food outlets, cigarette companies, game creators, entertainment providers, and producers of alcohol and drugs, etc. Seeking support through professional help or community resources is essential to breaking free.

In addition to the local Community Health Centre in one’s specific area, I have included a few free resources in Canada:

Dial 811 for addiction services in your province or territory.

Dial 310-6789 for BC Mental Health Support Line or www.cmha.ca (Canada-wide)

Substance abuse support: www.ccsa.ca, www.wellnesstogether.ca, www.aa.org, www.na.org, https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/substance-use/addiction

Indigenous support for mental health and addiction: www.hopeforwellness.ca

Gambling: www.gamblersanonymous.org

Overeating: www.oa.org

Screen: Contact your local public health clinic. Many websites offer practical steps to battle screen addiction (especially in our youth).

Research resources in your area and work to reclaim your kids from screens; www.thewhitehatter.ca and https://www.ventureacademy.ca/treatment-programs/electronic-addiction/social-media-addiction/ (may not be free) but the local health unit is, as well as government resources.

As Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Believe you can change, and you’re halfway there."

Recovery requires patience, support, and self-compassion. If addiction is causing harm in your life, now is the time to act. Together, we can build lives that are healthier, freer, and more fulfilling — a life free from harmful addiction.

Claire Nielsen is a health coach, author, public speaker and founder of www.elixirforlife.ca. The information provided in the above article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional health and medical advice. Please consult a doctor, health-care provider or mental health practitioner if you're seeking medical advice, diagnoses and/or treatment.