Addictive disorders - Find a specialist and information

What types of addiction are there?

The various forms of addiction to addictive substances include

• Alcohol(alcohol addiction)
• Tobacco(nicotine addiction)
• Opiates (e.g. heroin, morphine)
• Cannabinoids (marijuana, hashish)
• Sedatives and sleeping pills such as benzodiazepines (Valium® or Tavor®)
• Cocaine and other stimulants (amphetamines, ecstasy, speed)
• Hallucinogens (LSD, mushrooms)

When does dependence or addiction exist?

Dependence on a narcotic substance exists when at least 3 of the following 6 symptoms are present:

• A very strong craving for the addictive substance, which those affected can hardly resist
• Loss of control: Reduced control over the start, end and amount of consumption (e.g. not being able to stop drinking until you are heavily intoxicated)
• Withdrawal symptoms when stopping the addictive substance (restlessness, trembling, anxiety)
• Tolerance development: an increase in the amount consumed in order to achieve the same effects
• Progressive neglect of other interests (family, friends, work) in favor of the addictive substance
• Continuation of consumption despite harmful consequences

Abuse refers to consumption that leads to physical or psychological problems despite the absence of dependence.

What is psychological and physical dependence?

Experts define psychological dependence as a strong, irresistible craving for the substance.

Physical dependence occurs when the body constantly needs the substance to prevent withdrawal symptoms. The degree of psychological and physical dependence varies between different substances.

Addictive substances interfere with the neurotransmitter metabolism in different ways @ O.Farion /AdobeStock

What are drugs?

Drugs used to be understood to mean herbal medicinal substances, later also synthetic medicines. Today, drugs are substances that have an effect on the brain and can therefore cause addiction.

Drugs are usually divided into illegal drugs (heroin, cocaine, amphetamines) and legal drugs (alcohol, tobacco).

How common are addictions?

In Germany, addiction is one of the most common mental disorders. Among addictions, alcohol addiction dominates, occurring about six times more frequently than other drug-related disorders.

The percentage frequency of various addictions can be broken down as follows:

• Alcohol: 70 percent
• Multiple addiction (polytoxicomania): 20 percent
• Medication: 5 percent
• Drugs: 5 percent

The following figures apply to Germany:

• 7.8 million Germans have a risky alcohol consumption (16 percent)
• 2.4 million (4 percent) show alcohol abuse
• 1.5 million (3 percent) are addicted to alcohol
• 2 million people in Germany use cannabis
• 1.5 million Germans are addicted to medication, of which around 1.2 million are addicted to tranquillizers (benzodiazepines)
• 1 million Germans frequently consume amphetamines (ecstasy), and the trend is rising
• Approximately 150,000 people in Germany use heroin

How do addictions develop?

Various factors play a role in the development of addiction.

These factors include

• Genetic factors (hereditary factors): If parents or relatives are addicted, there is an increased risk of becoming addicted yourself. Even if you do not grow up in the immediate environment.
• Behavioral and learning factors: Anyone who grows up or lives in an environment with addicted people has an increased risk of becoming addicted themselves.
• Social factors: Social pressure (to drink or smoke) can promote the development of addiction.
• Co-existence of other mental illnesses (especially anxiety disorders, depression, personality disorders): Anyone suffering from another mental or physical illness has an increased risk of becoming addicted. Especially at the beginning, the addictive substance alleviates symptoms such as anxiety.

An addiction is not a weakness or failure, but the result of a long development. In most cases, those affected can only overcome their addiction with professional help. Because addiction is an illness!

The treatment of addiction

The treatment of addictive disorders generally takes place in four stages:

1. Contact phase: This is where the patient first comes into contact with professional helpers such as a family doctor, psychiatrist, psychologist, counseling center or similar.
2. Detoxification phase: Detoxification takes place in a psychiatric or internal medicine hospital(duration 1 to 3 weeks).
3. Withdrawal phase: Here, withdrawal takes place in special specialist clinics for addicts(duration: 2 to 4 months).
4. Aftercare phase: In this phase, experts try to maintain the success of the detoxification and withdrawal phase. The family doctor and psychiatrist, addiction counseling centers and self-help groups are important here(duration: lifelong).

Alcoholics Anonymous is a worldwide self-help organization to combat alcoholism @ Studio Romantic /AdobeStock

The aim of every therapy is to give up the addictive substance completely. If those affected go through all the phases, they have the best chance of being able to live permanently without addictive substances. The first point of contact is always the family doctor, who can put you in touch with therapy facilities and advice centers.