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Addiction

Addiction is a treatable chronic disease that involves interactions among a person's brain, genetics, environment, and life experiences. People with addictions use substances or engage in behaviors that become compulsive, and they often continue even after they have experienced negative consequences. Prevention and treatment approaches generally are as successful for addiction as those for other chronic diseases.

Addictions typically fall into one of two categories: behavioral addiction or substance addiction. Examples of behavioral addiction include addictions to gambling, the internet, and shopping. Examples of substance addictions include addiction to alcohol, tobacco, and amphetamines. For more information and resources on substance use disorder (SUD), check out the SUD section of the toolkit.

Gambling Addiction

Problem gambling (also known as gambling addiction or gambling disorder) is a mental health disorder in which gambling behavior is damaging to a person by disrupting their relationships, daily life, and/or career. At its worst, problem gambling can lead to bankruptcy, legal problems, losing your job or family, or thinking about suicide. Warning signs of problem gambling include:

  • Frequently thinking about gambling.
  • Feeling like you need to bet more money and/or more often.
  • "Chasing losses" by trying to win your money back.
  • Feeling irritable or restless when you stop or cut back on your gambling.
  • Feeling unable to control yourself.
  • Continuing to gamble even after negative consequences.

Resources

  • The National Problem Gambling Helpline can help connect people with a gambling addiction to local resources and treatment options.
  • GamblerND is dedicated to raising awareness and stopping gambling addictions in North Dakota. They can connect you to counseling services, support groups, and educational resources.

Nicotine Dependence

Nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco. You can develop a nicotine dependence or addiction when your body craves nicotine, and you have a hard time not using it. Nicotine is present in all tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and most e-cigarettes. Symptoms of nicotine dependence include:

  • Trying to quit without long-term success.
  • Using within 30 minutes of waking up.
  • Withdrawal symptoms when trying to stop, including:
    • Cravings
    • Anxiety
    • Irritability/frustration
    • Restlessness
    • Trouble focusing or sleeping
    • Increased hunger
    • Constipation
  • Using even if you've developed health conditions linked to tobacco.
  • Giving up social activities if you can't use nicotine there.

Resources

  • NDQuits is a free, personalized program to help you quit smoking, smokeless tobacco products, vaping, or nicotine pouches.
  • Smokefree.gov can help you build a quit plan, access resources to manage cravings, and get back on track after a setback.
  • The American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program is a customized program to help American Indians quit commercial tobacco.

Teenager Substance Use

Because of the undeveloped nature of their brains, teenagers are more susceptible to substance use or addiction. This can lead to reduced decision-making abilities and increase long-term effects of drugs and alcohol, including a greater risk of becoming addicted. Substance use in teens has been linked to increased risk of sexually transmitted infections, vehicular fatalities, involvement with the juvenile justice system, academic difficulties, and both physical and mental health problems.

Parents and caregivers play a huge role in preventing tobacco, alcohol, or drug use in teens. Some keys to prevention include:

  • Modeling healthy behaviors.
  • Emphasizing family values.
  • Having clear rules/expectations in place.
  • Enforcing consequences if rules are not followed.
  • Helping build their self-esteem.
  • Supervising/monitoring their activity.
  • Regularly and openly discuss drugs and alcohol with them.

Resources

  • Parents Lead can give you resources on how to talk to your children and prevent risky behaviors such as underage drinking, drug use, or gambling.
  • My Life, My Quit is a program designed to help teenagers cut back or quit tobacco and vaping products. The program is self-guided and has coaches available via text, phone, or online chat.

Additional Resources