How many types of dependencies are there?

• Activities dependence – shopping, sport
• Gambling dependence
• Internet dependence
• Work dependence
• Alcohol dependence
• Tobacco dependence
• Substances dependence
• Food dependence
• Sex dependence
• Pornography dependence

What are the causes that trigger dependence?

No clear causes have been identified as triggers for dependence other than using substances or carrying out an activity and there is no way to predict who will become dependent and who will not.  From a neurobiological point of view, the dependencies are associated with the pleasure centres in the brain and with the neurotransmitter called dopamine. Thus, the need to use substances or perform activities that trigger these pleasurable signals may be the result of a dopamine deficiency.

Research has identified some risk factors in addiction’s development.

• Biological factors – some people may have genetic vulnerability for dependences development
• Environmental factors – such as family, friends, group pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress and parental factors
• Developmental factors – genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages. Teenagers are most likely to develop different dependencies because the areas of their brain that govern the process of decision making, judgment and self-control are still developing and may be particularly susceptible to engage in risky behaviours at early ages that can degenerate into dependences.

How do we diagnose a possible dependence?

The diagnosis can be made by psychological and psychiatric evaluation.

Psychiatric evaluation is recommended if the dependence is severe, or there are associated comorbidities, or the person has had numerous unsuccessful attempts to abandon the consumption.

How do we treat dependence?

Dependence can be treated.

First of all, it is necessary to withdraw the substance or to stop the addictive behavior. Once the object of addiction is eliminated, a series of physical and psychological symptoms specific to withdrawal may occur, namely: nausea, vomiting, chills, sweating, pain, insomnia, muscle cramps, fever, and changes in heart rate.

Besides the physical symptomatology, there is also the emotional impairment, respectively: anxiety, irritability, depression, mood changes. Withdrawal symptoms last between 3-5 days. Therefore, the therapy during this period aims to alleviate the above-described symptoms.
After exiting the withdrawal phase, the person needs to learn coping mechanisms to cope with the temptation to return to the already embedded behavior and to craving if we are talking about substance dependence.

Most frequent used therapies

We combine different psychotherapeutic solutions to map the exact source and the way of how each symptom manifests.

ID Therapy team innovatively combines those types of therapy to provide a shortcut to the solution and to have a diagnose directly into the context.

Dependences treatment can be done by:

Psychiatric treatment
Along with psychological therapy is recommended the psychiatric treatment, respectively, the drug therapy to reduce the withdrawal symptoms.
Cognitive Behavioral therapy
Cognitive-behavioural therapy is used to help patients identify, avoid, or cope with situations in which they are susceptible to consumption or engaging in the dependence object.  The motivational interviewing technique is used to remind people of their values, being a way to avoid their consumption or engagement in different dysfunctional behaviours.

Rehabilitation programs are also being used – to integrate the person who will help him become independent.