Addiction

(see also: Drugs,  Alcohol & Safe Drinking,  Smokingmental health and Eating Disorders)

One in three people suffer from an addiction. An addiction is a habit that is doing you harm, but you just can't seem to break. Addiction is a complex illness that affects different people in different ways. Just because someone gambles, takes drugs or drinks alcohol does not mean that they have an addiction - an addiction is a loss of control over substance use or behaviour. It is characterised by a compulsion to use a substance or to repeat behaviour (e.g. gambling) in order to feel good, or to avoid feeling bad.

An addiction can be a physical dependency - caused when repeated use of a substance changes your body's chemistry or a psychological dependency - caused when you repeat certain behaviour (e.g. gambling) until your mind is hooked on that pattern of behaviour.

People can become addicted to all sorts of substances/behaviours but some of the common addictions include:

• Food
• Smoking
• Drugs
• Alcohol
• Gambling

Where to get help

It can be very difficult to beat an addiction without support. Often talking things over with family or friends can help. Sometimes, however, it can be beneficial to talk matters through with someone who is outside of the situation who will listen with understanding and objectivity. You may simply need more information, in which case we will try to provide it. Alternatively, you may be worried about something and would like to talk it over in more depth with someone who will listen and offer you support. Confidential advice and support is available through:

• Your GP
• The Counselling and Mental Health Support Team
• The Welfare & International Support team, Student Services

Both at Student Support and Wellbeing Centre, Ground Floor, Northumberland Building, City Campus.

Further information is available from the Welfare & International Support web pages in the Keeping Healthy Keeping Safe section; copies of this leaflet are also available from Student Services main reception.

 

Useful Links

Links to organisations and contacts external to the University are provided for your convenience, but the University takes no responsibility for the content of the sites or for the outcomes of any contacts made through following these links.

The National Drugs Helpline offers free advice and information about alcohol, drugs and solvents.  You can speak to trained advisors who can provide information about local services and can give you support.  A range of publications are also available free of charge; calls are confidential.
Tel: 0800 776600 (freephone)
Available 24 hours, 7 days a week

Narcotics Anonymous www.ukna.org is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts.  NA services are organized at local, national, and international levels and co-operate with others concerned about drug abuse in their different countries and communities.

NECA (North East Council on Addictions) www.neca.co.uk  has a number of locally based offices throughout the North East.  They offer a range of services to persons experiencing difficulties related to the use of alcohol, substance or gambling, their families or their carers.  They offer advice, support, information and a free counselling service.  A women's service is offered to enable women to access drug and alcohol services more easily.