Addiction of anything is bad – be it a drug, a person or a habit. While everyone around may advise leaving the addiction, the person who is actually addicted to something knows how difficult it is to do so. Addiction is difficult to get rid of and some of these may even be contagious. So your addiction is not only spoiling you but can have a negative impact on those around you. It may be anybody – your children, siblings or friends.

Short and Long Essay on Addiction

Essay 1 (300 words)

Introduction

Addiction is something that can make us lose interest in everything around us and keep us glued to one particular thing. This particular thing can be a drug, mobile, internet, food item, gambling or just about anything. Addiction to anything can have an adverse effect on our life.

Causes of Addiction

• Escape from Pain

Drugs, alcohol, mobile phones, social media, excessive shopping, eating our favourite food all help in bursting stress and provide an escape from pain. People indulge in these to get rid of the pain temporarily. These habits can turn into an addiction if we don’t guard ourselves on time.

• Company

Our company and social environment have a huge impact on our habits and overall personality. If we socialize with people who party every other day and drink heavily, we are also likely to develop that habit. Likewise, if your friends have the habit of shopping excessively you are also likely to develop that habit.

• Lack of Knowledge

At times, people do not have knowledge about the consequence of indulging in a particular game or having a certain substance. They indulge in it just for fun and then get addicted to it.

Ways to Avoid Addiction

Avoiding addiction of any kind is easier than getting rid of the habit later. Here is how you can do so:

• Stay aware and be alert at all times. Before eating or drinking anything regularly, know if it can lead to addiction.
• Choose your company wisely.
• Even if people in your family or friend circle are addicted to alcohol, drug or any other habit that may be addictive, you must practice self-control to avoid it. Self-control is basically the key to avoiding it.
• Look for healthier options to overcome your pain rather than going for these temporary escapes.

Conclusion

Addiction to anything has a negative impact on our mind as well as body. We must thus identify the causes of addiction of different kinds and avoid them by taking the aforementioned measures.

Essay 2 (400 words)

Introduction

Addiction is defined as a complex brain condition that may be caused by overindulgence in a particular habit or thing. As Patrick Carnes said, “Addiction is a relationship, a pathological relationship in which obsession replaces people”. Obsessing over anything is termed as addiction to that particular thing. Addiction to anything – be it drugs, internet, social media or gaming can have fatal consequences.

Addiction to Anything is Bad

Different people get addicted to different things. Some may be obsessed with a person and thus get addicted to talking to him or being with him all the time, some may be obsessed with their own self and may get addicted to taking selfies and boasting about themselves on the social media, some may be obsessed with shopping and may get addicted to visiting markets and malls to buy unnecessary stuff. Our company and circumstances usually play an important role in developing such addictions.

Even though people know about the harmful consequences of addiction, they are unable to stop themselves from indulging in the same. Addiction to drugs is the worst kind of addiction. People usually develop this habit in their youth and even after trying hard they aren’t able to get rid of it later in life. Many treatments have been developed to overcome drug addiction. However, if a person does not follow self-control no amount of therapies or treatments can help him get rid of it.

Addiction Free India

Numerous youths in India are addicted to alcohol and drugs. This takes a toll on both their mental and physical health. Drug addiction does not only harm the addict but his entire family suffers from him. Besides, a person’s professional life also goes for a toss due to this habit. While on the one hand, we talk about empowering our youth and hope that they will contribute towards the development of our country, on the other hand, we see thousands of youths ruining their lives due to addiction to drugs and alcohol.

The youth must be sensitized towards this issue. The government must also play its part by putting a ban on the sale of such substances to put a stop to these practices. Anyone seen selling these illegally must be severely punished.

Conclusion

It is time to act responsibly and say no to drugs or for that matter to addiction of any kind. The government or our friends and family members cannot help much if we are not ready to help ourselves.

Essay 3 (500 words)

Introduction

Addiction of any kind can have an adverse effect on the victim as well as those close to him. It is said that “Addiction is a family disease. One person may use, but the whole family suffers”.

Consequences of Addiction

Here is a brief look at the consequences of addiction:

• Health Hazards

The health hazards associated with drug and alcohol addiction are known to all. These are bad for your physical as well as mental health. Those addicted to certain foods develop eating disorders and also incur various health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular problems. Addictions of other kinds also impact health negatively.

• Monetary Issues

When you are addicted to something you spend on it excessively. You are so obsessed with it that you do not realize that you are overspending. It can dig a hole in your pocket and your budget can go for a toss. Those addicted to gambling, drugs, and alcohol mostly borrow money to quench their addiction and often end up in debt.

• Relationships Problems

People addicted to drugs and alcohol often lose their sense of control and end up indulging in unnecessary arguments and conflicts with those around them thereby straining their relationships. Those addicted to social media and the internet are so engrossed in their mobile that they ignore and neglect their family members. Those having gambling addiction are frustrated most of the times and this affects their relationships negatively.

• Adverse Effect on Studies/Work

Addiction also hampers one’s studies and work life. When you are addicted to something, all you can think of is that particular thing. You lose focus and your grasping power also goes down drastically. Besides drugs and alcohol, mobile addiction is also hampering work to a great extent these days.

Ways to Getting Rid of Addiction

While the harmful consequences of addiction are stated time and again however people still get addicted to various things. Though these things give them temporary pleasure, they are aware that these are not good for them. Those trying hard to get rid of the addiction of any sort can try the following:

• You need to understand that you cannot just decide one day and leave your addiction then and there. You will have to go slow on it. Give yourself some time. It is a good idea to choose a date when you will finally quit your addiction. This will keep you motivated.
• Take one step at a time when trying to get rid of your addiction and stay determined.
• It is suggested to identify what triggers you to indulge in that habit and avoid the trigger. Also, identify what triggers you to do otherwise and do that.
• It is wise to seek professional help if you are trying to get rid of alcohol or drug addiction.
• Your friends and family members are always ready to support you in this direction. Seek help from them.

Conclusion

Addiction to anything influences our decisions and choices. We are not able to think rationally when we are addicted to something as our prime focus is the thing or habit we are addicted to. This has negative repercussions on our relationships as well as work. It is suggested to avoid these in the first place however if you develop some kind of addiction, you can get rid of them with the help of the aforementioned tips.

Essay 4 (600 words)

Introduction

The term addiction is often associated with drugs. However, this is not the only kind of addiction, a person can get addicted to numerous other things. This may include addiction to food, addiction to video games, addiction to mobile, addiction to the internet, addiction to social media, shopping addiction and gambling addiction to name a few.

Types of Addiction

Here is a brief look at the common types of addictions:

Food Addiction

Many people get addicted to the taste of certain foods such as some special kind of chips or burger from a particular restaurant or pizza of a special flavour or noodles or just about anything. Some people are addicted to eating spicy food so they can have anything which is spicy. Likewise, some people have a sweet tooth and thus crave sweets all the time. The addiction is so much so that even if they are not hungry they still crave such foods and overeat. Most of the food items people are addicted to are unhealthy. Overeating and overindulging in unhealthy food habits can be hazardous for health.

Mobile and Video Game Addiction

Everyone these days is glued to mobile phones. We are constantly on our phones, texting, calling and surfing endlessly. We are so engrossed in it that we forget the people around us. Many gaming sites have been developed these days and most games on these sites are extremely addictive. People these days can be seen playing games such as Candy Crush constantly on their mobile phones and laptops. This mobile and video game addiction does not only strain our personal relationships but also hampers our work.

Internet and Social Media Addiction

Surfing the internet has also become an addiction for some. Social media platforms have further aggravated this addiction. We want to show off everything we do to the world. We are so caught up with recording the moments to propagate that we are having fun that we actually forget to have fun. Taking selfies is another addiction that people have developed these days.

Drug and Alcohol Addiction

This is the worst kind of addiction as it can impact your mental as well as physical health adversely. Also, drug and alcohol addiction is very hard to get rid of. Drug addicts often develop serious health problems. However, they are not able to leave this addiction even though they know the consequences. Heroin, Cocaine, Marijuana, Hallucinogens, and Crack are some of the common types of drugs that are used get into that feeling of ecstasy for a short while.

Shopping Addiction

Many people develop the habit of spending money on things they don’t even need. They see shopping as a way to release their stress. It gives them a different sort of pleasure and to experience the same they indulge in it regularly. For some, it becomes an addiction. They go on shopping sprees even though they do not require anything. They keep buying stuff not only for themselves but for anyone and everyone they know.

Gambling Addiction

Once a person starts gambling, he cannot leave the habit easily. Whether he wins or loses, he is drawn to indulge in it time and again. This soon becomes an addiction. Gambling has ruined the personal and professional lives of many around the world. Casinos and bars take advantage of this weakness of people and make a profitable business.

Conclusion

The irony is that even though people know that overindulging in anything can lead to its addiction however they still cannot stop themselves from doing so. We must take control of our lives and avoid these harmful habits so that they don’t take charge of our life eventually.