Have you ever heard someone joke about being addicted to chocolate?
你是否有听过别人笑称自己对巧克力上瘾了？
Unfortunately, the reality of addiction is no joke.
但是，真正的上瘾可不是个玩笑。
An addiction can be to a substance, like drugs or alcohol, or to a behavior, like playing video games.
一个人可能对某种物质上瘾，比如毒品、酒精成瘾，或者对某种行为上瘾，比如玩电子游戏。
So, what is the difference between really liking something and being addicted?
那么，爱好和上瘾之间的区别在哪里？
The difference lies in three main things: Obsessive thoughts, feeling like you can't stop, and continuing to use or do that substance or behavior despite having negative consequences.
主要区别有三个：过于痴迷，感觉停不下来，尽管某物或某种行为已产生了负面影响，还是沉迷其中。
Meet Tony. He really likes video games and plays them every day.
这是托尼。他非常喜欢电子游戏，每天都玩。
At first, he kept up with his grades but started doing less of his homework.
一开始，他的成绩没有下滑，但是他对作业渐渐不上心了。
Then, he started staying up later and later to play.
接着，他开始熬夜打游戏，越熬越晚。
This caused him to be exhausted at school.
这让他上课时无精打采。
When his parents tried to get him to stop playing so much, Tony got very angry, which wasn't like him.
父母尝试着让他别玩那么多游戏，但是这让托尼非常生气，这一点也不像他。
He started skipping school, so Tony's parents had him talk to a counselor.
后来他干脆翘课，于是托尼的父母请专业咨询老师来和他聊。
He didn't want to at first, but things slowly started getting better.
一开始，他不情愿，但是事情慢慢地有了好转。
The real Tony returned when he got some balance back in his life and reconnected with those around him.
托尼找回了生活的平衡与重心，并与身边的人们重新建立关系，真正的托尼得以回归。
So, how does someone become addicted?
那么，我们是如何变得上瘾的？
Why can't they just stop?
为什么就是停不下来呢？
Sometimes a person starts using a substance or behavior to fit in.
有时，人们用某种物质或行为来融入集体。
Other times, it's to ease the pain from a traumatic experience or mental health issues.
也有可能是想要缓解不愉快的经历或心理健康问题带来的痛苦。
It also has to do with how the brain works.
上瘾也与大脑的运作机制有关。
When you do something that feels good or exciting, like eating ice cream, the pleasure pathways in your brain are activated, and "feel good" chemicals are released.
当你在做类似吃冰淇凌这样感觉很好、很刺激的事情之时，大脑中的快感通道就会激活，“感觉真好”化合物就会释放。
This same pleasure pathway is activated when you consume drugs or alcohol.
嗑药或者喝酒的时候，这个快感通道也会激活。
Over time, the pathways in your brain get used to having this thing in your life, which can make it really hard to stop.
久而久之，这些通道就习惯了这些东西，想要戒掉就很难了。
If you feel like you just can't stop doing something, you're not alone.
如果你感觉就是停不下来，记住，你并不是孤立无援的。
With the help of a counselor, you can begin to work to get your brain back from being hijacked!
你可以咨询相关的专业人士，也许很快能从这种被操纵的状态中走出来。
It will take time for your brain to create new pathways, but you can get back on track and find some peace in your life.
给大脑创造出新的快感通道需要点时间，不过你的生活可以回归正轨，你也能从生活中找寻到一些安宁。
BELLEVUE_贝尔微
Addict to chocolate