ADDICTIVE BEHAVIOR: THEORETICAL ASPECT

Abstract

The problem of addiction (addictive behavior) remains widespread, harming the mental and physical health of many people and their communities. Understanding addiction, addictive behavior is important for psychologists, social workers, social pedagogues, pedagogical workers because it can help in effective prevention and treatment. Dependent (addictive) behavior is a form of self-destructive deviant behavior of an individual, which is associated with abuse of something or someone for the purpose of self-regulation, change of mental state or adaptation. The goal is to analyze the meaning of the concept of «addictive behavior» in the context of social work. The research used such methods as analysis, comparison and generalization of scientific sources on the researched problem. Different definitions of the concept of «addictive behavior» were analyzed; features and signs of addictive behavior are determined. Having studied various definitions, we believe that addictive behavior is a type of dependent behavior that contradicts generally accepted norms in society and has negative social, physical, and mental consequences. The main signs of addictive behavior are secretiveness, mood swings, changes in appearance, lack of interest in activities, failure to fulfill obligations, use of suspicious paraphernalia, legal problems (violation of the law), etc.