Understanding addictions

Most of us juggle multiple roles and responsibilities, balancing work, social life, not forgetting family commitments. As our family members go through life changes, these changes can sometimes become stressful. When stress gets overwhelming, some may turn to unhealthy coping methods such as addiction as a way to escape or cope with their challenges.

As a result, addictions can pose significant risks to their well-being, often making them spiral into a destructive cycle that affects their health.

What are addictions?

Addictions are patterns of behaviour where a person becomes strongly attached or dependent on something to the point where it becomes difficult to control or stop that behaviour even if it has negative consequences on their life.

Types of addictions

These addictions can involve substances like alcohol or be related to certain activities or behaviours, such as gambling or smoking. The effects reach far, impacting our physical and mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.

Read on to learn more about these addictions and how we can support family members who may be struggling with addiction.

Understanding alcohol use disorder

For some of us, drinking might start as a social activity at parties or casual gatherings; a way to unwind or meet new people without the awkwardness. But sometimes, what begins as occasional drinking can grow into something more, where one finds themselves drinking not just for enjoyment, but out of a need that feels beyond their control.

What is alcohol use disorder?

How does alcohol use disorder affect the body?

What puts my family member at risk?

Common
misconceptions

01 It is okay to drink in moderation every day, as long as they keep within limits.

02 It is okay to drink regularly for social reasons.

03 Beer and wine are less intoxicating than liquor, so it is okay to drink more of them.

Signs of alcohol
use disorder

Signs of alcohol use disorder

Diagnosis

Healthcare professionals can diagnose alcohol use disorder by discussing the individual’s medical and psychiatric history, family history, current symptoms, and how alcohol has affected the individual’s daily life. There must be a problematic usage of alcohol that has led to significant impairment over a 12‑month duration, exhibited by at least 2 of the following:

Increasing usage of alcohol, or over a longer period than originally intended
Repeated unsuccessful efforts to cut down or control usage, despite the desire to do so
Large amount of time spent on activities to obtain, use, or recover from the effects of alcohol
Presence of a strong desire or urge to use alcohol
Repeated alcohol usage resulting in a significant failure to fulfil major roles
Persistent alcohol use despite recurring social or interpersonal problems, with continued consumption despite awareness of the physical or psychological issues it causes.
Giving up important activities due to the alcohol use
Repeated usage despite significant impairments in physical health
Tolerance as defined by either:
- Need for increasing amounts of alcohol to achieve the same or desired effects, or
- Reduced effects with continued use of the same amount of alcohol
Withdrawal as defined by either:
- Characteristic withdrawal symptoms, or
- Alcohol being used to prevent or avoid withdrawal symptoms

Supporting a family member with an alcohol problem

01 Approach the topic of their alcohol use with respect and sensitivity. Share what you’ve noticed about their drinking, and explain how it’s affecting the family.

02

03 Remember, addiction doesn’t define them—they are battling a challenge, not a flaw.

04 Encourage them to seek help, offering support and connecting them with professional resources if needed.

A GUIDE TO

Preventing
alcohol addiction

Help our family member avoid the use of alcohol as a coping method

Relying on alcohol to address insomnia, low mood or personal issues is counterproductive.

Alcohol can greatly reduce the quality of one’s sleep. Alcohol has been shown to induce low mood or worsen depressive symptoms.

Moderation is key

Recent research has shown that zero alcohol consumption is better but if we and our family member decide to enjoy alcohol, then drink within the recommended levels or less.

Encourage our family member to avoid binge drinking

Binge drinking, is defined as consuming 5 or more standard drinks for men and 4 or more for women, significantly raises the risk of developing alcohol use disorder.

Eat before and during a drinking session

To prevent intoxication, encourage our family member to eat before and during drinking to slow down alcohol absorption. Avoid salty foods, as they increase thirst and alcohol consumption.

When drinking, take small sips

Encourage our family member to take small sips instead of chugging their drink. It can help them pace themselves, maintain better control over their alcohol intake, and make it easier for their body to process the alcohol.

Ensure our family member is taking enough fluids

Staying hydrated is essential, especially when consuming alcohol, as it can cause dehydration, particularly in the brain, leading to headaches and more severe hangovers.

Avoid or refrain from buying or stocking up on alcohol at home

Limiting access to alcohol in our immediate environment creates a physical barrier that helps reduce temptation and prevent excessive drinking.

Treatment

National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)

Visit www.nams.sg
Call the All Addictions Helpline at 6‑7326837 (6‑RECOVER)
- Operating hours: Everyday 8:30am‑9:00pm (inclusive of public holiday)
BRIDGE Family: A support group for family members and caregivers who deal with someone struggling from addiction. The support group aims to empower them with coping skills and better understand how to manage an individual with an addiction
- Every Tuesday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at NAMS Clinic (except eve of public holidays and public holidays)

We Care

A Community-Based Addiction Recovery Centre that treats all forms of addictions including drugs, alcohol, and compulsive behaviours like problem gambling. They provide counselling, education and therapy groups and also has community-based drop-in centre.

Alcoholics Anonymous

This is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences, strength and hope with each other, that they may solve their common problem and help others in recovery.

SobeRISE

This is a specialised programme offers support and assistance to individuals and families affected by issues associated with alcohol abuse.

Understanding gambling addiction

Gambling often begins as a social activity, but it can turn into an addiction when it leads to compulsive behaviour like lying, stealing, and distancing from loved ones. This not only harms the individual but also affects their family and relationships.

As family members, we may unintentionally react in unhelpful ways—by blaming, shaming, or enabling their behaviour. It’s important to learn about gambling addiction and consult a mental health professional for guidance.

How does it affect our family member?

What puts my family member at risk?

Common
misconceptions

01 As family members, we shouldn’t help settle our loved one’s debt—they should face the consequences of their actions.

02 The problem lies solely on our loved one—they should just change.

03 If our loved one relapses into gambling, it means they don’t care about the family.

04 It’s rude to approach a senior family member about how their gambling is affecting others.

Signs of gambling addiction

As family members, we can lookout for certain signs and symptoms that may point towards a gambling addiction.

Signs of gambling addiction

As family members, we can lookout for certain signs and symptoms that may point towards a gambling addiction.

Behavioural Signs

Avoiding work, self-care and other commitments to gamble
Taking bigger risks while gambling
Cheating or stealing to fund gambling or pay debts
Conflicts over money with other people
Obsessing over any type of gambling
Losing interest in activities once enjoyed
Struggling to control, or cut down gambling
Frequently thinking and talking about gambling
Feeling secretive about gambling
Failed attempts to reduce or control gambling

Emotional Signs

Withdraws from family and friends
Distant, anxious, or has difficulty paying attention
Mood swings and sudden outbursts of anger
Boredom or restlessness

Financial Signs

Frequently borrowing money or asking for salary advances
Cashing in savings accounts or insurance plans
Alternating between being broke and flashing money

Health Signs

Headaches
Stomach issues
Difficulty sleeping
Changes in appetite

Diagnosis

Persistent and recurrent problematic gambling behaviour leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as indicated by the individual exhibiting four (or more) of the following in a 12-month period.

Diagnosis

Supporting our family member with a gambling problem

01 There are respectful ways of approaching a family member to breach the sensitive topic on their gambling problem.

02 Find out more information on gambling addictions from reliable sources or speak to a professional that may provide tips on helping our loved ones with their addictions

03 Tell them that you love and care for them while highlighting what you have noticed about their relationship with gambling as well as expressing how it may be affecting the rest of the family.

04 Keep in mind that your loved one is battling with an addiction and that their addiction does not make them a bad person.

05 Provide them with the encouragement and support to seek help. Offer to connect them with professional help if needed.

Treatment

National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)

Visit www.nams.sg
Call the All Addictions Helpline at 6‑7326837 (6‑RECOVER)
- Operating hours: Everyday 8:30am‑9:00pm (inclusive of public holiday)
BRIDGE Family: A support group for family members and caregivers who deal with someone struggling from addiction. The support group aims to empower them with coping skills and better understand how to manage an individual with an addiction
- Every Tuesday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at NAMS Clinic (except eve of public holidays and public holidays)

We Care

Understanding smoking addiction

There may be moments where one reaches for a cigarette, despite knowing the potential harm. Smoking and using e-cigarettes carry risks to one’s health and to those around them. The nicotine in these products is highly addictive, making the journey feel particularly challenging.

What is smoking
addiction?

What puts my family member at risk?

Common
misconceptions

01 Smoking one or a few cigarettes a day is not harmful. My family member is a casual smoker, so they won’t be affected.

02 Vaping (E-cigarettes) is safe because it doesn’t have tar.

03 Rolling my own cigarettes (Bidis) is less dangerous.

04 It’s okay and normal for my family member to vape as many people do it.

Signs of smoking addiction

If someone you care about is experiencing these symptoms, it might be time to consider reaching out for help

Diagnosis

A healthcare professional can diagnose nicotine dependence through a detailed clinical interview about the individual’s medical history, current symptoms, and how tobacco use is affecting their lives. The individual may also have to fill out a questionnaire to assess how dependent they are on nicotine.¹

A GUIDE TO

Additional support for quitting smoking and vaping

I Quit Programme

This tailored programme supports individuals through their quitting process by taking their lifestyle, habits, and level of smoking dependence into consideration. Tools available include daily SMS tips, weekly calls from trained QuitLine advisors or weekly face-to-face counselling sessions with health specialists.

Start to S.T.O.P.

Start to S.T.O.P. (Speak To Our Pharmacists) is a quit smoking programme championed by the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS) Community Chapter. It is a nationwide collaborative effort by community pharmacy chains Guardian, Unity and Watsons to help people quit smoking and improve their health.

Visit here to learn more about this programme and select a location that is convenient for our family member.

iQuit Programme

Supporting our family member with nicotine dependence/tobacco use disorder

01 Make home a smoke-free, supportive environment

02 Choose non-smoking areas when dining out

03 Remove smoking triggers from home, such as lighters and ashtrays

04 Clean items that smell like smoke, such as clothes, curtains, and carpets

05 Offer to help with chores to reduce the stress

06 Keep snacks like sugar-free mints or veggie sticks handy for distraction

07 Be non-judgmental whilst encouraging them to quit

08 Guide them to seek help for smoking cessation

09 Help them manage stress

10 Celebrate their milestones and success

11 Continue support, as cravings and challenges may arise in the weeks or months of quitting

Treatment

National Addictions Management Service (NAMS)

Visit www.nams.sg
Call the All Addictions Helpline at 6‑7326837 (6‑RECOVER)
- Operating hours: Everyday 8:30am‑9:00pm (inclusive of public holiday)
BRIDGE Family: A support group for family members and caregivers who deal with someone struggling from addiction. The support group aims to empower them with coping skills and better understand how to manage an individual with an addiction
- Every Tuesday, 7:00pm – 8:30pm at NAMS Clinic (except eve of public holidays and public holidays)

We Care

First-Stop Touchpoints

Not sure whom to reach out to? You can approach any of these First-Stop Touchpoints. They can help identify your mental health needs, provide brief support, and guide you to the most suitable services:

In-person services

CREST

CHAT (for individuals aged 16-30)

Digital

Mindline.sg

In-person services

Digital

Alternatively, you can click here to explore mental health resources and services located near you.

References

CONTRIBUTED BY

Health Promotion Board

MindSG

Understanding addictions

What are addictions?

Types of addictions

Alcohol

Gambling

Smoking