Transcript Addictions - Medgar Evers College

Addictions
By: Andrew Bergman
Amanda Basse
Sean Sheridan
Edgar Nunez
What is Addiction?
 Addiction is a habitual repetition of excessive
behavior that a person is unable or unwilling to
stop, despite its harmful consequences.
People can be physically addicted to a drug,
meaning they may suffer ill physical effects if
they stop taking the drug. They also can be
psychologically addicted to drugs, gambling, or
other behaviors, meaning they feel
overwhelmingly deprived if they attempt to
stop.
Types of Addictions
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Alcohol
Drugs
Tobacco
Gambling
Caffeine
Internet
Eating Disorders
Sex
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Shopping
Substances
Work
Videogames
Causes of Addictions
 There is no single reason
people become addicted
but here are a few things
that can contribute to it:
 Stress
 Bad Grades
 Boyfriend/girlfriend
 Feeling of winning
 Trying to get away
 Parents
 Friends
Effects of Addiction
(Physical)
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Bloodshot eyes
Slurred or agitated speech
Sudden or dramatic weight loss
Skin abrasions/bruises
Neglected appearance/poor hygiene
Frequently sick
Accidents or injuries
Unusual odors on breath; stains or odors on clothing
Effects of Addiction
(Behavioral)
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Hyperactivity or unusual aggression
Secretive behavior, including lying and locked doors
Hidden stashes of alcohol, drugs, or drug paraphernalia
Missing alcohol or prescription medicines
Not fulfilling responsibilities or missing school or work
Avoiding eye contact
Effects of Addiction
(Emotional)
 Sudden shifts or changes in mood and
personality
 Emotional instability
 Depression
 NO interest in previously enjoyed hobbies or
activities
Top Addictions
 Drugs
 Alcohol
 Gambling
 Tobacco
Drugs
Background
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Drug addiction is chronic, relapsing brain
disease that is characterized by compulsive
drug seeking and use, despite harmful
consequences. Drugs change the brain-they
change its structure and how it works. The
effects can be long lasting, and lead to
harmful behavior.
Effects
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The decision to take drugs maybe voluntary
at first but as drug abuse takes over, a
person’s ability to exert self control can
become seriously impaired. Brain imaging
studies show physical changes in areas of
the brain that are critical to judgment,
decision making, learning and memory, and
behavior control.
Treatments
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Medications for drug abuse include
but are not limited to; medications
that help the brain adapt gradually
to the absence of the abused drug,
behavioral therapy, group therapy,
and motivational incentives.
Alcohol
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Background
Alcoholic beverages seem to have been
around as long as humans themselves. They
have been a part of the standard diets of
civilizations since prehistoric times and
used for everything from personal hygiene,
medicinal remedies and recreation to
artistic inspiration, aphrodisiacs, and
religious worship. Alcohol is engrained in
human culture and society.
Effects
There are plenty effects from the use of
alcohol such as memory loss, blackouts,
vomiting, depression, stress, anxiety, mood
swings, etc.
Treatments
• Some forms of medications have been uses in
the treatment of alcoholism. Some of those
medications include Antabuse (which makes the
user sick when any alcohol is consumed), Revia
and acamprosate (which diminish a cravings for
alcohol). Other treatments include group therapy
(AA meetings) or family therapy.
Gambling
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Background
The most basic definition of gambling is “to
play games of chance for money or other
rewards.” The National Council on Problem
Gambling (NCPG) defines problem gambling
as “gambling behavior the causes disruptions
in any major area of a persons life.” Although
most take this as a serious addiction, some
professionals assert that gambling could not
possibly be addictive and that compulsive
behavioral patterns such as problem gambling
is a manifestation of other psychological
dilemmas.
Effects
Depression, anxiety, loss of focus to
work/school, withdraw from friends and
family, shame, guilt, increase in drug or
alcohol use, embezzlement, fraud.
Treatments
•When is comes to gambling there
are not many practioners who deal
with this kind of problem. Some try
to find local support groups, while
others seek faculties that specialize in
their problem. There is also family
therapy, but the main treatment is
removing the stigma of addiction.
Tobacco
Background
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Nicotine occurs naturally in the tobacco
plant. Nicotine causes changes in the
brain. The effect of nicotine is less
dramatic than that of many other drugs.
Despite this, nicotine addiction is as
strong or even stronger than heroin or
cocaine addiction.
Effect
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In large amounts nicotine is
poisonous and first time smokers often
feel sick and dizzy. New smokers start to
associate situations or moods with
smoking. They may become used to
having a cigarette when they are at a
party or feeling depressed. Before too
long they organize their day around
smoking and feel anxious if they can't
smoke. Nicotine reinforces the desire to
smoke and causes users to keep on
smoking.
Treatments
•There are quite a few treatments
for tobacco addiction. Many of you
may be familiar with the patch,
nicorettte gum, or even using
hypnosis or acupuncture as a form
of treatment. There are also “quit
course” to help one quit.
Reference
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Coombs, R.H. (2004). Handbook of Addictive Disorders. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
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Garcia, M (2005 DEC). Exploring the Benefits and Risks of Drinking Alcohol. Retrieved November 28, 2007, from A Glass of Wine Web site:
http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/Fall05/garcia/about.html
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Gossop, M (2000). 'Living with Drugs' Fifth edition. Burlington, VT: Ashgate.
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Hafner, C (2002). Drug Therapy of Alcoholism. Retrieved November 28, 2007, from Behavioral Medicine Associates Web site: Behavioral Medicine
Associates
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Lamai, T (2006). Addiction - Definition, Cause and Effects. Retrieved November 28, 2007, from Addiction Definition Web site: http://www.1stalcoholism-treatment.com/Addiction-Definition-Cause-and-Effects.html
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Leshner, A.I. (2002). Addiction is a Brain Disease. Science, New Series. 278, 45-47.
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National Institute of Health. (2007). Drugs, Brains, And Behavior: The Science Of Addiction (NIH Publication No. 07-5605). Washington, DC: U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services.
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Quit, (2005). Background on Tobacco. Retrieved November 28, 2007, from Quit Web site: http://www.quit.org.au/
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Zahn, P (2007 MAR 15). [Weblog] Hooked: When You Can’t Stop Addiction on Campus. Videos. Retrieved NOV 28 2007, from
http://www.depts.ttu.edu/hs/csa/