Lesson 4: Addiction PDF

# Lesson 4: Addiction - Why do you think people become addicted to bad habits? - What do you think are some of the symptoms of an addiction? ## Key Vocabulary: - addiction - risk factor - stress ## Introduction In this lesson, we will look at the issue of addiction. We will explore what this me...

# Lesson 4: Addiction - Why do you think people become addicted to bad habits? - What do you think are some of the symptoms of an addiction? ## Key Vocabulary: - addiction - risk factor - stress ## Introduction In this lesson, we will look at the issue of addiction. We will explore what this means and the risk factors involved in developing an addiction. ## What is Addiction? Addiction is a global issue that many different societies deal with on an increasing scale. When we consider addiction, most people think of being addicted to drugs, tobacco or alcohol. However, addictions can also be linked to activities such as gambling, playing video games, shopping and technology. Shopping and technology addictions, particularly social media, are very common in many parts of the world. Addiction is a psychological condition in which the individual uses a substance or indulges in an activity which can result in short term pleasure, but which the body or the individual comes to depend on. The behaviour becomes compulsive and begins to interfere with their normal daily functioning, their social relationships and their health. People with an addiction may not appreciate that their behaviour is out of control, nor recognise the implications of their behaviour. There is a difference between an addiction and a habit. The American Journal of Psychology defines a habit as "a more or less fixed way of thinking, willing or feeling, acquired through a previous repetition of a mental experience". Habits can become addictions. However, most of us have habitual behaviour but are not addicts. *Source: American Journal of Psychology, 1903, Vol XIV, no2 The crucial point is the consequences of behaviour. When the behaviour becomes compulsive and the body or mind become dependent on the behaviour, then the long term effects can become damaging. This is why addictive behaviour can be dangerous. With habits, people can often choose to stop, and will stop if they want to. This is not the same as an addiction. If you are addicted to something, it means that you face more challenges in controlling the addiction without help because of the mental and physical aspects involved. You are not as much in control of your choices. ## The Use of Addictive Substances and Different Types of Addiction Addictive substances "are chemicals or materials that can create physical and/or psychological dependencies". When we feel pleasure, the brain releases certain chemicals. Many addictive substances have the same effect, although at a much higher level, so the body feels a sense of euphoria. In the case of people taking non-medicinal drugs (and increasingly in some societies, prescription medicines), for example, the person will need to take more of the drug to maintain the effect because the body builds a tolerance to the drug. The person may develop intense cravings for the substance and will continue to use it, despite the harmful and dangerous consequences. *Source: www.addiction.com In the World Drug Report 2017*, The United Nation's Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that there were "29.5 million people globally suffering from drug use disorders". There are different kinds of addictions, but the most prevalent ones globally are alcohol, tobacco and drugs. We will look at the devastating impacts that addiction can have in the following lesson. *Source: United Nationals Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report 2017, United Nations Publication. ## Research Task Research information about addictive substances. Find four examples and make notes on what makes them addictive. ## The Risk Factors Involved in Developing Addiction There are no set rules for why addiction develops in some people, but not others. There are many complex factors that can contribute to the development of an addiction, but that does not mean that these factors will affect everyone the same way. Having a risk factor does not mean that a person will develop an addiction. However, the more risk factors there are, the greater the potential for addictive behaviours to develop. ## Psychological Risk Factors This group of risk factors covers a wide range of issues, but two personality characteristics, sensation seeking and impulsiveness, *have been linked or associated with different types of addiction. Sensation-seeking involves taking risks in the pursuit of pleasure and excitement, and impulsiveness is behaving in a way that has little or no forethought, reflection or consideration of the consequences. The risk factor is increased because substance abuse lowers inhibitors that would normally stop you from doing something dangerous. *Source: Kelly TH, Robbins G, Martin CA, Fillmore MT, Lane SD, Harrington NG, and Rush CR (2006): Individual differences in drug abuse vulnerability. d-amphetamine and sensation-seeking status. Psychopharmacology 189: 17-25. ## Stress as a Risk Factor In the modern world, stress is part of everyday life and everyone experiences situations or emotions that activate stress responses. For example, someone who is stuck in a traffic jam and late for work may experience relatively mild stress. However, high levels of stress over periods of time can be very dangerous if left unchecked. Stress is the way that your body responds to any kind of demand or threat and affects both the mind and the body. People under a lot of stress can become ill. Extreme stress affects our behaviour and emotions. When people find it difficult to deal with stress, they may take drugs or resort to other forms of behaviour to help them feel better and gain pleasure and release from their stress. If they do turn to these behaviours, they can become addictive. It is important to remember that even though people may have these risk factors , it does not mean that they will become addicted or exhibit addictive behaviour. ## Biological and Environmental Risk Factors Many of our earliest interactions in life affect our development. Strong and healthy relationships with family and friends are vital as they form the basis of children's development. Ineffective parenting and a chaotic home environment, with a lack of strong relationships with a caring adult, can all increase the risk factors. If children are in a household environment of conflict and tension, this can create an environment of stress. Research has shown that "environmental factors influenced the tendency to addiction more than individual factors." *Source: International Journal of High Risk Behaviours and Addiction, 2012 Autumn; 1(3): 92-99 ## The Risk Factor of Negative Peer Influence Peer influence is not a cause of addiction , but, combined with other risk factors, still has the potential to lead to addictive behaviour. Peer pressure can be a positive or a negative thing. Peers can provide positive role models for each other. If a friend asks you to help on a volunteer project to plant more trees in the local park or school, this is a positive influence. Another positive peer influence may be a friend who is kind and caring towards other people, and you want to be like them. However, it is important to remember that peers can have a negative influence on you as well. If a peer wants you to try smoking a cigarette or something illegal, like drugs or alcohol, remember to tell them "No！”immediately and tell them to stop as well. ## Potential Symptoms of Addiction Addiction affects a person's brain. This can develop into a situation where the person cannot control the use of the substance. According to the Mayo Clinic in the United States*, depending on the type of drug being abused, the symptoms will be different. Drug addiction symptoms or behaviours can include the following: - A feeling that you need to use the drug or carry out an activity daily. - Having very strong cravings for the drug or activity that block out everything else. - Over a period of time, needing more of the drug or activity to get the same effect. - Spending money on the drug or activity, even though you can't afford it. - Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities or reducing the amount of social and recreational activities. - Continuing to use the drug or carrying out the activity, even though you know it is causing problems in your life or causing you psychological harm. - Doing things you wouldn't normally do, such as stealing. - Driving or doing other risky activities when you are under the influence of the drug. - Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, partaking in the activity, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug. - Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug or pursuing the activity. - Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop using the drug or carrying out the activity. Withdrawal symptoms are the unpleasant physical reactions that happen when an addict stops taking an addictive drug. *Source: www.mayoclinic.org