Kafli 1 – Addiction to experience
The Broad Scope of Addiction
Recognition that the term addiction should transcend drug abuse emerged from the problem of
categorizing so-called non-addictive and addictive drugs. By the late 1960s, it became clear that
some people could become compulsively involved with marijuana and LSD, substance that
seemed to have a related low potential for physical dependency. Meanwhile some users could
maintain relatively casual relationships with opium derivatives such as heroin or codeine,
customary associated with the rapidly increased tolerance and severe discomfort upon
discontinuance
Physical vs. psychological Dependency
Mechanisms of addiction can differ between substances and activities
Different hedonic pursuits may produce a singular type or a mixture of physical and
psychological dependencies
Both types of dependency are problematic, and therefore strict distinction may not be
helpful
Physical Dependency
Tolerance
Withdrawal
– alcohol, heroin
Psychological Dependency
Cravings
Using to cope or feel “normal”
Example – Methamphetamine, crack cocaine
Nearly 7% of those aged 12 and older had used ecstasy at least once in their lifetime. Although
nearly 60% of those who reported use acknowledged symptoms of withdrawal such as predicate
loss of appetite depression and trouble concentrating, about 23% did not meet the diagnostic
criteria for abuse or dependence
National Survey on Drug use and health (2015)
1
, Behavioral Addiction
people regularly describe themselves as addicted to seemingly harmless activities like aerobics or
watching MTV. Media-coined disorders such as “chocoholism” or “workaholism” are widely
accepted with an abundance of explanations. Endorphins, our internal opioids are proposed as
the “key to paradise” for runners who push beyond on the wall.
Youngsters who develop
• Addictive personality – impulsive, deviant, depressed, and
nonconforming compulsive problem behavior
• Syndrome Approach to addictive behaviors focuses on often experience difficulty in
– Genetics account for 40% to 60% of person’s
vulnerability to addiction school and family relationships.
– Different drugs and activities have different Fighting, Auto accidents and
addiction liabilities
vicious struggle with parents.
– Environmental factors influence risk and resiliency
factors Those who have familial
inadequacy, poverty, bereavement or geographic
instability are at risk for developing addiction.
Who is Most at Risk?
Adolescents and other individual with mental disorders
are at greater risk of drug abuse and addictive behavior.
Parents who abuse alcohol or drugs or criminal activity
increase children’s risks of developing addictive
problems. During adolescence friends have the most impact. The more risk factors an individual
has, the greater chance that
partaking of risky behavior will
lead to compulsion and loss of
control.
Zhai et al. (2015) found
that for adolescents there is a
relationship between low self-
esteem and negative coping.
2
The Broad Scope of Addiction
Recognition that the term addiction should transcend drug abuse emerged from the problem of
categorizing so-called non-addictive and addictive drugs. By the late 1960s, it became clear that
some people could become compulsively involved with marijuana and LSD, substance that
seemed to have a related low potential for physical dependency. Meanwhile some users could
maintain relatively casual relationships with opium derivatives such as heroin or codeine,
customary associated with the rapidly increased tolerance and severe discomfort upon
discontinuance
Physical vs. psychological Dependency
Mechanisms of addiction can differ between substances and activities
Different hedonic pursuits may produce a singular type or a mixture of physical and
psychological dependencies
Both types of dependency are problematic, and therefore strict distinction may not be
helpful
Physical Dependency
Tolerance
Withdrawal
– alcohol, heroin
Psychological Dependency
Cravings
Using to cope or feel “normal”
Example – Methamphetamine, crack cocaine
Nearly 7% of those aged 12 and older had used ecstasy at least once in their lifetime. Although
nearly 60% of those who reported use acknowledged symptoms of withdrawal such as predicate
loss of appetite depression and trouble concentrating, about 23% did not meet the diagnostic
criteria for abuse or dependence
National Survey on Drug use and health (2015)
1
, Behavioral Addiction
people regularly describe themselves as addicted to seemingly harmless activities like aerobics or
watching MTV. Media-coined disorders such as “chocoholism” or “workaholism” are widely
accepted with an abundance of explanations. Endorphins, our internal opioids are proposed as
the “key to paradise” for runners who push beyond on the wall.
Youngsters who develop
• Addictive personality – impulsive, deviant, depressed, and
nonconforming compulsive problem behavior
• Syndrome Approach to addictive behaviors focuses on often experience difficulty in
– Genetics account for 40% to 60% of person’s
vulnerability to addiction school and family relationships.
– Different drugs and activities have different Fighting, Auto accidents and
addiction liabilities
vicious struggle with parents.
– Environmental factors influence risk and resiliency
factors Those who have familial
inadequacy, poverty, bereavement or geographic
instability are at risk for developing addiction.
Who is Most at Risk?
Adolescents and other individual with mental disorders
are at greater risk of drug abuse and addictive behavior.
Parents who abuse alcohol or drugs or criminal activity
increase children’s risks of developing addictive
problems. During adolescence friends have the most impact. The more risk factors an individual
has, the greater chance that
partaking of risky behavior will
lead to compulsion and loss of
control.
Zhai et al. (2015) found
that for adolescents there is a
relationship between low self-
esteem and negative coping.
2
