Addictions

“continued involvement with a substance or activity despite its ongoing negative consequences” Donatelle, 2011. pg 192

Classified by APA as a mental disorder

Addictive behaviours produce a sense of pleasure and stability where the individual needs to consume the substance or take part in the behaviour to feel normal

What is Addiction?

"a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry.“

The American society of Addiction Medicine (August 16, 2011). Addiction is a brain disease, experts declare

Los Angeles Times Accessed August 26, 2011. ^ The Definition of Addiction American Society of Addiction Medicine.

Accessed August 26, 2011.

A new definition

1. Compulsion / obsession

2. Loss of control

3. Negative consequences

4. Denial

4 common symptoms of addictions

Physiological dependence

Tolerance

Withdrawal

Psychological dependence

Addictive behaviour

Drug Addictions◦ Alcohol◦ Tobacco◦ Cannabis

Behavioural Addictions◦ Gambling◦ Pornography◦ Food◦ Shopping◦ Technologies

Addictions

Compulsive gambling

Compulsive spenders http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBynYcy

4KPY&feature=related

Exercise addiction◦ Muscle dysmorphia◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCVM8gYb5ag

Addictive Behaviours

Between 10,000 and 60,000 of adults have gambling problems in New Zealand.

10,000 NZ’ers engaged in illegal activities because of their gambling.

Over 74,000 NZer’s suffer from inferior mental health because of gambling.

10% of the adult population are regular gamblers

1 in 6 NZ’ers say a family member has gone without something they needed or a bill has gone unpaid because of gambling.

Gambling

Pokie machines are the most harmful form of gambling in NZ

A 2009 Ministry of Health study shows that pokie machines are concentrated in the most vulnerable communities.

The social costs of gambling are out of proportion to the numbers of problem gamblers

Every person with a gambling problem affects 5-10 other people

Technology addictions◦ Facebook◦ cell phone◦ Gaming◦ Disregard for health, sleep, study, work, social

relationships

◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEkqBPdcCNE

Addictive behaviours

Food addiction can also include eating disorders such as anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder which include extreme emotions, attitudes, and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues. Eating disorders and food addiction are serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences for females and males.

 

food addiction

Misuse = using a drug for a purpose for which it wasn’t intended

Abuse = excessive use of a drug

Drug Misuse and Drug Abuse

Human need to alter our consciousness or mental state

Need to escape the normal

Drugs physical resembele the chemicals produced naturally within the body

Why drug abuse?

Brain wired for pleasure

All addictive drugs activate the brain’s pleasure circuit

Psychoactive drugs alter the chemical neurotransmission – enagnacing or suppressing

How Drugs Affect the Brain

Prescription

OTC Drugs

Recreational Drugs

Herbal preparations

Illicit / illegal drugs

Types of Drugs

Oral ingestion – reaches the bloodstream in 30 mins

Inhalation – sniffing, smoking

Injection – IV the fastest route – takes seconds

Topically – on the skin e.g. nicotine patch

Routes of Administartion

The prevalence of having used drugs for recreational purposes in the last 12 monthswas highest for the following drugs:

• cannabis (14.6%) • BZP party pills (5.6%) • ecstasy (2.6%) • amphetamines (2.1%) • LSD and other synthetic hallucinogens

(1.3%). MOH, 2010

Recreational Drugs

Cocaine Amphetamines Methamphetamine Caffeine marijuana

Common Drugs of AbuseStimulants

Alcohol Opioids Benzodiazepines & barbiturates GHB Hallucinogens Inhalants Anabolic steroids

Common Drugs of AbuseDepressants

Harm reduction Strategies

Capri Trust◦ Residential support◦ 12 step support group◦ Medical detoxification

Addictions Treatment Auckland◦ Psychotherapy◦ Counselling

Treatment for Addictions

Talk about your concerns with a drug and alcohol professional, other concerned family members, or friends.

Find out what resources and support services are available.

Choose an appropriate time to talk with the person concerned and explain how you feel about what is going

on. Negotiate a set of guidelines for their behaviour with

agreed consequences if the guidelines are broken.

.

What can I do if I think someone I know is addicted?

Support and encourage positive behaviour.

Look after yourself – don’t allow yourself to become

overburdened by the person’s problem.

Ensure the physical safety of yourself and any children involved

DARE - Drug Abuse Resistance Education FADE - Foundation for Alcohol and Drug Edu

cation

New Zealand Drug Foundation ◦ alcohol drug helpline 0800 787 797

gambling helpline 0800 654 655

www.adanz.org.nz

Help & Support