Addiction (Psychology)

Addiction Is Narcissism

by Ayla Michelle Demir

Trends in Primary Methamphetamine-Related Admissions to Youth Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Facilities in Canada, 2005–2006 and 2009–2010

by Marina Verdichevski

Published in the Canadian Journal of Psychiatry

Authors:
Verdichevski M, Burns R, Cunningham JK, Tavares J, Callaghan RC.

Objective: During the last decade, methamphetamine use and issues surrounding its toxicity have triggered major... more Objective: During the last decade, methamphetamine use and issues surrounding its toxicity have triggered major concern in the Canadian government, leading to significant changes in drug policy and funding strategies to limit the societal impact of methamphetamine-related harms. This concern appears justified by research which found in 2005–2006 that 21% of all youth admissions to inpatient substance abuse treatment centres in Canada were due primarily to methamphetamine abuse. Given these patterns of treatment use and targeted governmental initiatives, an open question is whether the demand for methamphetamine treatment found in 2005–2006 has decreased. Our study aims to provide follow-up estimates of admissions for 2009–2010, as well as important trend information for these periods.
Method: We developed a comprehensive list of all Canadian residential youth substance abuse treatment facilities. The executive director of each facility was asked about the site’s annual caseload, and the proportion of cases primarily due to methamphetamine abuse within the past 12 months.
Results: Our survey data for the periods of 2005–2006 and 2009–2010 show marked reductions in admissions. In 2009–2010, we found that about 6% of all admissions were due primarily to methamphetamine abuse, a substantial drop from the 21% reported in our 2005–2006 study.
Conclusions: Our data show a significant national reduction in methamphetamine-related admissions. Other reports show that methamphetamine-related treatment admissions in the United States and Mexico declined sharply during 2005–2008, reportedly in association with Mexico’s methamphetamine precursor chemical controls, raising the possibility that the controls may also be associated with the declines reported here.

Addiction, Narrative and Spirituality: Theoretical-Methodological Approaches and Overview

by Srdjan Sremac

Religija i tolerancija Vol.8/14, 2010, 255-273.

In the article the author presents different theoretical and methodological approaches to substance addiction:... more In the article the author presents different theoretical and methodological approaches to substance addiction: biological, socio-cultural, psychological, and narrative theories. The author argues that we have to develop a comprehensive theory of addiction that should include not only biomedical, psychological and socio-cultural factors but spiritual aspects of the individual as well. A more holistic and yet fully empirical model of research in addictiology as a human science must indeed include the spiritual dimension. Therefore, a comprehensive theory of addiction has to address all aspects: physical, psychological, social, and spiritual for effective treatment and recovery.

Key words: Addiction, spirituality, religiousness, narrative.

Addiction and Autonomy: are Addicts Autonomous?

by Srdjan Sremac

Nova Prisutnost 9(2011)1, 171-188. Co-authored with Frans Koopmans.

In the article, the authors deal with how addiction can be related to autonomy. First, they will provide a definition... more In the article, the authors deal with how addiction can be related to autonomy. First, they will provide a definition of substance addiction and the way various theories have interpreted this phenomenon. Further, they will give a general description of the concept of autonomy and relate this to the phenomenon of addiction. Subsequently, the authors will deal with the way some explanatory models of addiction (the disease model, disorder of choice model, and existential disorder model) see the relationship of autonomy and addiction and focus on the following questions: How does addiction relate to autonomy? Does addiction make volitional choice impossible, i.e. are addicts out of control? Is addictive behavior a rational activity?

Key words: Addiction, autonomy, disease model, disorder of choice model, existential disorder model, spirituality.

Griffiths, M.D. (1996). Nicotine, tobacco and addiction. Nature, 384, 18.

by Mark Griffiths

Griffiths, M.D. (1993). Addictions: Looking to the future. Clinical Psychology Forum, 62, 16.

by Mark Griffiths

Kuss, D.J. & Griffiths, M.D. (2011). Addiction to social networks on the internet: A literature review of empirical research. International Journal of Environment and Public Health, 8, 3528-3552.

by Mark Griffiths

Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact... more Social Networking Sites (SNSs) are virtual communities where users can create individual public profiles, interact with real-life friends, and meet other people based on shared interests. They are seen as a ‘global consumer phenomenon’ with an exponential rise in usage within the last few years. Anecdotal case study evidence suggests that ‘addiction’ to social networks on the Internet may be a potential mental health problem for some users. However, the contemporary scientific literature addressing the addictive qualities of social networks on the Internet is scarce. Therefore, this literature review is intended to provide empirical and conceptual insight into the emerging phenomenon of addiction to SNSs by: (1) outlining SNS usage patterns, (2) examining motivations for SNS usage, (3) examining personalities of SNS users, (4) examining negative consequences of SNS usage, (5) exploring potential SNS addiction, and (6) exploring SNS addiction specificity and comorbidity. The findings indicate that SNSs are predominantly used for social purposes, mostly related to the maintenance of established offline networks. Moreover, extraverts appear to use social networking sites for social enhancement, whereas introverts use it for social compensation, each of which appears to be related to greater usage, as does low conscientiousness and high narcissism. Negative correlates of SNS usage include the decrease in real life social community participation and academic achievement, as well as relationship problems, each of which may be indicative of potential addiction.

Smoking experience modulates the cortical integration of vision and haptics

by Yavor Yalachkov

published in Neuroimage

Sensory and motor aspects of addiction

by Yavor Yalachkov

published in Behavioural Brain Research

Brain regions related to tool use and action knowledge reflect nicotine dependence

by Yavor Yalachkov

published in Journal of Neuroscience

Perception and action in nicotine addiction: fMRI and behavioral studies of sensorimotor and multisensory processes in smokers and non-smokers

by Yavor Yalachkov

PhD thesis

Involvement of action-related brain regions in nicotine addiction

by Yavor Yalachkov

published in Journal of Neurophysiology

Griffiths, M.D. (2003). Fruit machine addiction in females: A case Study. Journal of Gambling Issues, 8.

by Mark Griffiths

Published studies report that males play fruit machines more often than females and that as fruit machine playing... more Published studies report that males play fruit machines more often than females and that as fruit machine playing becomes more regular it is more likely to be a predominantly male activity. Researchers have identified few female adolescent fruit machine addicts. With so little known about excessive fruit-machine playing by female adolescents, this study reports the rare case of a female teenager who has a fruit-machine addiction.

Griffiths, M.D. & Cooper, G. (2003). Online therapy: Implications for problem gamblers and clinicians, British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 13, 113-135.

by Mark Griffiths

It is clear that clinicians working in the field of problem gambling cannot afford to ignore the Internet.... more It is clear that clinicians working in the field of problem gambling cannot afford to ignore the Internet. Psychological advice, help and treatment for gamblers are no exceptions with both counselling and psychotherapy entering the computer age. Such help comes under a variety of guises including Inter net counselling, online therapy, webcounselling, cybertherapy, E-therapy, and cybercounselling (all on this partial list tend to get used interchangeably). Although there is no official description of how to define this activity, a common component of all these methods is that people logging into these Internet services are receiving psychological advice and/or ‘treatment’ at hundreds of websites. Predictably, the subject of Internet counselling is causing wide debate (especially on the Internet itself!). This paper overviews the main issues in the area and briefly examines ‘telehealth’, online therapy (and the various types currently available), the relative advantages and disadvantages of online therapy, and the implications for the treatment of problem gamblers. The authors approach this discussion acknowledging that online therapy has to be incorporated within the overall framework of the need for clinical assistance.

Griffiths, M.D. (2002). Are lottery scratchcards a hard form of gambling? Journal of Gambling Issues, 7.

by Mark Griffiths

This article argues that scratchcards are not an extension of the online U.K. National Lottery but an entirely... more This article argues that scratchcards are not an extension of the online U.K. National Lottery but an entirely different form of gambling, with its own implications for future gambling policy. It also argues that scratchcards are potentially addictive and should be considered a "hard" form of gambling. The author suggests that scratchcard gambling could become a repetitive habit for some people because of their integrated mix of conditioning effects, rapid event frequency, short payout intervals and psychological rewards coupled with the fact that scratchcards require no skill and are highly accessible, deceptively inexpensive and available in "respectable" outlets. On March 21, 1995, Camelot — the consortium that runs the U.K. National Lottery online — introduced scratchcards. Like the online game, 28% of ticket sales contribute towards "good causes" distributed by the National Lotteries Charities Board. Although scratchcards are not new to the United Kingdom, many people view them as intricately linked with the National Lottery. Camelot's scratchcards were the first to benefit from both heavy advertising (television, national newspapers, billboards, etc.) and large jackpots (e.g., £50,000), which meant they became successful very quickly.

Griffiths, M.D. (2002). Adolescent gambling: What should teachers and parents know? Education and Health, 20, 31-35.

by Mark Griffiths

Adolescent gambling is a growing problem in society today. It appears to be related to high levels of problem gambling... more Adolescent gambling is a growing problem in society today. It appears to be related to high levels of problem gambling and other delinquent activities such as illicit drug taking and alcohol abuse (Griffiths & Sutherland, 1998). It has been noted that adolescents may be more susceptible to problem gambling than adults. In the UK, up to one in twenty children may have a gambling problem (Griffiths & Wood, 2000). This figure is two to three times higher than that identified in the adult population (Fisher, 1992; Griffiths 1995). On this evidence, young people are clearly more vulnerable to the negative consequences of gambling than adults.

Griffiths, M.D. & Delfabbro, P. (2001). The biopsychosocial approach to gambling: Contextual factors in research and clinical interventions. Journal of Gambling Issues, 5, 1-33.

by Mark Griffiths

This paper argues that adherence to a single, specialised theory of gambling is largely untenable. It highlights... more This paper argues that adherence to a single, specialised theory of gambling is largely untenable. It highlights limitations of existing theories of gambling at three increasingly specific levels of analysis; namely, the social, psychological and biological. An overview of each level of analysis (social, psychological and biological) is provided by critically evaluating the contemporary literature on gambling. This is followed by discussions of the limitations and interdependence of each theoretical approach and the implications for research and clinical interventions. While several recent critiques of gambling research have provided considerable insight into the methodological limitations of many gambling studies, another problem is seldom acknowledged — the inadequacy and insular nature of many research paradigms. It is argued that gambling is a multifaceted behaviour, strongly influenced by contextual factors that cannot be encompassed by any single theoretical perspective. Such contextual factors include variations in gambling involvement and motivation across different demographic groups, the structural characteristics of activities and the developmental or temporal nature of gambling behaviour. This paper suggests that research and clinical interventions are best served by a biopsychosocial approach that incorporates the best strands of contemporary psychology, biology and sociology.

Griffiths, M.D. (2011). The preventing and treating addictive behaviour. Psychology Review, 17(2), 18-21.

by Mark Griffiths

van Rooij, T., Antonius, J., Meerkerk, G. Schoenmakers, T.M., Griffiths, M.D. & van de Mheen, D. (2010). Videogameverslaving & maatschappelijke verantwoordelijkheid van de game-industrie. Rotterdam: The Addiction Institute (IVO), 8pp.

by Mark Griffiths

Griffiths, M.D. (1996). Netties Anonymous. In Touch, 10, 12-13.

by Mark Griffiths