CULTURAL

ADDICTIONS
12SCr
What is an addiction?

The term "addiction" is used in many contexts

to describe an obsession, compulsion, or
excessive psychological dependence, such as:
drug addiction (e.g. alcoholism),
video game addiction, crime, money,
work addiction, compulsive overeating,
problem gambling, computer addiction,
nicotine addiction, pornography addiction, etc.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction
Types of Addiction
 The 10 most common Addictions
1. Alcohol Addiction.
2. Smoking
3. Drug Addiction
4. Gambling
5. Food Addiction
6. Video Games
7. Internet Addiction
8. Sex Addiction
9. Shopping
10. Work Addiction
Surprising facts about
Addiction
 Drug and/or alcohol addiction is surprisingly
common.
Approximately 1 out of every 8 Americans is living with
some form of addiction. This includes drugs and alcohol.
Since this figure only includes known cases of addiction,
the true figure may be much higher.
 Rates of addiction to drugs and alcohol are on the
rise.
The no. Of people who are living with some type of
addiction has been increasing steadily over the past
decade or two. This is hardly surprising, since almost 50%
of young adults between the ages 18 and 21 have
admitted to using drugs and/or alcohol
 Approximately 15% of children under the age of 18
have admitted to experimenting with illegal drugs
 One quarter of 8th grade (American) students
admit to smoking marijuana regularly, and just over
30% of high school students smoke pot.
Facts continued
 Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol is a problem for
approximately 30Million people in the Unites States
alone.
 It is believed that compulsive overeaters can consume
up to 5000 calories at a time and up to 60,000 calories
in a day!
 The national institute of mental health reports that
approximately 4.2Million Americans suffer from
gambling addiction and that 60% of these addicts
make less that $25,000 annually.
 Over 35Million smokers try to quit each year, yet less
than 5% reach their 1 year anniversary.
 Behaviours associated with sexual addiction include:
Compulsive masturbation (self-stimulation), Multiple affairs,
Multiple or anonymous sexual partners and/or one night
stands, Consistent use of pornography, Unsafe sex, Phone or
computer sex, Prostitution or use of prostitutes ,
Exhibitionism, Obsessive dating through personal ads,
With the advent of technology
– a new addiction is born!!!!
Internet Addiction
IAD (Internet Addiction
Disorder)
 Internet addiction disorder (IAD), is excessive
computer use that interferes with daily life.

 IAD as a classified psychological disorder is

yet confirmed and is being debated and
researched.

 Disorder classification can be divided into

subtypes by activity, such as excessive
viewing of pornography, excessive gaming,
inappropriate involvement in online social
networking sites and Internet shopping
Symptoms and Addiction
Defined.
 Addiction. "A primary, chronic disease, characterized
by impaired control over the use of a psychoactive
substance and/or behaviour”.
 Symptoms of video IAD. Internet addiction disorder
refers to the problematic use of the Internet, including
the various aspects of its technology, such as
electronic mail (e-mail) and the World Wide Web.
 Physical Symptoms. One symptom of Internet
addiction is excessive time devoted to Internet use. A
person might have difficulty cutting down on his or
her online time even when they are threatened with
poor grades or loss of a job. Other symptoms of
addiction may include lack of sleep, fatigue , declining
grades or poor job performance, apathy , and racing
thoughts. There may also be a decreased investment
in social relationships and activities. They may be
Are we addicted to?
FARMVILLE!
Ben Matthews – Level 27
Sue Crawte – Level 26
Alex Raymond – Level 25
Ashley Brandon – Level 23
Ava Allan – Level 22
Nathan Murphy – Level 22
Leonie Dolling – Level 20
Tom Webster – Level 19
Keely Bowes – Level 18
Matt Jerome – Level 17
If you answer 'yes' to five or more of
these questions, you may have an
internet addiction.
 · Do you feel preoccupied with the internet? (Think about
your online activity or anticipate your next online session.)
 · Do you need increasing amounts of time on the net in
order to achieve satisfaction?
 · Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to
control, cut back or stop internet use?
 · Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when
attempting to cut down or stop internet use?
 · Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
 · Have you jeopardised or risked the loss of a significant
relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because
of the internet?
 · Have you lied to family members, a therapist or others to
conceal the extent of your involvement with the internet?
 · Do you use it to escape from problems (eg, feelings of
helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression)?
Test yourself

go.gcus.net/aid