Addiction and Addictive Behaviors

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a look at addictions such as drug usage and gambling. The author first defines the term addiction and takes a look at what makes a person an addict, be it to food, drugs or cigarettes. In particular, the paper looks at dependency on drugs and addiction to gambling and examines how these addictions prove to be a strong hindrance to people's chance of living a quality life.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Definitions of Addiction
DSM IV Substance Dependence
Drug Addiction
Gambling Addiction
Conclusion
References

From the Paper:

"Nature has a way of making people addicted to some extent. There is that thing in people that hooks them with anything that will give pleasure and remove pain. Millions of people have habits or cravings not only to drugs, alcohol, food and cigarettes; but also to sleeping pills, tranquilizers, amphetamines, coffee, sugar, gambling, exercise, sex, love and many others. But that does not necessarily qualify them as addicts. It is normal for people to want some things because of the good feeling they get out of it. For others, it is the feeling of relief in avoiding the pain caused by stopping the habit that makes them keep on the habit. Fewer others are simply drowned and powerless to stop. What then makes a real addict different from everybody else who craves for things that bring pleasure and avoids pain? The answer to this has long been debated by scientists and researchers for decades with many different versions published."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Alcoholics Anonymous. (1992) Twelve-Step of Alcoholics Anonymous. World Services, Inc. Retrieved 8 March 2009 from http://www.aa.org/en_pdfs/smf-121_en.pdf.
• Addiction and Habituation (2002) Encyclopedia of Public Health. The Gale Group, Inc. Retrieved 7 March 2009 from http://www.enotes.com/public-health-encyclopedia/addiction-habituation
• American Psychiatric Association (1994). Excerpts: Substance-Related Disorders and Impulse Disorders not Elsewhere Classified. Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC.
• Beck, David. (n.d.) Psychiatric Disorders Due to General Medical Conditions. Retrieved 6 March 2009 from http://www.umcpsychiatry.com/medstudents/Psychiatryic%20Disorder%20Due%20to%20General%20Medical%20Conditions-Outline.pdf
• Carroll, Kathleen. (1998) A Cognitive Behavioral Approach: Treating Cocaine Addiction. Therapy Manuals for Drug Addiction. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health.

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