The American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) define addiction as a chronic tenacious pattern of substance use and related problems. According to the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA), drug addiction is similar to other chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It also shares many features with […]
Archive for the ‘Process Addictions’ Category
Why the World Needs 12-Step Support Groups
Posted byMy grandma was fond of saying, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This is something that needs to be said to researchers from the Italian Agency for Public Health in Rome who recently reported there are no advantages to a 12 step intervention program. I don’t know why researchers felt the need to study […]
The Stigma of Addiction Is A Barrier to Recovery
Posted byIn our society, there is a very negative and prevalent association with the words “addict” and “alcoholic.” This antiquated association was, and continues to be, born of ignorance and unhealthy shame, or stigma. Shame and the societal stigma that accompanies it are detrimental to understanding addiction, identifying those in need of treatment, and facilitating acceptance, […]
Gambling Addiction
Posted byWe tend to respond to issues because of media attention to public figures. Recently, William Bennett, former cabinet secretary and spokesman for virtue and morality, has come under fire because of reported eight million dollars in gambling losses at various casinos over the years. But Bennett’s financial losses from gambling are part of a much […]
Food: Friend or Foe
Posted byI want to share with you about the problem of overeating. I could start off with a lot of statistics which you have probably read most of already, and there will be room for some of them later, but I would like to start at the other end of the spectrum. Silvie Granatelli is a […]
Compulsive Gambling
Posted byGambling is now legalized in Virginia and South Carolina and a casino thrives in Cherokee. It is logical that there is an increase in problem gambling. Gambling is defined as any betting or wagering, for self or others, whether for money or not, no matter how slight or insignificant, where the outcome is uncertain or […]