Historically, addiction has been defined with regard solely to psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco and other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering the chemical milieu of the brain.
Many people, both psychology professionals and laymen, now feel that there should be accommodation made to include psychological dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, video games, internet, work, exercise, idolising, watching TV or certain types of non-pornographic videos, spiritual obsession, cutting and shopping so these behaviors count as 'addictions' as well and cause guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, or humiliation symptoms associated with, among other medical conditions, depression and epilepsy
Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, refers to a maladaptive pattern of use of a substance that is not considered dependent.
The term \"drug abuse\" does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in nonmedical contexts. The terms have a huge range of definitions related to taking a psychoactive drug or performance enhancing drug for a non-therapeutic or non-medical effect. All of these definitions imply a negative judgment of the drug use in question (compare with the term responsible drug use for alternative views).
Some of the drugs most often associated with this term include alcohol, amphetamines,barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cocaine, methaqualone, and opioids. Use of these drugs may lead to criminal penalty in addition to possible physical, social, and psychological harm, both strongly depending on local jurisdiction.
Other definitions of drug abuse fall into four main categories: public health definitions, mass communication and vernacular usage, medical definitions, and political and criminal justice definitions.
Worldwide, the UN estimates there are more than 50 million regular users of heroin, cocaine and synthetic drugs.
Headlines Around the Web
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Nov 01 - AllAfrica News
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Aug 06 - France24
China hits out at US debt 'addiction' after downgrade
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China scolds U.S. 'addiction to debts'
Aug 06 - CBC
China state media blasts US over debt downgrade
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Rwanda: MPs Worried About Possible Gaming Addiction
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UK singer Amy Winehouse found dead
Jul 23 - AL JAZEERA
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Jul 08 - AL JAZEERA
Former US First Lady Betty Ford dead at 93
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Galliano 'cannot remember' racist comments
Jun 22 - Financial Times
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Jun 22 - France24
'Too drunk' Amy Winehouse booed in Belgrade
Jun 19 - France24
China to step up fight against plastic addiction
May 29 - France24
Alkermes Gains on Plans to Buy Elan Division for $960 Million
May 09 - Business Week
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Ghana: Workers Urged to Eschew Drunkenness
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Three-year-old is UK's 'youngest ever alcoholic'
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Articles About Addiction
Smokeless Tobacco: Used by More Troops after Deployment
By Reuters
U.S. troops sent to Iraq or Afghanistan are more likely to start a smokeless tobacco habit than their comrades who stay home -- especially if they see combat, a new study finds. (1:29 pm)
MORE TOPICS: AFGHANISTAN, IRAQ
Lady in Black: Adele's Mysterious Black Outfits - Are They Her Lucky Charm? [PHOTOS]
By IBTimes UK
The sensational singer says she likes Johnny Cash and wears only black. (6:46 am)
Teenage Brain More Sensitive to Cocaine: Yale Report
By IBTimes
New insights into teenage brain functions have provide a new lead on why adolescents are more addicted to cocaine. (6:03 am)
Who's Blaming Sex for Michael Fassbender's Oscar Snub? [VIDEO]
By IBTimes
When this year's Oscar nominations were announced, one person's name was expected to be called for the Best Actor category. Michal Fassbender, who gave one of the best performances of 2011 was left of the nominee's list. (Feb 21)
Natalie Cassidy Sparks Domestic Violence Outrage After Taking Back Ex That Beat Her
By IBTimes UK
The former EastEnders star defended her decision by saying that she wasn't badly beaten by Adam Cottrell. (Feb 21)
Bobby Brown Wants Bobbi Kristina in a Treatment Facility: Report
By IBTimes
Bobby Brown is said to be worried about his daughter Bobbi Kristina and wants her to get professional help and get into a treatment facility. "Krissy has taken her mother's death really hard, not surprisingly, and Bobby is terrified she... (Feb 21)
MORE TOPICS: CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK
Microsoft's Social News Site, MSNow, Taps 'Hottest Conversations'
By IBTimes AU
Microsoft Corp. launched on Thursday a new trend-tracking service called msnNow which tracks what people are talking about online by shifting through real-time topics across social media networks like Facebook and Twitter. (Feb 19)
My Mistakes and Building A Trading Strategy (part 2)
By FXEmpire
I am going to share a personal story with you about my beginning in the Forex markets and how I learned how to develop a trading strategy and the mistakes I learned along the way. I share my journey with you in 5 articles, as you will see that I have developed very good trading strategy overtime. (Feb 19)
MORE TOPICS: MANAGEMENT, LONDON
Bobbi Kristina Brown Twitter: Teen Tweets ‘Crack is Wack’ on Day of Whitney Houston’s Burial?
By IBTimes
Bobbi Kristina Brown, the 18-year-old daughter of Whitney Houston, has been struggling with the untimely passing of her mother. On Sunday, the day of Whitney Houston's burial, Bobbi Kristina tweeted "Crack is wack" in the wee morning hours from her supposed official Twitter handle. (Feb 19)
MORE TOPICS: TWITTER
Whitney Houston Funeral: Family, Fans, Friends Pay Respect to the Singer
By Reuters
Stars, family and friends gathered to mourn Whitney Houston at her funeral on Saturday, a week after the sudden death of the singer whose spectacular voice and best-selling albums made her one of biggest pop stars of her era. (Feb 18)
MORE TOPICS: JESSE JACKSON, CIVIL RIGHTS, NEW JERSEY, HOLLYWOOD, OPRAH WINFREY, BILLBOARD
