Addictions
Addiction is a condition in which the body must have a drug to avoid physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms. Addiction’s first stage is dependence, during which the search for a drug dominates an individual’s life. An addict eventually develops tolerance, which forces the person to consume larger and larger doses of the drug to get the same effect.
Adapted from the Encyclopedia of Psychology
What You Can Do
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Understanding How People Change is First Step in Changing Unhealthy Behavior
Stages-of-change research has been used to develop dozens of behavior change programs, including HIV prevention, to help people live longer, healthier lives.
Getting Help
- Find a Psychologist
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Have Your Children Had Their Anti-Smoking Shots?
Attitude Inoculation dramatically reduces teenage smoking rates.
News
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Hard-to-watch commercials make quitting smoking easier
July 24, 2014, The New York Times
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Sex addiction and drug addiction linked in the brain
July 14, 2014, Huffington Post
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Alcohol remains a leading killer
July 7, 2014, The New York Times
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Has your teen tried hookah?
July 7, 2014, CNN
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RU ready to quit smoking? Texting can help
June 6, 2014, NPR
Monitor on Psychology Articles
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Taking a broad view of addiction
November 1, 2013
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What do pigeons have in common with problem gamblers?
July 1, 2013
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Breaking free from addiction
June 1, 2013
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Overcoming temptation
October 1, 2012
Books
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APA Addiction Syndrome Handbook
May 2012
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Handbook of Drug Use Etiology
September 2009
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Substance Abuse and Emotion
August 2009
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Addictive Behaviors
October 2008
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Preventing Youth Substance Abuse
August 2006
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Drug Abuse Treatment Through Collaboration
February 2003
