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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American Psychological Association Statement Commending the Final Regulation for the Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008
November 8, 2013, APA Press Release
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Why doctors are testing an epilepsy drug for alcoholism
November 7, 2013, NPR
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Effects of smoking seen in twins
October 31, 2013, CNN
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Smokers most likely to think about quitting on Mondays
October 28, 2013, NBC News
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New women alcoholics: 'Looking at red wine like it's chocolate'
October 22, 2013, ABC News
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Are Oreos as 'addictive' as cocaine?
October 16, 2013, CNN
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
