Addiction to Smart Phones
.. the iPhone has defined a new kind of communication form … and some of interesting sociology … in the news this week is “nomophobia”, the fear of being away from your smart phone. People in the 18 to 24 year range seem most dependent on mobile technology with over 75% expressing discomfort with being away from their phones for more than a few minutes. The 25 to 34 year old group was only a bit behind with 68 percent. “Nomophobic people have a fear of losing connection with the outside world,” according to psychologist Elizabeth Waterman, who has started to address nomophobia in group therapy sessions at the Morningside Recovery Center in California. We discuss different aspects of the issue and how it relates to other addictions.
Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse
The linkage between domestic violence and alcohol and drug abuse is well known and clearly documented in the literature. We discuss some of the issues with our guest Diana Hamilton, head of the Victims Assistance Program for the Jackson County Oregon District Attorney’s Office.
Gambling – in news, in new DSM, dopamine, treatment
Gambling … will have a category as a full-spectrum disorder in the new DSM-V. Though 80% of the US population engages in gambling, only about %2 have serious issues — and while its not physically dangerous like many drugs (although there is increased suicide risk), it can still be profoundly troublesome to the people affected. The increase in internet gambling promises to exacerbate the issue. Naltrexone, which is being used successfully to treat opioid and alcohol addiction, is also being used, with reported successes in reducing the craving to gamble.
Marijuana addiction, legalization, effect on intelligence
Oregon, Washington and Colorado have legalized and taxed marijuana on their ballot; other states are watching closely to see if this can be a viable revenue source… as well as reducing the costs of policing, prosecuting and incarcerating pot users … The new DSM will list marijuana as a fully addictive substance, and a recent study shows that adolescents who start heavy use of pot before the age of 18 having significantly reduced IQs by the time they are in their 30s.
Has drug testing gotten better? And alcohol – factors in relationships and in binging
Has drug testing gotten significantly better recently is the question we ask as this week more baseball players are banned for doping, and whether its a factor in Lance Armstrong’s decision to end his years-long duel with the US Anti-Doping Agency over the question of whether he used performance enhancing drugs and techniques.
Sports & Drugs – Testing backwards, POSD, Ethics
Sports and drugs this summer continues with a consideration of ethics and Olympian ideals … promotion of fair play, education against doping drug use… this summer included stripping a gold medal from a Belarus shot putter when her blood from 8 years ago was re-tested and found to have steroids …