Technology opens up new avenues to addiction

Addiction and Recovery

By Bob Gaydos

Which came first, the Internet or the addiction?

That existential question is at the heart of a debate among psychiatrists, psychologists and other professionals in the addiction treatment field. Is all that time people spend on their laptops, computers, tablets and smartphones a sign of addiction to the technology itself, or is the technology merely an extraordinarily convenient vehicle by which to accommodate the addiction? And, either way, is there potential harm?

The answer to that last question is yes.

Internet addiction disorder (sometimes called technology addiction or Internet Use Disorder) is not listed in the latest DSM manual (DSM-5 2013), which is used by psychiatrists to officially diagnose addictions. However, Internet gaming disorder (video games that are especially popular with men in their 20s and 30s) is listed as a condition worthy of further study.

The only non-substance related addiction included in the manual is gambling disorder. And yet, it doesn’t take a scientific study to know that there are people who spend hours online looking at pornography, still others who will shop at e-bay and other Internet sites as long as PayPal will allow them to and still others who have become day traders (and night traders) on the stock market -- either because it’s right there in their living room or because of some other less obvious reason that might come out in therapy.

And, of course, there are the those who frequent social media sites, such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram (often at work), as well as ubiquitous texters (mostly teenagers) with smartphones at the ready wherever and whenever it’s necessary to share some news, or photo, or, you know, whatever.

Officially classified or not, some researchers believe that some of these behaviors -- hours of gaming, sex-related surfing or non-stop e-mailing or texting in particular -- have a lot in common with recognized addictive behaviors. To wit:

• A high tolerance
• Withdrawal symptoms
• Negative repercussions.

The researchers say people who use their cell phones or computers for hours at a time may feel a “high,” similar to substance-centered addicts, as well as a feeling of restlessness when cut off from technology.

Some video gamers have been known to play non-stop for several hours, eating junk food, drinking soda or energy drinks for the caffeine, and ruining their eyesight and posture. They may have trouble sleeping or may feel depressed. School work goes undone. Job performance suffers. In-person friendships suffer. Hobbies and other interests that do not involve technology disappear. Life revolves around the game.

For gamers, or those who spend excessive time shopping online, looking at pornography, taking selfies or constantly checking Facebook postings, it’s possible, even likely, that there are issues involved beyond the constant use of technology that would benefit from the expertise of a psychotherapist.

Which brings us back to that which-came-first question. Given the constantly expanding role of technology in our daily lives -- work, school, social communication depend on it -- treating the harmful behavior is not as simple as don’t pick up the drink, the drug or the credit card, or stay out of bars or casinos, or knock off the french fries. It’s more likely to consist of recognizing when the behavior is getting out of hand and working with a therapist on a plan to address it.

There are, for example, apps that will tell you it’s time to shut off your smartphone or do it for you and others that will shut off your computer internet connection or block specific Web pages. Figure out if any of these could work for you. If you’re a concerned parent, talk to your child about cutting back before arbitrarily confiscating the phone.

Whatever the addiction is --  whether it’s in the official DSM manual or not -- it’s all about control, or lack thereof. Bottom line: If a behavior is causing problems in your life, it’s a problem.

There’s a movie about it

With all addictions, it’s always comforting to know you’re not alone. With Internet addiction, there’s an award-winning movie that discusses the challenges and struggles of young people growing up in the digital age. “SCREENAGERS” explores family conflicts over video games, social media and academics. Screenings are available only through community events at a school, community group, church, synagogue, workplace, theater, etc. The Warwick Valley School District hosted a screening last year at the high school. It was followed up with a discussion featuring a panel of teens at the Albert Wisner Public Library.

More  information: http://www.screenagersmovie.com/host-a-screening/

bobgaydos.blogspot.com

Alcoholism has devastating side effects

(My Addiction and Recovery column
 in the Times Herald-Record, Sept. 25)

By Bob Gaydos   
Alcoholism is a frustrating disease. It is a disease of contradictions. It is often said that it’s a disease that tells you don’t have a disease, since it is characterized by sometimes mind-boggling denial.
On the other hand, it is one of the most easily preventable diseases -- just don’t drink. On still the other hand, if unchecked, it can kill you in an amazing variety of ways.
Much, if not most, of the societal discussion of alcoholism revolves around the social chaos it causes -- the accidents, the violence, the family conflict, the problems at work. It’s understandable, to a degree. These are the most obvious side effects of the disease.
But it’s worth looking more closely at the other toll that alcoholism --and for our purposes here, alcohol abuse -- can take on the health of the drinker. While motor vehicle accidents are a serious and legitimate cause for society to be concerned about those who consume large quantities of alcohol, and while it is certainly possible to literally drink oneself to death   -- consuming a large quantity of alcohol in a short period of time can result in alcohol poisoning --  there are a host of serious health problems that get short shrift by being described as side effects of alcoholism.
Start with malnutrition, a common problem among alcoholics whose diets are more likely to revolve around beer and scotch than on fruits and vegetables. Lack of essential nutrients and the proper amount of calories can throw the body out of balance and lead to many health problems, including damage to various organs, including the stomach. It can produce greater vulnerability to flu and infections. Heavy consumption of alcohol can lead to weight gain because the calories in alcohol contain no beneficial nutrients. Hence, the beer belly. Weight gain can lead to high blood pressure, which can lead to serious problems. In addition, malnutrition can also lead to depression. This is truly the slow, un-dramatic way to kill oneself with alcohol.
Still, the word “malnutrition” may not scare most people. But cancer does. Alcoholics are at increased risk of several types of cancer, especially of the mouth, larynx, pharynx and esophagus. Women who drink prior to menopause are at greater risk of breast cancer. Those who drink at more than moderate levels are at greater risk of developing skin cancer. Heavy drinking has also been tied to liver and colon cancer. It’s estimated that up to 4 percent of all cancer cases are alcohol-related.
Perhaps the best-known health side effect of excessive drinking is cirrhosis of the liver. Cirrhosis, a scarring of the liver, is the final phase of chronic liver disease and it can be fatal. A major cause is long-term abuse of alcohol. The liver is designed to break down alcohol at the rate of one drink per hour. Anything above that does damage. The top treatments for those with cirrhosis are three lifestyle changes: Stop drinking alcohol; limit salt in the diet; eat a nutritious diet. Simple, but challenging for an alcoholic.
There’s more. Alcohol abuse can also cause alcoholic hepatitis, kidney disease and pancreatitis and significantly increases the risk of heart disease. It can also lead to sexual impotence, memory loss and damage to the central nervous system. Drinking during pregnancy can lead to fetal alcohol syndrome, a primary cause of mental retardation.
Some of these problems may be reversible if one stops drinking; others may not. I stated at the top that alcoholism is easily preventable -- just don’t drink. For the alcoholic that’s meaningless; it’s the stopping that matters. Here, too, there are side effects. The body can react in dangerous ways to the denial of alcohol, upon which it has become dependent. Withdrawal can produce nausea, dizziness, headaches, insomnia, anxiety, stomach distress, seizures and delerium tremens -- the DT’s.
How the body responds to being deprived of alcohol depends on the age and genetic makeup of the person, but mostly on the amount of alcohol that has been consumed and the length of time. Because stopping can also be dangerous to the drinker’s health, it’s important that withdrawal be done in conjunction with medical professionals. It can be the beginning of the alcoholic starting to be good to his body.

Illustration from thelivercentre.com.au

bobgaydos.blogspot.com