ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my teacher, Ms.Pooja Sharma for her

guidance, constant encouragement, and assistance during the course
of preparation of my project.

I thank my family and friends for giving a helping hand in the

successful completion of the project.

Name: Akshit Jain

Roll No.

Date: 21/02/2022
 Father Agnel School, New Delhi

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Leena, student of class XII has
successfully completed the project on above mentioned topic
under the guidance of Ms. Pooja Sharma.

………………….. …………………….

Teachers signature Students’ signature

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 Table of Contents

Sl. No. Topic Page

No.

1. Statement of purpose(abstract) 3

2. Project Report 4

3. Summary 17

4. References 18

2
 Statement of purpose

Abstract-
The project about the given topic (i.e., Addictions) is
going to be a detailed study and analysis of almost
everything related to it and will help provide a
brighter insight on the topic to the readers without
making it anymore intricate.

The aim is to provide authentic as well as

indispensable information about the chosen topic
while keeping it age appropriate (16+). This project
report will be also containing some images and
diagrams for references, thus making it more efficient
and easier to comprehend for the reader to retain the
information being read by them

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 PROJECT REPORT
To start off, first let’s see and get to know what we exactly mean by
addictions.
In a nutshell, Addiction Is a chronic biopsychological disease characterized by compulsive
engagement in rewarding stimuli despite adverse consequences that changes both brain
structure and function. Though it is not a sign of weakness, but rather a character flaw, or a
moral failure.

It swaps the daily desire of the brain with those of

the drug (any addictive substance or activity) you’re
addicted too. You no longer feel the joy as other
people since the brain changes the changes start
with recognition of pleasure and end with a drive
toward compulsive behaviour to fulfil that desire.
Sometimes, when you try quitting, the addiction
weakens your ability to manage impulses.

Addiction exerts a long and powerful influence on the brain. This influence manifests in three
ways:

❖ Craving for the object of addiction

❖ Loss of control over its use

❖ Continuing involvement with it despite problems it causes

Like, substance abuse hijacks the brain’s reward system. This could lead to developing a
physical dependence on substances and further to serious physical, emotional, and
social problems. Some people develop unpleasant and sometimes dangerous physical
symptoms when they stop or decrease substance use. These changes result in a
weakened ability to control impulses despite the negative consequences.

Different Types of Addiction: -

Nowadays It is a misconception amongst many that
only substance misuse like drugs, alcohol or
smoking exists whereas that’s not the true case. A
person might be hooked on to something else and
still be termed as an addict. This leads us to get to
know more about different types of Addictions
which are often neglected and aren’t considered
much like Digital addictions, substance abuse and
behavioral addiction.

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A. Types of Substance Use Disorders (SUDs)-

1. Drugs: Drugs are powerful substances that can easily lead to dependence and
obsession.

• Cocaine
• Cannabis
• Opioids (heroin & morphine)
• Amphetamines
• Methamphetamine
• Adderall
• Hallucinogens (LSD MDMA/ecstasy and ketamine)

For an addict, there is no motivation more powerful than drug craving,

explains the experts. As a result, people addicted to drugs lose their
willpower and mental strength to fight their urge for repeated
consumption.

2. Alcohol: As alcohol is a legal substance, it is more easily accessible even

though it can be highly addictive. Alcoholism, also called dependence on
alcohol, is a chronic relapsing disorder that is progressive and has serious
detrimental health outcomes,” explains a 2008 study. Alcohol use disorder
results in 2.5 million deaths yearly across the globe.

3. Prescription Drugs: Although prescription medications are generally

recommended by doctors for the treatment of specific conditions like chronic
pain or sleep difficulties, some people can become addicted to painkillers and
sleeping pills. People who get addicted to prescription drugs consume the
medications longer than recommended which causes severe and harmful
addictions that can be difficult to control for the sufferer.

4. Caffeine & Nicotine: Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive drug
throughout the world. Although caffeine is not necessarily an addictive
substance, some people can abuse caffeine, consumed through coffee or
energy drinks, and may get addicted as caffeine releases a small dose of the
neurotransmitter dopamine.

Nicotine, on the other hand, is a highly addictive

plant-based chemical. Primarily available in tobacco,
nicotine is mainly consumed by smoking cigarettes,
cigars, and pipes. Nicotine addiction is typically both
physical and mental as the addicted person consciously
craves and desires the substance. In fact, research has
also found that there is a significant and strong
association between caffeine and nicotine dependence.

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B. Types of Behavioural Addictions-

1. Gambling: Gambling is one of the most

common behavioural addictions across the
world. According to a 2010 study,
pathological gambling (PG) has been
considered as a behavioural addiction
having similarities with substance use
disorders (SUDs). People who are addicted to gambling may run into debts,
lie, steal, or engage in other criminal activities to get money for gambling.

2. Food: Food addiction, also known as eating disorders, can be seriously

harmful for someone’s physical and mental health, leading to disorders like
anorexia nervosa & bulimia nervosa. It has been found that certain foods
known as hyperpalatable foods can lead to addictive behaviours, similar to
substance abuse.

3. Shopping: Compulsive shopping or compulsive buying disorder is commonly

observed more in women than men. People addicted to shopping, whether
online or through physical stores, typically tend to be addicted to particular
products like clothes, jewellery or beauty products regardless of need and
are unable to stop their urge for shopping even when it leads to mounting
debts or the end of relationships.

4. Work: This form of addiction is separate from being dedicated to work or

being a passionate worker. Identified as
workaholics, these individuals are
obsessed with their work and are unable
to detach from their professional lives.
Negative consequences of workaholism
may include subjective emotional pain or
feeling burned out, restriction of social activity and/or complaints from
significant others, and may even lead to dangerous action

C. Technological Addictions-

1. Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD): IAD ruins lives by causing neurological

complications, psychological disturbances, and social problems,” explains a
2012 study. Due to instant internet accessibility, almost all of us are hooked to
our phones, whether we are checking the time, emails, social media profiles or
making important calls

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 2. Mobile Addiction: Being addicted to
smartphones can cause a psychological condition
known as nomophobia (No Mobile Phone Phobia),
where the person develops an intense fear of being
away from their phones. Smartphone addiction can
also cause phantom vibration syndrome, also known
as phantom ringing syndrome, which makes the
addicted person believe that their phone is vibrating
or ringing even when it’s not, causing anxiety.

3. Social media: Problematic social media use is a serious cause for concern
around the world as it can lead to several mental health issues, such as anxiety,
stress, depression, and even suicidal ideation. Social media use increases the
release of the neurotransmitter dopamine which is related to happiness and
pleasure. Hence, using social media can appear rewarding especially when
you receive positive reactions on a post. This can soon turn into an addiction
and become problematic.

4. Gaming: Internet gaming disorder is characterized by a severely reduced

control over gaming, resulting in an increasing gaming time and leading to
negative consequences in many aspects of the individual life. Individuals with
gaming disorder participate in gaming for
prolonged periods of time, almost daily.
They avoid their regular duties,
responsibilities, and other interests.

Another type of very contagious and harmful addiction which isn’t considered or talked
about much because of its taboo nature is PMO (Pornography Masturbation Orgasm)
addiction. This can be counted under both behavioural as well as digital addiction as a
person hooked onto porn have very similar effects to those who are drug addicts. The
amounts of dopamine and serotonin released during watching pornography is unreal as
it is a supernormal stimulus (an activity that provides unmatched and enormous amounts
of pleasure). Although they are released without the usage or consumption of any
external substance, it’s still very harmful as it takes up all the precious energy which can
be harnessed for more worthy purposes and the damage caused to the brain is 90%-95%
similar to those of drug addicts.

PMO addiction victims are mostly teenagers as the hormones are unbalanced during the
teen days of a person and they may indulge in pleasurable activities more often without
completely thinking about the consequences of their own actions and what adverse
effects it could have on one’s health and mind.

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After learning the true meaning of it and the various types of addictions we
shall understand that what causes someone to get hooked onto something.
There is no specific cause of addiction. However, a few common factors can contribute to
whether you may start using or misusing certain things or substances.

Peer pressure: Many people succumb to peer pressure for

fear of losing friends or their image in front of them due to the
desire to fit in and unknowingly or unwittingly indulge in
certain addictive activities.

Availability: someone may start using or doing something

because of its easy accessibility to them or just because they
can at home or workplaces or gatherings. Like children raised
in a home where they see use of alcohol or smoking by some of their fellow family
members are at a higher risk of indulging into use of such things in future themselves.

Life events And Trauma/Comorbid disorders: this is one of the most common and
dominant reason observed among addicts. Individuals with comorbid (i.e., co-occurring)
mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, attention-deficit hyperactivity
disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder are more likely to develop substance
use disorders.

Research has found that 60%-80% of people with

PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) may have a
fondness towards addictive substance and such
other practices to cope up with their stress or to
relieve symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and
irritability. Financial problems, a bad
breakup/divorce, or death of a loved one are some
of the situations where one might consider indulging
in short term pleasurable activities to relief or
escape their grief and mental pain.

Childhood Experiences: Experiences during childhood can lead to physical and

emotional difficulties, including addiction. Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse,
neglect, witnessing violence, and parental separation or divorce are factors that
can impact your use of substances.

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Understanding Truths--and Myths--About Addiction
To better understand the condition, it’s important to know what addiction is and what it
isn’t.

Addiction is not caused by poor morals or willpower.

Although lack of willpower and poor morals might be responsible in some cases, still
they cannot be considered one of the leading causes. Over the years, we have learned
much more, and today, we recognize addiction as a chronic disease that changes both
brain structure and function. These advances in science have improved diagnoses and
treatment of substance use disorders (SUDs).

Addiction Is Not a Choice That Someone Can Just Get Over or Stop Doing.

Many have fought back against the notion that people with addiction are deliberately
and maliciously engaging in addictive habits. In truth, those with addiction disorders
have an illness. These Misconceptions, stigma, and hurtful language often discourage
those who need help from reaching out.

History and evolution among us regarding addictions.

The etymology of the term addiction throughout history
has been often misunderstood and has taken on various
meanings associated with the word. An example is the
usage of the word in the religious landscape of early
modern Europe. "Addiction" at the time meant "to attach"
to something, giving it both positive and negative
connotations. The object of this attachment could be
characterised as "good or bad".

Modern research on addiction has led to a better

understanding of the disease with research studies on the
topic dating back to 1875, specifically on morphine
addiction. This furthered the understanding of addiction
being a medical condition. It wasn't until the 19th century
that addiction was seen and acknowledged in the Western
world as a disease, being both a physical condition and mental illness. Today, addiction
is understood both as a biopsychosocial and neurological disorder that negatively
impacts those who are affected by it, most commonly associated with the abuse
of drugs and alcohol. The understanding of addiction has changed throughout history,
which has impacted and continues to impact the ways it is medically treated and
diagnosed.

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Effects of a person suffering from addictions.
Addiction is fuelled by a loss of control over the use of a substance or activity as the brain
goes through a series of changes, starting with the recognition of pleasure and ending
with a drive toward compulsive behaviour.

Role of dopamine (The pleasure hormone).

Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter of the

reward system in the brain. It plays a role in
regulating movement, emotion, cognition,
motivation, and feelings of pleasure. Natural
rewards, like eating, as well as recreational drug use
cause a release of dopamine, and are associated
with the reinforcing nature of these stimuli.

Nearly all addictive drugs, directly or indirectly,

act upon the brain's reward system by heightening
dopaminergic activity. Excessive indulging in
many types of addictive activities and drugs
results in repeated release of high amounts of
dopamine, which in turn affects the reward
pathway directly through heightened dopamine
receptor activation.

Prolonged and abnormally high levels of

dopamine in the synaptic cleft can induce
receptor downregulation in the neural pathway.
Downregulation of mesolimbic dopamine
receptors can result in a decrease in the sensitivity to natural reinforcers.

The Pleasure principle.

Whether it is a psychoactive drug, sexual experience, or any other form of pleasure, the
brain perceives them all in the same way. It stimulates dopamine release from the brain’s
pleasure centre. The difference comes in the speed, intensity, and reliability with which
the brain releases dopamine. Typically, drugs of abuse stimulate a high dopamine surge.
That’s why they will always be so addictive. The high levels create an alternative route to
the brain’s reward system, which causes dopamine to flood the brain—and ultimately
intensifies addiction.

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 Overloading the brain.

Until recently, scientists thought the only cause of

addiction was pleasure. But recent studies show that
dopamine affects the brain’s learning process and the
ability to retain things in memory. Dopamine takes over
the control of the brain’s reward learning process when it
interacts with glutamate—like dopamine, another
neurotransmitter. This learning process is essential to
encouraging necessary body activities, like eating and
sex, that are needed for survival.

Again, since the brain’s reward circuit includes the parts that boost motivation,
dopamine does the same—but with an overload of motivation. Continued consumption of
the drugs causes the brain to stimulate the body into a deep desire to consume and do
more of it.

The Brain Develops Tolerance/Reward sensitization.

With time, the brain gets used to the substances, which translates to less pleasure and
the occurrence of this stage is known as reward sensitization. Naturally, we know
pleasure comes after some hard work. But these drugs overwhelm the brain, and in turn,
the brain either releases less dopamine or gets rid of its receptors.

That means that dopamine’s effect on the

reward centre reduces significantly. So,
even if you were addicted, you no
longer experience the pleasure you
were used to. And that can drive
someone to consume even more
quantities to reach the dopamine “high”
levels that can cause significant
pleasure.

The relief is short-lived.

Most substances only provide fleeting relief. For instance, if you have pain or stress,
taking opioids could result in temporary painlessness. If you are experiencing negative
moods, anxiety, or sadness, taking stimulants like cocaine also provides short-term
fulfilment.

Despite short-term respite, the long-term effects of an addiction are quite detrimental.
But even so, the intense urge for that relief can cause you to ignore the risk .

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Compulsion becomes the driving force.

Even if you hardly experience pleasure from the addictive habits built up till now, the
memory created from past use compels the desire to recreate that pleasure. This
compulsion causes part of your brain—the hippocampus and amygdala—to start
developing thoughts about getting the drug again, which grows into intense desire when
encountering an environment with those drugs. This desire to relapse even after years of
sobriety, especially when you encounter tempting environments, results from this
conditional learning.

Effects on the physical state and mind

While many of the primary effects of addiction occur in the brain, the rest of the body can
suffer as well. Substance & pornographic abuse weakens the immune system and leaves
the body more vulnerable to various diseases and infections. Other physical effects of
addiction include abdominal pain, digestive issues, trouble sleeping, or even seizures
and other forms of brain damage. Addictive substances can impact every part of the
body even beyond the following common issues.

▪ Kidney Damage
▪ Livre Failure
▪ Heart Problems
▪ Hormone imbalance
▪ Cancer (By nicotine or steroid use)
▪ Prenatal and fertility issues
▪ Gastrointestinal diseases
▪ HIV/AIDS

Addiction often works in a cycle. The

addictive substance creates a pleasant effect or provides relief for an unpleasant feeling,
such as discomfort or anxiety. As a result, the mind starts craving the addictive
substance. Addiction and other mental health disorders often go hand in hand.
Individuals who suffer from addiction are more likely to develop mood or anxiety
disorders.

▪ Depression: One of the most common psychological effects of addiction is

depression. Once again, it’s often unclear whether depression stems from
addiction or vice versa.
▪ Anxiety: Anxiety and other panic disorders also intertwine with drug and alcohol
addiction. Like depression, anxiety can cause a cycle of abuse and dependency.
▪ Paranoia: paranoia isn’t as common as depression or anxiety; individuals may
feel the need to hide these symptoms. As individuals dread someone catching
them or getting in trouble because of their substance abuse, the feelings of
paranoia increase, worsening the entire situation.
▪ Other psychological side effects: There are many other psychological
symptoms of addiction that can stem from several different mental health issues as
heightened aggression, memory issues or periods of confusion, hallucinations, or
dramatic mood swings. Additionally, any addiction can result in a decreased
sense of self-preservation.

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How it impacts the perspective and behavior of the Addict regarding the world and
their social life.

Addiction is hard to hide. As chronic addictive behaviour continues, it will affect almost
every aspect of the user’s life. The social effects usually include tension within a family, if
not an outright rift, even if the user hides their substance intake well. Friendship
dynamics often change as well, as non-users will increasingly find less in common with
(and struggle to enjoy the company of) friends who continuously use. Soon enough, an
addict may only find comfort when around other people who engage in similar activities.

In other cases, the addict’s social circle may shrink to the point where he or she
continues to abuse substances on an individual basis, with very little human contact in
between. Loneliness can obviously set in, and mental health conditions like depression
or social anxiety can develop. The worst-case scenario in this situation is the lonely
person is at risk for suicide, and he or she may try to overdose on purpose.

The Negative Effects of Addiction on One’s Life May Include:

• Job loss
• Relationship changes between both friends and family members
• Aggression toward friends and family
members
• Divorce
• Suspension or expulsion from organized
activities, such as sports teams

Risk Factors (addiction vulnerability factors)

Anyone can develop an addiction irrespective of their age, gender, background, or
occupation. Although some groups are more vulnerable than others, there are several
factors that contribute to the onset of addiction.

Genetics

Research suggests that genes contribute to the risk of developing both a substance use
disorder and a mental illness. Environmental factors, such as stress or trauma, can cause
genetic changes. These changes may contribute to the development of a SUDs or
behavioural addictions & other mental illnesses.

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Mental Illness

some mental illnesses increase risk for addiction

disorders. For instance, someone struggling with mental
illness may get into drugs to feel better. Though it may
seem to alleviate immediate pain, they often have
devastating, long-term effects.

People who struggle with an anxiety or mood disorder,

such as depression or bipolar disorder, Those with
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), antisocial
personality disorder and conduct disorder, are twice as
likely to also abuse substances.

Diagnosis And Treatment

The good news is that it’s possible to receive both effective and safe treatment for
addiction. Both medication and therapy have been very successful in treating several
types of addictions.

Treatment not only helps manage addictive behaviours but also helps minimize the
chance of relapsing in the future.

To diagnose addiction, a licensed treater will ask you about the nature of your substance
use and learn how substance use is affecting your life. They may ask about other factors,
such as your personal and family history as well as identifying any coexisting mental
health issues.

Treatment for addiction and co-occurring disorders

may include a combination of medications, family
therapy, cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT),
dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), exposure and
response prevention therapy, and group therapy
approaches.

Treatments vary depending on the type of disorder-

i. Detox/Impatient Care
ii. Residential treatment
iii. Partial hospital or outpatient treatment
iv. Mutual Help Programs

An important step in recovery is having personal urgency. There are many ways to heal by
just being part of better things. By diversifying interests and goals, identifying and working
through drawbacks, and remembering life has its highs and lows, recovery can be long-
lasting.

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Individuals are encouraged to focus on positive behaviours like:

• Creating realistic goals

• Being flexible
• Having a gratitude list
• Assisting people
• Working to transform your mindset for the better

The recovery(de-addiction) period and post-acute withdrawal phase

When entering treatment, it’s possible for a person to experience withdrawal. Withdrawal is
the process of quitting a substance and can vary in severity. Physical and psychological
dependencies can also appear during withdrawal. Your body gets used to the drug such that
if you don’t use them for a while, physical symptoms begin to show up. When going through
withdrawal, it’s possible for a variety of responses to occur. Withdrawal symptoms can be
mild or severe, depending on:

• How long you have been using

• What type of addiction you had?
• Age
• Physical health
• Psychological characteristics
• Method of withdrawal

Cessation

Simply put, it involves stopping the consumption

of the addictive substance and involvement such
activities

Cravings

Since the brain is used to the drugs, it will always long to have that “normal” state. Sometimes
the cravings will be too strong to the point that you have to use them. Therefore, to effectively
manage the cravings, you must engage yourself in constructive activities like reading,
exercising, learning new skills, and other active engagements.

Post-Acute Withdrawal

It’s also called protracted withdrawal, and it involves a series of severe, persistent
symptoms that last even after the addiction is over. However, this is a crucial stage that
all people with substance use disorders go through in their early stages of withdrawal.
The brain is usually in the reorientation process to recover from the changes it
underwent during the active addiction stage.

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Steps that can be taken for prevention from any addiction
The best tool against developing an addiction is avoiding indulging in such habits in the
first place. But that’s easier said than done. Many people begin using as young as age 13
and are too young to realize the damaging impact addiction will have on their lives. If
you are lucky to have recognized the addiction pattern early.

1) Avoid the temptations and peer pressure: If you have friends or family members
who pressure you to use alcohol or drugs, avoid them. Develop goals and dreams
for yourself. Remember, alcohol or drug use can turn to addiction rapidly; no one
plans on becoming an addict.
2) Practice Healthier Living Habits: Exercise, eating well and meditation are
excellent ways to avoid using drugs or alcohol. Quite often, the results you feel
from living a healthier lifestyle can help you resist the temptation to use drugs or
alcohol to escape.
3) Find the support you need: Work on developing coping skills. If you have events
or experiences in your past that affect your feelings, find a reliable and healthy
source of support. counselling or therapy and social communities such as religious
or spiritual organizations can help you work through negative emotions and
behaviours in a healthy, life-affirming manner.

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Summary:

The subtopics covered in this project report are –

1. What exactly are Addictions and when someone should be termed as an addict.
2. What causes people to get addicted/hooked on to these. (Its mechanism)
3. The different types of addictions. [Digital addictions, substance abuse and behavioral
addiction].
4. Understanding facts and Myths about them.
5. History and Evolution among us regarding addictions.
6. The effects of it for a person amidst suffering from any addiction(s). [which further
includes]:
• The neurobiological effects
• Psychological effects
• How it effects your physical state and body.
• Impact on social life
• How it impacts the perspective and behavior of the Addict regarding the world
and other things in their life.
7. Risk factors i.e., addiction vulnerability factors.
8. Diagnosis and Treatments
9. The recovery(de-addiction) period and post-acute withdrawal phase.
10. Steps that can be taken for prevention from any addiction.

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References: -

1. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-addiction-2-2017061914490

[Harvard Health Blog About what is addiction]

2. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323465

[MedicalNewsToday Article upon addictions]

3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Addiction

[Wikipedia Blog on Addictions]

4. https://youtu.be/rnt1eb9vQxA
[Never Enough: The Neuroscience and Experience of Addiction | Judy Grisel |
TEDxPSU]

5. https://youtu.be/C8AHODc6phg
[Addiction | Kurzgesagt: in a nutshell]

6. https://youtu.be/PY9DcIMGxMs
[Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong | Johann Hari | TED]

7. https://youtu.be/i6gk4lW1hPo
[Part 1-5: Your Brain on Porn | Animated Series]

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