Fr.

Agnel School, Gautam Nagar

New Delhi

Everything You Need to Know About Addictions

2021-22

NAME: AKSHIT JAIN

CLASS & SECTION: XII-B

“An over-indulgence of anything,
ROLL NO.:
even of something as pure as
SUBJECT: ENGLISH water can be intoxicating.”
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to my teacher, Ms. Kriti Wahie for her

guidance, constant encouragement, and assistance during the course
of preparation of my project.
I am extremely thankful to Fr. Roy D’sa, Principal, Fr. Agnel School,
New Delhi for his sincere support in the completion of my work.
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
s XII-B has successfully completed the project on above mentioned topic under the

………………….. …………………….

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

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 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]