Over the past 30 years the idea of dependence or addiction to a number of non-psychoactive substances has been proposed for example – work, sex, shopping, gambling and most recently the Internet. There has been controversy about this application of the term `dependence` related to the validity of this idea – can we say such behavior that does not involve the physical alteration of biological elements of the brain as `dependence` or a disease? According to Rotgers and Morgenstern (2006), non-substance dependence is considered as a choice option.
Take for example a television addict or an over obsessed basketball or soccer fun. What actually causes these addictions? Most of these addictions are triggered by chemicals in our brains and further enhanced by our behavior. The brain works in a way that when we do something that it thinks is good for us, it releases endorphins as a reward- that way we will do them again. When someone gambles or even steals these chemicals are released and they make someone feel happy and they yearn for the drug.
If a person is over obsessed with that thing that makes them happy, they start neglecting part of their lives/responsibilities e. g. work and even their families which may lead to domestic violence, unemployment legal problems etc and this is well quoted by Patrick, Price and McKenry (2005) when the say that the family dysfunction, family stressors, family socioeconomic status, and parent-adolescent communication and bonding are all associated with such habits.
Hence the need to create an awareness of such problems where forums maybe arranged and people with these issues helped just as stated by Francis, Miller and Mack (2005).
References Frances R. J, Miller S. I. , Mack A. H. (2005). Clinical Textbook of Addictive Disorders. Edition: 3. Guilford Press Patrick C. McKenry, Sharon. J. Price (2005). Families & Change: Coping with Stressful Events and Transitions Edition: 3. Published by SAGE. Rotgers. F, Morgenstern. J, Walters, S. T. (2006) Treating Substance Abuse: Theory and Technique. Edition: 2. Guilford Press