DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY

Developmental Psychology

Table of Content

Introduction3

What is addiction?3

What is a drug?4

Leading causes of addiction5

1.Family Problems5

2.Social Influences5

3.Curiosity6

4.Emotional problems6

General implications for drug use7

Treatment for Addiction8

Conclusion8

References9

Developmental Psychology

Introduction

Psychological disorders are mild mental status changes that affect the normal development of the individual in the society. This concept encompasses a substantial number of pathologies, which manifest different symptoms depending on the individual.

By their nature, we can say that it integrates elements of biological origin (genetic, neurological, environmental, relational, family, psychosocial) and psychological (cognitive, emotional). These factors influence the disease presentation, their evolutionary development, phenomenology, and treatment and rehabilitation opportunities (Dodes 2010).

What is addiction?

Addiction or dependence is a psycho-physical state caused by the interaction of a living organism with a drug. It is characterized by behavior modification and other reactions, usually because of an irresistible impulse to consume a drug continuously or periodically. In order to experience the psychic effects and, sometimes, to relieve the discomfort caused by the deprivation of it, a person gets addicted to drugs (Johnson, Fragaszy, & Cummins-Sebree 2003).

It is necessary to recognize addiction as a disease characterized by a set of signs and symptoms, which involve biological, genetic, psychological and social factors. Addicts are people who rely detrimentally on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, inhalants and solvents. Some drug addicts are people with health problems or psychological disorders (Rodgers 2011).

Substance abuse refers to the repeated and compulsive use of one or more psychoactive substances. The Anglo-Saxon countries refer to these behaviors under the term addiction. It is a process in which a behavior that is directed may serve to provide pleasure and relieve internal discomfort, and is characterized by the repeated failure of its control and its persistence despite negative consequences (Dodes 2010).

What is a drug?

The term drug is used to refer to those substances that cause an altered state of mind and are capable of producing dependence. Addiction can occur by psychotropic substances, activities and even relationships.

- Psychotropic substances, including alcohol, nicotine and other drugs

- Gambling

- Food or food components such as sugar or fat

- Sex or sexual activity

- Labor

- Interpersonal relationships, especially family

A drug is consumed regularly for passive experience (such as an emotion, pleasure, comfort, sociability etc.), or in order to get rid of a negative emotional state (boredom, shyness, stress, or escape from problems) (Dodes 2010).

Leading causes of addiction

Family Problems

Adolescents living in a crisis stage and trying to avoid trouble, seek easy ways out or ways to forget. Often they do so by means of taking alcohol and drugs (Rodgers 2011).

Often addictions arise from problems within the family (misunderstanding, miscommunication, shock, intra-familial abuse, rejection, abandonment, lack of financial resources, difficulties in school, grinding poverty and lack of affection) (Johnson, Fragaszy, & Cummins-Sebree 2003).

Such people think that they can resolve conflicts through drugs, believing that they will only take the substance once (Dodes 2010). However, in reality it creates a habit or addiction which causes family problems increase. The drug consumption gets stronger and the addict is no longer ...