Re: Speaking of diets. &addictions...- Defining our terms.

May 15, 2010

All too often discussion go awry because of lack of a precise definition of the

terms being discussed. Using the term addiction needs to be clarified. There

is a narrow technical term for addiction.

*******************

The

American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) definition of substance abuse

is at least one of the following four criteria.

1. Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems.

2. Repeated use resulting in failure to fulfill obligations at work, school,

or home.

3. Repeated use resulting in physically hazardous situations.

4. Use resulting in legal problems.********************

Webster Dictionary definition

1. Where Did

" Hip Hop "

Get Its Name?

2.

3.

Main Entry: adÂ·dicÂ·tion

Pronunciation: \É™-Ëˆdik-shÉ™n, a-\

Function: noun

Date: 1599

1 : the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading>

2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin,

nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined

physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use of a

substance known by the user to be harmful

***********************

From Wilkepedia:

The term addiction is also sometimes applied to compulsions

that are not substance-related, such as problem gambling and computer

addiction. In these kinds of common usages, the term addiction is used to

describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific

activity, despite harmful

consequences, as deemed by the user himself to his individual health,

mental state, or social life.

The applicability of the word " addiction " to these conditions is

controversial, and there is not a universal consensus as to the most

appropriate phrase used to describe these conditions as a class.

Commonly used phrases include behavioral addiction[1][2] and

" non-substance-related addiction " .[3][4]

" Behavioral addictions " is included as a new class in DSM-5, but the only

category included is gambling addiction. Internet addiction and sex addiction

are included in the appendix.[5]

DSM / " Impulse control disorder "

Not all doctors agree on the exact nature of addiction or dependency [6] however

the biopsychosocial model is generally accepted in scientific fields as the most

comprehensive

model for addiction. Historically, addiction has been defined with

regard solely to psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco and other

drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily altering

the chemical milieu of the brain.

However, " studies on phenomenology, family history, and response to

treatment suggest that intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania, problem

gambling, pyromania, and trichotillomania may be related to mood disorders,

alcohol and psychoactive substance abuse, and anxiety disorders (especially

obsessiveâ€“compulsive disorder). " [7] However, such disorders are classified by

the American Psychological Association as impulse control disorders and

therefore not as addictions.

Many people, both psychology professionals and laypersons, now feel

that there should be accommodation made to include psychological

dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers, work,

exercise, spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion), pain [1],

cutting and shopping so these behaviors count as 'addictions' as well and cause

guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, or humiliation

symptoms associated with, among other medical conditions, depression and

epilepsy.[8][9][10][11] Although, the above mentioned are things or tasks which,

when used or

performed, do not fit into the traditional view of addiction and may be

better defined as an obsessiveâ€“compulsive disorder,

withdrawal symptoms may occur with abatement of such behaviors. It is

said by those who adhere to a traditionalist view that these

withdrawal-like symptoms are not strictly reflective of an addiction,

but rather of a behavioral disorder. However, understanding of neural science,

the brain, the nervous system, human behavior, and affective disorders has

revealed " the impact of molecular biology in the mechanisms

underlying developmental processes and in the pathogenesis of disease " .[12]

**************************************

I am not sure if any one would include in the above defintions (either addiction

or obsessive compulsive disorder) milk drinking, or supplement consumption.

Just some thoughts

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

________________________________

From: " deadliftdiva@... " <deadliftdiva@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 11:01:37 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Speaking of diets. & addictions...

Giovanni -

Some things are getting termed " addictions " that are done quite naturally and

for a purpose we should not try to prevent. One example of this would be

breathing... <grin>.

I think everyone has an " addiction " to something. It is in the nature of a habit

that you prefer not to prevent.

Some are just things you choose to do continuously - perhaps we have a

Supertraining " addiction " as we choose to read and contribute?

The Phantom

aka Schaefer, CMT/RMT, competing powerlifter

Denver, Colorado, USA

Re: Re: Speaking of diets. & addictions...

>

> On May 13, 2010, at 2:13 AM, Jerry Telle wrote: some stuff about

> food/substance addiction.

>

> The most common addiction I know of besides tobacco, becoming less and less

> significant, is caffeine. That is my addiction and if I go a day without

> coffee I get a terrible headache for a couple of days. One big sip of coffee

> and it goes away within minutes. That's physical addiction.

>

> Fair winds and happy bytes, Dave Flory, Flower Mound, TX, U.S.A.

> --

> Speak softly, study Aikido, & you won't need to carry a big stick!

>

May 16, 2010

Thank you Ralph for the various citations on addiction.

I had the definition you quoted from the Webster in mind when I wrote that

coffee may be addictive for certain individuals, and not addictive for

others:

habit-forming substance characterized by tolerance and by well-defined

physiological symptoms upon withdrawal.

I think some coffee drinkers described exactly this addiction: the

withdrawal causes certain physiological symptoms. Further, I didn't see that

when talking about breathing or milk addiction, so it was clear it was a

tongue-in-cheek mention.

Giovanni Ciriani - West Hartford, CT - USA

On Sat, May 15, 2010 at 5:09 PM, Ralph Giarnella <ragiarn@...> wrote:

>

> All too often discussion go awry because of lack of a precise definition of

> the terms being discussed. Using the term addiction needs to be clarified.

> There is a narrow technical term for addiction.

>

> *******************

> The

> American Psychiatric Association (DSM-IV) definition of substance abuse

> is at least one of the following four criteria.

> 1. Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems.

> 2. Repeated use resulting in failure to fulfill obligations at work,

> school, or home.

> 3. Repeated use resulting in physically hazardous situations.

> 4. Use resulting in legal problems.********************

> Webster Dictionary definition

>

> 1. Where Did

> " Hip Hop "

> Get Its Name?

> 2.

> 3.

> Main Entry: adÂ·dicÂ·tion

> Pronunciation: \É™-Ëˆdik-shÉ™n, a-\

> Function: noun

> Date: 1599

> 1 : the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading>

> 2 : compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin,

> nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined

> physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly : persistent compulsive use

> of a substance known by the user to be harmful

> ***********************

> From Wilkepedia:

>

> The term addiction is also sometimes applied to compulsions

> that are not substance-related, such as problem gambling and computer

> addiction. In these kinds of common usages, the term addiction is used to

> describe a recurring compulsion by an individual to engage in some specific

> activity, despite harmful

> consequences, as deemed by the user himself to his individual health,

> mental state, or social life.

> The applicability of the word " addiction " to these conditions is

> controversial, and there is not a universal consensus as to the most

> appropriate phrase used to describe these conditions as a class.

>

> Commonly used phrases include behavioral addiction[1][2] and

> " non-substance-related addiction " .[3][4]

> " Behavioral addictions " is included as a new class in DSM-5, but the only

> category included is gambling addiction. Internet addiction and sex

> addiction are included in the appendix.[5]

>

> DSM / " Impulse control disorder "

> Not all doctors agree on the exact nature of addiction or dependency [6]

> however the biopsychosocial model is generally accepted in scientific fields

> as the most comprehensive

> model for addiction. Historically, addiction has been defined with

> regard solely to psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, tobacco and

> other drugs) which cross the blood-brain barrier once ingested, temporarily

> altering the chemical milieu of the brain.

> However, " studies on phenomenology, family history, and response to

> treatment suggest that intermittent explosive disorder, kleptomania,

> problem gambling, pyromania, and trichotillomania may be related to mood

> disorders, alcohol and psychoactive substance abuse, and anxiety disorders

> (especially obsessiveâ€“compulsive disorder). " [7] However, such disorders are

> classified by the American Psychological Association as impulse control

> disorders and therefore not as addictions.

>

> Many people, both psychology professionals and laypersons, now feel

> that there should be accommodation made to include psychological

> dependency on such things as gambling, food, sex, pornography, computers,

> work, exercise, spiritual obsession (as opposed to religious devotion), pain

> [1], cutting and shopping so these behaviors count as 'addictions' as well

> and cause guilt, shame, fear, hopelessness, failure, rejection, anxiety, or

> humiliation symptoms associated with, among other medical conditions,

> depression and epilepsy.[8][9][10][11] Although, the above mentioned are

> things or tasks which, when used or

> performed, do not fit into the traditional view of addiction and may be

> better defined as an obsessiveâ€“compulsive disorder,

> withdrawal symptoms may occur with abatement of such behaviors. It is

> said by those who adhere to a traditionalist view that these

> withdrawal-like symptoms are not strictly reflective of an addiction,

> but rather of a behavioral disorder. However, understanding of neural

> science, the brain, the nervous system, human behavior, and affective

> disorders has revealed " the impact of molecular biology in the mechanisms

> underlying developmental processes and in the pathogenesis of disease " .[12]

> **************************************

> I am not sure if any one would include in the above defintions (either

> addiction or obsessive compulsive disorder) milk drinking, or supplement

> consumption.

>

> Just some thoughts

>

> Ralph Giarnella MD

> Southington Ct USA

>

> ________________________________

> From: " deadliftdiva@... <deadliftdiva%40comcast.net> " <

> deadliftdiva@... <deadliftdiva%40comcast.net>>

> Supertraining <Supertraining%40>

> Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 11:01:37 AM

> Subject: Re: Re: Speaking of diets. & addictions...

>

> Giovanni -

>

> Some things are getting termed " addictions " that are done quite naturally

> and for a purpose we should not try to prevent. One example of this would be

> breathing... <grin>.

>

> I think everyone has an " addiction " to something. It is in the nature of a

> habit that you prefer not to prevent.

>

> Some are just things you choose to do continuously - perhaps we have a

> Supertraining " addiction " as we choose to read and contribute?

>

> The Phantom

> aka Schaefer, CMT/RMT, competing powerlifter

> Denver, Colorado, USA

> Re: Re: Speaking of diets. & addictions...

> >

> > On May 13, 2010, at 2:13 AM, Jerry Telle wrote: some stuff about

> > food/substance addiction.

> >

> > The most common addiction I know of besides tobacco, becoming less and

> less

> > significant, is caffeine. That is my addiction and if I go a day without

> > coffee I get a terrible headache for a couple of days. One big sip of

> coffee

> > and it goes away within minutes. That's physical addiction.

> >

> > Fair winds and happy bytes, Dave Flory, Flower Mound, TX, U.S.A.

> > --

> > Speak softly, study Aikido, & you won't need to carry a big stick!

> >

May 16, 2010

The most common effect of caffeine withdrawal is headaches. It is important to

remember in this context that caffeine is in fact a drug that has distinct

physiological effects. The same can be said of nicotine.

In compulsive behavior the behavior alone is not a drug (obviously) but it

evokes certain changes in brain chemistry, namely dopamine increase which in

certain situations provides a sense satisfaction, reward or pleasure. It

desire to achieve these sensations that individuals seek to repeat the behavior.

We all perform activities because of these effects. Where we can begin to apply

the concept of " addiction " is when these activities are taken to extreme in such

a way as to fulfill the 4 criteria of addiction, namely:

1. Continued use despite social or interpersonal problems.

2. Repeated use resulting in failure to fulfill obligations at work,

school, or home.

3. Repeated use resulting in physically hazardous situations.

4. Use resulting in legal problems

While drinking milk or consuming other food substances might give us

satisfaction, reward or pleasure it would be unusual , in most cases, for these

activities to fit the above 4 criteria for addiction.

It is worth noting that in depressed individuals there is often a marked

decrease in dopamine as well as serotonin and eating or other behavior may

increase these levels. There is a class of anti-depressants that specifically

targets the effect of dopamine.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct USA

________________________________

From: Giovanni Ciriani <Giovanni.Ciriani@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Sun, May 16, 2010 7:45:02 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Speaking of diets. & addictions...- Defining

our terms.