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WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ADDICTION?
Substance addiction is the usage of the substances
that negatively affects one or more functions of the
body and the inability to give it up even though it
harms a great deal to the person. An addict feels an
insuppressible desire to consume the substance under
any circumstance. When the addict pauses using the
substance, he suffers fromwithdrawal symptoms. He
spends most of his time in searching for the substance
he is addicted to.
WHO IS AN ADDICT?
Addiction is a syndrome. A person having three of the
symptoms below is regarded as an addict.
●
Gradually increasing the amount of the substance
consumed to provide the same effect.
●
Suffering from physical and psychological withdrawal
symptoms when the substance is cut or reduced.
●
Constant failure in the attempts to control or give up
the substance.
●
Spending too much time in supplying, consuming or
trying to give up the substance.
●
Reducing or completely giving up social, professional
and personal activities due to substance use.
●
Continuing substance use despite its physical and
emotional harms
●
Using more substance than planned.
SOWHY?
Many causes can be listed which seduce the addict
to try substance for the first time. Curiosity, efforts
to go beyond one’s limits, rebellion, the desire to be
different, friend temptation, and fear of being excluded
from a social group are among the most common
reasons. Trying to resolve or forget one’s problems or
the thought to become more daring can also be listed
among psychological reasons. Assistant Prof. Dr. Itır
Tarı Cömert pointed out that curiosity and fear are the
two most important dynamics, underlining friend and
social environment factors in substance use.
* The illusion of ‘only one time does not hurt’
People are social beings, which means they learn many
things thanks to social interaction. If substance use is
normalized around a child or an adolescent, he would
also start using it. In this sense, curiosity and fear
stand out as the two most important factors. Friends’
behavior and family’s approach are crucial temptation
points triggering these. The most dangerous
persuasion method is saying certain things such as
“One time does not hurt,” or “Are you a mother’s
boy?” In order not to be excluded from the group,
the adolescent says trying it only for once would
not hurt, and then he starts to use substance.
* ‘Close’ Friend Factor
The person who introduces the substance and
tempts one to use it is generally a close friend
since everyone already knows that those
substances are harmful and must not be used.
However, a close friend might persuade someone
to use substance. Also, even if an adolescent
wonders about a substance and wants to consume
it, he does not dare to use it on his own, since
false usage can result in death or severe health
problems. Only a confiding friend can teach one
how to use substance.
FILE
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YEŞiLAY
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SPRING 2015
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