The Federal Ministry of Health regularly publishes statistics and studies that present the state of addicts and those at risk of addiction in Germany. This is mainly because the consequences of drug addiction and other agents place a huge burden on the health system and economy. In total, there are said to be 14.7 million smokers, 1.8 million alcohol addicts and 2.3 million people who are dependent on drugs.
(Source: http://www.bmg.bund.de/praevention/gesundheitsgefahren/sucht-und-drogen.html)But in addition to the legal addictive substances alcohol and cigarettes, there are other substances that can have a severe negative impact on health. While sugar is not an officially addictive substance, many studies suggest that food contains too much and people consume too much. Gambling addiction and internet addiction are among the addictions that initially affect the psyche and can lead to serious health and economic consequences. In many cases, addicts get caught in a kind of vicious circle of addictions from which they can no longer get out without help. However, those who know the background of the addicts can protect themselves and be more attentive to their own health.
sugar
Controversial addiction term
Sugar is found in many foods, which is precisely why it is difficult for people to get rid of it or to limit consumption. It is often not at all obvious how much sugar is actually present in the food. The associations for independent health advice explain that people consume around 100 grams of sugar per day with their food, with additional sugar consumption through sweet drinks.
That is why it is hardly possible to avoid sugar consistently, as nutrition is essential for survival and the line between addiction and normal consumption can be very fine. Many researchers criticize the fact that the labeling on food is insufficient and that there are too few guidelines, as has long been the case with alcohol and tobacco.
Changes in the brain
The medical report on the Internet explains in a report that sugar affects the brain in a similar way as heroin and cocaine and that addiction can lead to an increase in alcohol. Anyone who consumes sugar ensures that the body releases the happiness hormone dopamine and other substances several times and that sustainable connections between sugar and feelings of happiness are created in the brain.
This means that the brain needs ever larger amounts of sugar in order to be able to maintain the happiness hormone level and withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, poor concentration and tiredness are often the result. The sugar addiction causes food cravings because the low serotonin or dopamine levels want to be balanced.
Obesity as a factor in sugar addiction
The number of overweight and obese people is increasing rapidly in many European countries. This is due, on the one hand, to a lack of exercise and, on the other hand, to poor nutrition. Ias PREVENT GmbH carries out health check-ups in Germany and explains in its health report that the messenger substance adiponectin is one of the problematic cases of obesity in connection with sugar.
The report explains that fat cells produce hormones that, for example, stimulate fat burning or control insulin sensitivity. Adinopectin is important for sugar regulation and overweight people in particular have low adinopectin levels. This means that there may be insulin resistance, which has a significant negative impact on the metabolism.
When the cells no longer respond to the insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin in order to maintain the sugar and this results in a cycle of negative consequences such as being overweight, diabetes or coronary artery disease. Weight loss is the most important means against it.
Hidden sweeteners
| Not necessarily from consumers to be classified as a sweetening ingredient |
| Dextrin |
| Syrup |
| Fruit sweetness |
| Fructose |
| Barley malt |
| Glucose |
| Inulin |
| Yogurt powder |
| lactose |
| Polydextrose |
| Sucrose |
In this market survey by the consumer advice centers in Germany, researchers examined various ways and methods in the food industry to introduce sugar into food without labeling and, if necessary, to replace it with other substances.
They found that almost all of the goods examined contain sugar in some form and that other sweeteners and sugar substitutes are also present. Consumers can be particularly irritated by the many different names:
The hiding of the sweeteners is particularly noticeable, because the manufacturers present the sugar content very positively by advertising it as “less sweet”, “without sweetener” or the like, although other substances are also sugary.
Beverage manufacturers are particularly problematic, as consumers often consume the high sugar content of a bottle in one day, even though they often contain more than three times the maximum daily amount of sugar for adults. Consumer advocates are calling for clearer labeling of ingredients and less portion information, which hardly any consumer uses.
Gambling
ATMs & Casino
ATM players are particularly at risk of falling into an addiction. Almost 70 percent of the gambling addicts receiving treatment depend entirely on slot machines. The CasinoVerdiener.com portal explains in detail how slot machine players can become highly dependent. With machines there is a high frequency of winning events and an immediate payout of the winnings. The player believes they are in control of the machine and many of these winning machines are open to the public in pubs, takeaways and the like.
Many need the distraction or escape from everyday life and only realize very late that they are in an addiction. There is a very special world in casinos, in which the player can pretend and hide from everyday life, stress or other obligations. The clear rules and codes of conduct ensure that a fixed framework remains.
If you are addicted to gambling, you still hope to be able to win against the bank and the game at the last minute, and constant betting increases your chances in your own awareness.
Pathological gambling
Pathological gambling refers to gambling behavior that is constant and recurring and, despite personal problems and the consequences thereof, is continued by those affected or even increases. Pathological gamblers lie to third parties, are irritable and restless, limit free time and working hours and sometimes seek illegal ways to get new money for the games.
In the addiction medicine series of the German Main Office for Addiction Issues, the authors examine causes, symptoms and give categories of the various clinical pictures. They assume that around 540,000 people are problematic, pathological gamblers and around 275,000 people are at risk. (Source: dhs.de)
The risk groups mainly include 14 to 39-year-olds, as many come into contact with gambling at a young age. There is a difference in the starting age of men and women, as many men start addictive behavior at a young age, while women from forty to fifty in particular belong to the risk group. In addition to being dependent on the games, many have an increased risk of developing tobacco, other addictive substances and anxiety disorders; for pathological gamblers, the risk is over 63 percent.
Causes of addiction
Just as there is no clear definition of gambling addiction, the causes are numerous and often linked to other factors. The homepage spielsucht-therapie.de, for example, lists four areas as possible causes:
- Traumatizing Events
- Life crises
- Change in state of consciousness
- Object relationships
The traumatic events can include loss of parents or psychological and physical violence. Problems with other addictions of the family members or their own pre-existing addiction are often related. Life crises can be triggers, such as the death of relatives, accidents, a lack of prospects in work and private life or financial difficulties.
Some scientists report changes in consciousness and thereby also in behavior, because the positive feeling of winning and the excitement increase the frequency of visits to the casino or arcade. Depressive behavior is also often added, but does not always have to be related to it. The addicts submit to gambling and orient their lives accordingly, because addicts often have difficulty dealing with emotions and developing stable structures.
Successful therapies & measures
Successful methods include measures by casinos and amusement arcades to maintain a database of gambling addicts who are denied access. In addition, there is the Gaming Ordinance, which regulates the amount of stakes and winnings per hour and specifies game breaks. Basically, three treatment phases are defined by clinics, which are divided into behavior analysis and background, learning coping strategies in the group and problem-solving strategies.
As a rule, the goal is to break through the behavioral patterns and to clearly recognize one's own problems and to anchor changes. Ideally, the patient is still in outpatient treatment after therapy in order to remain steadfast outside the clinics. As with many addictions, the proximity to the addictive substance is a major problem, which is why there should be no gambling halls or benches in the surrounding area.
Computer games & internet
The addiction of the 21st century?
The computer makes the world of work easier and provides variety in everyday life. But over the last few decades the Internet and networking with the world have become more and more important, in both private and work areas.
This newspaper article explores the question of whether media dependency means addiction of the 21st century. As an example, the author cites that a therapy facility for drug addicts in Hanover has six out of ten jobs for internet and computer game addicts. The balance between normal entertainment and problematic internet and gaming behavior is often difficult to recognize and many parents despair of blocking their children.
Researchers recommend setting up shared computer times before the young people isolate themselves more and more. A problem for many addicts is the lack of recognition of their addiction as a disease, as this represents a new clinical picture that has not yet been sufficiently investigated and researched and not only young people can suffer from it.
Computer game addiction in childhood and adolescence
A study by the Criminological Research Institute of Lower Saxony examined the dependence on computer games in children and adolescents. They discovered that 4.3 percent of girls and 15.8 percent of boys show “excessive gaming behavior”, with more than 4.5 hours of play per day. They diagnosed 0.3 percent of girls and 3 percent of boys as addicted to computer games. Different causes come to light, such as trauma, personality traits or a disturbed perception of reality.
The authors point out that there is not always a decline in performance, but when it does, German, history and sport are affected, but not mathematics. Many students also skip school and accept negative consequences for their gambling addiction. They isolate themselves, sleep less and are more often under stress. Many researchers complain about the lack of therapy options and want better controls and security in the protection of minors in the media.
Pathological internet use
According to the AHG Clinic Munich, pathological Internet use means a “profound disruption of the regulation of relationships and self-esteem”. The doctors differentiate between game addiction and chat and surfing behavior. This disorder often occurs with social phobias, depressive disorders, or personality disorders.
Pathological features include more than 30 hours of Internet activity per week, social withdrawal, physical problems and identity diffusion, i.e. the blurring of one's own identity. Online games in particular are the trigger for the symptoms, with an average age of 27 years. Therapies consist of reference groups as a family unit, individual discussions and / or sports therapy and occupational therapy programs.
The duration of treatment is twelve weeks, during which those affected should break out of the vicious circle with the help of self-reflection and alternative employment opportunities.
Gaming promotes creativity & brain power
Many game manufacturers and gamers defend themselves against the prejudice of addictions or the glorification of violence in games. Computerbild reports on a study that says that games can have a positive effect on both creativity and brain performance. A player has to fulfill a lot of tasks under time pressure and his multitasking is perfectly organized to win the game.
It also trains hand-eye coordination, which can be vital for survival when driving a car in the dark, for example. Action-packed games support the speed of important decisions and encourage creative ideas and designs. Nonetheless, the researchers point out that depending on the previous exposure, games can influence emotional mood and serious illnesses can be exacerbated by excessive gaming.
Alcohol & Tobacco
Eternal Vice - Yearbook Addiction 2014
In its annual report, the German Central Office for Addiction Issues provides an overview of alcohol and tobacco consumption in Germany and the possible consequences thereof. Every year 100,000 to 120,000 people die prematurely after excessive alcohol or tobacco consumption. Over 200 illnesses and 80 types of accidents are related to legal drugs.
The authors compare the government income from alcohol tax of 3.3 billion euros with the direct costs from health care, property damage and traffic accidents of 10 billion euros.
Tobacco consumption is on the decline, but the number of consequences of the disease remains a high burden on the health system. The association calls for new prevention strategies, such as price increases or time limits on sales, in order to better protect the population from the consequences of addiction.
Effects of Alcohol & Tobacco Advertising
The promotion of legal drugs remains an important factor. In its 2009 yearbook, the Institute for Therapy and Health Research analyzed the effects and connections between advertising and the initiation of consumption. Nowadays, children and adolescents come into contact with alcohol and tobacco between the ages of six and eleven, especially in the media sector.
In a survey of fifth graders, 100 percent of them said they had seen a well-known beer commercial and further studies showed that up to 95 percent of young people who did not drink could name some beer brands and beer advertisements. The susceptibility to experimenting and starting with smoking increases with the frequency of media use and other criteria.
Alcohol is socially less ostracized, which is why there are still few representative studies on causal effects. The researchers are certain that restricting advertising could have positive effects on drug initiation.
Adolescent alcohol consumption
In its report on drug affinity, the Federal Center for Health Education points out that young people between the ages of 12 and 17 consume alcohol less regularly than those aged 18 to 25. They perceive a decline in regular alcohol consumption, in contrast to the 80s and 90s, but the number of young adults who consume alcohol at least once a week is increasing.
Heavy drinking has decreased in adolescents, while 41.9 percent of young adults confirmed having drank five glasses or more of alcohol in a row at least once in the last 30 days. However, a large proportion of young people take alcohol regularly, with 81.9 percent of young adults drinking alcohol at least once a month. Trends show that alcohol consumption is ubiquitous and affects young people regularly.
Potentially addictive nicotine
The educational website Drugcom.de reports on the high addiction potential of nicotine.
One study found that when compared to alcohol, cocaine and cannabis, cocaine has the highest potential for addiction. In addition, 68 percent of people who have taken up a cigarette are said to become dependent.
The availability of nicotine is another factor that affects the potential for addiction, because despite numerous prohibitions and warnings, smoking is socially not excessively ostracized. Also, many smoke several cigarettes a day, reinforcing the links of addiction in the brain. Psychological problems can also increase or influence the dependence.
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➔ Medicines to calm down and strengthen nervesConclusion
The causes of dependencies are numerous. The large area of drug abuse or drug consumption is just as relevant as the everyday drugs alcohol and nicotine. The new media create a variety of ways to shape life, but there are also consequences of abuse and excessive consumption. Most people are surrounded every day by sugar, the Internet, computers, but also by people who consume tobacco or alcohol in the supermarket or at the after-work meeting.
The addiction potential increases with stress and personal difficulties, which is why more and more awareness-raising agencies point out the responsibility of politics and the media. The declining numbers of tobacco and alcohol consumption among adolescents, albeit small, show that education and social discussion can help.
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