The contemporary society setup, advancement in technology, and changes in parenting and social norms have resulted to diversity of behaviors. Individuals are no longer restricted by the social norms that used to govern the behaviors in the ancient ages. Consequently, excessive freedom among the youths have resulted to indulgence into a peer group activities blindly only to realize when is too late. In this connection, addiction, a term that was common in the medical field has broadened to incorporated behavioral and social cultural factors in the definition.
According to American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction involves a disorder of the “brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuit” that leads to inability to refrain from overwhelming desire force. The brain is attracted to indulge into behaviors or use of the substance, which is strongly appealing that result to dysfunction that can only be alleviated once the person answer the addiction calls. The condition is likened to chronic conditions since it has cycles of relapse and remission (American Society of Addition Medicine 2012).
Contemporary, addiction does not necessary mean substance and drug abuse effect. Technological advancements have resulted to addiction forms such as the internet and gadget addiction. Internet has resulted in ample youths engaging in activities such as gaming, social networking (facebooking and twitting), pornography, videos and movies among others behaviors. According to an article by McVeigh, internet addiction has affected a large number of the youths and celebrities with a good example being Jason Russell, the filmmaker behind “Kony 2012 Video”. Russell is believed to have suffered psychotic breakdown after spending sleepless nights in the making of the film. This has increased concern among psychologies to “Internet Use Disorder” in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (McVeigh 2012). Interestingly, a number of countries such as China and Korea, recognizes internet addiction as a medical problem.
In conclusion, addiction involves compelling forces, which render the victim powerless to abstain from the craving need of the substance. This results to an inability to recognize the negative repercussions in behavior that culminates to emotional dysfunctional.
Work Cited
McVeigh, Tracy. “Internet addiction even worries Silicon Valley: experts warn of the addictive power of technology.” Theguardian/TheObserver. 29 July 2012. Web 04 December 2012.
American Society of Addition Medicine. “Public policy statement: definition of Addition.” ASAM The Voice of Addiction Medicine. 15 March 2012. Web. 04 December 2012.
