College students are at higher risk to develop problematic internet use (PIU) than the average person and that risk may negatively impact their college success. Since students with PIU are not violating policies, they are not being identified as having a problem through the student conduct process like other students with problems such as alcohol abuse. While research on PIU is still in its infancy, the research that has been conducted indicates that PIU is a growing problem with no agreed upon definition, diagnosis or treatment. The main purpose of this study was to determine the extent that PIU and PVP exists in residence halls on college campuses. The theoretical framework was the addiction syndrome theory (AST) and is the only current model that can be used to explain all addictions, including behavioral addictions which is the category of addiction the PIU falls under. The main measurement tool was the Young internet addiction test (IAT) which measures levels of online activity. The results of this study were inconclusive. There was a low correlation between online activity and academic performance as measured by academic probation. The weak relationship indicates that PIU may be an issue for college students and therefore may need to be considered when administrators are making policies. Whether the AST proves to be a valid conceptual framework for studying PIU and other addictions remains to be seen. The results here were inconclusive and therefore further research involving AST is needed before drawing any real conclusions.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boston University / The purpose of this study is to learn to what extent the various treatments available for alcoholics and drug addicts, in addition to detoxication and drug withdrawal, were used by patients who were admitted to the Washingtonian Hospital; to ascertain to what extent social work services were used, and to ascertain, as far as possible, what services were offered by either the medical staff or the social service department but not accepted.

The concept of weakness of will, or Akrasia, relates to questions regarding the rationality of our choices. Philosophers such as Richard Holton and Alfred Mele have spearheaded the debate since the turn of the century, but quite recently arguments put forth by Nick Heather and Edmund Henden have catapulted the question into a subgenre between the medical, psychological, and philosophical fields. N. Heather argues that it can be useful to categorize addiction as a certain weakness of will meanwhile E. Henden argues against this point. In discussions around topics such as addiction and behavioral psychology, a natural part of the conversation surrounds questions regarding freedom of choice. What constitutes addiction and how does it begin? Do those who are addicted have free will, and in turn, can they be held accountable for their choices? These are some of the questions that materialize when delving into this topic that feasibly might get answered in this paper. However, a lot of the discussion regarding addiction seems to rely quite heavily on the clinical aspects of substance dependency, which can be counterproductive to the discussion as it diverges from philosophy into neurobiological medicine and clinical psychology. Furthermore, substance addictions tend to have a direct effect on habituation and motivation which bypasses certain cognitive systems. To avoid falling into these pitfalls, this paper sets out to examine a rising phenomenon through the same lens: Social Media Addiction (SMA). Since that would fall under behavioral disorder within the spectrum of addiction and therefore not have the same properties as a drug-induced addiction, this article aims to investigate if it exhibits the defining characteristics of akratic action and investigate if SMA fulfills these. In this paper, a comparison between SMA and regular addictions is made in order to identify the differences and similarities. There is a larger discussion around the topic of what acratic core action is and when it is applicable in the case of addiction but also recent arguments for and against classifying addiction as akrasia are presented. Finally, the findings suggest there are cases where addictions can be classified as a form of akrasia which has its own implications and interpretations that are brought up. Limitations of the discussion are brought up and further research is suggested.

Background:          Social Media are part of everyday life so much so that a new disorder has been observed. The disorder is Social Media Addiction and is still not officially acknowledged as a non-substance addiction by APA. There are a lot of studies that examine the symptoms and causes of Social Media Addiction. A relief to Social Media Addiction is taking a break for a period from them. There are a few studies that investigate the benefits of a Social Media Break but not the side effects of it in relation to Social Media Addiction. Purpose:                  The purpose of this study is to understand the relationship between a Social Media Break and Social Media Addiction among Millennials in Sweden. This study aims to understand how Millennials in Sweden that are addicted to Social Media are affected by a Social Media break.  Method:                  The Bachelor Thesis uses Case Study as the methodology to discover how a Social Media Break affects a user that is addicted. The participants are Millennials that reside in Sweden and the Social Medium application is Facebook. Conclusion:             The findings from the Case Study show that there is a strong relationship between a Social Media Break and Social Media Addiction. The Millennials in this study expressed that Habit, Accessibility, Socializing and Fear of Missing Out were the reasons that made them return to their problematic Facebook relationship while taking a Break, or in other cases did not take a Break from Facebook.

<p dir="ltr"><b>ABSTRACT</b></p><p dir="ltr"><b>Background</b></p><p dir="ltr">Alcohol use disorder (AUD) poses negative health and social consequences, and is costly to affected individuals, loved ones, and society (Whiteford et al., 2013). It is a chronic neuropsychiatric disorder, associated with impaired decision making and altered functional connectivity patterns in the brain. Many studies have shown changes in the brain and behaviors after sustained abstinence using within-participant design or between-participant design comparing participants in recovery versus healthy controls (Muller & Meyerhoff, 2021; Wilcox et al., 2019). The purpose of this study was to investigate brain differences between participants in recovery and participants who are actively drinking. Specifically, this study evaluated within- and between-network resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) strengths in the context of the triple network model, which focuses on three key networks for complex perceptual, emotional and behavior processing as well as introspection, theory of mind and self-awareness; the salience network (SN), the central executive network (CEN), and the default mode network (DMN) (Menon, 2019). Moreover, this study assessed the relationship between impulsive choices in temporal decision-making and changes in resting-state functional connectivity patterns in these networks.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Methods</b></p><p dir="ltr">This study included two groups: the Recovery Group and the Drinking Group. The Recovery Group included participants who were starting recovery (within one year), met AUD diagnosis criteria or showed lifetime heavy drinking behaviors during a 12-month period, received treatment for substance use disorder for alcohol and/or illicit drugs, and showed ongoing intentions and efforts to maintain recovery (n=18, 6 females, mean age=32.4±7.4, 17 White, mean years of education=14.5±3.1, average days of abstinence prior to interview days=78.2±45.7). The Drinking Group included participants who were currently drinking that met diagnosis criteria for AUD or showed heavy drinking behaviors (n=49, 24 females, mean age=31.7±6.4, 29 White, mean years of education=13.6±2.3). Participants underwent an initial screen day where structured interviews were conducted to evaluate the number of lifetime AUD criteria and prior drinking patterns. On the study day, participants completed computer tasks and questionnaires prior to their functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) sessions. Participants in the Recovery Group received a virtual reality (VR) intervention targeting future self-continuity where they interacted with avatars that are versions of themselves (present self and future selves in recovery and relapsed) prior to MRI sessions. All participants completed baseline Delay Discounting (DD) to measure intertemporal choice preferences prior to the fMRI sessions and prior to the VR intervention for the Recovery Group.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Results</b></p><p dir="ltr">This study did not find any significant differences in within- and between-network rsFC strength of regions of interest of this study within the triple networks between participants in recovery and those who were actively drinking. The study found that participants in recovery showed a greater preference for delayed rewards (measured by DD task) compared to participants who are actively drinking. Additionally, measures of self-reported impulsivity and impulsive decision-making were associated with resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) strength between regions within the Salience Network (SN), and between the SN and Central Executive Network (CEN). Specifically, baseline delayed reward preference was positively associated with the rsFC between two SN hubs: left dorsal anterior insula (dAIC) and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC). The rsFC between the left dACC (SN) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC; CEN) negatively associated with subscales (including negative urgency, lack of perseverance, and lack of premeditation) of self-reported impulsivity measured by the Urgency-Premeditation-Perseverance-Sensation Seeking-Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) impulsive behavior scale. Together, these results suggested that there was an emerging pattern where enhanced the rsFC strength in these regions associated with higher impulsive tendencies. The exploratory analysis showed that the rsFC strength between the right precuneus and ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) was related to abstinence length in participants in recovery.</p><p dir="ltr"><b>Conclusions</b></p><p dir="ltr">These findings indicated that participants in recovery exhibited higher delayed reward preference compared to participants who were actively drinking, alongside a significant relationship between measures of impulsivity and the rsFC within the SN and between the SN and CEN. These results highlighted the importance of the SN and its dynamic interaction with the CEN in self-reported impulsivity and impulsive decision making in addiction. Additionally, this study found that within-network functional connectivity strength in the DMN was related to abstinence length, suggesting that repairment in the rsFC strength within DMN might be integral to the process of addiction recovery.</p><p><br></p>

The research examines the relationship between cyber addiction (excessive use of the Internet, CA), information overload (IO), and assesses their impact on workplace productivity. A multi-methods approach is used employing the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and a quantitative survey design to assess and test the stated hypothesis. The study used random sampling methods targeting 150 respondents from different information technology departments of various organizations. The study hypothesizes that CA and IO have a reciprocal association, which adversely affects workplace productivity and employee performance. From the findings, IAT scores increase with an associated possibility of reporting burnout, fatigue, and other components associated with CA and IO. Also, CA and IO were significantly correlated, as evaluated by the chi-square test, although the same approach did not yield significant associations between CA and perceived internet dependence. Other findings CA components, such as social media use, significantly associated with task postponement and burnout. As well, CA affected IO with substantial impacts on workplace productivity. The paper highlights managerial aspects that organizations should consider in optimizing the output of their staff. Recommendations include wellness programs, altering the leadership and management styles, and sensitizing the employees on the adverse effects caused by the two variables.

Addiction Severity Index (ASI) är tänkt att användas både för klientarbete på individnivå och för forskning på gruppnivå. Denna studie undersöker i vilken omfattning ASI-Uppföljning genomförs samt vilka individ- och organisationsfaktorer som påverkar användningen. Studien är kvantitativ dvs presenterar statistiska analyser. Data samlades in på två sätt. Tillgång till ASI-data gjordes möjlig genom en avidentifierad fil från databasen ASI-Net och omfattade data från elva kommuner i Jönköpings län. ASI-data bestod av 1964 intervjuer från ASI-Grund och ASI-Uppföljning och behövdes för undersökningen av individfaktorerna. Data angående organisationsfaktorerna samlades in genom webbenkäter till cheferna inom Individ- och Familjeomsorg (IFO) i samma elva kommuner. Resultatet visar att andelen uppföljningsintervjuer ökar för varje år och att det föreligger stora skillnader mellan kommuner i genomförande av andelen uppföljningsintervjuer. Analysen av individfaktorerna tyder på att de äldre, med högre utbildning och ett yrke återintervjuas i högre utsträckning. Klienterna med stora problem och hjälpbehov med alkohol genomgår i högre grad en uppföljningsintervju, medan mer problem med narkotika och rättsliga problem tenderar att följas upp i mindre grad. Analysen av organisationsfaktorerna kunde ej på meningsfullt sätt signifikansprövas då populationen för webbenkäten var liten. Dock upptäcktes korrelation mellan andelen uppföljningsintervjuer för varje kommun och två organisationsfaktorer, befolkningsmängd i kommunerna samt personalomsättning. Organisationsfaktorerna visar tvärtemot förväntat att små kommuner följer upp en högre andel, och att faktorer som personalomsättning, utbildning och ärendemängd inte förklarar de skillnader som finns.  Studiens slutsats visar att andelen genomförda ASI-Uppföljning ökar kontinuerligt. Även om ASI-Uppföljning ökar så är det långt kvar till dess att ens hälften av alla ärenden med ASI-Grund återintervjuas. För att öka motivationen att genomföra uppföljningsintervjuer kan det vara viktigt att socialsekreterarna får mer tillbaka i form av sammanställningar och analyser på gruppnivå. / Addiction Severity Index (ASI) is thought to be used both for client work at the individual level and for research at a group level. This study examines the extent to which the ASI Follow-up is carried out, and the individual and organizational factors influencing the usage. The study is quantitative, i.e. presents statistical analyzes. Data were collected in two ways. Access to ASI data was made possible by an anonymous file from the database ASI-Net and included data from eleven municipalities in Jönköping County. ASI data consisted of 1,964 interviews from ASI Basic and ASI Follow-up and was needed for the investigation of individual factors. Data regarding organizational factors was collected through web surveys to managers in Individual and Family Care (IFO) in the same eleven municipalities. The result shows that the percentage of follow-up interviews is increasing every year and that there are large differences between municipalities in the usage of the percentage of follow-up interviews. The analysis of individual factors suggest that the elderly, with higher education and a profession are interviewed to a greater extent. Clients with serious problems and in need of help with alcohol also undergo follow-up interviews more frequently, while more problems with drugs and legal problems tend to be followed-up to a lesser degree. The analysis of organizational factors could not in a meaningful way be tested for significance since the population for the web survey was small, however, correlation was discovered between the percentage of follow-up interviews for each municipality and organizational factors of population in municipalities and employee turnover. Organizational factors show the contrary as expected that small municipalities follow up to higher degree, and that factors such as staff turnover, training and case quantity does not explain the existing differences. The study's conclusions are that the percentage of ASI Follow-up is continuously increasing. Although the ASI follow-up is increasing, it is a long way until the even half of all cases with ASI Basic are re-interviewed. To increase the motivation to carry out follow-up interviews, it may be important for the social workers to get back more in the form of summaries and analyzes at the group level.

The diploma thesis deals with the drug addiction issue, the circumstances that lead to drug addiction and most importantly the impact the drug addiction has on an individual. It also describes the behaviour of the drug addicted in different life situations and the impact of such behaviour; specifically the impact of behaviour of the drug addicted Romany on functioning of Romany families and communities. The aim of this thesis is to present drug-related issues of the Romany ethnic group, specific aspects of the behaviour of the drug addicted and the impact of such behaviour on their communities. Terminology related to the topic is defined and further described and drug addiction related issues of the Romany ethnic group are specified. As a part of the analysis there are semi-structured interviews which aim to describe, as authentically as possible, behaviour of the drug addicted Romany and to help people understand what kind of impact the Romany community perceive as the most urgent. Among the most important there are: the negative and condemning attitude of the older generation towards the drug addicted members; financial burden of the families of the drug addicted and prevailing negative attitude of the majority society towards the Romany as a whole, which is strengthened by the behaviour of the drug addicted and by higher rate of criminality among them.

This book is an attempt to formulate a sociological theory of the phenomena which is otherwise known as substance abuse and substance dependency in the medical field. The first step toward such a theory is a critique of how DSM-IV presents diagnostic criteria for substance abuse and substance dependency as if these criteria are valid and reliable ways of measuring mental illness and bodily dysfunction. I point to the fact that these criteria neither are valid or reliable variables for measurement nor theoretically grounded defi nitions of the phenomena. My point is that diagnosis is an elaborate way of disguising moral judgments as medical assessments of illness or dysfunction. The second step towards the formulation of my theory goes via my empirical study of nine men and women who call themselves sex and love addicts. By conducting deep interviews with them I conclude that it is impossible to talk about sex and love addiction without constantly referring to stereotypes and widely held assumptions of alcoholics and drug addicts. Moreover it is apparent that these men and women are making moral judgments about themselves rather than pointing to some form of genuine disruption which they cannot control. From my critique and my empirical study I am able to identify a number of areas that a theory of addiction, as opposed to the medical view where this phenomena are being broken down in two sub categories (abuse and dependency), must be able to handle to explain addiction generally and specifically in relation to alcohol, drugs, sex and other forms of social deviance. A number of philosophical hallmarks of medicine is also identifi ed and seen as part of the problem, therefore I mean that a successful theory of addiction must transcend the mind body dualism of Descartes as it is a cornerstone in the medical view upon and understanding of humans. By reconstructing the habitus and field concepts in Pierre Bourdieus theory of practice I mean that it is possible to understand addiction from an action theory point of view. This discussion is also broadened by a pragmatist discussion of the mind and a neo meadian theory of the emotional self. My conclusion is that addiction can be understood and explained within an action theory which focus upon individual as well as collective action and understand this as habitual practice that is partly embodied and therefore not discursive – habits of which we cannot easily speak is seen as one of the compelling components in addiction rather than a mythical loss of control which is nowhere to be found but as a rhetoric grip stemming from the AA view upon addiction as a disease.

Suivant le parcours de leurs vies, les toxicomanes vivent le chaos ; ils n’arrivent pas à voir le bout du tunnel. Ils ne savent pas réfléchir d’une façon constructive, profiter des opportunités et d’élaborer des plans bien déterminés pour se réaliser. L’adoption du toxicomane de la gestion de soi peut contribuer à développer chez lui les capacités d’observation, de réflexion, d’analyse, de contrôle de soi… D’après les résultats obtenus, nous pouvons constater que : 1. Les toxicomanes ont plus de difficultés cognitives que les non toxicomanes. 2. Le sentiment de satisfaction personnelle chez les toxicomanes est plus bas que chez les non toxicomanes. 3. La stabilité émotionnelle positive chez les non toxicomanes est beaucoup plus grande que celle des toxicomanes 4. La stabilité émotionnelle négative chez les toxicomanes est plus développée que chez des non toxicomanes. La gestion de soi aide le toxicomane à intégrer le plaisir dans la vie relationnelle, comme elle peut l’aider à appliquer les qualités acquises et préparer de nouvelles expériences. / Following the path of their life, the drug addicts live the chaos; they fail to see the end of the tunnel. They don’t know how to think in a constructive way, to take advantages of opportunities and to develop plans well determined to be achieved. The adoption of the drug addicts self-management can help to develop his capacity of observation, reflection, analysis, self-control… Regarding the obtained results, we note the followings observations: 1. The drug addicts show more cognitive difficulties than the non addicts. 2. The addicts show less self satisfaction than non addicts. 3. The drug addicts show a much more positive emotional stability than non addicts. 4. The drug addicts show as well a more negative and developed emotional stability than non addicts. The self-management helps the drug addicts to integrate the pleasure in the relationships as it may help to apply the acquired qualities and to prepare new experiences.