Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug Abuse and Addiction: Pharmacological Phenomena

Drug dependence, abuse, and addiction are complex phenomena that can precipitate various abnormal states. Physical dependence refers to a state of pharmacological adaptation to a drug. This adaptation often results in tolerance—a reduced response to the drug after repeated administrations. When the drug use is abruptly stopped, withdrawal symptoms occur due to the body's need to readjust from the pharmacologically induced imbalance. However, tolerance and withdrawal symptoms do not necessarily...

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep

Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...

Drug Dependence

Drug Dependence

Medications are typically administered to achieve therapeutic effects. Some drugs can modify an individual's mood and perception, frequently resulting in various enjoyable experiences. However, this can result in drug dependency, a condition marked by continuous drug use despite potential negative consequences. Drug dependency primarily falls into two categories: psychological and physical dependence. Psychological dependence occurs when the pleasurable feelings induced by the drug...

Stimulants

Stimulants

Stimulants are substances that enhance neural activity and elevate dopamine levels in the brain, leading to their highly addictive nature. These drugs include cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, caffeine, and nicotine, each with distinct mechanisms of action and varied health implications.
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Drug Toxicity: Risk factors

Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) are potential complications that arise during pharmacotherapy, influenced by multiple risk factors. Age plays a significant role; both neonates and the elderly are at heightened risk due to their respective immature and diminished metabolic and elimination processes. Gender also impacts ADRs, with females experiencing a 1.5 to 1.7-fold greater risk than males, which may be linked to pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and hormonal differences. Notably, neonates, the...

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine

Ethanol, a clear colorless alcohol, has been consumed by humans for millennia, but its effects on the body are far from benign. At lower doses, it induces decreased inhibitions and loquaciousness, leading to its social appeal. However, it can cause severe consequences at higher doses, such as coma and respiratory depression, due to its zero-order elimination kinetics. Chronic ethanol abuse wreaks havoc on multiple organ systems, particularly the CNS and the liver. Abrupt cessation of ethanol...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Drinking patterns, drinking-at-risk, and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic in eight European countries.

Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)·2026

Same author

[Alcohol Dependence: one or more nosological entities? Identifying geographical diversities among patients through DSM-4 and Artificial Intelligence].

Epidemiologia e prevenzione·2025

Same author

Alcohol Addiction: One Entity or Different Entities? A DSM-4-Based Attempt Toward a Geographicization of Alcohol Addiction and Abuse.

Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire)·2022

Same author

The space between research and action: Commentary on 'The role of alcohol use in the aetiology and progression of liver disease: A narrative review and a quantification'.

Drug and alcohol review·2021

Same author

Alcohol policies and programmes which reduced alcohol-related harm.

Current opinion in psychiatry·2018

Same author

[Changes in alcohol consumption from youth to adulthood in Italy].

Igiene e sanita pubblica·2017

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community

Published on: May 31, 2019

Addiction, risk, and resources.

Allaman Allamani¹

¹Centro Alcologico, Azienda Sanitaria di Firenze, Villa Basilewsky, Firenze, Italy. all.alcologico@asf.toscana.it

Substance Use & Misuse

|June 15, 2007

Summary

Addiction is a complex social issue influenced by market ideology, encompassing substance misuse and behaviors with physical and psycho-social impacts. Prevention requires addressing societal factors beyond individual control.

Area of Science:

Social Science
Public Health
Behavioral Science

Background:

Addiction is a contemporary social issue linked to market ideology and control myths.
It encompasses substance misuse, addictive behaviors, and risk, with a continuum of related problems.
Observed changes in consumption of tobacco, drugs, alcohol, and junk food highlight the evolving nature of addiction.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze the multifaceted nature of addiction within contemporary society.
To examine the limitations of solely relying on consumption prevention programs.
To underscore the importance of broader societal and community-based preventive strategies.

Main Methods:

This study is a conceptual analysis based on existing literature and societal observations.

More Related Videos

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 14, 2026

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community

Integrating Computerized Linguistic and Social Network Analyses to Capture Addiction Recovery Capital in an Online Community

Published on: May 31, 2019

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

A Conflict Model of Reward-seeking Behavior in Male Rats

Published on: February 20, 2019

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

A Procedure to Study Stress-Induced Relapse of Heroin Seeking after Punishment-Imposed Abstinence

Published on: March 23, 2022

It synthesizes research on consumption patterns, societal values, and globalization.

The analysis considers micro- to macrolevel impacts of addictive behaviors.

Main Results:

Addiction is intertwined with societal structures, including market ideology and globalization.
Prevention programs often overlook significant external factors influencing consumption.
A continuum exists between addictive and non-addictive behaviors with potential health consequences.

Conclusions:

Effective addiction strategies must integrate individual, community, and global perspectives.
Societal values and economic factors significantly influence addiction trends.
National and community-based prevention initiatives are crucial alongside broader policy considerations.