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AbstractThis study aims to explore how sleep quality act as a mediator between smartphone addiction and mental health problems among Vietnamese undergraduate students. In this study, self-report questionnaires, including the Smartphone Addiction Scale, Short Version (SAS-SV), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale, 21 (DASS-21), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Scale (PSQI), were filled out by 905 students who had an average age of 19.83 years (SD = 1.30). 561 students, accounting for 62% of all participants do not suffer from smartphone addiction, while 344 students, representing 38.0% of all participants suffer from smartphone addiction. Female students exhibited a higher level of smartphone addiction compared to male students (p < 0.05). This study found a positive correlation between smartphone addiction and stress, anxiety, depression, and sleep quality. The relationship between smartphone addiction and mental health problems (stress, anxiety, and depression) was shown to be mediated by sleep quality. Several research and practice suggestions are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Chronic diarrhea affects approximately 5% of the population. Opioids inhibit gastrointestinal motility, and opium tincture has shown anti-propulsive effects in healthy, but no controlled studies of its clinical efficacy exist. We aimed to investigate the anti-propulsive and central nervous system (CNS) effects of opium tincture in patients with chronic diarrhea. Materials and methods: The study was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over trial in subjects with chronic diarrhea refractory to standard treatment. Participants received opium tincture or placebo during two intervention periods, each lasting seven days. Bowel movements were recorded daily, and gastrointestinal transit time was investigated with the wireless motility capsule system. Gastrointestinal symptoms, health-related quality of life, and CNS effects (pupil size, reaction time, memory, and general cognition) were also investigated, along with signs of addiction. Results: Eleven subjects (mean age: 45 ± 17 years, 46% males) with a median of 4.7 daily bowel movements were included. The number of daily bowel movements was reduced during opium tincture treatment to 2.3 (p = 0.045), but not placebo (3.0, p = 0.09). Opium tincture prolonged the colonic transit time compared to placebo (17 h vs. 12 h, p < 0.001). In both treatment arms, there were no changes in self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms, health-related quality of life, or CNS effects, and no indication of addiction was present. Conclusion: Opium tincture induced anti-propulsive effects in patients with chronic diarrhea refractory to standard treatment. This indicates that opium tincture is a relevant treatment strategy for selected patients with chronic diarrhea. Moreover, no evidence of opioid-induced sedation or addiction was found. Trial Registration Number: NCT05690321 (registered 2023-01-10) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finding ways to engage and retain young people in treatment for substance use is important in disrupting trajectories of dependence and long-term addiction. Research speaks to the complex interplay of system, client, and clinician factors influencing treatment attendance. This study used a qualitative approach to explore the views of clients (young people [n = 19] and their carers [n = 5]) on the enablers to treatment engagement and retention. Four themes were identified. First the power of first impressions in facilitating trust for young people accessing support. Second, the impact of caseworkers’ approach which acknowledge contextual influences on substance use. Third, young people’s appreciation for AOD workers who shared responsibility for initiating and building trust. Finally, the influence of patient and slow-paced case management styles on treatment attendance. Findings illustrate the importance of humanising approaches to AOD service provision, creating safe spaces in traditionally clinical and stigmatised environments, where biomedical models of care have dominated. The study highlights the potential incongruence between AOD workforce requirements/expectations, and the conditions needed (and sought after) to effectively support young people via good practice social work models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated whether the Internet Addiction Test (IAT) and the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) capture separate Internet-related disorders, comparing CFA, Set-ESEM, and Full-ESEM models on a sample of 839 participants (59.1% females; Mage = 30.31, SD = 10.05). The ESEM solution was selected based on fit-indices [χ2 = 506.810; df = 248, p < .001; CFI = .976; TLI = .963; RMSEA = .035 (.031–.040); SRMR = .019; AIC = 70,390.955; BIC = 71,269.364; aBIC = 70,678.693], inter-factor correlations (.232 < r < .595), parameter estimates (significant primary target loadings and reduced cross-loadings), and theoretical interpretability. This study highlights the conceptual overlap between Internet and smartphone addiction and emphasises the importance of comparing CFA, Set-ESEM, and Full-ESEM models when two or more sets of constructs are included in a single model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the relationship between 12-step recovery programs and psychodynamic therapy for individuals struggling with addiction. It acknowledges the benefits of 12-step programs but also recognizes that some individuals may require additional psychological support due to unresolved trauma and underlying psychological issues. The article presents a case study of an individual who struggled with addiction despite being involved in 12-step recovery, highlighting the potential benefits of a psychodynamic approach in addressing underlying emotional and psychological challenges. It emphasizes the importance of support, understanding, and therapy in managing addiction and addressing the root causes of addictive behavior. [Extracted from the article]

Little is known about generational differences and similarities in beliefs about addiction. Science Gallery Atlanta (SGA) integrates science and art to approach challenging topics, like addiction, with empathy. Intergenerational communication about addiction could positively impact older and younger adults. This study investigated perceptions of addiction among older (60+ years) and younger (18–26 years) adults through intergenerational dialogue on addiction-focused art, offered through SGA’s HOOKED exhibition. This exploratory pilot study recruited ten randomized older-younger dyads who received a mediated tour of HOOKED. Addiction attitudes were assessed pre- and post-tour with the Belief in a Just World and Addiction Belief Scale questionnaires, concurrent interviews, and focus groups. Qualitative data were recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Thematic analysis revealed younger and older adults were equally concerned with addiction-produced waste and technology addiction. Generational differences emerged regarding social media and drug-induced euphoria. Across age groups, participants scored similarly in their beliefs about justice for others and self. Post-tour, young adults were more likely to view addiction as a disease rather than a choice (p = 0.05). Art-based intergenerational communication may increase empathy. Intergenerational bridging may help young adults see addiction as a disease and older adults understand behavioral addictions. Emergent themes illuminate generational differences and similarities in addiction beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRural areas in the US exhibit high rates of illicit substance use. This study aimed to investigate the Social Cognitive Theory factors associated with spontaneous attempts to quit illicit substance use in a sample of users. A cross-sectional survey was administered through face-to-face interviews. Data was collected from adult (≥ 18 years of age) current illicit substance users who were not receiving professional addiction treatment. Binary logistic regression analyses were utilized to answer the research question. Data from 230 illicit substance users met the eligibility criteria. The mean age was 38 years, whereas the average history of illicit substance use was 14 years. Users with a higher perceived value of quitting illicit substance use were significantly more likely to attempt to quit use spontaneously. Health behavior interventions that incorporate the perceived value of quitting illicit substance use can be effective in encouraging spontaneous attempts to quit illicit substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractExperiencing nondrug reward can promote the transition from addiction to recovery, as indicated by animal and human studies; further, several effective behavioral interventions to promote addiction recovery directly or indirectly target nondrug reward. However, investigations of nondrug reward have occurred primarily within laboratories or clinics, which may limit generalizations about how nondrug reward experiences unfold in daily life. Understanding how daily contexts shape opportunities and appraisals of nondrug rewards and how nondrug reward experiences link to acute recovery outcomes could inform existing or new nondrug reward interventions delivered via mobile devices (e.g. smartphone). Ambulatory assessment, an approach for collecting a variety of self-report and passive data in daily life, is becoming routinely used among many behavioral health scientists; yet its potential has not been realized in studying nondrug reward. This article surveys the ways in which ambulatory assessment can advance the science of nondrug reward in addiction and recovery. This includes defining characteristics (e.g. hedonic versus eudaimonic), elucidating within-person dynamic aspects (e.g. momentary experiences of nondrug reward events and changes with time in recovery), and providing insight into real-world experiences of nondrug reward in socio-spatial contexts (e.g. dynamic exposure to drug and nondrug reward opportunities). Each area is discussed, including a section that describes challenges and opportunities (e.g. measuring ‘pure’ instances of nondrug reward given nicotine use and intermittent substance use). The conclusion focuses on other considerations of studying nondrug reward with ambulatory assessment and on early development of some mobile health interventions that address nondrug reward to support recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Videogaming rates among adolescents in the U.S. are very high. In addition, gaming disorder was recently added to the ICD-11 and Internet gaming disorder (IGD) is a part of the DSM-5-TR's Conditions for Further Study, suggesting increasing import in the clinical realm. This review is an up-to-date resource for clinicians treating adolescent IGD, highlighting important areas of knowledge, awareness, and skills/behaviors to consider. Given evidence from multiple systemic reviews on the important role family dynamics play related to IGD, Attachment-Based Family Therapy is presented as a model for intervention, utilizing a case study to demonstrate how it may be applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundMethodResultsConclusionsThe stigmatization of addiction has been identified as a barrier to treatment-seeking among individuals with substance use concerns. Although some evidence exists that beliefs in different models of addiction (MOAs) are associated with stigma, the research is limited in several ways. The aim of the current study is to understand the relationship between different MOAs and public stigma toward substance use disorders and behavioral addictions.Participants were 755 adults who completed an online survey on MTurk (Mage = 36.2, SD = 10.1, 40.3% women, 59.4% men) and were randomized to one of four vignette conditions describing an individual with alcohol use disorder, opioid use disorder, problem gambling disorder, or diabetes. Participants completed measures assessing perceived stigma toward the vignette character and beliefs related to five MOAs (disease, moral, psychological, sociological, nature).Stigma ratings were significantly higher in the alcohol and opioid use disorder conditions compared to the problem gambling and diabetes conditions. Greater beliefs in the disease MOA were associated with greater stigma in the problem gambling condition, whereas greater beliefs in the moral MOA were associated with greater stigma in all addiction conditions. Greater beliefs in the psychological MOA were associated with lower stigma in the opioid use disorder and problem gambling conditions.The current study provides further support that addictive disorders are more stigmatized than other health disorders and suggests that beliefs in specific MOAs are differentially associated with stigma. Interventions addressing addiction stigma may consider incorporating information emphasizing MOAs that are less stigmatizing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the protective and risk factors of smartphone addiction at the individual and group levels using multi-level modelling, with a particular focus on extracurricular activities and academic helplessness. Data from the Korea Children and Youth Panel Survey (KCYPS) were used in the analyses. These data included 2,590 middle-school students (1,405 males and 1,185 females, 8th-grade students) nested in 17 cities. The findings revealed that individual-level variables, including lack of control belief and lack of active performance, were significant predictors of smartphone addiction. Furthermore, extracurricular activities contributed to decreased levels of smartphone addiction at both group and regional levels. The effects of individual-level variables on smartphone addiction differed depending on the rational-level variables. Based on these findings, educational implications and suggestions for future studies are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social workers and other behavioral health professionals trained to provide prevention, treatment, and recovery services for opioid use disorders (OUD) remain urgently needed in the U.S. particularly in states with widespread health professional shortage areas. To help mitigate this workforce gap, faculty in social work and nursing at a public university in Alabama developed and piloted an innovative HRSA-funded interprofessional traineeship to prepare graduate-level nursing and social work students to assess and treat opioid use disorders (OUD). The yearlong traineeship included specialized coursework on evidenced-based practice in addictions, interprofessional telemedicine and simulation training, and multi-semester field practica in outpatient treatment settings. Impact of the pilot training was evaluated using a pre-experimental one group design. Baseline and post-training surveys assessed knowledge, attitudes, and skills related to OUD and interprofessional practice and perceived program impact. Significant increases were observed for trainees' self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and skills. Moreover, at graduation students reported that the traineeship had improved their abilities to interact with underserved populations, collaborate interprofessionally, and understand ethical issues in SUD treatment as well as enhancing their professional competence, clinical problem-solving, and health workforce skills. Findings suggest that the interprofessional training program may prepare social work and nursing graduate students to effectively serve clients with OUD and help to address a critical workforce gap in medically underserved communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies in Europe and North America have shown that the mental health of individuals experiencing homelessness (IEHs) is worse than that of the general population. The objective of this study was to analyze the mental health of IEHs in Spain. A retrospective cohort study (observational study) of the health of 3,854 IEHs was conducted, according to age and gender, using diagnoses registered in the health service, over the 15 years between 2006 and 2020. Of this population, 31.6% were diagnosed with some sort of substance use disorder (SUD), mainly alcohol-related (18.1%), 20.1% had a mental disorder not related to drugs, and 11.5% had a dual disorder. Younger people had more mental health problems. This study—the first large study of IEHs in Spain—highlights significant differences in mental health and addictions according to gender and age. In general, Spanish IEHs have better mental health for all of the analyzed diagnostics than other populations internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent strand in the philosophical literature on addiction emphasizes problems with diachronic self-control. Hanna Pickard, for example, argues that an important aspect of addiction consists in inability to identify with a non-addicted future self. This literature sits alongside another that treats addiction as the product of neural changes that "hijack" mechanisms of reward prediction, habit formation decision making and cognitive control. This hijacking literature originates in accounts that treat the neural changes characteristic of addiction as a brain disease. This paper provides a framework based on predictive processing accounts of self-awareness that integrates the hijacking and diachronic accounts. I discuss a hijacking account proposed to explain disruption of addiction following lesion to the anterior insula cortex. I show how insula activity contributes to the type of identification implicated in diachronic accounts and how deactivation of the anterior insula can disrupt addiction by alienating the subject from her addictive tendencies. This is consistent with neural evidence but also incorporates the personal level features of addiction that are opaque to neural level explanation [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows the theoretical similarities between Harm Reduction Psychotherapy and Heinz Kohut's Self Psychology, and delineates how each of these clinical perspectives complement and enhance one another. Using these two theories in tandem provides further opportunities for clinicians to treat a larger proportion of the substance using population not yet ready for cessation or abstinence. A case involving crystal meth addiction is presented, and aspects of the treatment are explicated including identifying the self-regulatory and symbolic functionality of substance use, and working with the patient's own ambivalence about his behavior. A self- object "twinship" is also highlighted as having an important mutative impact on the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The link between civilization and technology has long been a hotspot of research around the world. Mobile phone addiction has become a common social phenomenon with advances in society and technology, wreaking havoc on people's emotional health, physical fitness, and personal connections. Considering the positive effects of mindfulness, this study used the diary method to explore the relationship between mindfulness and mobile phone addiction based on the mindfulness reperceiving model. We conducted a 14-day diary study among 198 Chinese youth participants. The results showed that there was a circular argument relationship between mindfulness and mobile phone addiction: mindfulness of the previous day could significantly negatively predict mobile phone addiction of the following day, and vice versa. These results, based on the mindfulness reperceiving model, effectively extend theories and profoundly reveal the circular argument relationship between mindfulness and mobile phone addiction. Besides, it also provides new thought for the mechanism of the interrelationship between mindfulness and mobile phone addiction, as an important theoretical support for the intervention of mobile phone addiction from the perspective of mindfulness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between academic entitlement, gaming, addiction, and life balance. College students (n = 230) on academic probation (cumulative GPA < 2.0) enrolled at a large, public southern university participated in the study. We were able to successfully predict entitlement using life balance subscales; specifically, global health and quality of relationship subscale scores predicted academic entitlement. We did not find a significant relationship between gaming addiction and life balance. Additionally, we found that the probation students in this sample lead fairly balanced lives in most domains, but struggle with stress and academic entitlement to some degree. Implications and recommendations are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discontinuance is considered very effective in the treatment of IT addiction. However, prior literature on the mechanism from IT addiction to discontinuance has reached inconsistent conclusions. Also, scholars cannot explain why some individuals do not make any changes after becoming addicted, even when they realize that their behavior is not in line with the norms. To fill the gaps, our research developed a cognitive-emotional model, with neutralization as a moderator, to understand the internal mechanism from mobile short-form video addiction to intermittent discontinuance. Based on the online survey of 493 Chinese mobile short-form video users, this study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to empirically verify our model and hypothesis. The results show that mobile short-form video addiction positively affects cognitive dissonance and emotional fluctuation. And cognitive dissonance and emotional fluctuation are found to have a positive effect on intermittent discontinuance through attitudinal ambivalence. Furthermore, neutralization negatively moderates the relationship between cognitive dissonance and attitudinal ambivalence, emotional fluctuation and attitudinal ambivalence. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and retention in care are cornerstones of better prognosis of people living with HIV (PLWH). The purpose of this study was to compare patients who discontinued antiretroviral treatment (ART) with those who were diagnosed late with HIV. In this retrospective analysis of PLWH under the care of one of the Infectious Diseases Clinics in Poland between 2020 and 2021, two sub-analyses were carried out. One comparing patients who relinked to care after treatment interruption ("Group A") with those who had late HIV diagnosis ("Group B"), another comparing group A to those who were adherent to ART ("Group C"). 215 patients were included in this study (Group A = 47, Group B = 53, Group C = 115). Those who discontinued ART more often used actively drugs (p = 0.001) in comparison to those with late HIV diagnosis. In both bivariate and multivariable analysis migrants were more often diagnosed late with HIV than interrupted ART (p = 0.004 and 0.015, respectively). In the second analysis, in the multivariable analysis female sex was not associated with treatment interruption, whereas active drug usage was. People using drugs have a higher risk of ART interruption. Migrants are more at risk of late HIV diagnosis. Adequate interventions should be made towards both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing incidences of Facebook addiction or problematic Facebook use are fast becoming a matter of concern in the Western countries. The popularity of social networking sites is increasing in India as well, circumventing the barriers of age, gender, and place of residence. The rapid dispersal of Facebook is of particular concern as it has given rise to a new phenomenon termed as Facebook addiction, particularly among the students and youths. Little academic research has been done so far in a far-flung State in the North Eastern part of India. This paper attempts to fill this gap by studying Facebook Addiction among 3356 youth participants from the state of Tripura. Male participants were found to be significantly more at risk for Facebook addiction, as compared to the females. Utilizing the logistic regression model, this study could also bring into light the predictors and correlates of Facebook addiction which include the location of residence, educational qualification of parents, and the overall purpose of internet usage, such as online shopping, cloud storage, attending online classes and others. Dysfunctional or uncontrolled Facebook usage has also been found to be linked with adverse interference in the academic performance of the participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the correlation between spiritual well-being and game addiction among Chinese youths in Hong Kong. To examine such a relationship, cross-sectional data (N = 401) were taken from a sample of 209 Chinese university students in 2021 and 192 Chinese university students in 2022. They are between 18–21 years old. The participants answered the Spiritual Well-being Questionnaire to gauge their spiritual well-being in the personal-communal, environmental and transcendental domains. Then, the respondents accomplished the Game Addiction Scale 21 to assess the extent of their gaming use in seven dimensions, namely, salience, tolerance, mood modification, relapse, withdrawal, conflict and problems of game addiction. The study revealed a negative correlation between the three domains of spiritual well-being and the seven dimensions of game addiction. Moreover, multiple regression analysis showed that the personal-communal and environmental domains of spiritual well-being accounted for 59.0% and 10% of the variance in students' overall game addiction, respectively. The personal-communal domain was found to be the strongest predictor of game addiction. As an effective preventive strategy and treatment, the spiritual well-being and health of adolescents should be enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the use of the alchemical concept of "mining the salt" and applies it to contemporary Jungian analysis for working with clients who present themselves with histories of trauma that have caused depression, anxiety, addictions, and compulsions, among other issues. "Working the Salt Mines of Eros" means digging into the suffering of our lives, confronting what we have not been able to confront, and allowing its deep, meaningful transformation into new relatedness with one's true Self. Author Carol Dieckmann offers a distillation of her analytic training thesis for the C. G. Jung Institute of Colorado, focusing here on a heuristic approach, using her own visions and dreams to illuminate the "salt path" of individuation moving from suffering to wisdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modern societies grapple with an escalating prevalence of sleep problems and addiction. This nexus warrants exploration, particularly concerning preventive strategies. Hence, this study endeavors to elucidate the interplay between sleep problems, social jet lag, chronotype, and addiction susceptibility. The present research, applying a cross-sectional correlational design, employed 180 Iranian adults through internet invitations. Research data were collected using the Iranian Addiction Potential Scale (IAPS), MCTQ, ESS, and rMEQ. The findings highlight the predictive role of ESS, weekly sleep duration, social jet lag, and rMEQ in addiction potential. It is worth mentioning that there was no significant association between MSFsc and morning/evening chronotype and addiction potential. The results indicate the importance of identifying and supporting individuals predisposed to addiction. According to the results, it seems that sleep problems, sleep duration, and social jet lag are more important variables in preventing addiction, so sleep hygiene programs are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Quality of life (QOL) summarizes an individual’s perceived satisfaction across multiple life domains. Many factors can impact this measure, but research has demonstrated that individuals with addictions, physical, and mental health concerns tend to score lower than general population samples. While QOL is often important to individuals, it is rarely used by researchers as an outcome measure when evaluating treatment efficacy. Methods This secondary analysis used data collected during three separate randomized controlled trials testing the efficacy of different online interventions to explore change in QOL over time between treatment conditions. The first project was concerned with only alcohol interventions. The other two combined either a gambling or mental health intervention with a brief alcohol intervention. Males and females were analyzed separately. Results This analysis found treatment effects among female participants in two projects. In the project only concerning alcohol, female quality of life improved more among those who received an extensive intervention for hazardous alcohol use compared to a brief intervention (p = .029). QOL among females who received only the mental health intervention improved more than those who also received a brief alcohol intervention (p = .049). Conclusion Poor QOL is often cited as a reason individuals decide to make behavior changes, yet treatment evaluations do not typically consider this patient-important outcome. This analysis found some support for different treatment effects on QOL scores in studies involving at least one intervention for hazardous alcohol use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empathy is linked to decreased relapse in patients with substance abuse. Educational programming for nursing and medical students focused on developing empathy, but no research has been done on how drug education can alter perceptions and empathy toward addiction. This study examined the influence of a drugs course on attitudes toward addiction. Pre-and post-course surveys measured empathy toward addiction, and qualitative descriptions. Overall empathy remained steady but students trended toward promoting more social programs and support. Descriptions changed from a focus on lack of willpower to vulnerabilities, suggesting that a single course could exert influence on perceptions of addiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article details the findings of a 2018 study that assessed the initial substance use treatment service delivery capacities of entry-level, Master of Social Work practitioners in New York state. The research conducted was composed of a survey of the program directors of all state-funded substance use treatment programs across New York state, with 35% (N = 245) of treatment programs listed in the New York State Treatment Provider Directory represented in the final survey results. In total, the findings of the study indicate that Master of Social Work graduates are perceived by substance use treatment program directors to have limited skills and knowledge regarding substance use treatment concepts and interventions, and that they are not sufficiently prepared to deliver substance use services in practice following graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rhetorical analysis was performed on stories by journalists from 2016 to early 2021 about former President Trump in which they invoked addiction to reflect on their performance. My analysis confirms that these dramatic confessions of addiction suggest the creation of a new tool for mythic restoration: commiseration. Deployment of this new strategy in this case revolves around the embrace by journalists of an addiction metaphor that encourages readers – some of whom characterize their own fascination with Trump as an addiction – to join them in that space to consider whether the journalist, faced with financial uncertainty and public skepticism, is as much a victim of Trump's excesses and mendacity as the rest of society. Deployment of the addiction metaphor deprioritizes more measured calls for journalists to reacquaint themselves with standards of practice. Journalists opted to perform mythic restoration in 'clickable' fashion by invoking the public stigma attached to addiction even as a more sober performance assessment might have been called. They joined readers in therapy, justifying what drew them to him but failing to discuss their role in legitimizing his candidacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emergency medical services (EMS) can be an invaluable ally of addiction medicine clinicians, but the potential role of EMS in combating the opioid epidemic has been under-realized. EMS has historically focused on emergency response and resuscitation in cases of overdose; however, EMS is also well-positioned to build rapport with persons who use drugs (PWUD), provide harm reduction services, and connect PWUD with additional treatment services and resources. A select number of EMS organizations have begun to offer substance-related programming that extends beyond resuscitation, but these offerings remain limited in scope and impact. This perspective argues that addiction medicine clinicians can bolster the ability of EMS to provide high quality substance-related services by engaging in prehospital care education, program development and research, and clinical care. This perspective shares practical strategies for addiction medicine clinicians to partner with EMS and considers several potential barriers that must be overcome, including bureaucratic challenges, variability in the scope of practice of EMS providers across different locations, and limited funding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a rationale and methods for creating and supporting recovery reading groups in public libraries. Recovery reading groups are learning circles designed to connect people to both information and peers who will provide intellectual and social support in making life changes. Research in public health demonstrates the value in social support in aiding recovery or creating new habits. Familiarity with bibliotherapy and recovery support for mild to moderate substance abuse disorders can help librarians situate the public library meaningfully in the lives of patrons who want to explore personal growth in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although physical isolation measures can stem the spread of COVID-19, they can also heighten individuals' perceived isolation and feeling of loneliness, resulting in problematic internet use (PIU). However, studies have rarely investigated both the effects of physical and perceived isolation on PIU. Given the widespread availability and accessibility of digital communication technologies, it is difficult to conclude that the former may necessitate the latter inducing PIU. Using a two-wave longitudinal national survey in Singapore (n = 689), this study found that, at Time 1, both physical and perceived social isolation have direct and independent effects on internet users' preference for online social interaction (POSI), driving PIU. This, in turn, leads to their experience of negative outcomes at Time 2. The results highlight the importance of considering the independent effects of physical and perceived isolation in affecting POSI leading to PIU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and life satisfaction among college students, the mediating effect of smartphone addiction, and the moderating effect of connectedness to nature. A total of 702 college students (453 females, Meanage = 19.60 years, SD = 1.33 years) completed the Interpersonal Sensitivity Scale, Mobile Phone Addiction Index, Connectedness to Nature Scale, and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Following moderated mediation analysis, the results showed that smartphone addiction mediated the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and life satisfaction among college students. Furthermore, connectedness to nature did not moderate the relationship between interpersonal sensitivity and life satisfaction among college students, but it moderated the relationship between smartphone addiction and life satisfaction among college students. These findings identified both risk factors and protective factors that influence life satisfaction among college students, providing valuable guidance for enhancing their life satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recreational long-distance runners' exercising levels often considerably exceed those necessary for keeping healthy. As their running careers unfold, many runners become inspired not so much by fitness and health but by other corollaries of running, such as capacity to endure high levels of pain and exhaustion or novel bodily experiences. As I show in the ethnographic example of Estonian runners, a "low-resolution" explanation of such a shift in runners' motivations allows it to be understood in conventional terms of addiction. Three symptoms commonly highlighted in definitions of exercise addiction – tolerance, continuance, and withdrawal – were particularly salient in the careers of many interviewed runners. However, the reasons for developing these symptoms were not merely psycho-physiological and their implications were not clear-cut which calls for a more nuanced approach to runners' bodily experiences, the meanings attributed to these, as well as running addiction and its relationship with health and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There exists an underexploited opportunity to develop innovative therapeutic approaches to SUDs based upon the complementarity between modern and traditional health systems. Objectives: Illustrate the feasibility and potentiality of such an approach through the comprehensive description of Takiwasi Center's treatment model and program, where health concepts and practices from traditional Amazonian medicine work synergistically with modern psychotherapy and medicine in an intercultural dialog to assist in the rehabilitation of people suffering from SUDs. Methods: The description was built from a review of the literature, institutional data, participatory observation and unstructured interviews with staff, researchers and patients during treatment. Results: Since the foundation of the Takiwasi Center in 1992 in the peruvian Amazon, more than a thousand patients with different socio-cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds have received residential treatment. We present how traditional Amazonian medicine techniques and health concepts cooperate to complement modern psychology in a therapeutic community setting and propose some hypotheses about the neurobiological, psycho-emotional and spiritual healing mechanisms triggered by the program to help people identify and heal the roots of their substance misuse and addictive behavior. We also summarize quantitative outcomes during treatment showing significant improvements in a wide variety of mental health indicators. Conclusion: Takiwasi Center's program is an option for people seeking non-conventional treatment who are sensitive to traditional Amazonian medicine practices and ready to explore the roots of their addiction. From this intercultural approach, some lessons could emerge toward a broader understanding of SUDs that may result in better patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life satisfaction is one of the most important indicators of psychological health for college students. Therefore, investigating the factors that influence the level of life satisfaction of college students can help develop intervention programs to improve student life satisfaction. This study investigates the mediating effect of resilience in the link between risk of smartphone addiction (RSA) and life satisfaction among college students. A cross-sectional study design was used. Four hundred twenty-three Vietnamese university students (Mage = 18.78, SD = 0.925) completed The Smartphone addiction scale – Short version (SAS –SV), The Connor – Davidson Resilience scale (CD-RISC-10) and The Life satisfaction scale (SWLS). The SPSS 20 and PROCESS 3.5 (Model 4) were used to test the hypotheses. The results indicated that RSA did not predict life satisfaction among Vietnamese students (B = −0.052, SE = 0.035, p > 0.05, 95% CI = [−0.120, 0.017]). More importantly, resilience fully mediated the link between RSA and life satisfaction (B = −0.020, SE = 0.010, 95% CI = [−0.041, −0.004]). The findings of this study not only contribute to expanding the mechanism of the association between RSA and life satisfaction, but also provide a theoretical basis for interventions to improve life satisfaction for students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relying on an extended functionalist perspective, in the present study we investigated how motives underlying social media use (i.e., conformity, social/the need for social relationships), coping (the need for mood regulation), and defensive motives (anti-mattering, i.e., the feeling of not mattering to others) are linked to early adolescents' psychological distress. We also evaluated the potential mediating role of social media addiction in the relationship between social media use motives and psychological distress in vulnerable social media users, i.e., early adolescents. Our sample consisted of 480 middle-school Romanian students (M = 12.03, SD =.78, 52.3% females). The results suggested that social relationships, mood regulation, and anti-mattering motives were positively associated with social media addiction, and that social media addiction was positively related to psychological distress. Anti-mattering and mood regulation were positively associated with psychological distress. Furthermore, social media addiction mediated the relations between the motives for social media use and psychological distress. Finally, we discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the findings for knowledge, prevention, and interventions regarding social media addiction among early adolescents. The functionalist theoretical perspective states that social media addiction might be explained by underlying motives. Previous studies also highlight the necessity to explore the relation between these motives, social media addiction, and psychological distress among youth. We tested an extended functionalist perspective of social media addiction and explored the potential mediating role of social media addiction on the relationship between social media use motives (conformity, social relationships, mood regulation, anti-mattering) and adolescents' psychological distress. Our results are helpful for interventions concerning social media addiction among adolescents. Knowing the motives that are related to social media addiction might help in the design of effective, targeted, parental and educational interventions to prevent adolescents' social media addiction and psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores how the field of critical addiction studies - which can be traced back to the late twentieth century - has used Foucauldian social theory on governance to challenge dominant biomedical and moralistic models of addiction and to account for the ways in which addiction discourse and practice reproduce purifying, essentialist and singular assumptions about behaviour, bodies and desire. Starting from Foucault's late critique of the neoliberalist phobia of the state, and Dean and Villadsen's subsequent analysis of how this phobia ironically appears to haunt Foucauldian as well as other versions of poststructuralist social theory, the article asks whether a similar phobic tendency can be identified in Foucauldian accounts of addiction, although in this case directed towards addiction as a discursive centre. Analysing accounts of addiction provided by several critical addiction scholars, the article investigates how this more general tendency in relation to Foucauldian and poststructuralist theory is enacted in and structures a number of key points in contemporary critiques of addiction. Through detailed analyses of how critics have framed addiction as governmentality and an epidemics of the will, related addiction to habit, dealt with tensions within the discourse of addiction, raised issues of materiality, and aligned themselves with the heterogeneity of bodies, behaviours, and desires, the article claims that the field of critical addiction studies reduces addiction to abstract governance and avoids seriously engaging with the structure and dynamics of addiction from a decentred social theoretical perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors briefly describe the etiopathogenetic origins of love addiction, including how they relate to the concepts of script protocol, symbiosis, and the stroke economy. They also consider the connection between attachment and love addiction and the various forms of love addiction. Finally, they propose a protocol for working with love addiction using transactional analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Baltimore, clients in methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) experiment with prescription medicine and in doing so face new risks of noncompliance as they tread this blurry line between medical and illegal. This can potentially lead to suspension from drug treatment programs, resulting in clients finding the next most suitable treatment center to enroll into. I argue that the close interaction between drug treatment centers and illegal markets results in new pharmaceutical dependencies, forms of self-care as well as suspicions toward, but also among clients, about their intentions to recover. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the author's experience teaching poetry at a residential treatment and recovery facility for women with substance abuse disorders. The author, an historian and former Stanford faculty member, volunteers to teach poetry as a way to support the women's recovery. The article emphasizes the personal and emotional impact that writing and reading poetry has on the women in the classroom, providing them with a safe space to express their feelings and explore their experiences. The author acknowledges that there is no scientific evidence linking poetry to recovery, but shares her own observations of the positive effects it has on the women she works with. The article concludes by expressing hope that poetry can help these women change their lives and offering well wishes for their ongoing encounters with poetry. [Extracted from the article]

Social workers play an important role in the field of mental health and addictions, but there are concerns about the level of training and education offered by social work programs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perspectives of Canadian social work faculty members on social work education in mental health and addictions. We conducted focus groups and individual interviews with faculty (N = 14) from English and French social work programs in seven Canadian provinces and one territory. Using thematic analysis, we generated four themes linked to social work faculty members' perspectives on mental health and addictions in Canadian social work education. These included curriculum priorities and pedagogical approaches, gaps in the curricula, challenges to teaching mental health and addictions in social work education, and facilitators to strengthen the teaching of mental health and addictions in social work education. This study has important policy, practice, and education implications. Our findings underline the importance of including mental health in standards and policies set by accrediting associations, teaching students to use critical-clinical approaches, providing faculty with increased support, and developing a community of practice forsocial work faculty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite studies evaluating the insertion of technology and the use of smartphones in the mental health and learning of medical students, few have investigated these outcomes longitudinally. This study aims to investigate the association between smartphone use and digital addiction with mental health, quality of life, learning, and academic motivation of medical students. Methods: This is a longitudinal study conducted between 2016 and 2018. Socio-demographics, smartphone use, digital dependence (Internet Addiction Test), surface and deep learning approach (Biggs), motivation (Academic Motivation Scale), evaluation of symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress (DASS- 21) and Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed. Adjusted regression models were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 269 students were included(51.4% of the total). In the two-year follow-up, despite an increase in the frequency of smartphone use in general and also in the classroom for non-educational activities, no increase in digital dependence was found. In the adjusted models, the frequency of smartphone use and digital dependence were predictors of lower academic motivation and greater surface learning after two years of follow up. However, only digital dependence was a predictor of worse mental health (anxiety, depression, and stress) and worse quality of life. Conclusion: Greater use of smartphones and high addiction scores were associated with worse educational outcomes. Digital dependence was another marker of outcomes in mental health and quality of life. It is important that educators are aware of these negative effects and can guide students on the proper and safe use of these devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helicopter parenting (HP) has become a common concept in families with young adults. A growing body of literature revealed negative consequences of perceived HP among young adults as its developmentally inappropriate parenting. However, there is still a limitation of an empirical study on the impact of HP on young adults' technology addiction. Accordingly, this study investigated possible relationships between HP, self-control, self-efficacy, and multi-screen addiction (MSA) among Turkish emerging adults. 556 college students (Mage=21.02) from two major universities in Turkey participated in the study. The results showed that mother helicopter parenting (MHP) and father helicopter parenting (FHP) related to MSA and a low level of self-control but not self-esteem. In addition, the results from a mediation analysis indicated that MHP had an indirect effect on MSA through a low level of self-control. The results of the study confirmed the importance of parenting in MSA among young adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this wide ranging interview, Doctor Oleksandr Filts shares some of his clinical observation and experience in treating war trauma and, per one of his many specialties, addiction during the current Russian invasion. Doctor Filts draws from a broad spectrum of theory, traditional and new. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) are the most common type of new psychoactive substances used predominantly as a replacement for cannabis. There is a wealth of literature on the negative effects experienced by users of SC. However, there is a paucity of research on the experience of addiction to SC from the users' perspectives. The present study qualitatively explored the experience of addiction to SC. Online blog entries detailing the experience of SC addiction were analyzed using thematic analysis. Users reported being stuck in a cycle of addiction which was composed of addiction hallmarks. They also experienced a range of significant physical, mental health and psychosocial problems. Suicidal ideation was also reported, with potential for its occurrence during withdrawal, due to shame of being addicted, and as the only way to stop the addiction cycle. Additionally, both psychotic and cognitive symptoms were reported to persist following cessation, enhancing current understanding of long-term SC effects. Therefore, users require both clinical and psychosocial support for these issues, most notably suicidal ideation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored the role of self-control and physical exercise on the relationship between mobile phone addiction and depression. College students (n = 514, female = 56.8%, mean age = 18.43 years, SD = 0.72 years) completed the Mobile Phone Addiction Scale, the Self-control Scale, the Physical Activity Rating Scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Following moderated mediation analysis, the results showed that self-control mediated the relationship between mobile phone addiction and depression. Furthermore, physical exercise moderated the relationship between mobile phone addiction and depression so that those reporting higher levels of physical activity were at less risk for both mobile phone addiction and depression. The results support the social replacement and depression monoamine hypotheses that physical activity is an important protective factor of depression on mobile phone addiction. Interventions to reduce mobile phone addiction and depression in college students should improve their level of self-control and physical exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decreasing stigma levels is critical for improving treatment access and outcomes for individuals with substance use disorder (SUD). This research evaluated the effectiveness of an educational session for students in criminal justice and psychology on the science of drug addiction and naloxone use in improving attitudes toward addiction, comfort using naloxone, and reducing stigma. Students attended a three-hour session that included education about SUD and treatment, speakers in recovery, and naloxone training. Post-educational intervention surveys revealed greater acceptance of the disease model of addiction, knowledge, and comfort using naloxone and reduced stigma. Educating students before they enter mental health and criminal justice professions could help increase addiction knowledge and reduce stigma among these professional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interactions between childhood trauma (CT) and dissociation can contribute to psychiatric disturbances. We explored this phenomenon in relation to behavioral addictions (BAs) in a sample (n = 633) of young adults (age: 18–34 years). Self-report measures investigating CT, dissociation, and symptoms related to gambling disorder, internet gaming disorder, problematic social media use, exercise dependence and compulsive buying were used. Scales related to BAs were summarized into a single measure ("Total Behavioral Addiction Index" – TBAI) for inferential analyses. A model analyzing the direct and indirect effects of CT on TBAI through the mediation of pathological dissociation was performed, controlling for confounding factors. Measures on CT, dissociation, and TBAI were significantly associated with each other (all p <.001). The total effect of CT on TBAI was significant (B = 0.063; CI: 0.045; 0.081); pathological dissociation significantly mediated such association (B = 0.023; CI: 0.013; 0.036). Our findings support the possibility that the interaction between CT and dissociation contributes to increase disturbances related to BAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The outbreak of COVID-19 impacted numerous people globally, but most notably affected adolescents negatively by contributing to the increase in their use of media and smartphones and therefore their susceptibility to smartphone addiction. Based on the social-ecological model, this study seeks to identify the individual-, family-, and school-level factors of smartphone addiction through two groups of users: a first group whose smartphone usage time increased after the outbreak of COVID-19, and a second group whose usage time did not. Based on the data collected from 360 Korean adolescents aged 15 to 18, results reveal that personal-level factors (i.e., gender, depressive symptoms, self-control, and cyberbullying victimization) are associated with smartphone addiction. For the group whose smartphone usage time increased after the outbreak, economic status, academic performance, and academic year were related to smartphone addiction. Based on these findings, the study makes specific guidelines and suggestions on addressing the smartphone addiction among Korean adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is inconsistency in the measurement of impulsivity resulting from the diversity in its conceptualization. We aimed to develop a revised measure based on the Urgency, Premeditation (lack of), Perseverance (lack of), Sensation Seeking - Positive Urgency (UPPS-P) model (i.e., TRUE Multidimensional Impulsivity Scale; TRUE-MIS) considering the limitations and strengths of the existing measures. We conceptualized impulsivity as a personality trait referring to the inability to restrain one's urges without thinking about the future consequences in various contexts. A total of 535 adults (262 females, M = 34.1, SD = 12.7) participated in Study 1. Principal component analyses indicated a four-factor structure (internal urgency, social urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance) with satisfactory internal consistency and validity evidence by significant relations with self-control. Confirmatory factor analysis in Study 2 confirmed the factor structure obtained in Study 1. Hierarchical linear regression analyses provided further validity evidence through establishing differential links between the subscales and Big Five personality traits, emotion regulation, depression, anxiety, and smartphone addiction in a sample of 556 adults (368 females, M = 24.0, SD = 7.4). Overall, TRUE-MIS is a valid and reliable measure of impulsivity addressing the arguments regarding the conceptual structure of the construct. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study explored the mediating role of boredom and anxiety on the relationship between alexithymia and mobile phone addiction among Chinese college students. Participants (n = 354; female = 49.7%, mean age = 19.30 years, SD = 1.28 years) completed the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Boredom Proneness Scale-Short Form, the Symptom Check List 90, and the Mobile Phone Addiction Index. Regression analysis showed that higher alexithymia was a risk for mobile phone addiction (MPA). Boredom proneness and anxiety mediated the relationship between alexithymia and mobile phone addiction. There were no significant sex differences in the mediating pathways between alexithymia, boredom proneness, anxiety and MPA. The current findings are consistent with the compensatory internet use theory. College student support services should formulate student social engagement interventions to improve healthy mobile phone use and reducing the risk for MPA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]