Research Guides: Consumer Health Guide: Addictions

Research Librarian for the Health Sciences, Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Pharmacology, Public Health

Hector R. Perez-Gilbe

He, Him, His

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Contact:

UC Irvine
Science Library
Room 232
Irvine, CA 92623
perezhr@uci.edu

(949) 824-6957

Subjects: Medicine & Health Sciences, Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences

Alcohol addiction

Alcohol Rehab Guide Alcohol Rehab Guide is an informational web source dedicated to supporting and helping anyone battling alcoholism or co-occurring behavioral and mental health disorders. All the information available on Alcohol Rehab Guide is developed by a team of researchers and journalists. Each published resource and article is selected with our audience’s best interest in mind. Alcohol Rehab Guide only references fact-based and relevant publications from trusted sources like government agencies and medical journals to ensure quality.

Behavioral Addictions

Gambling addiction

American Addiction Centers American Addiction Centers is a nationwide network of addiction rehab facilities. Founded in 2007, the mission of AAC is to provide quality, compassionate, and innovative care to adults struggling with addiction.
CalPG - California Council on Problem Gambling A non-profit organization, founded in 1986, dedicated to assisting problem gamblers and their families by promoting awareness, education, research, prevention and treatment for problem gambling.
HelpGuide.org: Gambling Addiction and Problem Gambling HelpGuide.org is an independent nonprofit that runs one of the world’s leading mental health websites. Each month, millions of people from all around the world turn to us for trustworthy information they can use to improve their mental health and make healthy changes.
Mayo Clinic: Compulsive gambling
National Council on Problem Gambling a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. The network consists of 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.

Physical Addictions

Substance Addictions

National Institute on Drug Abuse Lead federal agency supporting scientific research on drug use and addiction.
Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine Founded in 1968, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (SAHM) is a multidisciplinary organization committed to improving the physical and psychosocial health and well-being of all adolescents through advocacy, clinical care, health promotion, health service delivery, professional development and research.

Substance Use Disorder

The terms "addiction," "chemical dependency," "substance abuse," and "substance use disorder" are often used interchangeably in reference to the compulsive use of alcohol and other mood-altering substances, whether they’re prescribed and taken legally or illegally. But most professionals now use the term "substance use disorder" to describe the disease more broadly and without any stigmatizing language.

Of course, addiction isn’t confined to psychoactive drugs like alcohol and marijuana: a person can become psychologically dependent on a behavior, like shopping, gambling or gaming.

According to DSM-5, a substance use disorder (SUD) involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects. Based on decades of research, DSM-5 points out 11 criteria that can arise from substance misuse. These criteria fall under four basic categories — impaired control, physical dependence, social problems and risky use:

Using more of a substance than intended or using it for longer than you’re meant to.
Trying to cut down or stop using the substance but being unable to.
Experiencing intense cravings or urges to use the substance.
Needing more of the substance to get the desired effect — also called tolerance.
Developing withdrawal symptoms when not using the substance.
Spending more time getting and using drugs and recovering from substance use.
Neglecting responsibilities at home, work or school because of substance use.
Continuing to use even when it causes relationship problems.
Giving up important or desirable social and recreational activities due to substance use.
Using substances in risky settings that put you in danger.
Continuing to use despite the substance causing problems to your physical and mental health.