Drug Addiction Essay

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Fortuna, Jeffrey L. "The Obesity Epidemic And Food Addiction: Clinical Similarities To Drug Dependence." Journal Of Psychoactive Drugs 44.1 (2012): 56-63. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. Jeffrey Fortuna highlights several factors that contributed to the obesity epidemic such as the many outlets to fast food and particularly evidence that shows binging increases extracellular dopamine in the striatum, therefore having addictiveness potential. He emphasizes biological and psychological similarities between obesity and drug dependence such as cravings and loss of control. There is however one notable difference between the two: acute tryptophan depletion does not appear to encourage a relapse in recovering drug dependent individuals, although it may induce dysphoria. Grosshans, Martin, Sabine Loeber, and Falk Kiefer. "Implications From Addiction Research Towards The Understanding And Treatment Of Obesity." Addiction Biology 16.2 (2011): 189-198. Academic Search Complete. Web. 27 Apr. 2014. Martin Grosshans, Loeber Sabine, and Kiefer Falk in this article discuss the phenomenological and neurobiological similarities between over eating and substance dependence and newly found treatments for obesity. These new treatments focus on the comparisons of obesity to addictive behaviors. Grosshans, Sabine, and Falk highlight the psychotherapeutic treatment for obesity as an important aspect, in particular with the long term effects in maintaining weight loss and a healthier life style. Parallel to psychotherapeutic treatments for the drug dependence, it focuses on self-control strategies aiming for a healthier life style and group support. Lee, Natalia M., et al. "Public Views On Food Addiction And Obesity: Implications For Policy... ... middle of paper ... ...en, H., and Fletcher. P. C. "Is Food Addiction A Valid And Useful Concept?." Obesity Reviews 14.1 (2013): 19-28. Academic Search Complete. Web. 24 Apr. 2014. Ziauddeen and Fletcher in this article discuss the concept of food addiction from a clinical and neuroscientific perspective. They argue that the evidence in food addiction is limited and that further research must be done in order to fully validate the concept. Despite the uncertainty, food addiction has influenced the neurobiological models of obesity and developing debates about formulation of the public health policy. Ziauddeen and Fletch also debate that because there are so many possibly pathways leading to obesity, it is unlikely that food addiction is the most effective cause. Even with their caution, they also propose there are many arguments saying many aspects of eating in obesity are “addictive.”

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