Addicted to Tanning?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/22/health/22brod.html

Can someone really be addicted to tanning?  Or are they more addicted to the way they look with a tan?    Most people these days are familiar with the show "Jersey Shore" and how they might seem to be addicted to tanning.  Do you think that shows like these have made tanning more popular than it was before?  New Jersey recently passed a law that required all people to be 18 to use a tanning salon.  Do you think this will really prevent tanning addictions or reduce the amount of tanning done by minors?

Most people know that excessive tanning can lead to skin cancer, whether they are using a tanning bed or doing it naturally with the sun.  Do you think that these harmful consequences effect peoples views on tanning?  And do these consequences really discourage people from tanning or being addicted to tanning?

Addicted to Exercise?

http://www.professorshouse.com/Health-Beauty/Addictions/Articles/Exercise-Addiction/

 

Most people would agree that exercise is very important.  It keeps individuals healthy, and it is known to help relieve stress.  Many doctors emphasize the need for exercise or to participate in some sort of activity.  However, is there a point at which an individual is exercising too much?

Doctors recently stated that exercising for 90 minutes, seven days a week is excessive.   Does this apply to professional athletes?  Does it depend on what types of exercise you are doing, or is it the fact that it is taking top priority in an individual’s life?

Is the need to exercise to this extent in response to media and society today?  Is there something that we could do to prevent this reaction?  Does the personality or type of person affect whether or not they will have this addiction?

Obama's Drug Plan

What do you think “war on drugs” means? Why do you think treatment rather than arrest is a liberal idea? What do you think is the best option? Is the “war on drugs” a waste of money? Which do you think is unhealthier illegal drug use or prescription drug use? Is it more important to end illegal drug abuse or legal drug abuse? Why do you think there is a reform on the treatment of drug users but legalization of marijuana will not be considered? Do you believe marijuana should be legalized? Does this source take a stance on Obama’s policy? 

Addicted to Cell Phones?

http://phys.org/news88356303.html

Smart phones were created to make modern life more convenient, but it has only done the opposite. Why can’t people turn them off? Does the inability to be without phones reflect a certain personality type or is it solely an addiction to a cellular device? A Japanese study shows that young children will not make friends with other ‘less tack savvy children’.

Is it advisable to tell people to downgrade to a simpler phone if they think there is a problem with cell phone dependency? When does someone cross the line of normal cell phone use to it becoming an addiction? Is there an inability to enjoy certain events due to a necessity for an individuals cell phone? Does the compulsive need to check ones phone for voicemails for texts also support the idea of an addiction?

What if someone runs a business of some type, are they addicted? Do business owners or people in authoritive positions addicted to their phone?

Addicted to Food?

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/12934360/ns/today-today_health/t/addicted-food-how-break-your-habit/#.T4zRPaveDlc

Can someone be addicted to the very thing everyone needs for survival? What is it about food that makes it so enjoyable? Within the 20 years between 1980 and 200 the obesity rates doubled among adults. Similarly the overweight rate for both children and adolescents has doubled if not tripled. What is causing the soar in obesity rates? Could it be that the population has simply lost control over themselves or is it simply what we’ve been eating and what’s in it?

This is new to the world of addiction but is certainly earning its name with the rate of obesity and overweight people increasing quickly. What do people get out of eating constantly? As in what kind of psychological rewards would some get out of a habit that is needed for living? Since we need oxygen for survival and we’re constantly breathing it does that mean that everyone is addicted to oxygen as well?

Finally, should this be considered an addiction? It is still being debated in the medical realm and it has not technically been decided. Why is it that people know that what they’re eating and the outrageous amounts they are consuming are not healthy for them? What is it that is keeping them from making this connection and stopping?

Addicted to Pregancy?

http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/pregnancy-perks?page=1

Is it possible to be addicted to pregnancy? In 2007 alone more than 43 million babies were born, with more than ¼ of them being the mothers 3rd or 4th child. Could this number be so high because of the increased rates of infertility and in vitro fertilization increases the mother’s chances of having multiples?

Do women have children to fulfill their need for attention? Does it calm their feelings of insecurity or feeling s of abandonment? What kind of social, physical, and psychological rewards does having a baby give to the mother? Is it possible for men to addicted to pregnacy? While they cannot bear children, could then be addicted to the need for attention also that children give?

Should this be called an addiction or should it be categorized as a mental disorder? Why is it that some women can stop at one or two children with the reasoning that kids cost money, but others cannot?

Addicted to Porn?

Pure Life Ministries

Can one be addicted to something that does not have a chemical component? While many people undoubtedly develop unhealthy ideas about sex and sexuality from pornography, is addiction really the best way to think about this?

Does the fact that this is an addiction that seems to affect men far more often than women suggest that there are social and cultural factors at play that make the issue far more complicated than merely being about addiction? Are men addicted to pornography or the idea of limitless sexual conquests with no consequences (note the lack of STDs or unwanted pregnancies in mainstream pornography)?

Also, what is the function of the appeal to a higher power? On the one hand, it seems to suggest that this a problem that could face anyone and with the grace of God any sinner can be saved. However at the same time it suggests that people are powerless to make responsible or ethical choices once sexuality gets involved. Still, considering the sky-high rates of sexual violence against women in our contemporary society, perhaps we should be rewarding anyone who is making an effort to think about women as something other than constantly sexually available to any man who so chooses.