Psicologia e Psicopatologia delle nuove dipendenze (Psychology and Psychopathology of New Addictions)

Until a few decades ago, the study of addiction was mainly focused on the use of alcohol, heroin, cocaine, cannabis and a few other substances. With the widespread use of the Internet at the turn of the millennium, the situation has radically changed following the appearance of thousands of new psychoactive substances available online, designed to mimic the effects of traditional drugs, and the onset of a wide range of dysfunctional and repetitive behaviors related to digital use, characterized by aspects of compulsiveness and addiction, such as video game and gambling disorder,  pornography addiction, compulsive shopping, cyberbullying, cyberchondria, social media addiction. Psychology and Psychopathology of New Addictions offers a precise, complete and current overview of new addictions to both substances and behaviors, framing them within the digital revolution and globalization. It is a work where the most recent research on prevention, diagnosis and treatment has converged, and which, thanks to an integrated approach, helps not only to frame the development of new dysfunctional behaviors, but also to understand the underlying mechanisms and motivations. The first part of the book examines behavioral addictions (from video games, gambling, social media, exercise, sexual and work), with particular reference to the problematic use of the Internet (PUI, Problematic Usage of the Internet) and explores the aspects of diagnosis, classification and comorbidity and the neurological bases. New psychoactive substances, including those emerging in sport, are described in the second part, which in addition to presenting the new types of drugs, with their effects and risks, outlines the profile of users, introduces the concept of dual diagnosis and explores the use of psychedelics in new therapies. The third part focuses on the role of family and community, prevention and treatment strategies, and the less explored but crucial aspects of motivation and stigma. To facilitate in-depth and integrated learning, each chapter opens with a Life Experience card, which tells a real situation related to the theme of the chapter, and concludes with a summary and summary questions; Most chapters have a section that collects relevant research and studies in a specific field and examines possible treatments, with a focus on the most effective therapeutic practices.