By now, most parents understand the risks of narcotic drugs and some parents have even started taking precautions to ensure their children aren’t abusing over the counter drugs found in their homes. While it is important to appreciate the dangers that exist in these substances and to talk to children and teens about them, it is also important not to lose sight of behaviors that can be just as harmful. The Choking Game, an activity in which teens strangle\u00a0themselves or others to achieve a momentary high from decreased oxygen to the brain, is just one of these\u00a0dangerous games kids play.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, addiction was understood to involve a need for an actual substance like tobacco or alcohol; this definition, however, is changing.\u00a0Addictions that involve behaviors\u00a0\u2013 think excessive gambling or internet use \u2013\u00a0are currently the subject of intense research. In fact, the newest update to the tools used for diagnosing mental illnesses and disorders, the DSM-V,\u00a0included the category of behavioral addiction, which had previously been left out.<\/p>\n
As a result of these new developments, the working\u00a0definition of addiction has been updated\u00a0to include the following attributes:<\/p>\n
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