Detox From Addictive Substances Challenge

September’s Integrated Spotlight

J. DIEKER

What are addictive substances? Addictive substances are substances that have an addictive potential to cause compulsive reactions. They damage and distort the reward centers of our brains, which in turn impact every part of our lives. Typically, addictive substances extend only to things we put into our bodies. However, I believe the concept of addictive substances can extend from things that we also put into our minds and souls. It is important to remember that while some of these are good things, they only stay good as long as they are taken in moderation. 

Here are some examples of these substances and how they affect us:

• Caffeine

• Coffee can have many health benefits. However, when consumed in large amounts, the caffeine can cause negative and addictive effects. It can cause shakiness, increased blood pressure, dizziness, headaches, and a racing heart. 

• Alcohol

• Alcohol can cause severe damage to your heart, liver, and pancreas. It can also increase your cancer risk. It can also weaken one’s immune system. When it comes to its effects on the brain, alcohol can change the ways in which your neurons communicate with one another. This may increase your chances of stroke or cause mood instability, memory dysfunction, and coordination issues.  

• Tobacco or Nicotine

• Ingesting or inhaling these products severely increases one’s cancer risk. This is because the person is breathing in many toxic chemicals, some of which are common ingredients found in batteries!  They damage one’s heart and lung health, as well as raise one’s cholesterol. Like any addictive substance, it alters the way the brain produces dopamine. 

• Drugs

• This section will be very broad, as there are many different types of drugs that have a variety of effects. Drugs basically cause your body to deteriorate slowly. They can cause organ failure, tooth decay, strokes, high blood pressure, and so much more. Mentally, drugs cause a general cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, psychosis, paranoia, low self control, and many other negative side effects. 

The bottom line is: Just say no, don’t do drugs kids. 

• Phones

• While phones may not directly cause physical harm to people, phones do cause indirect physical harm. Phones are a major distraction. When we are not aware of the environment around us, for example what is in front of us when walking, we are at increased risk of getting hurt (running into poles or people). Phones do have an addictive element to them due to the blue light they emit. They cause sleep issues and are linked for increasing risks to depression and suicide. 

• Social Media

• While social media can provide a sense of community, it can also cause significant physical and mental harm to people. For example, it holds individuals to unrealistic body image standards and promotes unhealthy diets. It is also linked to causing increased risks of depression, suicide, severe psychological distress. . It is especially damaging to the mental health of teenagers and young adults. 

So what are you addicted to? Take some time to examine your habits, which ones are bearing bad fruit? Is everything that is apart of your routine actually good? This month, target those addictions in your life that are sucking away your soul. Write out a plan and get an accountability partner. Find something that you will do instead of the addiction. As a community, let’s get closer the September to freedom and being the best versions of ourselves!

References:
Alcohol’s Effects on the Body | National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA). www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohols-effects-body. Accessed 1 May 2025.

American Heart Association. “How Smoking and Nicotine Damage Your Body.” American Heart Association, 5 Jan. 2024, www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking-tobacco/how-smoking-and-nicotine-damage-your-body. Accessed 1 May 2025.

Dorwart, Laura. “The Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body.” Verywell Health, 6 Sept. 2024, www.verywellhealth.com/the-effects-of-drug-addiction-5214343. Accessed 1 May 2025.

Lindberg, Sara. “What You Need to Know About Smoking and Your Brain.” Healthline, 23 Aug. 2019, www.healthline.com/health/smoking/smoking-effects-on-brain#nicotine-effects. Accessed 1 May 2025.

Professional, Cleveland Clinic Medical. “Addictive Substances.” Cleveland Clinic, 4 Mar. 2025, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/addictive-substances. Accessed 1 May 2025.

Research, Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational. “Research Demonstrates Technology Can Have Detrimental Effects.” Psychology Today, 20 Feb. 2020, www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202002/how-do-smartphones-impact-youth-mental-health.

Shmerling, Robert H., MD. “Is Your Cell Phone Dangerous to Your Health?” Harvard Health, 21 Jan. 2020, www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-your-cell-phone-dangerous-to-your-health-2020012118697. Accessed 1 May 2025.

Twenge, Jean and American Psychological Association. “Mental Health Issues Increased Significantly in Young Adults Over Last Decade.” American Psychological Association, 2021, www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2019/03/mental-health-adults. Accessed 1 May 2025.