The Effect of Addiction on Health and Expenditures for Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol

Transcription

1 The Effect of Addiction on Health and Expenditures for Caffeine, Nicotine, and Alcohol A S T U D Y B Y R I S A N N I S H O R I A N D A D A M S T O K E S

2 Addictions and its effects on health What is Addiction? Being Physically and mentally dependent on a particular substance, and being unable to stop taking it without incurring adverse effects known as withdrawal symptoms.

3 Addictions and its effects on health Caffeine addiction: - Found to be most commonly used drug worldwide. - Addiction is caused by the body pre-emptively expecting caffeine after regular consumption, by producing antibodies Anti-C. - Anti-C antibodies and other hormones released have the effect of making the person drowsy/sleepy (acts as an antagonist to caffeine) - When the body expects Caffeine intake, these antibodies and hormones are produced, without caffeine, these have an overall effect of making the person sleepy therefore they will consume caffeine to wake up, the cycle continues. Withdrawal - Headaches, sleepiness, irritability.

4 Addictions and its effects on health Alcohol addiction: - Due to dependence and tolerance. - After regular use of alcohol, the brain becomes less sensitive to its effects. - The person will be able to drink more alcohol before the desired drunkenness effect shows. (social influence plays a role) - This escalates. Withdrawal - Depending on extent and duration of the above cycle, symptoms can be severe. - Show within 48 hours of stopping consumption of alcohol (follows drinking). - Symptoms include profuse sweating, increased heart rate, feelings of anxiety etc. (Anxiety can cause re-lapse)

5 - Addictions and its effects on health Nicotine Addiction - Consumption causes production of happy hormones including dopamine and other neuron-transmitters. - In response, down regulation occurs, this is where the brain reduces happy hormones and other active neuron-transmitter over a longer time period. - As the extent and the duration of smoking increase these happy hormones and are less present in the brain on average, where they only increase when smoking occurs. - This gives a psycho-logical craving for nicotine, and the cycle continues. Withdrawal - Symptoms include irritation, anger, concentration problems, decreased mood etc.

6 Our Hypothesis Based on our research we can assume that although some drugs are more commonly used e.g. Caffeine, other drugs like alcohol seem to have more severe withdrawal symptoms. We have also found that government concentrate on younger (16-25 year old) addicts. Furthermore National data indicates that more money is spent on Alcohol each year compared to nicotine and caffeine in the UK. Therefore our hypothesis is: Younger adults will feel more addicted to Caffeine, Alcohol and Nicotine and therefore they will have a higher expenditure on these commodities. As an addition we feel that alcohol will be more addictive in young adults.

7 Method A survey was conducted in the Romford High Street. Recipients were chosen as per availability. Survey contained questioned the recipients gender, age group, and income, followed by a repeated format of 5 questions for each drug, e.g. How many units of alcohol do you consume per week? How much do you spend on alcohol for your own consumption per month? Do you feel the amount of alcohol you consume poses a risk to your health? Do you feel you could easily abstain from alcohol? What do you feel the public opinion on the consumption of alcohol is?

8 Results and Analysis Alcohol Nicotine Caffeine No. Users 20 (76.9%) 8 (30.8%) 21 (80.8%) Mean Consumption Mean Expenditure (/Month) 8 [12] (/Week) 17.5 [15] (/Week) 6.05 (/Day) Mean ADR

9 National Average Nicotine Caffeine Alcohol Our Average National Average

10 Average Addiction Rating Alcohol Nicotine 1.5 Caffeine Age Group

11 Average Expenditure Alcohol Nicotine Caffeine Addiction Rating

12 Conclusions We have very little evidence supporting our hypothesis. No significant correlation can be seen between a persons age and their perceived addiction to caffeine or alcohol. Additionally, no correlation can be seen between a persons spending and addiction. However, our results indicate that: People tend to underestimate their consumption of alcohol. People tend to overestimate their expenditure on nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol. Older adults are more aware of the difficulties involved in quitting, particularly with regards to addictions to nicotine.

13 Limitations and Evaluation Method Analysis Self-reported values ADR is a subjective value Small sample Sample from one small area Unable to survey people inside shopping centres Uses the national averages as a baseline for a specific location Quantity of caffeine varies between drinks

14 Potential for Further Research Expand with a focus on caffeine addiction. Develop an objective measure of addiction.