Addiction to vitamin D: Unusual, unexpected substance abuse

2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 43 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Kalra ◽  
Bharti Kalra ◽  
YatanPal Singh Balhara
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Ana Boa-Ventura

This chapter discusses how virtual worlds (VWs) have been and are being used for the prevention and treatment of addictive behaviors related to substance abuse. The substances covered are tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs. By definition, physical health concerns the body but there is an indisputable physiological component to mental health (for example, vitamin D is related to depression). I suggest that embodiment – as a distinctive characteristic of VWs when compared to other virtual spaces (e.g.: chatrooms) - should present great potential for health professionals when considering VWs for the design of prevention or treatment health programs. VWs free users of time and space constraints. This further justifies the use of VWs as alternative or complementing spaces of intervention. The anonymity of these environments reinforces this idea, as addictions that were socially acceptable just a few years ago have become socially stigmatizing (e.g.: smoking). In the case of virtual worlds such as Second Life, anonymity is combined with embodiment, and this compounded effect, which is anything but simple, is particularly important for health professionals and health promotion advocates interested in exploring the use of virtual worlds in the treatment of substance abuse.


2001 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Garcia-Lozano ◽  
M. F. Gonzalez-Escribano ◽  
A. Valenzuela ◽  
A. Garcia ◽  
A. Nunez-Roldan

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 260-260
Author(s):  
Nicholas J. Rukin ◽  
Samuel J. Moon ◽  
Dhaval Bodiwala ◽  
Christopher J. Luscombe ◽  
Mark F. Saxby ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 62-62
Author(s):  
Annamaria Morelli ◽  
Sandra Filippi ◽  
Rosa Mancina ◽  
Linda Vignozzi ◽  
Gabriella B. Vannelli ◽  
...  

2006 ◽  
Vol 175 (4S) ◽  
pp. 520-521
Author(s):  
Ajay K. Nangia ◽  
Vince Memoli ◽  
Alan Schned ◽  
Oya Hill ◽  
Catherine E. Schwender

Ob Gyn News ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 46 (7) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
HEIDI SPLETE
Keyword(s):  

Ob Gyn News ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 42 (23) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
HEIDI SPLETE
Keyword(s):  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document