The head of the department of drug addiction and substance abuse at the Russian National Research Medical University INOPR told socialbites.ca that a healthy person can be “infected” with alcoholism from a patient through the mechanism of induced psychosis. NI Pirogov, psychiatrist-narcologist Lev Blagov.
“There is a so-called induced psychosis mechanism in the formation of alcohol addiction. This mental disorder of the patient arises from the delusional content of the thoughts of another person with whom he is in close communication. This often occurs between members of the same family who interact closely with each other in conditions of social isolation,” Blagov explained.
In his opinion, the alcoholic is “infected” with the truth that “alcohol equals happiness” from another person.
“Let’s imagine a situation: a person who does not suffer from pathological addiction finds himself at a party where alcohol is actively consumed and the spirit of fun and optimism reigns. The individual is looking for someone with whom he wants to identify. He sees his drinking friend and intuitively perceives him as a kind of unconditional authority. Moreover, he begins to enjoy the atmosphere of artificial psychological positivity. “The concept of ‘intoxication’ has so far been contextually identified with meanings such as a good life, cheerful music, optimism, happiness in general,” the expert gave an example.
Blagov emphasizes that the latter is the basis of future drug dominance. When the formation of alcoholic behavior begins, the alcoholic inducing factor is definitely present.
“This also applies to other types of drug addiction. We therefore argue that alcohol addiction is a psycho-infectious disease like any other,” concluded the narcologist.
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