The Formal Addiction Debate: ‘Is it appropriate to expand the concept of addiction to behaviours such as internet use?’

At the beginning of November, I attended the Annual SSA conference (Society for the Studies of Addiction). Over a hundred experts of addiction attended. Ranging from scientists, biologists, medics, psychologists, sociologists to epidemiologists. But not limited to those from public health, policy, both quantitative (stats) and qualitative (interviews) research …… AND representatives of pharmaceutical companies. And finally, little medical historian me (representing my discipline on my lonesome). The Thursday began with a ‘Formal’ Addiction Debate…..

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Part 2: ‘Beautiful and bronzed’ … BUT docile bodies?

Previously, I have explained how sunbed consumption can create sensations of pleasure and ‘empowerment’ for users. Sunbeds can allow users to meet sociocultural expectations and indulge in ‘enjoyable sensual pleasures’ at the same time. But this post will illustrate a more complex scenario beyond the surface. Instead of accepting these reports at face value, we […]

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Are stereotypes as bad as we think? And should we judge vanity (and those WHO judge) so harshly?

  This post was inspired by Dr Kathryn Woods’ seminar last November at the CHM (the warm welcoming Centre for the History of Medicine at Warwick). Woods as a colourful person, presented her research vibrantly. The seminar was titled: ‘No carrots, no carrots’: Hair colour, humoral medicine and social difference in early modern Britain’ (check out all her other […]

Read more "Are stereotypes as bad as we think? And should we judge vanity (and those WHO judge) so harshly?"