SY30-3THE USE OF SOPHISMS IN SUSTAINING DISULFIRAM

Disulfiram's use is not supported by scientific evidence but nevertheless largely advocated and used. This would be less odd in case of lacking or just preliminary evidence. What is peculiar in the case of disulfiram's prescription is its persistence against evidence. Hence arise the question how it is possible that its use can be supported, i.e. by what type of arguments. The goal of an argument is to persuade, the goal of logic and argumentation is additionally to persuade for good reasons. In this sense, a good argument would give good reasons to believe the conclusion. Fallacies are bad arguments, either because they have weak logic, or because they rely on a false premise. Sophisms are intentionally used fallacies, an attempt to persuade opponents that a specific conclusion is true, by means other than by proposing relevant evidence. Proponents of fallacious arguments may use them either because they are incapable or because they are unwilling to accept their arguments to be fallacious. We therefore formulate the hypothesis that the frequency use of fallacious arguments within our otherwise supposedly evidence based discipline may be indicative of (a) a scientifically immature discipline, and/or (b) a moralistically intermingled disciplin

A Cenozoic-style scenario for the end-Ordovician glaciation

The end-Ordovician was an enigmatic interval in the Phanerozoic, known for massive glaciation potentially at elevated CO2 levels, biogeochemical cycle disruptions recorded as large isotope anomalies and a devastating extinction event. Ice-sheet volumes claimed to be twice those of the Last Glacial Maximum paradoxically coincided with oceans as warm as today. Here we argue that some of these remarkable claims arise from undersampling of incomplete geological sections that led to apparent temporal correlations within the relatively coarse resolution capability of Palaeozoic biochronostratigraphy. We examine exceptionally complete sedimentary records from two, low and high, palaeolatitude settings. Their correlation framework reveals a Cenozoic-style scenario including three main glacial cycles and higher-order phenomena. This necessitates revision of mechanisms for the end-Ordovician events, as the first extinction is tied to an early phase of melting, not to initial cooling, and the largest δ13C excursion occurs during final deglaciation, not at the glacial apex

SY09-3HARM REDUCTION IN NON-SUBSTANCE RELATED ADDICTIONS

Behavioral addictions (gambling, gaming, internet use) are new challenges for policy makers, and the question arises if harm reduction is an applicable concept. Gambling addiction policies are trying to include harm reduction models (limitation of the amount of money you can bet, limitation in access to gambling venues). We will discuss if these models are valid in gaming addiction. I.E. If we only consider the classical policy models applied for reducing substances harm: supply reduction, demand reduction and harm reduction, limitations arise: for example: applying these concepts to gaming addiction is impossible. If heroin is an identified substance, games are heterogeneous in nature and are described from cognitive enhancers to highly addictive. The concept of supply should include the complex nature of video games. Reducing demand could be considered as a censure directly in conflict with human nature to produce the best and most attractive games (should unattractive cars be produced to reduce global warming). And finally harm reduction concepts in gaming will be discusse

Screening and assessment tools for gaming disorder: A comprehensive systematic review

The inclusion of gaming disorder (GD) as an official diagnosis in the ICD-11 was a significant milestone for the field. However, the optimal measurement approaches for GD are currently unclear. This comprehensive systematic review aimed to identify and evaluate all available English-language GD tools and their corresponding evidence. A search of PsychINFO, PsychArticles, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar identified 32 tools employed in 320 studies (N = 462,249 participants). The evaluation framework examined tools in relation to: (1) conceptual and practical considerations; (2) alignment with DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria; (3) type and quantity of studies and samples; and (4) psychometric properties. The evaluation showed that GD instrumentation has proliferated, with 2.5 tools, on average, published annually since 2013. Coverage of DSM-5 and ICD-11 criteria was inconsistent, especially for the criterion of continued use despite harm. Tools converge on the importance of screening for impaired control over gaming and functional impairment. Overall, no single tool was found to be clearly superior, but the AICA-Sgaming, GAS-7, IGDT-10, IGDS9-SF, and Lemmens IGD-9 scales had greater evidential support for their psychometric properties. The GD field would benefit from a standard international tool to identify gaming-related harms across the spectrum of maladaptive gaming behaviors.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

P-73AN INVESTIGATION OF ADDICTIONS (SUBSTANCES AND BEHAVIORS) IN A COMMUNITY SAMPLE

Chemical and behavioral addictions are highly prevalent in our societies. Nevertheless, studies investigating a large panel of addictive behaviors in a community sample are lacking from the current literature on the topic. The aim of the current study is to explore addictive behaviors prevalence, characteristics, and interrelations in a sample of French speaking adults from the general population. Both substances (alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, drugs) and behaviors (gambling, Internet, buying, sport, work, mobile phone, eating) were considered. Several features of these addictive behaviors (involved in the triggering of the behaviors) were considered, namely, frequency, loss of control, hedonic aspects, craving, impact upon the daily living, and emotional contexts. 770 subjects answered to the online survey. Descriptive results will be presented for each conducts and their related features (prevalence, comorbidities, specific characteristics associated with each addictive behaviors). Our study thus provides a detailed overview of the current conducts' prevalence along with their co-occurrences. It also sheds some lights on how these behaviors may have an impact upon the daily living, and eventually turn into problematic behaviors. A particular emphasis is set on some behavioral conducts, like Internet gaming which is particularly salien

SY38-2IMPULSIVITY, MOTIVATIONS AND ADDICTION TO ONLINE GAMES

Introduction. Problematic engagement in online video gaming has been considered recently in the appendix of the DSM-5. Underpinning psychological factors are yet to be clarified, mostly in adult populations. We present data from two studies investigating links between motives to play and impulsivity in one hand and excessive gaming in another hand. Methods. Online studies have been conducted on adult gamers in France (n = 516) and Switzerland (n = 1057). Problematic engagement has been assessed in France by DSM-IV-TR adapted substance dependence criteria (DAS) and by IAT in Switzerland. Motivations have been investigated using Yee's model. Impulsivity has been evaluated using respectively BIS-10 and UPPS-P. The French sample has been compared to heroin users and to healthy controls regarding impulsivity. In the Swiss study, cluster analysis has been conducted to identify subgroups of players regarding their engagement in-game, their motivations to play and their impulsivity. Results. DAS has been found to be predicted by BIS high scores as well as by competition and advancement. Problematic gamers presented higher levels of impulsivity than controls but less than heroin dependents. Three of five clusters were identified to be problematic and linked to high levels of impulsivity, achievement and escapism. Conclusion. Achievement motives to play and high impulsivity have been linked to problematic engagement in online videogames in two different samples evaluated by two different methods. Addiction to online gaming showed a difference in impulsivity traits with substance dependence and healthy controls and subgroups of problem gamers has been characterized. These data could help to design tailored treatments for excessive online gamer

Effectiveness of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling: A randomized controlled trial.

Problem gambling constitutes a public health concern associated with psychopathological comorbidity, substance use, and financial difficulties. Most individuals with gambling problems avoid counseling services due to perceived stigma and their preference for self-reliance. Treatment accessibility could be improved through web-based interventions. We recruited 360 individuals with gambling problems and randomized them to a web-based intervention (n = 185) or an active control group consisting of a self-help manual for problem gambling (n = 175). The primary outcome was the number of days of gambling in the last 30 days. Secondary outcomes included money spent in the last 30 days, time gambling in the last 7 days, gambling-related problems, consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, and psychopathological comorbidity measured at posttreatment and 6-month follow-up. The primary outcome decreased significantly for both groups, with no significant difference between the groups. There were significant group × time interactions according to the Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale (F = 8.83, p <0 .001), the Problem Gambling Severity Index (F = 3.54, p = 0.030), for cigarettes smoked in the last 7 days (F = 26.68, p < 0.001), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (F = 19.41, p <0 .001), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (F = 41.09, p <0 .001) favoring the intervention group. We experienced an overall high dropout rate (76%). Win Back Control seems to be an effective low-threshold treatment option for individuals with gambling problems that might otherwise be unapproachable for outpatient treatment services. Nevertheless, the high dropout rate should be considered when interpreting the study results, as they may have introduced a degree of variability

Two decades of the Swiss program based on the prescription of Diacetylmorphine, from a public health intervention to a treatment option

The medical prescription of diacetyl morphine (heroin) treatment is an addition to the therapeutic arsenal for patients gravely dependent or addicted to heroin use and for whom other forms of therapy have failed. In Switzerland, the Federal Office of Public Health SFOPH) has established directives and recommendations concerning prescription and administration of diacetyl- morphine

SY09-2HARM REDUCTION IN SUBSTANCE RELATED ADDICTIONS

The concept of harm reduction has for a long time been discussed mainly related to opiate injection. The objective of the present paper is to review the application of the concept regarding several other substances: alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and party drug