WITHOUT the use of prohibited drugs, alcohol or gambling, one may be an addict. A new wave of addictive behaviors is emerging.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) states that substance-use disorder involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects. DSM-5 points out 11 criteria that can arise from substance misuse. These criteria fall under four basic categories: impaired control, physical dependence, social problems and risky use.
In addiction, there are complex biological neurochemicals playing crucial roles in reward, motivation and learning. Dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical, plays a central role in the brain’s reward system, reinforcing pleasurable experiences and motivating us to seek them out again. Addictive substances and behaviors hijack the dopamine system and can increase glutamate release, enhancing the pleasurable effects and strengthening the association between the addictive behavior and the reward. Glutamate works in tandem with dopamine in addiction.
Some addictive substances directly interact with the brain’s opioid receptors, mimicking the effects of endorphins. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter, acts as a calming influence, helping to regulate emotions, anxiety and sleep. During addiction, the brain attempts to restore balance by increasing GABA activity to counteract the overstimulation caused by dopamine and glutamate.
The bad news is that you may be an addict, and you don’t know it. Studies show that there is a correlation between excessive social media use and symptoms of addiction, including anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. The doomscrolling leads to information overload. Research suggests a link between excessive news consumption and increased stress and anxiety levels.
Nomophobia, no-mobile phobia, is the fear of being detached from mobile connectivity. Studies show that excessive smartphone use can negatively impact cognitive function, attention span and sleep quality.
Online games, just like gambling, are designed to be highly immersive and offer rewards that trigger dopamine release, promoting compulsive play. The World Health Organization recognizes gaming disorder as a mental health condition, characterized by impaired control over gaming habits.
Streaming services offer endless entertainment. Studies suggest a link between excessive television viewing and increased risk of depression, anxiety and social isolation. Binge-watching is a symptom of a larger cultural malaise: our desperate need to escape from the anxieties of the present (Emily Nussbaum).
Vaping, the inhalation of aerosol from electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), has become a growing trend worldwide, raising concerns about potential health risks. Vape manufacturers say vaping helps nicotine addicts as they try to kick smoking, but vape liquid contains nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco. The addictive potential is worse because young brains are quicker to get hooked on psychoactive substances.
There isn’t a fixed timeline to break a habit leading to addiction. But science gives evidence that it could be from 18 to 254 days, or an average of 66 days. That should start today.
Onward to 80 years of excellence
We continue providing the spotlight to higher education institutions that are exemplars in bridging the dreamers to be one with their dreams.
For the optimists, 1946 was the period of independence and change — rebuilding and rehabilitation. Such an idea was conceived by six valiant men who were so obsessed with the establishment of an educational institution that would be helpful in reconstructing the society and giving hope to the youth.
It was in early 1946 that Juan Javier and lawyer Jesus Lorenzo Arguelles decided to open a school and invited Rev. Father Vicente Catapang, lawyer Francisco Perez, Mayor Roman Perez and lawyer Pablo Umali. They pooled their resources together to be able to establish an educational institution.
These six valiant men laid the foundation of Western Philippine Colleges.
When the institution celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996, the Commission on Higher Education elevated it to a university, thus the name was changed to University of Batangas.
The College of Education at the University of Batangas (UB) has served as a cornerstone of teacher preparation in Calabarzon for nearly eight decades. Founded on April 28, 1946, it began with the Elementary Teacher’s Certificate and the Bachelor of Science in Education. By 1967, these evolved into the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and the Bachelor of Secondary Education. Today, the college delivers a robust undergraduate portfolio aligned with K-12 reforms.
Quality assurance is a hallmark of the University of Batangas. Its programs hold Pacucoa Level IV accreditation, the highest attainable status, and the Teacher Education unit has been named a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education by the Commission on Higher Education — in 2008, in 2015 and reaffirmed by the Teacher Education Council in November 2024.
This culture of excellence is reflected in licensure results with 100-percent passing rate in September 2024. Equally noteworthy, Queenie Macalindong Macatangay brought national distinction to the College when she ranked No. 1 among the topnotchers.
Housed at the Hilltop Campus in Batangas City, guided by UB’s core values — faith in God, love of wisdom and service to fellowmen — led by President Lily Marlene Hernandez-Bohn and Dean Edward Babasa, the College of Education continues to shape reflective, innovative and socially responsive educators in Batangas, across the Philippines and beyond.
Universidad de Manila: A journey of transformation and impact
In the heart of the nation’s capital, Universidad de Manila (UDM) stands as a beacon of transformation, resilience and progress. Over the years, UDM has made remarkable strides in academic excellence, quality assurance, research and global engagement, steadily establishing itself as a vital institution in the landscape of Philippine higher education.
One of UDM’s most recent accomplishments was its inclusion in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (1,001–1,500 bracket). This milestone recognizes the university’s growing contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, community development and inclusive education.
In 2021, UDM reaffirmed its identity and direction by restating its vision and mission, embedding its institutional core values under the acronym EQUAL — ethics and integrity, quality and excellence, unity and collaboration, achievement and passion, and leadership and innovation.
All UDM academic programs have been granted Certificates of Program Compliance from the Commission on Higher Education in 2025, a clear indication of adherence to national policies, standards and guidelines.
Complementing this achievement, the Association of Local Colleges and Universities–Commission on Accreditation awarded Level 1 accreditation to all academic programs, with four programs reaching Level 2 — a testament to UDM’s quality assurance efforts and educational innovation.
Since its shift to Outcomes-Based Education in 2016, UDM has restructured its curricula to prioritize measurable learning outcomes, industry alignment and lifelong learning competencies. In 2022, the university also strengthened its trifocal functions — research, by launching its own Research Center, a hub for scholarly productivity and community-based inquiry.
With its renewed mission, globally aligned systems and a strong values framework, under the leadership of President Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, Universidad de Manila continues its inspiring journey as a transformative and impactful institution dedicated to nation-building and excellence.
Salute to UB and UDM!
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) states that substance-use disorder involves patterns of symptoms caused by using a substance that an individual continues taking despite its negative effects. DSM-5 points out 11 criteria that can arise from substance misuse. These criteria fall under four basic categories: impaired control, physical dependence, social problems and risky use.
In addiction, there are complex biological neurochemicals playing crucial roles in reward, motivation and learning. Dopamine, the “feel-good” chemical, plays a central role in the brain’s reward system, reinforcing pleasurable experiences and motivating us to seek them out again. Addictive substances and behaviors hijack the dopamine system and can increase glutamate release, enhancing the pleasurable effects and strengthening the association between the addictive behavior and the reward. Glutamate works in tandem with dopamine in addiction.
Some addictive substances directly interact with the brain’s opioid receptors, mimicking the effects of endorphins. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the brain’s major inhibitory neurotransmitter, acts as a calming influence, helping to regulate emotions, anxiety and sleep. During addiction, the brain attempts to restore balance by increasing GABA activity to counteract the overstimulation caused by dopamine and glutamate.
The bad news is that you may be an addict, and you don’t know it. Studies show that there is a correlation between excessive social media use and symptoms of addiction, including anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances. The doomscrolling leads to information overload. Research suggests a link between excessive news consumption and increased stress and anxiety levels.
Nomophobia, no-mobile phobia, is the fear of being detached from mobile connectivity. Studies show that excessive smartphone use can negatively impact cognitive function, attention span and sleep quality.
Online games, just like gambling, are designed to be highly immersive and offer rewards that trigger dopamine release, promoting compulsive play. The World Health Organization recognizes gaming disorder as a mental health condition, characterized by impaired control over gaming habits.
Streaming services offer endless entertainment. Studies suggest a link between excessive television viewing and increased risk of depression, anxiety and social isolation. Binge-watching is a symptom of a larger cultural malaise: our desperate need to escape from the anxieties of the present (Emily Nussbaum).
Vaping, the inhalation of aerosol from electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), has become a growing trend worldwide, raising concerns about potential health risks. Vape manufacturers say vaping helps nicotine addicts as they try to kick smoking, but vape liquid contains nicotine, the addictive chemical in tobacco. The addictive potential is worse because young brains are quicker to get hooked on psychoactive substances.
There isn’t a fixed timeline to break a habit leading to addiction. But science gives evidence that it could be from 18 to 254 days, or an average of 66 days. That should start today.
Onward to 80 years of excellence
We continue providing the spotlight to higher education institutions that are exemplars in bridging the dreamers to be one with their dreams.
For the optimists, 1946 was the period of independence and change — rebuilding and rehabilitation. Such an idea was conceived by six valiant men who were so obsessed with the establishment of an educational institution that would be helpful in reconstructing the society and giving hope to the youth.
It was in early 1946 that Juan Javier and lawyer Jesus Lorenzo Arguelles decided to open a school and invited Rev. Father Vicente Catapang, lawyer Francisco Perez, Mayor Roman Perez and lawyer Pablo Umali. They pooled their resources together to be able to establish an educational institution.
These six valiant men laid the foundation of Western Philippine Colleges.
When the institution celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1996, the Commission on Higher Education elevated it to a university, thus the name was changed to University of Batangas.
The College of Education at the University of Batangas (UB) has served as a cornerstone of teacher preparation in Calabarzon for nearly eight decades. Founded on April 28, 1946, it began with the Elementary Teacher’s Certificate and the Bachelor of Science in Education. By 1967, these evolved into the Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and the Bachelor of Secondary Education. Today, the college delivers a robust undergraduate portfolio aligned with K-12 reforms.
Quality assurance is a hallmark of the University of Batangas. Its programs hold Pacucoa Level IV accreditation, the highest attainable status, and the Teacher Education unit has been named a Center of Excellence in Teacher Education by the Commission on Higher Education — in 2008, in 2015 and reaffirmed by the Teacher Education Council in November 2024.
This culture of excellence is reflected in licensure results with 100-percent passing rate in September 2024. Equally noteworthy, Queenie Macalindong Macatangay brought national distinction to the College when she ranked No. 1 among the topnotchers.
Housed at the Hilltop Campus in Batangas City, guided by UB’s core values — faith in God, love of wisdom and service to fellowmen — led by President Lily Marlene Hernandez-Bohn and Dean Edward Babasa, the College of Education continues to shape reflective, innovative and socially responsive educators in Batangas, across the Philippines and beyond.
Universidad de Manila: A journey of transformation and impact
In the heart of the nation’s capital, Universidad de Manila (UDM) stands as a beacon of transformation, resilience and progress. Over the years, UDM has made remarkable strides in academic excellence, quality assurance, research and global engagement, steadily establishing itself as a vital institution in the landscape of Philippine higher education.
One of UDM’s most recent accomplishments was its inclusion in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (1,001–1,500 bracket). This milestone recognizes the university’s growing contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals reflecting a deep-rooted commitment to sustainability, community development and inclusive education.
In 2021, UDM reaffirmed its identity and direction by restating its vision and mission, embedding its institutional core values under the acronym EQUAL — ethics and integrity, quality and excellence, unity and collaboration, achievement and passion, and leadership and innovation.
All UDM academic programs have been granted Certificates of Program Compliance from the Commission on Higher Education in 2025, a clear indication of adherence to national policies, standards and guidelines.
Complementing this achievement, the Association of Local Colleges and Universities–Commission on Accreditation awarded Level 1 accreditation to all academic programs, with four programs reaching Level 2 — a testament to UDM’s quality assurance efforts and educational innovation.
Since its shift to Outcomes-Based Education in 2016, UDM has restructured its curricula to prioritize measurable learning outcomes, industry alignment and lifelong learning competencies. In 2022, the university also strengthened its trifocal functions — research, by launching its own Research Center, a hub for scholarly productivity and community-based inquiry.
With its renewed mission, globally aligned systems and a strong values framework, under the leadership of President Ma. Felma Carlos-Tria, Universidad de Manila continues its inspiring journey as a transformative and impactful institution dedicated to nation-building and excellence.
Salute to UB and UDM!
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times