Medical psychology is a science that studies the psychological characteristics of people suffering from various diseases and the possibilities of providing them with psychological assistance.

Narcology is a medical discipline that studies the clinic, diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by addiction to a number of substances, such as alcohol, various drugs, tobacco, etc.

Neurology (neuropathology) is a medical science that studies the clinic, diagnosis and treatment of nervous diseases, such as the consequences of spinal cord and brain injuries, peripheral nerve diseases, strokes, osteochondrosis, etc.

11. Question: I have heard about such a diagnosis as "gambler syndrome". Tell us about this syndrome.

In the modern psychiatric classification, a new nosological (painful) form is indicated: the gambler syndrome. It develops in those who are addicted to gambling. The main distinguishing feature is a stable attachment to any gambling. Moreover, this game becomes the main business of life. In addition to the phenomena of social disadaptation, mental unworldliness (excitability, aggressiveness, despondency, insomnia, etc.) is clearly traced.

In fact, this is a typical passion. And this suffering is primarily of a spiritual nature, and mental disorders, in this case, are only a consequence of sin.

12. Question: What did the Holy Fathers say about smoking?

Man has perverted the very pleasures of the senses. For the sense of smell and taste, and partly for the breath itself, he has invented and burns almost incessantly a sharp and fragrant smoke, bringing this kind of constant incense to the demon living in the flesh, infecting the air of his dwelling and the external air with this smoke, and first of all he himself is saturated with this stench – and here you have the constant coarsening of your feeling and your heart, constantly absorbed by the smoke constantly absorbed, cannot but affect the subtlety of the heart's feeling. it imparts to him carnality, coarseness, sensuality.

St. John of Kronstadt

Tobacco relaxes the soul, multiplies and intensifies passions, darkens the mind, and destroys health by a slow death. Irritability and melancholy are a consequence of the sickness of the soul from tobacco smoking.

St. Ambrose of Optina