...UNDERSTANDING DRUG ADDICTION Chartorieah Shinez Sanders COM/156 03/26/2012 Nicholas Delzotto Understanding Drug Addiction All over the world, people are losing their loved ones to a mind altering disease called drug addiction. If something isn’t done; the disease will continue to grow, destroy happy homes and take more young lives. Drug addiction is a severe illness that people should be taught to avoid the continuing overwhelming of the nation. First you should learn what the disease is, who is affected, what causes the disease and how we can help those that are suffering from this disease. Drug addiction has been described as a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use (What is Drug Addiction?, Section para.3). Yes, it is true that individuals have the option to refuse these mind altering substances that cause addiction and other health risks but there are several risk factors that could influence the individuals decision such as, a person’s biology but that problem drinking and problem drug use are not caused exclusively by biologic traits says Christopher Freed (2010). While biology is not completely the cause of drug addiction, some people were born into a family that has a history of drug addiction and if you combine that with peer pressure or, the feeling of wanting to fit in; your outcome will be another individual who uses or is addicted to drugs. This is one of the biggest influences on many teenagers and young...
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... Williams English 101 24 October 2017 The Power of Addiction According to gateway foundation addiction has had a horrible effect on West Virginia over the last few years which has been the cause of overdose, injuries, health problems, effects on the brain, behavioral problems, birth defects, and so much more. Addiction not only effects the individual with the problem but also the family and those who are associated with them. Substance abuse and addiction are fully treatable. There are multiple precautions that can be implemented to prevent addiction and substance abuse. One effect of addiction is overdose. The number of drug overdoses have had a steady increase yearly in West Virginia. “There have been less deaths caused...
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...Causes and treatment of addiction Addiction Overview The current model to explain addiction suggests that addiction begins with the basic pleasure and reward circuits in the brain, which involve the chemical dopamine. These reward centers are designed to activate during pleasurable acts such as eating. Whenever ingesting a substance causes these reward circuits to activate, addiction and dependence is possible. However, addictive behaviors that are considered damaging or destructive have characteristics that distinguish them from normal behavior (see common characteristics of destructive addictions. Examples of common destructive addictions are alcohol intoxication, alcoholism, cocaine abuse, drug dependence and abuse, methamphetamine abuse, narcotic abuse, and substance abuse. People with addictions often cannot quit on their own. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment. Treatment may include counseling, behavioral therapies, self-help groups or medical treatment. People often assume that those with addictions should be able to quit by simply making up their minds to do so. Addiction is thought to be possible for a wide range of chemical substances. Dependence, most often related to physical symptoms, can occur for a subset of the chemicals that cause addiction. For instance, rarely an individual is prescribed a medication by a doctor for a legitimate reason (such as pain after an injury) and this can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms if this medication is stopped...
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...Addiction Addiction is a physical, psychological and physiological state that is as a result of dependence on substances that are psychoactive. These substances are known to cross the barrier between blood and brain when they are taken into the body either through smoking, drinking, injection or any other means that may cause their entry into the body. These substances work by altering the normal functioning of the brain and results in what is often called 'getting high' (Heyman, 2009). The addiction develops when an individual cannot stay for prolonged periods of time without relying on the psychoactive substance that they are addicted to. An addiction may also include habits or behavior patterns that with time become ingrained in our day to day lives and which an individual eventually finds out that they cannot live without indulging in their particular habit or behavior. Though the involvement in the activity or substance is initially a means to seek bliss and enjoyment, after a while, the individual will need to engage in the substance or activity to feel that he or she is normal. Experts in psychology have identified addiction in many forms, but all of them highlight the unusual psycho-dependency on substances and activities. These include; gambling, eating, sex and/or pornography, the internet, work, watching TV, shopping and many more. The main forms of addiction discussed widely though involve excessive drinking, excessive gambling, drug use, eating and sexuality (Orford...
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...Drug and alcohol addictions are severe, yes, but other addictions including shopping, exercise, gambling, internet, abusive relationships, and many others often do not take the spotlight and are also unhealthy. With the increased awareness about addictions in our world today, its effects are a growing concern for future generations. The word ‘addiction’ does not only apply to substance and alcohol abuse. Recently the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (D.S.M.), the standard reference work for psychiatric illnesses, announced [in the last decade] updated definitions of substance abuse and addiction, including a new category of behavioral addictions (Markel).'' Although substance addictions are accompanied by a variety of...
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...What new information did you learn? I really learned a lot about substance abuse in this course and also during my readings. I always looked at substance abuse as someone who just uses drugs to get high. I never really thought about it being a brain disease. According to NIDA, “Addiction is similar to chronic diseases” while observing the brain and the heart addiction and heart diseases produce observational changes in the function of human organs. While all this information wasn’t too new to me I just really never gave it any thought. I learned how people become addicted to drugs due to the drugs altering their Dopamine which is a brain chemical which also affects the neurons in the brain. I understand what Neurons are and how they communicate...
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...Causes and Treatments of Addictions Tracy J Lancaster Behavioral Satistics 325 July 29th 2012 Instructor Sasha Flearly Causes and Treatments of Addiction Introduction Addiction is a condition defined by an individual's intense need to consume a particular substance, usually an illicit drug or alcohol. Typically regarded as a disease or medical condition, addiction is seen by many as a form of disability. Addiction is generally diagnosed based on the following criteria: tolerance, withdrawal, and craving. Tolerance refers to the body's ability to metabolize, or tolerate, a certain quantity of a substance prior to reaching the point of intoxication. Withdrawal refers to the agitated behavior, ranging from mild irritability to severe physical illness that many habitual substance users display when they cannot consume their desired substances (Hamid, 2002). Finally, craving refers to a user's physical, and frequently psychological, need to consume a substance in order to offset withdrawal symptoms. People are believed to be addicts when they habitually consume drugs or alcohol, often to the point of intoxication, and when they display signs of withdrawal and craving in the absence of those substances. Recently some scholarship has examined how many behaviors like gambling, sex, and exercise can also be addictive based on these criteria. Thesis Statement Drug Addiction is a relatively recent construct in a social phenomenon. That is, regardless of the use...
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...Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. Dysfunction in these circuits leads to characteristics both biological and psychological. This is reflected in an individual pathologically pursing a reward and /or relief by substance use and other behaviors. Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, and craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationship, and a dysfunctional emotional response. Addiction is a powerful and compulsive need for some substance. A person with an addiction depends on the substance in order to get along day to day. The word addiction comes from the Latin addicere, which meant to...
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...Deciding to become an alcohol or substance abuse counselor can be a very rewarding but stressful occupation. It takes a special person who has compassion, patience and a genuine desire to help people. After completion of the required educational curriculum, there are many organizations that one could look to find opportunities to work with people in need. Also, there are being familiar with the different organization out there that make up the addiction-counseling field will be vital to a the success of the counselor-client relationship. This essay will discuss the different organizations out there that offer support for the counselor and the client. The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism is on the organizations that make up the National Institute of Health. It is the largest contributor to research on the effects of alcohol in the world. The NIAAA teams up with science professional to conduct research that shows the correlations between alcohol and genetics, neuroscience, epidemiology and prevention and treatment. The NIAAA conducts studies with other treatment facilities and federal programs on issues related to alcohol abuse. T also helps with the implementation and interpretations of the results of research on the federal, state and local levels. Researchers can apply for the National Research Service Award program for grants to continue their works for better treatment possibilities. A trade association is a group of business that works...
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...15, 2012 Motivation and the Brain: Refraining From Drug Use Drug addiction within society today has become a big problem. To combat this growing epidemic, research is constantly being done to determine why these behaviors occur and how to refrain from the urge to use psychoactive drugs. Why people do it can be answered simply, because they like the way that psychoactive drugs make them feel. A psychoactive drug is any chemical substance that by affecting the function of the brain alters a person’s behavior and mood (Deckers, 2010). Psychoactive drugs can be anything from caffeine that is obtained by drinking a soda to opiates which are what is in morphine and heroin. In order to refrain from the use of psychoactive drugs, an understanding must be gained about why addictions to these chemicals occur in the first place. Brain Structures and Functions Associated with Refraining From Drug Use In order to understand how to refrain from drug use, it is important to first understand why it occurs. Different psychoactive drugs affect the brain and the body in their own specific ways. While some drugs stimulate the central nervous system, such as cocaine and caffeine, causing a more alert and energized feeling, others work as a depressant such as alcohol, which induces relaxation and can lower social inhibitions and stress levels (Deckers, 2010). Despite the fact that many drugs have different effects and can be administered in different ways, they do have a commonality which...
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...will say the drug user is an addict by choice; but that may not actually be true because addiction may be a disease. By definition addiction is “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming” (dictionary.com). Currently, whether addiction is a choice or disease has become a highly debated topic. When individuals are addicted to a substance, chemicals in their brain are altered causing the individual to need said substance to survive daily life. This is called chemical dependency (Noble 72). When this happens, it is no longer a choice. While it may initially be a choice to start using a drug, once...
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...American life; however this is not necessarily a new problem. What constitutes a new problem in relation to drugs is the advancements in technologies which chemically create new drugs and modify existing ones. Drugs and the elements which surround them engulf and suffocate millions throughout the world in financial greed, criminal behavior, and uncontrollable addictions. These elements all too often lead to unrecoverable financial debts, instabilities in relationships, incarceration, and death. Many laws have been enacted as a result of the adverse actions and incidents related to drugs. These laws highly regulate the manufacturing of, use, possession, and distribution of drugs. Additionally, there have been strong efforts in attempting to treat those who have been victimized by the ruthless effects of drugs. One form of treatment is through rehabilitation and counseling programs. These programs are offered throughout many cities and in every state. One of those programs, located in California, was researched and concluded with a better understanding as to their mission in treating those affected by addiction. Part I. Interview with a Treatment Option Moderator or...
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... | |Substance Abuse | |Final Research Paper Substance abuse is characterized as a social problem in numerous parts of America. Substance abuse is defined as a pattern of harmful use of substances for mood-altering purposes (“Drug Abuse”). Drug abuse is the use of illicit drugs or abuse of prescription or over the counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in qualities other than directed (“Drug Abuse”). Many people believe that substance abusers, drugs abusers, and addicts should be able to stop taking these substances and drugs if they are willing to change their behavior. What many people do not understand is that substance and drug abuse is a problem that needs to be addressed. It is not as easy as some people think to stop using these substances and drugs. There are several causes for substance abuse. Substance abuse ranges in many different ages from teenagers to elderly. This social problem can affect families and many different individuals. 50% of Americans have a beloved one who is suffering from a substance or drug abuse problem at any...
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...Addiction: The Progression of Addiction Addiction is a habit that can take control of a person and sometimes even do harm. People can become highly addicted to many things but the most widely known is the addiction to drugs and alcohol. Addictions are classified as diseases of the brain, they cause a rewarding, motivational, and memory related stimulus. Once a person becomes addicted to some kind of stimulus they begin to crave and use it more and can even run the risk of overdosing and sometimes harming themselves. Anyone can become addicted, but most find it nearly impossible to stop it once they’ve become addicted. In the beginning stages of an addiction there is a lot of curiosity. One’s mind can become open to something new and depending on its effect on the brain a person may then choose to use this again or even misuse it to try and duplicate the same feeling they got from the first time. “The addictive product generates profoundly pleasurable physical and/or mental sensations. The substance makes the user “high” (Riessman 36-46). This further explains how a person’s curiosity can move them into an addiction because after a person experiences that so called “high” they then begin to want it more. From here then person moves into having cravings for this “high.” After someone is introduced to a drug or any other addictive substance, he/she will begin craving it. These cravings can sometimes become very intense and the user will begin to feel like its needed to function...
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...Health Issues Doreen Austin HCA/250 University of Phoenix Psychology and Health Issues Substance abuse is a large problem, that can be found everywhere, and is does not only affect certain groups of individuals. When individual’s turn to substance abuse and become addicted, they will be dependent on whatever it is they are using to prevent from having physical and psychological withdrawal symptoms, which creates a cycle many cannot break on their own. There are two main stages of addiction to substances, or addictions in general, which the first stages is dependence where the individual’s life is dominated by the search for the substance because they depend on it physically and psychologically (World Health Organization, 2013). The second stage is when the individual becomes tolerant to the substance, which causes the individual to start consuming larger amounts of the substance to reach the same effect they had when they first started using. As mentioned before, substance abuse is a very serious public health problem that affects individuals in all areas of their lives, and it does not matter what background they may be coming from. Substance abuse can bring along many problems for the individual that is addicted, as well as their immediate surroundings, including friends, family, and the work environment. There are many reasons as to why one may start using illegal substances or prescription medication, like having other psychological problems like anxiety, and depression...
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