family in some way. Each year drug abuse causes millions of serious illnesses or injuries among Americans. Abused drugs include Amphetamines, Anabolic steroids, Club drugs, Cocaine, Heroin, Inhalants, Marijuana and Prescription drugs. Drug addiction is actually a disease and quitting is more than having a strong will or good intentions. Drugs change the brain which causes quitting to be more difficult even if the abuser is ready to do so because of withdrawals or other symptoms. It has so many negative
Words: 1311 - Pages: 6
“Drug Seeking” in Health Care Chronic pain affects a significant number of individuals living worldwide. The International Association on the Study of Pain [IASP] and the European Federation of the IASP Chapters [EFIC] indicates that one in five people suffer from moderate to severe chronic pain, and one in three are unable to maintain a lifestyle of independence due to their pain (World Health Organization [WHO], 2004). The WHO identifies that pain relief is an integral right for individuals
Words: 1382 - Pages: 6
Drug Addiction a Disease by Choice “Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a dependence on a legal or illegal drug or medication. Keep in mind that alcohol and nicotine are legal substances, but are also considered drugs.” (Mayo Clinic, “Drug Addiction” 2014, para.1). There needs to be an understanding that addiction is a disease. “When scientists began to study addictive behavior in the 1930s, people addicted to drugs were thought to be morally flawed and lacking willpower”. (National
Words: 969 - Pages: 4
change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. What people often underestimate is the complexity of drug addiction -- that it is a disease that impacts the brain, and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter
Words: 502 - Pages: 3
Drug Addiction: To Cure or Not To Cure Chris G Kinney University of Phoenix Abstract Drug addiction is a huge social problem to some people feel there is no end. People either try to fight this disease or just put their hands down preferring to think that nothing could be done. This paper investigates what drug addiction really is and why some people believe it is incurable. Primarily the main focus of the work is dedicated to the issue
Words: 1939 - Pages: 8
Addiction: The Disease HS 101: Addiction Pharmacology & Physiology Instructor: Wanda Urban November 23, 2013 I have often wondered why I turned out the way I did, an addict. I wonder if circumstances in my life influenced or contributed to that first time I decided to alter my state with a drug. Honestly, I don’t think it did. I had a normal childhood, in a loving family. We did not have a lot of money, but we had enough. We ate dinner together every night, we went camping in the summer
Words: 1431 - Pages: 6
First and foremost, it is important to define addiction. According to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Family, “addiction begins when an individual makes a conscious decision to choose to use alcohol or drugs that interfere with normal brain functioning. Continuous use has long-term effects on brain metabolism and activity, because the brain goes thru long term changes targeting specific parts of the brain like judgement and planning, making it impossible to stop using drugs. As a result
Words: 655 - Pages: 3
to Normal Social Life. Drug and substance abuse and addiction is a colossal issue today. Hanson and Ventulleri recently noted in their research on marijuana that there has been a rise in its use among teens as at 2013(6). Drug use has devastating consequences including stress, health problems and addiction that has necessitated Government agencies and National Drug societies to establish measures meant to help drug addicts conquer their addiction state and enable them lead healthy lives. Treatment
Words: 981 - Pages: 4
Economic Benefits of Addiction Treatment Versus Prison Economics 2302 CRN 11789: Chu Nguyen Fall 2013 Lisa Carpenter The Economic Benefits of Addiction Treatment Versus Prison In 2010, it was estimated that there were 22.6 million Americans that were addicted to illicit drugs. The economic effects of drug addiction are staggering. It affects everything from health care costs to prison costs, to unemployment and social costs. In the past, the solution to drug addiction was to lock up the
Words: 2971 - Pages: 12
Addiction has long been a hot topic both in and out of the field of psychology. Even today, researchers disagree as to whether addiction should be considered a disease or a choice. No matter what the correct model is, both sides agree that compulsive behaviors, especially behaviors which have a negative impact on daily life, are the hallmark of any addiction. Addiction has been a known problem for some time, the word itself being traced to the 17th century, defined as a compulsion to carry
Words: 1095 - Pages: 5
