Addiction Essay

1878 Words4 Pages

What is addiction? Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of the brain reward and memory circuitry. Addiction is the inability to abstain consistently from a substance which leads to an impairment in behavioral control. This forms cravings, a diminished idea of significant problems with one’s behavior, and dysfunctional emotional responses (Definition of Addiction 2014. p 1). There are several different substances that a person can be addicted to: alcohol, drugs, food, sex, etc. These substances affect the neurotransmitters and interactions within the reward structures of the brain. Thus giving the person a pleasurable feeling that they want to recreate over and over again. Most people are not able to control the use of their desired substance of choice. They may continue using the substance despite knowing it is harmful. There are characteristic stages of abstinence and relapse. The abstinence stage is where the addicted person tries to quit using. Unfortunately most are not successful because it is almost too hard to quit on their own. This is followed by a relapse stage where they start using the substance again. Addiction can cause serious long-term consequences including issues with mental and physical health, relationships, employment and the law. To help a person overcome an addiction it may take help from a doctor, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program.
In society today, there is a controversial argument on whether addiction really is a brain disease or not. Some people feel that addiction is really a brain disease that affected individuals cannot control, while others feel that it is a test of strength and will. Both arguments have valid points that can be discussed further.
Is addiction...

... middle of paper ...

...t is so hard for addicts to quit on their own. Quitting is not just a sheer force of will. When your brain is affected and changed it makes it even harder. My cousin got addicted to drugs and went through several rehab programs, but each time he would relapse right back into the same addicting behaviors as before. I now understand why it was so hard for him to resist and stay clean. His brain was not the same as it was before, the drugs had hijacked his dopamine receptors, making his brain want higher and higher levels of dopamine. This ultimately led to his death when he overdosed on several different kinds of drugs.
Addiction is what is it is. Every person in the world has a point of view, perspective, or opinion on it. There are two sides to every story. Some individuals believe it is a brain disease while others do not. What side will you choose on addiction?

Show More
Related

  • Is Harm Reduction the Answer to Canada’s Drug Addiction Problem?

    1747 Words  | 4 Pages

    Addiction may be defined as the chronic use of drugs alongside the problems resulting from their use. Despite the person being aware of the consequences of using the drug, he continues to use it. If not attended to, addiction may cause serious social problems and even death (Hanson et al. 36). In order to address drug addiction, it is vital to understand addiction itself and where it stems from.

    Read More

  • Book Review Of Gerald May's Addiction And Grace

    1101 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many different definitions in which people provide regarding addiction. May (1988) describes that addiction “is a state of compulsion, obsession, or preoccupation that enslaves a person’s will and desire” (p. 14). Individuals who suffer from addiction provide their time and energy toward other things that are not healthy and safe. The book

    Read More

  • Addiction as Brain Disorder: A Flawed Model

    829 Words  | 2 Pages

    Addiction is the result of a gradual accretion of neurological tendencies based upon the ingestion of a particular substance or the taking of a particular action. It is cumulative, building over time, and varies in strength from individual to individual based on their own abilities to exercise willpower over themselves and their actions. Some people become addicted more easily than others. In the end, addiction is the result of a series of choices made by the individual. These choices usually have a massive impact upon the life of the person, modifying their friendships, family life, professional life and psychological/spiritual well being. The cumulative aspect of addiction is built up by an individual willfully choosing to either not see the direction they are heading in or to not take action even though they sense themselves following the path of an addict. Some kind of deterioration in their life is bound to take place, and willful ignorance is all that could keep one from noticing that. Likewise, addiction can he helped and cured by an individual choosing to do something different, to adjust their habitual reliance on a specific substance or action for pleasure or escape or whatever quality they are searching for. Only the individual can make that choice, but once they have made that choice other people and institutions can help them.

    Read More

  • Is Addiction A Disease Or A Choice Essay

    1474 Words  | 3 Pages

    Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Addiction is normally thought of as drug abuse and alcoholism but people can also be addicted to things such as gambling and sex as well. The controversy on if addiction is a disease or a choice is a continuous debate. Everyone has an opinion on this topic, one side believes it’s a disease, while the other believes it is a choice. Although addiction has been assumed to be a lack of willpower and a weakness, addiction is actually a complex disease that changes the wiring of the brain. Addiction is a brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behavior (Leshner.) Both devolping

    Read More

  • Neil Levy's Article: Addiction Is A Brain Disease?

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    According to Leshner, drug addiction is a chronic brain disease that is expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors (Leshner, 2001). He believes that drug addiction is influence by both biological, and behavioral factors, and to solve this addiction problem we need to focus on these same factors. On the other hand, Neil Levy argues that addiction is not a brain disease rather it is a behavioral disorder embedded in social context (Levy, 2013). I believe, drug addiction is a recurring brain disease that can be healed when we alter and eliminate all the factors that are reinforcing drug addiction.

    Read More

  • Addiction and Recovery

    884 Words  | 2 Pages

    The fact that addiction is a brain disorder is a new detail that I learnt from the HBO video. As pointed out by Dr. Volkow, addiction as a brain disease renders the addicts unable to control themselves in relation to curbing their addiction problem. In conceptualizing addiction as a brain disease, Volkow illustrates this standpoint with the fact that the brain has a “natural reward system” that facilitates the learning of “behaviors that are necessary for survival” (NIDA 2006). Learning that the abused drugs take over this system – the dopamine system of the brain - was pivotal in finally grasping the rationale behind referring to addiction as a brain disorder. The brain with time becomes dependent on the abused drugs. This arises from the fact that natural rewards no longer have the capability to produce “normal levels of dopamine or pleasure” (NIDA 2006). As time goes on, the continued intake of drugs subsequently makes the addict lose all control over their use and dependen...

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Addiction In Beautiful Boy By David Sheff

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    Addiction /ə-ˈdik-shən, a-/ noun 1. A strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as a drug) or do something (such as gamble), 2. An unusually great interest in something or a need to do or have something (Addiction). Addiction can cause a person to sabotage their lives in order to get their next fix, whether that be scoring another gram of coke or a double with cheese, a large fry, and a large soda. Addicts are stuck in a constant cycle of getting cravings, going through with their ritual, using, experiencing guilt, and being emotionally triggered, thus bringing them back to the beginning. Now, most people when they hear the word “addiction”, the first thing that comes to their mind is drugs. However, if a vast majority of individuals

    Read More

  • Graphic Design Addiction

    940 Words  | 2 Pages

    (Landry, 1994, p. 7) Drug addiction develops when the individual becomes dependent on a legal or illegal drug/ medication. Once addicted, it is hard to control the drug use, resulting in the continuation of drug use regardless of the harm it causes. Quiting can become hard to do by ones self once too far into the addiction. (Drug Addiction - Mayo Clinic,

    Read More

  • Informative Speech Outline On Addiction

    1008 Words  | 3 Pages

    Main Point: What defines an addiction? According to Psychology Today, “Addiction is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance…. or engages in an activity….that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health.” This can range anywhere from drug use to eating disorders, to gambling, to even texting in today’s generation. Shocking to say the least, especially when most people do not even know they are addicted or are an addict until they realize this definition.

    Read More

  • Definition Essay On Addiction

    722 Words  | 2 Pages

    Addiction is a very strong word that brings along many negative connotations. When we think of an addiction we imagine someone who depends on a certain substance, most likely alcohol to have their needs met. Addiction is defined by the Webster dictionary as, "a compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal." Even though our society sees addiction and only applies the word to drug addicts and alcoholics, there is a much wider range of subjects that fall under the umbrella of what an addiction truly is. An addiction is a dependency on any kind of materialistic object that you use on a day to day basis that brings

    Read More

  • Pavlovian Conditioning And Classical Conditioning

    2264 Words  | 5 Pages

    Addiction is defined simply as a strong and harmful need to regularly have something (such as drugs) or do something like gambling (Addiction, 2016). Addiction can be crippling and can control all aspects of your life to the point of not being able to function as a productive member of society. Addicts can have a life long struggle, even once sober, or clean, from the addiction.

    Read More

  • The Myths Of Addictions : Addiction

    1385 Words  | 3 Pages

    So, it is clear that addiction is all around us and can attack anyone of us at any given time. Even studies conducted show that people neglect to speak around their dependency for two primary reasons. Foremost, because people do not comprehend, or they bear a total misconception to their addiction, that they do not realize that addictions can be critical to their overall wellness. Moreover, second, many people believe being an addict will never happen to them, but, in reality, most addictions start off as simple little habits. Such as starting with one drink after dinner and before you know it you are drinking several drinks a day. However, one does not opt to be addicted to a substance, because addictions are physical defects in the brain, a disease, and not one’s choice.

    Read More

  • Brain And Drug Addiction Essay

    1696 Words  | 4 Pages

    Also, rates of relapse are very similar to rates for other chronic illness. Thus, addiction should be treated by taking consideration of its being chronic. Like other chronic illness, addiction requires repeated intervention to decrease the risk of relapse (Gunkelman & Cripe, 2008). The Brain and Addiction

    Read More

  • Biology Of Addiction Essay

    848 Words  | 2 Pages

    Addiction is a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive drug and substance use. Despite its harmful consequences to the human body, addicts continue to seek for more drugs to keep their systems active. Millions of people abuse drugs and substances in the world today. As a result of substance abuse, addicts can easily lose control of their actions. Addiction is a long-lasting brain illness that disrupts the normal body functioning. It holds the brain hostage.

    Read More

  • An Essay About Drug Addiction

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    In conclusion drug addiction is a very terrible and challenging problem. It affects individuals, families, and the people around them. It is important that drug addicts realize that they must want to stop and seek help for the problem. The drug addict needs the support of friends and family, so they can make it through this process. The process to recover from drug addiction can take a lifetime. There is hope for a drug addict who wants to change their life for the better.

    Read More

More about Addiction Essay

Open Document