Psychology of Addiction The Holistic Approach to Addiction As with any other disease, drug addiction causes stress and breaks down the body immune system. Not only does drug addiction break the body immunes system down but it also decreases brain function. In the book addiction treatment a strengths perspective, the authors Wormer and Davis stated, “Other remedies directed toward the physical side of drug use are more natural, holistic approaches. These include various herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage, hypnosis, and biofeedback.” (Pg 204) In my opinion, the holistic approach can be very practical for treating the disease of addiction because it will help people gain the proper balance for those who suffer from addiction. Treating the disease of addiction with the holistic approach is very doable in my opinion. Again, the holistic treatment is very beneficial for helping people with getting in tuned with themselves. Therefore, the holistic approach in my opinion will help addicts align their body, mind, and spirit while going through the healing stages of addiction...
In the book, Addiction & Grace: Love and Spirituality in the Healing of Addictions, May explores how addiction develops and can be treated from a psychological, physiological, and spiritual standpoint. This theme is clearly shown throughout the text as it shows addiction from a whole person's perspective. The book covers the development of addiction from desire through the experience of addiction. The key focus is on looking at the matter of addiction from multiple stand points then broken down by explaining how addiction is an issue psychologically, physiologically, and spiritually. By focusing on these three areas, the author is able to present the reader with a clear understanding of addiction from all sides of the problem.
People argue whether drug addiction is a disease or a choice. Today, I will be discussing this argument in hopes to have a better understanding as to why this topic is so controversial. Throughout my research, I easily found information on this topic and I am still not sure I have found any answers.
The multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, that lead to a disposition to using drugs, drug use and the social and individual consequences. Why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, some learn it from their environment (i.e. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case history describes a client that had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent dependence.
Thank you for covering the addiction treatment options. The 12-Step Programs often goes hand-in-hand with addiction recovery treatment. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Cocaine Anonymous (CA), Crystal Meth Anonymous (CMA ), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are organizations for recovering addicts, run by recovering addicts. The 12-Step Programs have a strong spiritual component display that spirituality can be effective for addiction. The regular attendance to meeting, connection with a recovery mentor, and prayer/meditation are strongly associated with recovery and abstinence from drugs and maladaptive behaviors. Meetings offer participants with a support system. By working through each of the twelve steps of AA, many addicts have found restoration
D., “Kicking the habit : It’s no Longer All-or-Nothing”, “Holistic therapies are helping to bridge the gap between conventional, exclusively abstinence-oriented approaches and the newer, more controversial harm reduction philosophy”. It is believed that people develop addictions to get back into balance therefore the Holistic therapies helps restore your balance. In this particular type of program it is believed that a person cannot be forced to do anything which means they find it acceptable to not abstain from using drugs. When the person is treated with respect, they in turn will eventually take care of themselves. Part of the treatment is a massage which can have a chemical impact on the body and can release tension. With the use of Hatha Yoga, you hold positions for a long time stretching and contrasting your muscles while breathing
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.
Theoretical orientation makes practicing clinician who they are. Moving forward within careers, counselors often find themselves changing their approach. I perceive Social Learning, Person-centered, and Motivational Interviewing theories to be a part of my theoretical orientation. Dealing with individuals who become influenced by their environment, may seek positive regards for their choices. In order to guide the individual, building a healthy relationship is vital, also it allows counselors to understand past attempts to change.
Many people dislike the term ‘addiction’ in relation to drugs or other substances, particularly as it infers that a person is powerless over their use of a particular drug or in some circumstances, a number of substances. Whilst others maintain it is this powerlessness that is the foundation of diagnosis and treatment – that treatment is not possible without recognition of addiction itself as the ‘problem’ being addressed. The professional and public perception of addiction is complicated. There are many approaches and models to explain addiction, the role of the addict, and their environment. This essay will compare and contrast two of these approaches, the medical/disease and the social model. Initially this essay will describe the origins of each model, and follow by explaining their respective strengths and weaknesses, and finish with an overview of the key differences between them. This essay will conclude by demonstrating that a holistic approach, and a cross-pollination of these models is the most successful approach to treating addicts. As is the case for all diseases, there are multiple treatment options, and as ever person is different, the results in each individual cannot be predicted.
Drug addiction is more complicated than medicine thought in previous years. It’s not because someone is weak or unable to control themselves. They are chemical such a dopamine in the human body that makes the process difficult. The brain works in a neuropath way and drug interrupt the normal process which stops the frontal lobe to work as it should. Treatment isn’t done right and patients tend to repeat their habit after they get out of rehab. Psychological treatment is not as effective as chemical injection for dopamine to reward the brain. However, even after the treatment is complete, it will be a life struggle to stay away from drugs since the brain will always look for a simpler way to reward itself.
People afflicted with obsessive addiction can not be rehabilitated. An obsessive addiction is when the routine actions of an addicted person or persons becomes an obsession, making treatment much more difficult, and in most recorded cases, borderline impossible. Those afflicted suffer psychological and sometimes physical pain or discomfort when cut off from their substance of choice. There are different types of obsession that require different kinds of treatments, making rehabilitation that much more difficult. Society as a whole does not know enough about addiction or obsession to deal with the current plague of addiction and relapse that everyone is affected by.
The facilities are best provided to get rid of from the drug addiction. Although, the person, who suffers from this terrible problem, struggles greatly, there was a wrong choice, which made them pay for it. The best drug addiction treatment program really works from the bottom of the problem and make those addicted persons realize that whatever they are doing is very harmful and wrong as well. If an addiction of anything is again and again repeated, they will suffer from a ...
Main Point: The effects on a person after they become addicted to something can be small, or they can be great, depending on the length of time they are exposed to the addictive behavior or substance and what caused it. The addiction affects the addict’s health, career and relationships. I can tell you from personal experience with having family members who were addicts, that I was traumatized growing up. (Personal story about couple arguing here.) According to Roxanne Edwards of Medicine.net, “In terms of effects on the body, intoxication with a substance can cause physical effects that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing …to the rapid heart rate...” In addition, psychologically they can have suicidal thoughts or elation depending on the addictive substance or behavior. This is why it is important for the addict to seek help because they cannot get rid of the issue on their own. Most of the time, addicts go through some sort of rehab treatment and when they are released they are instructed to go to meetings that help with the aftermath of addiction. Just a few of these groups are places like Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, or even Celebrate Recovery. Although some places believe that these programs do not work, it is well worth mentioning that the success rates depend on the want to of the person working them. They have to want to remain sober or free from the addiction or they will go right back to it. Alcohol Rehab.com puts it this way, “Failure to
Drug abuse and addiction are issues that affect people everywhere. However, these issues are usually treated as criminal activity rather than issues of public health. There is a conflict over whether addiction related to drug abuse is a disease or a choice. Addiction as a choice suggests that drug abusers are completely responsible for their actions, while addiction as a disease suggests that drug abusers need help in order to break their cycle of addiction. There is a lot of evidence that suggests that addiction is a disease, and should be treated rather than punished. Drug addiction is a disease because: some people are more likely to suffer from addiction due to their genes, drug abuse brought on by addictive behavior changes the brain and worsens the addiction, and the environment a person lives in can cause the person to relapse because addiction can so strongly affect a person.
Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go
Drug addiction is a very big problem in today’s society. Many people have had their lives ruined due to drug addiction. The people that use the drugs don’t even realize that they have an addiction. They continue to use the drug not even realizing that their whole world is crashing down around them. Drug addicts normally lose their family and friends due to drug addiction.