Addiction Essay Addiction
explanatory Essay
1356 words
Addiction is the number one cause in accidental death in the United States. The rate has raised astronomically in the last few years and happens even more than car accidents. It is a condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing or activity. There have been several debates on whether addiction is a disease or a choice. What is the difference between an addiction and physical dependence? Is it just a habit or is it an addiction? Once you’re an addict, are you always an addict? Those are the most commonly asked questions when it comes to addiction. The most arguable question of all is, is there a cure for addiction? As you read on, hopefully I am able to clear up some of those questions and answer them for you. Addiction is not …show more content…
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is the number one cause of accidental death in the united states.
- Explains that addiction resides in the limbic system, a subconscious part of our brain that is involved with memory, emotion and reward.
- Opines that if an addict is introduced to drugs or alcohol at an early stage, it could alter that brain activity and put you more at risk for addiction.
- Explains the difference between addiction and physical dependence. physical dependence is called dependence, whereas addiction is sometimes called opioid or substance dependence — non-substance addictions like sex, gambling, internet, etc.
- Explains that addiction is a disease and habit is not. people with addiction do the drug or drink the fifth because they feel better or "normal" afterwards.
- Opines that once an addict becomes sober, the addiction will take over again. some addicts misinterpret addiction as if they have no hope and are condemned for life.
- Opines that there is no cure for addiction, but it can be managed successfully with lifelong treatment.
- Explains that addiction is a disease that affects many people in the world and unfortunately causes many deaths, but there is hope!
The disease makes it hard for people without it understand why. Many question, why take that first drink when you know you aren’t going to stop? It is so hard for those of us to understand if we don’t have the disease. Personally, my dad and boyfriend have the disease. They both have recently got out of rehab and are sober. It took a lot for me to understand they weren’t drinking to hurt me, they had that distortion in their brain that made them feel that they had to keep drinking. Although they didn’t have a choice of being an addict, they had a choice in getting help in recovery and they both did. With having addiction, the changes in your brain will last a lifetime even when you’re sober. Throughout an addict’s sobriety, they will have certain triggers that can be from environmental factors and they need to watch out and be aware …show more content…
Like addressed previously, addiction is a disease and we all know habit is not. With habits, you can easily change your habitual behavior from negative to positive. Addiction in its own nature is naturally known to be negative. You don’t have to go to rehab to change the habit of biting your nails or twirling your hair. Addiction ends up affecting your everyday life, health, relationships and so on. People with addiction do the drug, or drink the fifth because they feel better or “normal” afterwards with habits that’s not the case. You could have a habit of drinking wine after a bad which could stay just that, a habit, if drank in moderation and not having it effect your every day
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- The Myths Of Addictions : Addictionopinion essayThe Myths of Addictions Addiction, Is it just an issue or is it one’s choice? Although no one chooses to walk around in their life and decides if he or she has or wants an addiction. An addiction is a “condition of being addicted to a particular substance” (Peele, 2016). One can be addicted to nicotine, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, and even shopping if it has an impact on their everyday life. Consequently, some people with an addiction may reach a point in their life where it can turn harmful, therefore, people need to look for assistance.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is a condition of being addicted to certain substances, such as nicotine, drugs, alcohol, gambling, food, and shopping. most people don't understand or have misconceptions about addictions.
- Opines that talking to someone with an addiction takes preparation, patience, and being totally honest with that individual.
- Opines that people don't talk much about their addictions because they do not understand that the risk factors for addiction are influenced by one's social environment, and even some people are born with it.
- Opines that getting the facts and realizing what is truthful are the key aspects to truly understanding one’s addictions.
- Opines that some people think alcoholics can stop drinking on their own, without help, even for good, if they were to have will power.
- Explains that marijuana can be just as addictive as alcohol over time. a study by the national institute on drug abuse proved that the chemicals in marijuana cause a reaction in the brain that contributes to addiction.
- Opines that addictions are physical defects in the brain, a disease, and not one’s choice.
1385 wordsRead More - Stages Of Substance Abuseexplanatory essayAddiction is a habit of activity, in which there is a constant use of mood altering substances with no regard for the unfortunate consequences to the mind, body, and soul. There is no demographic that drug and alcohol addiction does not affect; addiction can happen to anyone at any time. People become addicted to drugs and alcohol for many reasons. Some of these reasons are uncontrollable because you’re born with them; others are brought on by environmental factors and poor self-control. The factors that can lead a person to the enslavement of abuse and dependency range from biological elements, influences from the people you surround yourself with, over-the-counter medications that people get hooked on, and the state of mind of the victim of the abuse. Addiction has been affecting people of all ages since before wide scale research was even conducted.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is a habit of constant use of mood altering substances without regard for the unfortunate consequences to the mind, body, and soul.
- Explains that drugs are chemical substances that make your mind, mood, and body feel and act out of the ordinary.
- Explains that narcotics are addictive and have a heavy impact on the user's body. the age of drug users is getting younger, and it is the number one problem with public teen death.
- Explains that genes are hereditary pieces with codes that dictate the physical and psychological characteristics and traits that will be passed down from parent to child.
- Explains that peer pressure is one of the most powerful influences among young society today. people are influenced by peers and the industry in which they conduct their daily lives.
- Explains that prescription drugs are legal, but are equally potent to the body if used incorrectly. opiates are a dangerous prescription drug that many people easily become addicted to.
- Explains that people who feel they aren't strong enough to deal with their daily lives often turn to drugs and alcohol as an escape.
- Explains that addiction is caused by several factors, including genetic identity, peer pressure, and the state of mind in an individual.
1907 wordsRead More - Kent Dunnington's Definition Of Addiction Essayanalytical essayHow does one define addiction? Is it a conscious choice in which the addict chooses to divulge in drugs, or is it a biological disease in which the addict has no choice in the matter at all and must take drugs as an involuntary necessity? Kent Dunnington tries to solve this discourse by denying the validity of both the disease method and the choice method by introducing a third choice, habit. He explains that addiction is a habit because habit “explains how the will can act consistently and successfully without being worn down by the weight of desire or tripped up by uncoordinated desires because habits qualify and coordinate desires (Dunnington, 61). His definition of habit as the true cause of addiction comes along with a rejection of both
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes kent dunnington's definition of addiction as a habit by denying the validity of both the disease method and the choice method.
- Argues that dunnington's denial of disease and choice are stemmed from the aspects of each that better support his beliefs in the definition of addiction.
- Explains that every person or group of people has their own personal and unique cause for taking drugs and their reasons for continued abuse of drugs.
- Defines addiction as the tendency to partake in state altering drugs for reasons purely unique and individual to each addict.
1245 wordsRead More - Addiction as Brain Disorder: A Flawed Modelanalytical essayAddiction 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is cumulative, building over time, and varies in strength from individual to individual based on their own abilities to exercise willpower over themselves.
- Explains that the usage and addiction rate of most illegal drugs has not increased recently, and in many cases has declined. marijuana is the only illegal drug that has seen an increase in usage over the years.
- Opines that drug and alcohol addiction as brain disease is a trend that could be seen as canary in the mineshaft for the trends and movements of the scientific world.
- Argues that the scientific community at large is walking down a slippery slope if allowed to concretize into ever more rigid forms.
- Explains the u.s. department of health and human services' national survey on drug use and health: summary of national findings.
- Describes reinarman, craig, addiction as accomplishment: the discursive construction of disease.
829 wordsRead More - Treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Americaopinion essayThe world of addiction is a highly misunderstood realm. The word “addiction” itself is extremely stigmatizing. Many people first think of personal failure and weakness, which is a result of the moral model commonly associated with addictions. However, substance dependence is not a personal weakness. It is a chronic disease suffered by many people across the world. Classifying drug and alcohol addiction as a disease is an exceedingly controversial topic (Murphy, Lynch, Oslin, McKay, & TenHave, 2007). If society is to believe and agree with this classification, they must admit that substance dependence is an illness, a disease, and not a human failing or weakness. Those with substance use disorders in particular need more understanding from the public and more advocates to speak on their behalf without judgment.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that substance dependence is not a personal weakness, and that society must accept that it is an illness and not human failing or weakness.
- Explains that 1.83% of men in the united states suffer from drug use disorders and 5.48% from alcohol abuse disorders. drug and alcohol addiction affects the user's family, friends, and community.
- Explains that president obama's affordable care act is beginning to deliver one of the most significant extensions to coverage for mental health and substance use disorders.
- Argues that making treatment and services for substance use disorders more affordable and available is an important first step in dealing with this major social problem. educational programs must be developed and implemented in order to create understanding and provide a means of social support for those suffering from such disorders.
- Opines that social workers must be passionate about helping those with substance use disorders, possess extraordinary amounts of patience, and be willing to advocate for their clients.
- Opines that drug and alcohol addiction is an unfortunate reality in our society that is often rebuked and disregarded as an important social issue.
- Cites jarecki, e. (producer & director). the house i live in (motion picture).
862 wordsRead More - Drug Abuse Essayexplanatory essay...such a hard disease to fight. That’s why it is important for family members or friends to stand by their loved ones if they are suffering from drug addiction. It may make all the difference in the end.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that most people know at least one person, either a friend or family member, who has, or is suffering from drug addiction. the latin word "addiction" means enslaved by or bound to.
- Explains that to gain an understanding of why addicts behave the way they do, we need to first look at what addiction is, how addiction affects the human brain, and finally, some behaviors that drug addiction can cause.
- Explains that drug abuse occurs when a person ingests cocaine or heroin, which can cause pleasure, but becomes compulsive and interferes with everyday life. addicts are not generally aware that their behavior is out of control and are usually oblivious to the problems that they are causing.
- Explains that drug abuse affects the human brain in many ways. it can change homeostasis, alter the brain's chemistry, and cause changes to brain structures and their functioning.
- Explains that when a person becomes an abuser of drugs, he or she will share common characteristics, or behaviors that are typical of an addict, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and rapid mood swings.
- Explains that addiction is a life-long battle, even for recovering addicts. family members or friends should stand by their loved ones if they are suffering from drug addiction.
- Narrates how horvath, a. tom, kaushik misra, amy k. epner, and galen morgan cooper, “how doesaddiction affect the brain?” grace point.
671 wordsRead More - Neil Levy's Article: Addiction Is A Brain Disease?opinion essayAccording 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.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that addiction is a recurring brain disease that can be healed when we alter and eliminate all the factors that are reinforcing drug addiction.
- Opines that it is high time to take a close look at the factors that are influencing drug addiction and understand the impact it has in our lives.
- Opines that addiction can be prevented through information and education about its negative effects. leshner advocated people to understand drug abuse and its origins.
- Opines that leshner's article provided solid scientific evidences to support his argument that drug addiction is a brain disease and there are treatments to overcome it. however, the article seems outdated since it was published more than fifteen years ago.
- Analyzes neil levy's argument that addiction is a behavioral disorder caused by the person’s social environment and the lack of resources.
- Concludes that drug addiction is a brain disease since it affects the brain and impairs one's thinking, and working ability. leshner provided evidences and findings from scientific studies to support his claims.
1019 wordsRead More - Alcoholism Essayexplanatory essayBrian Serein Period 5 4/08/14 U.S History Honors Alcoholism Throughout history people have drank alcohol as a means of wealth, just to pass the time, or as an escape from reality. In today’s modern world, people use alcohol as a means of having a good time or just love the taste of alcohol. For the individuals who love alcohol and drink a surplus amount of alcohol every week is considered an alcoholic, also known as alcoholism.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that alcoholism is a disease and an addiction that harms the alcoholic and the family of the individual.
- Explains that alcoholism was used to depict someone in a condition of constant alcohol intoxication that was characterized by harsh bodily pathology and interruption of social functioning.
- Explains that prohibition began in the 1720's, which stopped the manufacturing and distribution of all alcoholic beverages. it was thought that without intoxicating liquors there would be no crime, poverty, or low productivity.
- Explains that the science of the prohibition was that alcohol was linked to psychological effects such as suicide and diseases. the religious argument was the easiest to persuade and receive their support.
- Explains that the alcoholics anonymous is a non-profit organization that does not support or oppose any cause.
- Explains that alcoholics anonymous is a self-help 12-step program that helps patients with alcoholism.
- Explains that there are new approaches to help alcoholics recover from alcohol abuse and achieve sobriety.
- Explains that the latest approaches to preventing and fighting alcoholism have been noteworthy, such as the laws created by the states to stop alcohol from injuring innocent people.
- Explains that children of alcoholics have an increased risk of becoming a drunk because there are biological factors that come into play. scientists' confirmation of the chromosomes linked to alcoholism is still unconfirmed.
- Explains that alcohol can be used as an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety for individuals who don't cope well with stress. alcohol dependence and withdrawal can lead to cognitive deficits, and neurotoxin damage.
- Opines that alcoholism is not always what people resort to sometimes it can be drugs but people feel safer with alcohol because usually no one questions and individual drinking alcohol.
- Explains that alcohol abuse has been around for as long as alcohol existed, which means the younger individuals probably drank just as much, but was not really seen as a problem. teenage alcoholism is trending issue because more teens are drinking intoxicating liquor.
- Explains that college students have been known to be reckless and be associated with alcohol abuse because of all the destruction they cause when throwing a party or having an event going on that contains alcohol.
1695 wordsRead More - The Negative Effects Of Drinkingexplanatory essayFirst and foremost, alcoholism is hard to break due to the brain craving created by a drinking habit. According to Charles Duhigg in The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, habit is created when there are a cue, a routine, and a reward that develop a craving that make people repeat the loop(49). The craving for drinking is generally cultivated by the short-term reward resulted from drinking. Most alcoholics believe that drinking can help them to escape from their hard times and forget their problems. Elizabeth
In this essay, the author
- Explains that drinking is a serious problem in the united states. it is associated with cancer, stroke, heart disease, miscarriage, premature birth, and unintentional injuries.
- Explains that alcoholism is hard to break due to the brain craving created by a drinking habit.
- Explains that quitting alcohol is difficult because alcoholics lack belief and support. strong belief can empower anyone's vision to get what they want easily.
- Explains that the aa provides alcoholics with sufficient belief and support to help them quit their drinking habit. the strength and hope they receive from other members support their desire to change.
- Explains that alcoholics don't have enough willpower to overcome their addiction. alcohol weakened their self-control and made quitting difficult.
- Opines that breaking drinking addiction for alcoholics is never easier if they don't know the right ways to do so.
1630 wordsRead More - Dopamine and Drug Addictionanalytical essayDrug 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.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the frontal lobe depends on the dopamine to function, and once the level are too high, it will numb itself, creating slow talking, longer thinking and uncontrollable itch.
- Explains that drug addiction is more complicated than medicine thought in previous years. the brain works in a neuropath way and drug interrupts the normal process. psychological treatment is not as effective as chemical injection for dopamine to reward the brain.
- Explains that drug abuse is part of everyday life. people find addiction through drugs, activities, and action that creates chemical reaction within their bodies.
- Analyzes dr. david sack's study that shows that drug addiction is not addiction but dopamine overload. he believes people are addicted by drugs but also a psychological dependency counts as factor.
1156 wordsRead More