In Society we are introduced to all different types of people, people who look different from us act different from us, and we even get to meet people from different cultures. Throughout these interactions with one another we learn how to interact, we learn what is morally and socially acceptable. It seems as though, through most interactions between different kinds of people, we all come to the conclusion that drugs are bad for you and they will “destroy your life.” It is not uncommon that one has an addict in his or her family or that one is familiar with somebody with an addiction. So why is it that we are so quick to judge those who are addicted? This is through the social implications of addiction and the stigma of drug use/ addiction
Most people who disagree with the statement that addiction is a disease believe that addiction is a disease is a statement that addicts use as an excuse for themselves and their addiction, which only further provides them as an excuse to continue on with their addictions by making them feel sorry for themselves. Scientifically speaking, it has been proven that addiction is in fact a disease. A disease is defined as “a morbus, an illness, a sickness that causes an interruption, cessation, or disorder of bodily functions, systems, or organs and is characterized by at least two of these criteria: (1) a recognized etiologic agent (or agents) (2) an identifiable group of signs and symptoms; or (3) consistent anatomical alterations of known body systems” (Gorski, 1996). So technically speaking, addiction to a substance covers both the definition of a disease and fulfills the criteria to fit a disease. Addiction is caused by both environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors could be a child who is a product of a divorce, a child who has little connection with peers or family members, and many other cases that could lead one to resorting to the use of drugs. Regarding genetic predisposition to addiction, an addict may have a gene or set of genes that is seen to have an increased chance of becoming addicted to a particular drug. As example, “The A1 allele of the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 is more common in people
Satel says, “Addiction does indeed discriminate, it chooses those who are bad at delaying gratification” (2). Those who simply cannot resist the instant relief or euphoria are more likely to become addicts. Addiction also preys on those who do not possess the proper skills for gauging consequences. Those suffering from this trait are unable to look ahead at the true horror that awaits them at the end of the long dark tunnel. Another trait that increases the risk of addiction is impulsivity. Impulsive people have issues controlling themselves, and they often make quick decisions that were not through. Impulsivity characteristics often go hand in hand with the previously stated traits, making it one of the hardest to overcome. While personality traits may be genetic or just how we are predisposed, drug use often alters ones entire being, including these traits. So, who is to say if the traits listed above were not birthed from the very womb of drug use itself.
“While we all did some things that were in poor taste, not all of us resorted to such desperate measures. Sure, some did, but not all of us. This has made society view drug addicts virtually as lesser beings. The effect it has had in my life is a loss of trust by others who are aware of my past addiction issues” (treatment4addiction.com) Many people see drug addicts as lowlifes who need to stop doing drugs and believe that it is easy to do so. They believe that all drug addicts are scum, that they are not people like everybody else. They do not see it as a disease and because of this they tend to completely shut out the family member or friend suffering from this. In an interview with PocosPeroLocos.FM Williams
It is true that drugs and alcohol can cause diseases, but does that make the addiction problem a disease? Perhaps this topic is so controversial because of the lack of knowledge or understanding of drug addiction.
Addiction controls people in many ways. Some addictions can even lead to death if not stopped early on. Addiction to any kind of substance or drug is not an easy thing to quit. It is hard to quit because it is not physically hard but also mentally hard to end an addiction. Addiction controls people by making them lose control of their actions and cravings. Also addiction controls people by changing their circadian rhythms which make it hard to stay away from what they are addicted to.
George F. Koob defines addiction as a compulsion to take a drug without control over the intake and a chronic relapse disorder (1). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association defined "substance dependence" as a syndrome basically equivalent to addiction, and the diagnostic criteria used to describe the symptoms of substance dependence to a large extent define compulsion and loss of control of drug intake (1). Considering drug addiction as a disorder implies that there are some biological factors as well as social factors.
Addiction, like other diseases, has the tendency to be genetic. “Addictive drugs induce adaptive changes in gene expression in the brain’s reward regions” (Bevilacqua and Goldman 359–361). The disease is also influenced by environmental conditions and behavior. Addiction genes can be passed down through family members of many generations. If one has addiction in their genes tries a drug and someone who does not have addiction in their genes and tries the same drug, it is more likely that the person with the gene will become addicted over the one without. Environmental conditions can also be a factor because someone’s lifestyle could contribute to addiction. Factors such as stress and peer pressure can influence drug or alcohol abuse. Behavior can also contribute to addiction because if a person’s attitude is obsessive and they have an addictive personality, they could become addicted to a substance. In “Addiction is Not a Disease” Daniel Akst explains actual diseases are Alzheimer’s and Schizophrenia, not addiction. For example, Akst mentions that “addicts tend to quit when the going gets hard” (Akst.) He also clarifies that addicts have the choice to have that extra drink or those extra pills every
According to the Institute of Medicine, “Stigma is most likely to diminish as a result of public education and broader acceptance of addiction as a treatable disease” (The Stigma of Addiction 1). By reducing the stigma of opioid addiction, young adults will no longer fear judgement when seeking treatment.
An addiction counselor is a support system for someone that is having problems with drug and alcohol problems, eating disorders and other addictive problems they are having. They teach people how to modify their behaviors with the intention of a full recovery. One step at a time. One hour at a time. One day at a time. This talks about how the counselors are helping one step at a time, they are doing it one hour at a time, and they are doing it one day at a time, this is all helping the addicted person through it all. It is critical to have someone there for them at all times and addiction counselors provide this support that they need. After receiving the training one is able to enjoy this career with the great reward of helping others.
Drugs have often been bad. reputation, but it seems that in every good, there is bad and vice versa. It seems that the The only thing that has so many people divided is fear - fear of the harm it could do or even fear of the good it could do.
It is important to consider how addiction to drugs begins. “Genetics accounts for approximately half of an individual’s vulnerability to addiction, including effects of the environment on gene function and expression” (Volkow). This basically means that once a person is exposed to drugs, they are more likely to become addicted to drugs after that exposure if their genes make them more vulnerable to addiction. Consequently, not every person who is exposed to drugs will develop an addiction because they do not have the genetic make-up that makes them an addictive person, meaning that: “…predisposing genes interact with [exposure to drugs] and other environmental factors to create vulnerability” (Volkow). People cannot change their genetic make-up to prevent themselves from becoming addicted to drugs. They can only limit their exposure to a drug filled...
When people hear the word addiction, most people picture an alcoholic that spends hours a night at the bar, or meth addict that sleeps in the streets and prostitutes herself out to obtain money for another hit, but what various people refuse to realize is that addiction has become an epidemic in the United States. Addiction is everywhere from the UPS man that takes smoke breaks every few delivery’s, to your best friend 's dad whose appears to have everything put together but spends his evenings at the casino. In my opinion, it 's essential to share your story, I’m restless to tell you experience with addiction.
Sniffing crack in club bathrooms, smoking marijuana to the soothing sounds of reggae music and drinking alcohol to wash away all the pain were Mr. Kelvin Fahie’s favourite past times. Using a baseball bat, he was severely beaten and felt nothing because he was too high. He experienced two seizures, vaguely remembering the first and didn’t know he had a second. During his hallucination from 1992 to 1995, finally arrived to his turning point was when he hallucinated seeing his mother jumping off of his neighbour’s roof. Standing at about six feet tall and weighing only ninety eight pounds, Mr. Kelvin Fahie marched into the BVI’s Sandy Lane Centre on August 13th 1995 in order to end his quest of drug and alcohol addiction. In only six weeks, he fully overcame his addiction of 20 years. This was a joyous event and it was even more special since he was the first person to recover through the Sandy Lane Centre. Today, he has been drug and alcohol free for nineteen years and made a promise to himself to never return to such a low place in his life ever again.
Transition: Drugs are just plain bad for any human body. It can harm your sense of judgment and make a living hell for some people.
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.
Illegal drugs are used by people as a way out when feeling down about themselves. As the effects of the drugs may stay the same throughout, causes show that there are a large number of reasons for use. Being lonely, isolated, and frustrated in life help start off the drive to escape. In many cases, using drugs is a coping mechanism, especially in teens. Emotions become numb as people try to escape the pain of reality. This is seen in the youth of today as they deal with everyday pressures.. Drug abuse can make people think they are re-creating their former negative self image. This rebellious action gives the attention that is desired. From trying to fit in to hiding from problems, people will always have a choice. In the end, the reality of drug use is damaging to the user's body, mind and relationships.