Opioid Addiction Essay
opinion Essay
928 words
Addiction is an illness like no other. It may well be the only illness where there is fierce resistance for wellness despite the obvious damage it causes. This uniqueness requires a comprehensive treatment program utilizing a broad range of resources.
Eight sequential steps lead to a successful recovery as measured by sustained sobriety:
1. Accept that you are an addict by breaking through the barrier of denial. Denial is an insurmountable roadblock for recovery. Twelve Step support programs call it surrendering, but you can call it whatever you like—as long as you surrender. Chapter 16 addresses denial in detail.
2. Acknowledge that you need help to recover. What you are doing now is not working or is only making things worse.
3. Seek help
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that the greatest factor affecting outcome is your motivation for recovery. poor motivation leads to a poor outcome.
- Opines that addiction is an illness like no other. it may well be the only illness where there is fierce resistance for wellness despite the obvious damage it causes.
- Explains that denial is an insurmountable roadblock for recovery. twelve step support programs call surrendering, but you can call it whatever you like.
- Acknowledges that they need help to recover, but what they are doing now isn't working or is only making things worse.
- Advises patients to follow their healthcare providers' recommendations and not try to control their treatment.
- Opines that sobriety is a life-saving goal and should be your highest priority.
- Opines that substance abuse therapy will be an important part of treatment. there is much for you to learn if you are to remain drug-free after completing treatment
- Recommends respecting others' rights and gaining respect for yourself. honesty should be your mantra. there will be no more lying, deceit, or breaking the law.
- Opines that recovery will be a lifelong venture, but never forget that you will always be an addict and at risk for relapse.
- Opines that even if you are on the right track, you’ll get run over by sitting there.
- Opines that the time to accept that you are an addict to have any chance of recovery is now.
- Opines that patients who are serious about recovery do the best. it's not their parents, spouse, friends, healthcare providers, or the court that determines if they recover.
- Opines that if they were their doctor, they would review with them each of the treatment options they describe in this book.
After all, what is there to recover from if you don’t have a problem?
Deep inside you know the truth. It’s like the person who drinks a case of beer every day yet denies being an alcoholic because “It’s only beer, not the hard stuff” or “I can stop anytime I want.” For the opioid addict, similar excuses are “It’s only pills, not heroin,” “I only snort, never inject,” or “All my friends use more than I do.”
You have an addiction because opioids control you and adversely affect most every aspect of your life.
You must first accept that you are an addict to have any chance of recovery. The time to do that is now. Accepting that you are an addict is long overdue.
Let’s look at where you are in the scheme of things. Are you wondering if treatment is the right thing for you or if this is the right time to do it? Are you seeking treatment because a family member, friend, employer, or the court is pushing you in that direction? I hope you want to recover for the most important reason of all—you are sick and tired of being on the addiction merry-go-round and you want to stop
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- Addiction Recovery: The Road To Addiction Recoveryopinion essayFor those struggling with an addiction, the first step towards recovery is the most challenging step.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the first step towards recovery is the most challenging step for those struggling with an addiction. it's normal to feel uneasy about whether you're ready to make a change.
- Opines that recovery requires time, effort, commitment, motivation, and support from others. by committing to your recovery, you can overcome your addiction, take control of your life again.
- Explains that it's important to get treatment for all medical conditions to improve your chances of recovery. combining mental health and addiction treatment from the same treatment provider would be the option for you.
- Opines that addiction recovery is never out of reach for anyone, no matter how hopeless or bleak your situation may seem.
- Explains the different types of treatment options available. residential treatment can last from a few days to several months. day treatment or partial hospitalization is for people who require ongoing medical monitoring.
- Opines that having positive and supportive influences and a solid support system will improve your chances for recovery. by committing to making changes, getting the right treatment, and finding the support you need, you are on your way to overcoming addiction.
709 wordsRead More - Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Centersexplanatory essayAccording to the National Institutes of Health, substance abuse costs the government over 600 billion dollars every year (“Best in Treatment.”). Consequently, substance abuse and addiction are not something to take lightly. Addiction to substances is very serious brain disease that affects both the brain and the body. Addiction is considered to be a chronic disease, in the same way asthma is, that needs to be treated in the long-term in order to help individuals to be able to fully recover (“The Truth About “Rehab” & Drug Addiction.”). Although the path of addiction may begin with the initial decision of using a substance, after so long, the individual’s ability to say “no” diminishes. Substance abuse and addiction requires treatment, and while there are many rehabilitation centers all around the United States, there are many different approaches used to treat addiction, as well as new discoveries on the different treatment options, and problems with relapse throughout the recovery process.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that substance abuse and addiction are not something to take lightly. addiction to substances is a serious brain disease that affects both the brain and the body.
- Opines that treatment should include many different components, each working towards a certain aspect of the addiction, taking into consideration its consequences.
- Explains that residential treatment facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, group therapy sessions, and a substance abuse counselor are the most effective treatment options.
- Describes a residential treatment center in hanover, pennsylvania, called clarity way, where patients are required to attend 10-15 individual sessions every week, participate in detoxification, and take advantage of resources and support from the medical staff.
- Explains that the most common forms of rehabilitation therapy involve counseling and other behavioral techniques within the rehabilitation centers.
- Explains how christopher decharms has developed an approach to "boost" prefrontal systems in order to help addicts get even more out of rehabilitation programs that implement the "12-step" approach.
- Opines that rehabilitation centers cannot always prevent problems and prevent relapse from happening to the patients. substance abusers have to be willing to receive help in order to become completely clean.
1461 wordsRead More - Eating Disordersexplanatory essayThe official definition of the word addiction is “A term describing a compulsion to use a specific drug or engage in a certain activity.”(2012) Addictions can be as serious as drugs or alcohol, and they can also be as underestimated as being addicted to a cell phone, or addicted to food. The most common and most heard about cases of addiction involve Drugs and Alcohol, and these cases are treated over time with Rehab and medication, depending on how serious the addiction the substance is. Addictions take control of the lives of millions of Americans every year, and cause many mental and physical problems among the human being. There are many signs that can help point out that someone has an addiction to a substance. For example, someone with an addiction to alcohol will repeatedly neglect responsibilities at home, work, and school and use alcohol when it puts them in physical danger, such as drinking and driving. People that are addicted to a substance don’t care who or what they harm, as long as they get their addiction taken care of. These serious addictions effect not only the person addicted, but it effects everyone around that person. A person who wants to get treated for their addiction to become clean can be sent off to rehab, or they can go through therapy sessions to better themselves. People trying to become clean may go through “withdrawals”, which is defined as “Discomfort or distress, including physical pain and intense cravings, experienced after stopping the use of addictive drugs”. Withdrawals are the most difficult and intense part of becoming clean, but if one wants to overcome the addiction, the withdrawals will be worth it. There are many addictions that are taking over our world today in a quick manner, but th...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addictions can be as serious as drugs or alcohol, and they are treated over time with rehab and medication depending on how serious the addiction is.
- Explains that addiction to drugs is categorized into four groups: depressants, stimulant, opiates, and hallucinogens.
- Explains that the body builds a tolerance for the substance, so each time they use, they must use more to achieve the feeling of the "first high." overdose on opiates causes pinpoint pupils, blue lips and nails due to low oxygen levels in the blood.
- Opines that no addiction is minor, or shouldn't be treated. recovering addicts are strong, confident people by the end of their treatments.
921 wordsRead More - Argumentative Essay On The Opioid Crisisopinion essayA Poison of the Mind On the typical day, over 90 people will die at the hand of opioid abuse in America alone (National). In fact, as of 2014, nearly 2 million Americans were dependent and abusing opioids.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the opioid crisis has affected america and its citizens in various ways, including health policy, health care, and the life in populous areas.
- Opines that efforts must be made by various parties in order to reduce opioid addiction and overdose deaths. hospitals and the government must both be careful in prescribing opioids.
- Explains that opioids are addictive because they interact with the brain, neurotransmitters specifically. the best treatment for an opioid addiction is to stop taking the opioid.
- Explains that the america's opioid crisis has affected many aspects of america, but hospitals are at fault.
- Opines that president donald trump and his administration plan on further addressing his issues through various approaches.
1170 wordsRead More - The traditional, abstinence-focused addiction treatment believes that recovery is only possible if the addictive substance is completely removed from the life of the individual it affects. This model is rooted in the concept of addiction as a progressive, chronic and fatal disease that emphasizes inevitable
In this essay, the author
- Explains that there is an increasing interest in treatment alternatives that emphasize goals other than abstinence. the interventions include controlled drinking, based on harm reduction and moderation management philosophy.
- Explains that traditional abstinence-focused addiction treatment believes that recovery is only possible if the addictive substance is completely removed from the life of the individual it affects.
- Explains that abstinence-based treatment is still the dominant form of treatment, but some advancements have been made in the fields of addiction. the controversy surrounding controlled drinking is slowly giving way to a promising future.
- Opines that moderation management accepts the reality and inevitability of addictive behaviors and encourages people to seek help.
- Opines that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addiction treatment for everyone. only a small group of individuals can achieve stable pattern of controlled drinking, usually those with less severe addiction, shorter history of substance use, and less negative consequences.
- Opines that treatment should be individualized, based on the unique characteristics of each client and his specific needs. the counselor's role is to be present, supportive, open, flexible, to motivate and be an agent of change.
- Opines that the ultimate goal of alcohol use disorder treatment is abstinence, but that stabilization and harm reduction sometimes are important immediate goals. supporting clients in making decision about taking small steps in their recovery gives them sense of empowerment and helps them regain control over their lives.
800 wordsRead More - There are many different theories as to the best way for a person to overcome addictive behaviors. The most effective ways of combating addiction include: outpatient behavioral treatment, residential programs, therapeutic communities, and self-help groups (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009). Most people require long-term treatment or multiple treatments before they are able to change their lifestyle. One fact that seems to be consistent among the different treatment plans is that both the psychological and physical parts of the addiction need to be addressed. Although there are different philosophies, most believe there are three stages that are key to rehabilitation: detox, counseling and aftercare (The Good Drugs Guide, 2014) Alcoholics Anonymous and the Buddhist method are the two options that chose to do further research on. Both of these methods believe that success depends on developing new strategies for dealing with the problems that drove you to the addition in the first place.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that there are many different theories as to the best way for a person to overcome addictive behaviors. most people require long-term treatment or multiple treatments before they are able to change their lifestyle.
- Explains that alcoholics anonymous began in ohio in 1935, when bill wilson and bob smith, both alcoholics at the time, met and discussed how wilson had been able to give up drinking through his affiliation with a christian church.
- Explains that a.a. is a form of aftercare, where members gain the strength to beat their addictions.
- Recommends that an individual find a meeting group to join once he or she is clean and sober. the chances of successfully maintaining sobriety go up when the individual finds social networks to turn to.
- Explains that buddhists believe that humans are made up of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual components. effective treatment must address all four areas.
- Explains that buddhism is a life style choice that includes religious practice and abstinence from alcohol.
- Explains that the buddhist treatment center is like a spiritual retreat where the individual is taught buddhist addiction principles, which include: medication, prayer, and taking responsibility for one’s self.
- Explains that meditation is a good technique for managing stress, and medication can be helpful during the first few months after detoxification.
- Describes how they visited an alanon meeting at the faith church in sarsota, florida. they chose the meeting because it was designated as an open speaker meeting.
- Explains that the buddhist approach does not offer meetings like the typical 12-step programs, but teaches these truths to everyone as a way of life.
- Opines that learning how to tame the voices in our heads without losing our sanity is what we do here.
- Describes how they attended the early morning zazen meditation on january 24th, which is training meditation, and is done in a seated position.
- Compares the success rates of alcoholics anonymous and the effectiveness of the twelve-step treatment.
- Opines that maintaining a sober lifestyle depends on building up an acceptable community in times of stress and learning more acceptable ways of coping.
2017 wordsRead More - Substance Abuse Recoveryexplanatory essayDespite the higher cost, a high-end substance abuse treatment center does not constitute better treatment. The support of therapists, counselors, family, friends, and peers can all be important factors in the recovery process. The most significant factor for an individual in the recovery process is a desire and a willingness to change. Many options exist for individuals that want to recover from addiction. These options include substance abuse rehabilitation centers and support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery. These programs all have the same goal but use different techniques that at times even contradict other programs. Although the approach of the programs may vary, they have all been proven to work for certain individuals.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that despite the higher cost, a high-end substance abuse treatment center does not constitute better treatment.
- Explains that alcoholics anonymous is a nonprofit support group based on the twelve-step program, which has gained mainstream acceptance as an option for substance abuse treatment.
- Explains that smart recovery takes the cognitive approach that addiction is a behavior that has been learned, and teaches that the same behavior can be unlearned.
- Explains that the most intensive type of substance abuse treatment is through in-patient rehabilitation centers. the cost and length of treatment vary greatly from center to center.
- Explains that the availability of alcoholics anonymous, smart recovery, and in-patient rehabilitation centers across the united states gives those looking for treatment from substance abuse many options.
- Cites works citedcarey, b. (2008). drug rehabilitation or revolving door?
828 wordsRead More - Addiction Essayopinion essayDid you know that in 2009, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 23.5 million people 12 years of age and older needed treatment for an illicit drug or alcohol abuse problem in the United States alone (Caron)? Not to mention the majority of those who needed help were not even able to get it. Addiction is becoming an epidemic that is either looked over or covered up by lavish rehabilitation facilities whose focus is clearly not the treatment of the patient but more on the luxurious center and all of its pricey accommodations. Growing up my family was forced to pay attention to the disease that is addiction. We were forced to see all the ugliness and grief that is addiction’s “baggage.” So, on one hand you see a commercial for the rehab facility “Passages Malibu” that looks more like a millionaire’s resort than a place to get serious help. Then, on the other hand you see the terror and darkness of the actual disease. It can be confusing, especially to someone who isn’t familiar or has just recently been introduced to the idea of addiction. It is time to get real about what addiction truly is and the help that is requires.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is becoming an epidemic that is either looked over or covered up by lavish rehabilitation facilities whose focus is clearly not the treatment of the patient but more on the luxurious center and all of its expensive accommodations.
- Analyzes the commercial for passages malibu rehab facility. the man in the advertisement says he was once an addict and that this "non- 12 step program" saved his life and can save yours too.
- Opines that the treatment, scoring one star according to rehab review, is not up to the standards it should be.
- Opines that the facility is a slap in the face to anyone who has personally dealt with an addiction.
1078 wordsRead More - Opioid Dependence Essayexplanatory essayOne of the largest concerns within our nation is opioid dependence and the rise in abuse rates of medicinal and illicit opioids. Many illicit and medicinal drugs such as Morphine and Heroin, come from the internal secretions of the opium poppy plant (Papaver somniferum) and are highly available and acclaimed for their analgesic and euphoric effects within the general population (Veilleux et al., 2010). Veilleux et al. (2010) concluded that given these properties of opioids there is a dangerously high potential for abuse. Dependence on these drugs can be linked to a variety of aspects within an individual’s life such as health and social problems, which may include increased chances for legal issues, mortality, unemployment, psychotic episodes, and HIV. For these reasons and many others, Opioid addiction is considered a chronic disease with high potential for relapse and needs to be considered as a public health concern.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that opioid dependence and the rise in abuse rates of medicinal and illicit opioids is a public health concern.
- Explains that opioid addicts are not expected to handle this disease on their own. psychologists pair up with afflicted people to create an individual plan which includes pharmacological and psychosocial interventions to help overcome the disease.
- Explains that the prevalence of opioid abuse among people between the ages of 15-64 has remained at 0.4% for the past decade. the new initial illicit opioid user age within the united states is 21.2 years old.
- Explains that even though heroin prevalence is on the decline compared to non-medicinal use of prescription opioids, it is important to note that heroin has triple the potency of morphine.
- Explains that among opioid-dependent individuals, polysubstance abuse is common, as are alcohol, cannabis, stimulants, or sedatives. nearly every opioid addict is a cigarette smoker.
- Explains that 40-80% of treatment seeking opioid dependent individuals have a comorbid psychiatric disorder. post-traumatic stress disorder and antisocial personality disorder are the most common.
- Explains that opioid dependence is a chronic condition with amplified chances of relapsing. opioid addiction is not just harmful for the individual, but also causes an economic burden on the nation.
- Explains that a large portion of opioid dependence is treated using pharmaceuticals. the rest of the paper will address the neurochemical mechanism, pharmacological treatments, and psychosocial treatments for opioid dependent individuals.
904 wordsRead More - Opioids Essayopinion essayOpiates are a class of drugs that are used for chronic pain. Opioids are substances that are used to relieve pain by binding opiate receptors throughout the body, and in the brain. These areas in the brain control pain and also emotions, producing a feeling of excitement or happiness. As the brain gets used to these feelings, and the body builds a tolerance to the opioids, there is a need for more opioids and then the possibility of addiction.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that in order to prevent or get off opioids, an individual has to have full commitment.
- Opines that it is important for individuals to be screened for a health condition before it occurs.
- Opines that once an individual has been identified as an addict, it is important to prevent an addiction.
- Explains that opioids are a class of drugs that are used to relieve pain by binding opiate receptors throughout the body, and in the brain.
825 wordsRead More