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The effects of addiction
The effects of addiction
Problems with drug addiction
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The Disease model stance is that addiction can be managed but is never curable (Lewis, 2014). Furthermore, if an addict continues to abuse their drug of choice, they mental or physical facilities are inhibited and any reason is nonexistent. Overtime, the damage to the brain can become permanent. The function of the neurotransmitters can be destroyed not allowing for them to split from the terminal burton towards the postsynaptic receptors (Capella, 2016). In the video, Portrait of Addiction, the african american women summed up sobriety as not something that she could commit to the rest of her life, but could for that moment. It is important to understand that sobriety is a choice and it is a choice for that moment and a person must
The first chapter is about understanding addicts and alcoholics and how it is a disease that affects a person brain and understanding that addiction is not something that some people can just quit. I It is important to understand that there is more addiction then just stopping and many people still do not believe addiction is a disease when it really is. Addiction affects a person brain by affecting the dopamine neurotransmitters. Some drugs will bind to the dopamine and directly stimulate those receptors. Some drugs will bind to the dopamine but do not stimulate dopamine receptors.
The APA refers to addiction is when a person at first starts to use something for pleasure as they enjoy it but then they start to use it or do it all the time which then interferes with their everyday life responsibilities. To analyse this case study the perspectives being used are social and evolutionary approach to psychology. The issue being analysed are the reasons why Chris may not be able to control himself and the reason why Jess might not want to help him.
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.
Drugs seem to cause surges in dopamine neurotransmitters and other pleasure brain messengers. However, the brain quickly adapts and these circuits desensitize, which allows for withdrawal symptoms to occur (3). Drug addiction works on some of the same neurobiological mechanisms that aid in learning and memories (3). "This new view of dopamine as an aid to learning rather than a pleasure mediator may help explain why many addictive drugs, which unleash massive surges of the neurotransmitter in the brain, can drive continued use without producing pleasure-as when cocaine addicts continue to take hits long after the euphoric effects of the drug have worn off or when smokers smoke after cigarettes become distasteful." (4)
Neil Postman, in his 1985 book “Amusing Ourselves to Death” asserted that Aldous Huxley’s worry, we are becoming a passive and trivial society controlled by what we love, is coming true. Now, more than ever, these fears are becoming reality. Our society’s addiction to drugs and the stigma against the communication of emotions are causing us to fall down the slippery slope that is leading to an oppressive society similar to that of the one depicted Huxley’s Brave New World. ****
No matter the type of addiction, the number of addicts per year increases drastically due to the endless access of addictive resources, and media promoting it. Addiction is a common element in the modern world today which objectifies weak psychological behavior and a poor lifestyle through genetic, environmental and developmental factors. In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley promotes the use of Soma, alcohol, and sex to sooth people of their pain and change their reality of life, which connects to the world today given that addicts rely on something or someone to escape reality.
There is a growing trend that outside of substance use, activities that individuals engage in which they exhibit additive tendencies are now being considered to be addictions rather than the result of poor impulse control. For example, rather than using substances to cope or to achieve pleasurable feelings, individuals are also inclined to indulge in nondrug related self-rewarding behaviors for the same purposes (Karim & Chaudhri, 2012). The correlation between the use of substances and addictive behaviors is the way in which the brain interprets these feelings and how the brain’s reward system is triggered. By engaging in nondrug related activities,
Many addictive substances are consumed widely, with little regulation, meaning they affect millions or even billions of people. Not to mention the destructive effects of substance addiction for individuals. People can lose their relationships, their jobs, and their freedom to an addiction. Addictions often lead to death. Understanding addiction, how it happens, and how it can be treated can save people’s lives. Unlike many other addictive substances, alcohol is relatively inexpensive, with some beers costing about as much as soft drinks. (In comparison, in 2012, the average price of cocaine per gram in 2012 was $185.) Alcohol is also the most widely used psychoactive drug after caffeine, even by people who wouldn’t call themselves drug users
For several years, including today there have been many attempts to decrease drug use, which if it is not treated usually leads to a higher rate of crime, hence, “the war on drugs”. However, there are only small solutions that may get rid of some few problems temporarily rather than a long lasting solution. By creating harsh sentencing towards illegal drug use, it effects society in the long run. Consequences should be held for those accountable, however, a more realistic approach would be having more facilities not necessarily prison, but rehab homes and centers that are set for drug treatment, mental illness and rehabilitation. An issue that presents itself is combining those with these drug affiliated needs population, alongside convicted
The film Requiem for a Dream conveys to its viewers the destruction to an individual’s life if they fall victim to addiction. Sara was placed in a mental hospital, Harry lost his arm, Marion partook in explicit sexual endeavors, ripping her of her morals, and Tyrone was arrested and jailed, where he experienced critical withdrawal symptoms. These are all situations that could have been avoided. It is important for someone to think before they intake any drug even the mildest of forms because, who knows? They may be next to fall victim to
Addiction is the compulsive physical and psychological need for something. That controls peoples live. Having an addiction can invade every part of a person’s life. It may seem as a habit that’s people are used to thus believing that it can be remove easily with out any struggle, yet it’s more complicated. Its difficult for a person to live without what they believe they need. The film concentrates on drug addicts in Atlanta. Mostly junkies were using heroin and crack. There was one woman who took my attention. Judy a 52 year old addicted to crack. Her story touched me and made me realize how deep an addiction can over take a person. An addict will do what ever it takes to satisfy their hunger. It controls them to the point of leaving even the smallest necessities of life. Judy states that ‘’she would have nothing of eat at time in order to feed her addiction a sacrifice she makes” if see it as losing control losing a
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
Did you ever feel like you lost everything you had, and needed to escape? Well you might as well think about the consequences first, and not the pleasure. Drug addiction is influenced by many factors. Not only does the brain change when taking constant doses of a certain drug, but life as you know it changes to. Drugs are misleading; they cause you to think that your life is becoming better, when it is actually becoming worse. “Fooling” is what drugs do best; they fool the brain receptors by sending abnormal messages to it. After all, what good really comes from drugs? When someone starts taking it, it is very hard for them to stop, if not impossible. Nevertheless, if they actually do stop there are many side effects to this, “Persistent vulnerability to relapse long after drug taking has ceased” (Koob & Le Moal, 2001, p. 97-129). They lose total control over their brain and bodies. How lamentable is it watching someone’s life shatter in to pieces right in front of your eyes, and there is nothing you can do about it. How deplorable is it knowing they had a reason for living before this all began, that they wanted to do something before they leave this world. All the drug dosage did was destroy them. Therefore, drug addiction leads to brain damage, depression, and isolation; dreams fall to pieces and life is nothing but a living hell.
One time is all it takes. Just trying one sip, one puff, or one pill can lead to addiction. Addiction is when a person becomes “hooked” on a drug. Addiction lowers one’s ability to make independent choices. It consumes one’s thoughts and actions. Drug use is when one ingests a substance into their system. The substance does not necessarily have to be an illicit drug; for instance, it can be psychoactive drug or an over-the-counter drug. Psychoactive drugs have an impact on the central nervous system and can change consciousness, mood, perception, and thought. The main categories of psychoactive drugs include depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens. Depressants act on GABA receptors to produce calming, sedating effects. Stimulants imitate the effects of epinephrine and increase activity in the central
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.