Redicts And The Recovery Process: Addiction And Recovery

Drug abuse is a condition that results when a person ingests a substance, such as cocaine, or heroin, that can cause pleasure, but the continued use of which becomes compulsive and will start interfering with everyday life, such as school, work, parenting responsibilities, or relationships. Addicts are not generally aware that their own behavior is out of control and are usually oblivious to the problems that they are causing to themselves and to others. (“What is Addiction?” 2014) The longer the addiction and addictive behaviors persist, the worse the person will become, and the more dependent they will become on the drug. The reason it is so hard for an addict to change their ways is because the brain’s chemistry is altered from addiction. Drug abuse affects the human brain in many ways.

Web. 29 Apr. 2014. Zbozinek, Tomislav D.Rose, Raphael D.Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate B.Sherbourne, CathySullivan, GreerStein, Murray B.Roy-Byrne, Peter P.Craske, Michelle G. "Diagnostic Overlap of Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Major Depressive Disorder in a Primary Care Sample." Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269) 29.12 (2012): 1065-1071.

The rate of death due to prescription drug abuse in the U.S. has escalated 313 percent over the past decade. According to the Congressional Quarterly Transcription’s article "Rep. Joe Pitt Holds a Hearing on Prescription Drug Abuse," opioid prescription drugs were involved in 16,650 overdose-caused deaths in 2010, accounting for more deaths than from overdoses of heroin and cocaine. Prescribed drugs or painkillers sometimes "condemn a patient to lifelong addiction," according to Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This problem not only affects the lives of those who overdose but it affects the communities as well due to the convenience of being able to find these items in drug stores and such. Not to mention the fact that the doctors who prescribe these opioids often tend to misuse them as well.

Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for the treatment of co-occurring depression and substance use: Current evidence and directions for future research. Drug & Alcohol Review, 29(5), 508-517. Ryan, F. (2013). Cognitive therapy for addiction: Motivation and change. Wiley-Blackwell.

Barriers to nurse practitioner practice that impact healthcare redesign. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 19(2), 2. doi:10.3912/OJIN.Vol19No02Man02 Liaw, S. Y., Zhou, W. T., Lau, T. C., Siau, C., & Chan, S. W-C. (2014). An interprofessional communication training using simulation to enhance safe care for a deteriorating patient. Nurse Education Today, 34(2), 259-264. doi:10.1016/j.nedt.2013.02.019 Reeves, S., Perrier, L., Goldman, J., Freeth, D., & Zwarenstein, M. (2013). Interprofessional education: Effects on professional practice and healthcare outcomes (update).

75-104). New York: McGraw Hill. Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2012). History and Etiology Models of Addiction. In D. Capuzzi, Foundations of Addictions Counseling (pp.

It is difficult to relent even if one is ready to do so. Drug abuse has negative influences not only in the lives of mortals, but also in the society. Drug abuse and addiction not only has negative effects in the lives of the people involved, but also in the lives of their close relatives, friends and immediate society. It leads to disintegration, failure in school, loss of employment and violence. Although intake of drugs is a voluntary and conscious decision initially, continuous intake of drugs changes the brain and challenges the self-control of the “addicted person” and inhibits the ability to resist extreme desire for drug intake.

According to annual research conducted between year 1995 to 2005, there have been continuous increasing data reported on the number of methamphetamine users. Statistical analysis showed 35% increment of methamphetamine users from 30% to 65% per 100,000 capitals (Perry, 2009). This outcome alerts the significance of methamphetamine abuse issue in the society and urges the need of treatment intervention. Misuse of a strong stimulant drug like methamphetamine induces serious adverse effects like psychosis, physical consequences and possibly fatalities (Mcketin, et al, 2012). Addiction can be caused by many factors, mainly stress and peer pressure.

Illegal drug use is one of the most common problems that affect Americans every day. Joyce B. Shannon (2010) found that, “More than 35 million individuals used illicit drugs or abused prescription drugs in 2007” (p. 11). The impact can be seen in communities of all types, and people with low and high income levels. Drug use is at the root of many problems with our society. Joyce B. Shannon (2010) referenced a survey from 2004 that states, “32% of state prisoners and 26% of federal prisoners” admitted that they were currently serving jail time for offences committed while they were, “under the influence of drugs” (p. 102).

These individuals suffer simultaneously with the addicted person – but not in the same ways (Jarecki, 2012). Costs to society include largely legal and medical expenses, with regard to drug and alcohol crimes being handled within the legal system, and hospitals handling the harmful bodily effects of drugs and alcohol on their users (Jarecki, n.d.). Costs to the family and friends range from ha... ... middle of paper ... ... and mental health services. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.mentalhealth.gov/get-help/health-insurance/index.html Jarecki, E. (Producer & Director).