Substance Abuse and Addiction
explanatory Essay
1946 words
Introduction
Substance abuse and addiction have become a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends. Just one example reveals the extent of the problem: in the United States each year, more women and men die of smoking related lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined (Kola & Kruszynski, 2010). In addition to the personal impact of so much illness and early death, there are dire social costs: huge expenses for medical and social services; millions of hours lost in the workplace; elevated rates of crime associated with illicit drugs; and scores of children who are damaged by their parents’ substance abuse behavior (Lee, 2010). This paper will look at the different theories used in understanding drug abuse and addiction as well as how it can be prevented and treated.
Theories (models) in understanding substance abuse and addiction: older versus newer
Any comprehensive theory (model) of substance abuse has to answer several difficult questions: What environmental and social factors in an individual’s life cause them to start abusing a drug? What factors cause them to continue? What physiological mechanisms make a drug rewarding? What is addiction, behaviorally and physiologically, and why is it so hard to quit? These questions can be answered in the major theories (models) that are described below using an integrative approach that addresses the problem of substance abuse and addiction as an urgent but elusive goal (Kauffman & Poulin, 1996).
The moral model: The earliest approach to explaining substance abuse was to simply blame the drug abuser for a lack of moral character or a lack of self-control. Explanations of this sort often had...
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...lcohol policy, looking back and moving forward.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that substance abuse and addiction are a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends.
- Explains that not all individuals who use an addictive drug become addicted. biological factors, such as sex, and genetic predisposition, are responsible for this differential susceptibility.
- Opines that the development of effective treatment programs is a pressing concern given the health and social costs of substance abuse and addiction.
- Describes tian, mao, wang, li, zhou, q, cao j, & xu l.
- Explains the major theories of substance abuse and addiction using an integrative approach that addresses the problem as an urgent but elusive goal.
- Explains that environmental stimuli can rapidly become strongly associated with the subjective effects of substance abuse and addiction.
Related
- analytical
- explanatory
- argumentative
- comparative
- opinionated
- Drug Abuse and The Theories Behind Addictionanalytical essayThe multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, that lead to a disposition to using drugs, drug use and the social and individual consequences. Why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, some learn it from their environment (i.e. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case history describes a client that had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent dependence.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate.
- Explains that the client was a victim of child abuse, which led to feelings of fear and sadness, and the pressure of keeping up appearances due to her mother's status in society.
- Explains that after long-term use the consequences were unpleasant. she neglected her children and couldn't maintain a romantic relationship. her excessive drinking embarrassed her family.
- Explains that addiction theories are based in the biopsychosocial approach to addiction. psychological theories include cognitive-behavioral theories, learning theory, psychodynamic theories and personality theories.
- Explains that cognitive-behavioral theories propose several reasons for drug use, such as the desire for variety, pleasure, and avoidance. the client's case history shows a strong link between traumatic events and resulting substance use.
- Explains that psychodynamic theories associate alcoholism with ego deficiencies, assuming that alcohol provided a sense of security that was missing in their childhood due to poor parenting and weak attachments.
- Argues that personality traits predispose a person to alcohol use, although there is little evidence that this is the case. however, personality factors, such as impulsive behavior, nonconformist views, deviant and anti-social behavior and stress, can contribute to addiction.
- Explains that genetic theories assume that addicts are predisposed due to genetic factors based on adoption studies, history of alcoholism in a family, and twin studies.
- Argues that sociocultural theories attribute environmental factors as the cause of alcohol use and abuse, but culture-specific theories and subculture theories do not apply to this client.
- Illustrates the model of drug abuse and the theories behind addiction are varied. there is no concrete reason for one person who drinks to become alcohol dependent versus the one who does not.
955 wordsRead More - Drug Abuseexplanatory essayDrug abuse dates as far back as the Biblical era, so it is not a new phenomenon. “The emotional and social damage and the devastation linked to drugs and their use is immeasurable.” The ripple of subversive and detrimental consequences from alcoholism, drug addictions, and addictive behavior is appalling. Among the long list of effects is lost productivity, anxiety, depression, increased crime rate, probable incarceration, frequent illness, and premature death. The limitless consequences include the destruction to personal development, relationships, and families (Henderson 1-2). “Understandably, Americans consider drug abuse to be one of the most serious problems” in the fabric of society. And although “addiction is the result of voluntary drug use, addiction is no longer voluntary behavior, it’s uncontrollable behavior,” says Alan Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (Torr 12-13).
In this essay, the author
- Explains that drug abuse dates back to the biblical era, so it is not a new phenomenon. the ripple of subversive and detrimental consequences from alcoholism, drug addictions, and addictive behavior is appalling.
- Explains addiction is a progressive, chronic, and ultimately fatal disease. long-term addictions can lead to death through overdose, aids, suicide, or an accident.
- Explains that drug experimentation can stem from curiosity, peer pressure and influence, or because of the environment people live in. the police recently arrested 54 individuals from the east side.
- Explains the social use stage, where most individuals tend to stop or control their use. people will occasionally use drugs to "cut loose", party, and have a good time.
- Opines that drug abuse starts as a tolerance to substances builds and the social group changes from friends to primarily drug users and abusers.
- Explains that addiction is the result of drugs changing your brain in fundamental ways.
- Explains that when a person believes that they need drugs to survive, they are psychologically addicted, or dependent. they only feel right when they're high on drugs.
- Explains that physical addiction is a result of the psychological. people who are addicted will suffer withdrawal symptoms if they become abstinent from the drug.
- Explains that our bodies have a system of checks and balances that keep us from being too happy, toosad, or stressed out--too anything.
- Explains that genetically driven individuals' dopamine systems are not up to par. they are more susceptible to addiction because it is in their genetic makeup. repeated use of drugs causes the shutdown of some of these receptors.
- Explains that addiction is a progressive, chronic, and often fatal disease that takes control of life away from people. ten percent of eighth graders use marijuana at least once per month.
- Cites annon, virginia, "junior drug awareness." nature magazine, may-june 2012. national drug strategy network.
1263 wordsRead More - Burn the Fuse of Drug Abuseexplanatory essayDrug 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.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that drug abuse is a complex disease that requires more than will power or mere good intentions to change. it is difficult to relent even if one is ready.
- Explains that drug abuse and addiction leads to disintegration, failure in school, loss of employment, and violence.
- Explains that drug abuse is a situation where one takes unprescribed drugs due to depression, illness or fear of the unknown, which could lead to stigmatization, ashamed or isolated.
- Explains that the combination of medical treatments and behavioral therapy can reduce the emergence of drug addiction or abuse. these treatments are specific to each patient and deal with their social and psychiatric problems until full recovery is achieved.
- Proposes a paper that focuses on the medical culture that has led to drug abuse and addiction in recent times: the traditional medicine versus modernized health care.
- Explains the psychological effects of drug abuse and addiction, which is a widely known fact to most people involved in crime today.
- Explains that although drug addiction is a conscious act, drug abuse most of the time doesn't begin consciously. an article from the department of anthropology at the university of hawaii evaluates the social and cultural effects of drugs when taken by individuals.
- Explains that drug abuse isn't a last resort and through constant effort one can reduce this habit until it's finally lost. social support promotes the well-being and helps bring the victim to normal state.
- Cites etkin l. nina, jason a. leonard, davis i. margret, olson d. bradley, and ferrari r. joseph.
- Cites mccabe, boyd, murray, prom, ramirez, sandi, obando, karenkeris, and kliewer.
668 wordsRead More - Allostency Theory Of Drug Abuseargumentative essayThe effects of drug usage in this society as a whole cannot be overestimated. It has become a canker worm eating deep into the foundation of society. Many theories and solutions have been propounded to tackle drug usage. Drugs come in various forms. You have your gateway substances such as marijuana and alcohol, which are common among the majority, are considered “harmless” then you have your “harmful” frowned upon substances like cocaine and “meth” that are notoriously known for damages on the brain functionality. Two of those such theories that attempt to describe drug dependency and usage are the allostasis and incentive sensitization theory.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the effects of drug usage in society as a whole cannot be overestimated. many theories and solutions have been propounded to tackle drug use.
- Explains the use of amphetamines in prescription medications like adderall and ritalin to illegally manufacture drugs like crystal meth.
- Explains that marijuana is the most widely used illicit drug in the united states with more than 14 million currently using.
- Explains the societal upheavals in terms of destructions that substance abuse causes are numerous. drugs contain chemicals that dive into the brain system to alter and disrupt the way brain cells naturally function.
- Analyzes erickson's textbook, "the science of addiction: from neurobiology to treatment", which explores the possibility of how the nerve cell or neuron can be mimicked by a chemical drug
- Concludes that the allostasis theory focuses on impulse control and compulsive disorders and addresses how it links to drug dependency and usage.
- Analyzes how the incentive sensitization theory from logical perspective best explains the overall dependency on drugs in society.
- Explains that the incentive sensitization theory provides evidence that a major reorganization of brain reward systems is possible, in that people can develop chemical dependence with exposure to the drug.
- Concludes that the study of chemical dependence in association with anatomy and neurobiology helps us better understand the concept of drug usage and create meaningful ways to tackle the disease.
924 wordsRead More - Summary Of Addiction: Choice Or Compulsion?comparative essayDrug users rationalize that they would be unhappier if they were kept from addictive substance, therefore they increase drug use. Increased drug consumption displays what is labeled as addiction in this theory. A situation is created where high drug use becomes a daily problem. Harmful addictions have two properties: reduced welfare and increased need for the good (Henden, Melberg, & Rogeberg,
In this essay, the author
- Explains the theories and models of addictive behavior in the article "addiction: choice or compulsion".
- Compares compulsive behavior to compelled behavior, where the person is under the influence that they are behaving some way under their own accord.
- Explains the theory of rational addiction, which states that addictive behaviors come from the specific rewards that arise now and in the future.
- Explains that economic models have far too many views and variables. addictive behavior is cycling, and the behavior by the addict can be explained by rising, falling, cyclic and chaotic according to non-economists.
- Explains that compulsion involves goal-oriented behavior caused by an external source. the combination of self-control and will power makes it difficult to handle the simplest cases of compulsive acts.
- Explains that compulsive behavior is torn between voluntary acts and the unconscious acts of the brain.
- Describes henden, melberg, and rogeberg in frontiers in psychiatry.
536 wordsRead More - Theories Of Substance Abuseopinionated essayWhen I think about the different reasons why people abuse substances I do not automatically believe that one etiological theory is better than another. Over the years addiction has been understood in various ways – “a sin, a disease, a bad habit – each a reflection of a variety of social, cultural, and scientific conceptions” (Hammer, Dingel, Ostergren, Nowakowski & Koenig, 2012). Each etiological theory presented in our textbook has compelling points that I believe can be mixed with other theories’ points to form a better understanding of why some people become addicted to substances while others do not. As for myself, I believe that it depends on each unique individual as to why they abuse substances.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that addiction is a reflection of various social, cultural, and scientific conceptions.
- Opines that addiction is tied to sin, stating that the bible states in matthew 26:41b that "the flesh is weak", and that there are different reasons as to why one abuses substances.
- Explains the disease theory, the behavioral theories, and the sociocultural theories, which each bring a unique perspective on why people abuse substances.
- Opines that the best way to describe a theory of addiction is through integration. they believe addictions take many forms and cannot be understood by only one theory.
- Opines that it takes a thorough understanding of someone to even start figuring out ‘why’ addiction is present in their life.
675 wordsRead More - addictions paperexplanatory essayAccording to Beresford (2007) there are a multiple lens’ in viewing the idea of addiction. The medical model is used to view the phenomena as a disease. Other models, such as moral choice, habit and reinforcement, or learned behavior are also theories used to view addiction. Lastly, Beresford (2007) states the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, outlines the phenomena common to all addictive disorders. Given these ideas of how to view addiction, these theories will inform our beliefs about a person living with an addiction. For myself in order to assert how I view a person experiencing addiction, I must interrogate my social, cultural and historical context. According to Mckinnon (2013,p.p.a) kn...
In this essay, the author
- Opines that social workers need to be aware of addictions and the problems associated with substance abuse. self-reflection is the first step in developing a style that can be resourceful to people suffering from addiction issues directly and indirectly.
- Explains beresford's view of addiction as a disease, moral choice, habit and reinforcement, or learned behavior, and the american psychiatric association’s diagnostic and statistical manual.
- Explains that being a first nations man, they have experienced hardship due to colonization and most of their aboriginal family members experienced assimilation through residential schools and the sixties scoop.
- Explains that social work has made them a dynamic practitioner who can guide their practice based on their values and beliefs, but also look through multiple lenses and allow others to practice their belief systems.
- Opines that the experience of meeting people where they were at developed their sense of harm reduction and their view of someone living with addiction.
- Explains that an addiction is a mixture of learned behaviour and addiction as coping mechanism to cope with hardship due to an experience usually in their upbringing.
- Explains that addiction is associated with a traumatic event, maltreat, physical, sexually, emotionally, and spiritual underpinnings. the twelve-step program was instrumental for them in becoming sober.
- Explains that gabor mate encompasses a multilayer of underpinnings of addiction, and that spiritual development is an essential requirement in recovery.
- Explains that the only way to effectively work with people experiencing addiction is initiating a harm reduction approach because this is the point of entry into abstinence.
- Explains that narrative therapy fits their approach because it builds a relationship and meets people where their at by telling their story.
- Explains that they believe in this approach because they have experienced it themselves and felt worthy of something better than addiction. they were presented with the opportunity to listen to someone's story and help them reframe it in a positive outlook.
- Explains that social work is beneficial to the field of addictions because it's a profession that has flexibility to reach all social problems.
- Opines that it is important to work on achieving health, positive change and growth in each aspect for balance and wholeness.
- Explains that social work is comparable to this philosophy because we strive to develop a comprehensive and whole picture of the person opposed to viewing an individual in one aspect.
- Opines that identifying who we are and where we stand will develop our awareness of how we affect the aim of our services.
2222 wordsRead More - Harm Reductionopinionated essay“There is no one prevention or treatment approach that works reliably for everyone. It is choice and prompt access to a broad range of interventions that help to keep people alive and safe, and promote health.” (A Harm Reduction Approach 5) Priority of Immediate Goals understands the readiness to change as key to the process of individuals regaining a healthy life again. “Harm reduction starts with “where the person is” with their drug use, with the immediate focus on the most pressing needs.” (A Harm Reduction Approach 5) This is based on the importance of incremental benefits that can be produced over time. Drug User Involvement acknowledgement that drug use and abuse requires recognition of the drug as well as the set and the setting. Recognition that not one prevention or treatment approach is effective for everyone. Rejection of a society disease model of addiction rather than a mechanistic approach to addiction, one which overemphasis the pharmacological effects on
In this essay, the author
- Elaborates on social justice and polices implicated for a harm reduction approach in dealing with illegal drugs in the us.
- Describes harm reduction as policies and programs which attempt to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of mood altering substances to individual drug users, their families and communities, without requiring decreases in drug use.
- Explains the six principles of harm reduction: human rights, focus on harm, pragmatism, and maximizing intervention options.
- Opines that there is no one prevention or treatment approach that works reliably for everyone. priority of immediate goals recognizes the readiness to change as key to individuals regaining a healthy life again.
- Explains that cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant that directly affects the brain. when it comes to injected drugs, people tend to use dirty needles.
- Explains that hiv edmonton was founded out of desperation by michael phair and a group of close friends as edmonton braced for its own aids outbreak.
- Explains that there has been resistance to a harm reduction approach in the united states for two reasons.
- Explains how harm reduction engages users where they are to provide health, social, mental services. there are serval examples of applications of this approach for legal recreational drugs.
- Opines that hiv edmonton provides support to individuals by maintaining a needle exchange site, promoting safer needle use practices, and working with people who use drugs to increase their skills and abilities to include harm reduction strategies.
- Concludes that the harm reduction approach is beyond just a good idea, but very affected for certain policies. hiv edmonton has just started and has done so much so far.
1440 wordsRead More - How Does Addiction Affect The Bodyexplanatory essayWhen a person's addiction takes control of the brain functions, it’s the inability to refrain from drugs of choice. “ Understanding addictions, the physical make-up are interpersonal issues of cravings, impaired behaviors acting out, destructive relationships, with dysfunctional emotional responses to their environment” (Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 2012). Acknowledging the fact that drugs represent a major threat to the lifespan of a person being, psychosocial, biological, and family health is imperative to understand the dynamics of it. Addictions negative effects consume the body and the mind contributing to problems with behaviors, that affect not just the abuser, but extended family members as well.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that addiction is the inability to refrain from drugs of choice. it's a major threat to the lifespan of the person being, psychosocial, biological, and family health.
- Explains that process addiction and chemical addiction have effects on people by what society labels as the "drugs of choice". process drugs affect people's characteristics and behavior, increasing the need to overcompensate in the areas of shopping, gambling, and eating disorders.
271 wordsRead More - The Causes of Substance Abuseopinionated essaySubstance abuse is an issue that has disseminated in the society and is often regarded as the relic of a thoughtless materialism. A false belief regarding addicted individuals seems to be ingrained in the minds of the majority of the population (Sadava, 1987). This belief is very often accompanied by appalling mental images of addicts and a highly judgmental attitude (Sadava, 1987). As a result, the causes of addiction are still wrapped in obscurity. This paper aims to outline the most basic reasons that lead to substance abuse and dependency, from the early developmental stage until late adolescence.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the same structure and process phenomena is likely to be true of the family of origin.
- Cites al-kandari, yacoub, & omu, f. (2001). initiation factors for substance abuse.
- Describes berglas, s., & jones, e.
- Describes brook, j. s., de la rosa, m. whiteman, e. johnson, and montoya, i.
- Cites compton, w. m, cottler, l. b., ridenour, t, ben-abdallah, a, and spitznagel, e.
- Analyzes doba, nandrino, dodin, and antoine's family profile of addictive behavior.
- Opines that dow, s. j., and kelly, f. (2013). listening to youth: adolescents’ reasons for substance use.
- Describes harrier, lambert, and ramos' indicators of adolescent drug users.
- Explains kassin, fein, & markus, h. r. (2011). social psychology.
- Cites kreek, nielsen, butelman, e. r., & laforge, k.
- Cites quinlivan, j. a., and evans, s. f. on the impact of domestic violence and drug abuse in the united states.
- Describes sihvola, e., rose, r. j, dick, d.
- Cites zimi, j., & juki. familial risk factors favoring drug addiction onset.
- Outlines the basic reasons that lead to substance abuse and dependency, from the early developmental stage until late adolescence.
- Concludes that the pre-natal stage is a crucial determinant for the later development of the personality, and deviant behavior and education are also highly significant.
2377 wordsRead More