Alcohol And Drug Addiction : The Greatest Dangers Of A Healthy Society Nationwide

Addiction is a chronic brain disease that often results in some sort of relapse. Addiction is characterized by inability to control drug use which results in problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships. This disease causes compulsive behaviors such as the need to use drugs despite the many harmful consequences that affect the addicted individual and those around him or her. Although for most people, the initial decision to use drugs is a one time lapse in judgement, the brain is easily affected by these drugs if the person decides to use these drugs multiple times. The changes that occur to the brain over time will cause the addicted person’s ability to resist the intense impulses of drugs to be altered causing the addict to often give into the temptation of these drugs. Like other chronic diseases, addiction often involves cycles of relapse and remission. Without treatment or engagement in recovery activities, addiction is progressive and can result in disability or premature death. Drug addiction is an issue that many people deal with whether they are the addict or the addict is their loved one; but with a good source of support anyone can over come the challenges and consequences of addiction.

It is important is know about signs of substance abuse so that you can recognize it easily. The signs of substance abuse come in the form of physical or behavioral symptoms. Drug abuse negatively affects a person's behavior and habits as he or she becomes more dependent on the drug. The drug itself can alter the brain's ability to focus it's thoughts, depending on the substance. Behavioral changes can be noticed in a person's performance throughout the day, when their behavior has changed dramatically in a negative way. Changes in behavior, such as the following, can indicate a problem with drug abuse: Increased aggression or irritability, changes in personality, depression, dramatic changes in

The consequences that follow the use of any drug are unfavorable. Although many individuals may see drug addiction as a mere lifestyle choice, it is a problem that many individuals suffer from and inevitably a growing issue that leaves major social and economic impacts.

Addiction is a disease that causes individuals to be compulsive and seek for substances in order to relieve craving. Addiction is commonly associated with drugs and is a great concern to the well beings of people around the world. The physiological and psychological effects of drug addiction can be deadly. Mood swings, hallucinations, and confusion are common physiology side effects, while psychological effects include inevitable depression, cravings, paranoia, and anxiety. By researching and gathering more data about substance addiction, it could lead to a decrease in the number of deaths associated to drug abuse and find healthier alternatives.

To understand addiction further, it is important to look at how drugs have neurological effects in a human body. Drugs can be ingested in various ways; while some are taken orally, some are smoked (cannabis) while others are injected directly into the blood stream (Heroin). Once in the body, they mainly affect the reward pathway in the brain, known as the dopaminergic pathway, which in turn gives pleasure. Even though all drugs affect the reward and motivation pathways in the brain, their speed depends on the way the drug has been consumed. Over constant use of drugs, the cognitive functions are impaired as the effects become more prominent in learning, memory

addicted persons encounter include, difficulty in holding jobs, maintaining stable marriages, making and keeping friends, obeying laws, and functioning as caring and responsible parents. These difficulties are related to the fact that getting and using drugs leaves little time for other activities.

Addictive substances and behaviors are becoming a growing concern in the United States. Millions of Americans are affected by addiction in some way. While these substances and behaviors are becoming a growing concern, there is always a demand for more efficacious and cost-effective treatment methods. There are many different beliefs and options about how addictions develop, how change occurs, and what treatment methods are best to use in practice. This paper aims to explore my personal theory of addiction in regards to these specific areas of addiction. A biological and social explanation for addiction is examined, various methods and conditions for change are investigated, and an integrated treatment approach of motivational interviewing,

In recent years, there has been increasing concerns about the frequent and excessive misuse of alcohol by adolescents (Jones & Gregory, 2009), and younger adolescents are starting to consume greater amounts of alcohol (Smith & Foxcroft, 2009). This brings up the issue of addiction. Addiction is a condition whereby an individual is both mentally and physically dependent on a substance or activity to the extent of compulsivity and it negatively impacts various aspects of his life. As defined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health (DSM-5), substance use disorder is the problematic pattern of substance use that results in impairment or distress in an individual’s daily life.

Most substances that are used in our society, are used to change our state of consciousness, mood, and our perception. These types of changes are most commonly found in psychoactive drugs. Many psychoactive drugs such as ecstasy and marijuana provide a momentary sense of euphoria which causes many users to crave that state of relaxation and pleasantness. These cravings could easily lead to addiction, because when the substances are used in excess, users create a dependence for the drugs. They are unable to function when they do not use the substance because they have the belief that they will not feel good if the drug is not used. We see this kind of addiction amongst ecstasy users, because ecstasy causes a massive increase of serotonin the day the user use the drug. When serotonin is increased on such a large scale it causes users to be in a

Alcoholism and alcohol addiction has become a national crisis. In the United States approximately 62,000 men died un-necessarily as a result of alcohol abuse in 2014. Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is the fourth leading cause of preventable deaths with approximately 1.1 million men over the age of 18 currently receiving treatment for an AUD. Globally, the burden of alcohol abuse reflected 3.3 million deaths from consumption in 2012 alone. (NIH 2016).

Addiction is defined as “a condition that results when a person ingests a substance (e.g., alcohol, cocaine, nicotine) or engages in an activity (e.g., gambling, sex, shopping) that can be pleasurable but the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life responsibilities, such as work, relationships, or health” (Psychology Today, n.d). Addiction not only affects the individual but also those around them, especially the immediate family.

There is no doubt that our nation is suffering from addiction. Many of those who have developed an addiction may not be aware that it takes a toll on others’ lives as well as their own. Addiction is an illness that affects a lot of people. It doesn’t have a preference of occupation, race, gender or age. Anyone can be affected by addiction. Millions of people are addicted to a wide range of drugs and alcohol. However, there are other different forms of addiction that are outside of the scope of drugs and alcohol. It is true that people can be addicted to anything whether its smartphones, sex, exercise, shopping, food, or gambling. It is vital to know how these addictions can have a negative effect on our nation.

Some of the more common signs of drug addiction in teens include: dramatic changes in behavior, dull, glassy eyes, excessive tiredness, failing in school, lying or stealing, isolation or loss of interest in activities.

Have you ever dealt with the effects of drug addict? A drug is a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, which has a psychological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. The effects of drug use can vary depending on the person. According to “Causes and types of narcotic addiction: A Psychosocial View” in the Psychiatric Quarterly it says, “The causes of drugs stem from the manner of which you were introduced to it whether it be by abnormal curiosity, chance encounters with addicts and narcotic peddlers, or prolonged illness” (Ausubel). The effects of drugs can be have different effects on everyone differently depending if its for pleasure or for relieving pain Most of the effects of drugs occur in the brain, where it increases the level of dopamine at a specific site possibly giving the addict the pleasure they were feigning for (Robbins). As a child I didn’t know much about drugs except for what your parents and teachers at school tell you which is, “Just Say No.”

Drug addiction is a serious illness that can ultimately lead to the breakdown of families, long term psychological issues, and challenges that last a lifetime. People experiment with drugs for various reasons, whether it be for fun or to escape an unpleasant feeling. Some may try drugs the first time out of sheer curiosity, to fit in with friends who are using, or to enhance their performance at some activity. Others may try drugs to help them cope with difficulties in life. Drug addiction is not born with the first use of the drug, instead it stems from repeated use of the drug. Once the user has experienced the feeling of the first high, the onset of addiction begins. It happens in the blink of an eye and without the user noticing that they have become entangled in the cycle of addiction.