The song “Heroin” by The Velvet Underground is, as the title suggests, about shooting up heroin. Because of the lyrics, if a new client sang this particular song to a counselor, one could probably assume that the client had a heroin addiction, but even that would depend on whether the medical, counseling, or positive psychology model was used.
The medical model would evaluate this patient, and look for symptoms. Once a list of symptoms was developed, we would find a diagnosis to fit that list of symptoms. In order to treat the patient, we would need to remove the symptoms (R. Stensrud, lecture, January 24, 2017). Removing the symptoms would be the primary goal under this model. Because of this, the patient may be put into a rehabilitation setting where he or she is on medication to help with withdrawal symptoms. This would take place instead of attempting to figure out why the person was an addict in the first place. Once the patient completes rehabilitation or their
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Stensrud, lecture, January 24, 2017). When using this model, one cannot assume that the heroin addiction or the barriers in the way of overcoming it were the patient’s fault. Within this model, it is also really important that the patient wants to change. If the patient does not want to change, this model does not work. The fact that the patient came to a counselor singing this song says that they may want to change but do not have the means to change their situation. After conversation about where the patient is currently, and where they want to be, a plan will be put into place to define what the patient will need to do differently in order to get past the heroin addiction (R. Stensrud, lecture, January 24, 2017). For example, maybe one of the patient’s barriers is that he or she lives in an area known for high heroin usage. How can we get that patient out of that area so that he or she is not
This model is a great way to access the stage of change a person is in for opioid abuse. It analyzes the factors that are keeping them from progressing through the subsequent stages of change and seeks to improve upon the persons self-efficacy in order to help them to ultimately permanently terminate opioid
The disease model of addiction rests on three primary assumptions predisposition to use a drug, loss of control over use, and progression (Krivanek, 1988, p.202). These physiological alterations cause an undeniable desire to take more drugs (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Addicts are viewed as individuals with an incurable disease with drug addiction as the symptom. The disease model argues users cannot be held accountable for their addictions (Kirvanek, 1988).
Addicts can still pursue normal lives. They can clean their apartment and even have a job. For example, some of the psychiatrist’s patients actually worked jobs while addicted to heroin. Sally states that addicts have time to make other choices and do other things. These addicts could seek out treatment or even quit cold turkey. She has evidence of some of her patients quitting completely. So it is possible for addicts to make other valuable decisions and choices to benefit them and lead them to quitting. However, relapse can occur but during the time they are not using the drug they have a choice to do it or to not do it. Internal and external cues also play a role in use of the desired drug. For example, in the external cues if a person sees something or even hears something it could trigger them into reuse of the drug. Another example, in the internal cues if a person feels stressed or bored that can trigger their reuse as well. There are also factor that can cause the patient to not reuse the drug such as going to jail, disappointing their family, or losing a job. Some of her patients came to a point of self examination and that led them to want to fix their current addiction. The small choices like who to spend time with is crucial during the recovery phase because they could cause relapse. The
This article begins by discussing the differences in the heroin-user demographic between the 1960s and present day. In the 60s, the typical heroin users were males who started using at the age of 16 and came from low-income families. Today, heroin has become a high-society drug and the average addict begins using at the age of 23. The most interesting difference between the heroin addicts of today and those of the 1960s, however, is undoubtedly the fact that heroin addicts of the 60s jumped right into heroin—in other words, there was no “gateway drug” which led them to their addiction. However, in our present society, many heroin addicts are led to heroin through the prescription medications prescribed to them by their doctors.
“Heroin use results in a massive amplification of dopamine activity (Sherman, 2007)”, which produces intense pleasure. It mimic's the brain’s naturally occurring opioid endorphin neurotransmitter. The chances that heroin use will lead to addiction is associated the speed in which heroin promotes dopamine, the intensity of dopamine effects and the reliability that dopamine effects will occur. It has high activity on opioid receptors, which means that there is a very high intensity of pleasure. It also has near perfect reliability for producing pleasure (Sherman, 2007).
THESIS STATEMENT: To investigate Methadone maintenance is found to be more effective in treating heroin addiction than 180 day detoxification. The objective is how methadone maintenance, a widely used but controversial method of weaning heroin addicts off the drug—with counseling has psychosocially enriched 180 day methadone assisted detoxification.
Getting help for drug addiction is often such an intimidating idea that many addicts continue to use rather than expose themselves to the embarrassment or pain that they have associated with reaching out to someone for help. This is in large part due to the fact that television, books and movies have portrayed drug rehab centers in such a negative light that the reality is actually quite incomprehensibly different than these depictions. Millions of people have gotten help for addiction and gone on to lead productive and fulfilling lives free from the bonds of substance abuse. However, there are plenty still who delayed treatment for one reason or another and suffered severe consequences by doing so. Because addiction is a progressive and
Almost half of those who suffer from heroin addiction began initially by using prescription painkillers. 75% of users state that they tried heroin because of its low cost and great availability.
There are a variety of treatment modalities, both conservative and emerging, that clinicians, therapists, and doctors use to treat heroin and opioid dependence. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), motivational interviewing (MI), 12 step programs, and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) are just a few that have been used in the past, and even today, in the treatment of substance dependence. Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is yet another form of therapy; particularly for opioid and heroin dependence, that has been around for decades. However, it has recently begun to spark interest and controversy in light of the growing epidemic.
Heroin has been a quiet crisis on the rise over the last few decades, wreaking havoc on communities and families. Hesitance to talk about the heroin crisis makes it difficult to fight the growing trend of abuse. According to the National Household Survey on Drug Use and Health, the increase of heroin abuse has risen 80 percent since 2002 (Jones). The medical effects of addicts abusing their bodies and neglecting their health are a variety of medical conditions. A short term abuser may experience depressed respiration, distorted mental functioning, nausea and vomiting (Volkow). The long term effects of heroin abuse can be addiction, infectious disease as in HIV, hepatitis B and C, collapsed veins, bacterial infections, abscesses and infection of the heart
Heroin, a powerful narcotic, acts upon the brain as a painkiller, increasing physical addiction and ongoing emotional dependence (Schaffer Library of…). Heroin has many challenging and highly risky effects on the user, all the more hazardous if overdosing is present. This extremely dangerous drug, heroin, will never cease being used, but may cease the existence of an individual.
This paper is intended to educate those who almost nothing about heroin and those who use it. Many people have been associated with friends or families who have used some kind of drug. There are many people who have not had any contact with heroin users or if they have, don’t understand much about it. Using various sources about heroin to explain where it came from, how it is used, who uses it and how a person starts on the path towards heroin, preventing addiction, and global issues surrounding this drug. Although the topic of heroin is inexhaustible, it is my hope to spark reader’s curiosity. Knowledge of this drug might just help the reader join in on discussions about heroin.
Although, there are many efforts to reduce the stigma of addiction, false concepts among individuals still persist. Many individuals may describe drug addicts as “people who are morally weak and cannot control their impulses”, or simply just “people who cannot get their life together”. Such misconceptions suggesting that
Drug addiction is a complex problem in society today. Addiction is a condition that extremely affects the person’s mind and body. Addiction also has wide sweeping effects on that person’s social connection and functioning. Unfortunately, many addicts don’t realize the social influence of their addiction until much of their functioning has greatly deteriorated.
So the treatment should have focus not only on the person’s physical and mental health but also focus on person’s all related issues. If the addicted person completed the whole treatment, then the chances of relapse decreases, but if the person leave the treatment in between then there are chances of relapse increases. So the determination of the person to quit the addiction is most important in the treatment of drug addiction.