Causes Of Drug Addiction

Most people do not completely know the definition of drug use and addiction, or the treatments that can be provided to stop it. The National Institute on Drug Abuse defines addiction as “addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). This definition gives an accurate representation of what addiction is, and how it can be such a serious problem. As given by the definition, addiction is a chronic disease, and when you have an addiction it is extremely difficult to quit. “Drug addiction is a complex disease”. It later goes on to state that “brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a “relapsing” disease.” (National Institute on Drug Abuse). This shows why people

In order to examine this relationship, substance abuse and addiction need to be understood on its own first. Drug addictions contuse to persist on both a national and global level; it is also significant to mention that such issues create a heavy burden on government and justice systems that deal with them. In fact, “9% of Americans meet the diagnostic criteria for a substance abuse disorder (6% for alcohol and 3% for illicit drugs), making it one of the most common chronic diseases in the United States” (Compton & Change 2017). Such prevalence adds pressure to government systems and taxpayers as they are, “estimated to cost Americans more than $400 billion annually: $224 billion for alcohol ($25 billion in health care) and $193 billion for illicit drugs ($11 billion in health care) (Compton and Chang 2017). Now, substance abuse or addiction are considered, “psychiatric illnesses with specific indicators [which include] a strong desire to use (or craving), and [interruption of] life activities [which are] generally reduced to drug-seeking, drug-using, and recovering from the effects of use” (Compton & Chang 2017) When an individual tries an addictive substance like nicotine, alcohol, or other illicit drugs, it activates certain parts of the brain which can induce, pleasurable feelings and, “very strong memories that drive subsequent behaviors to repeat the rewarding experience” (Compton & Change 2017). If such a drive continues to persist it can transition into a habit and create a dependency on that substance. Now, likewise to treatments to depression, those who suffer from substance abuse disorders also have a variety of treatment options. These treatment options include long term and short term residential treatments (inpatient and outpatient), individualized drug counseling, and group counseling (NIDA, n.d). With

“Addiction is a choice not a disease”, is a common phrase that stigmatizes drug addiction in our everyday language. The lack of public knowledge about this social problem causes widespread stigmatization and discrimination of the ill. As a result, many individuals who seriously need professional help feel isolated and hopeless, making it harder for them to recover.

Modern society has failed bring the burgeoning problems of addiction under control. The word “addiction” was applied to drug use in the 20th century, but now it refers to a wider variety of non-drug hobbies, such as eating, gambling and sex. To treat the devastating flood of addiction problems, it is important to understand that addiction is not just a physical problem but more of a social and psychological problem. Dislocation caused by the free market society and the pressure from family can lead to addiction.

The social problem of addiction is quite prevalent in our society. Many individuals from all different ethnic problems have turned to drugs at some point in their life. Substance use disorder can have compelling ramifications on the health of the abuser, their family and even the communities they live in. In 2012, around 23.1 million Americans aged 12 and older needed treatment for substance use (SAMHSA, 2014). The rate of people that have abused substances ranging from alcohol, pills, Marijuana, Heroin and cocaine etc. has escalated greatly over the years.Many teenagers or even adults aren 't aware of the treatment options and/or they don 't have the necessary funding to receive it. This problem can continue to grow and cause a huge strain on the countries economy

People are dying all around due to drug addiction and chemical dependency and unfortunately this is not a new problem. It is an ongoing problem that is escalating with very few results. With nearly one in 10 Americans over the age of 12 classified with substance abuse or dependence, addiction takes an emotional, psychological, and social toll on the country. The economic costs of substance abuse and addiction alone are estimated to exceed a half trillion dollars annually in the United States due to health care expenditures, lost productivity, and crime. “Is addiction a habit or a disease?”(Siegel). The most effective tools target cognitive and motivational processes such as self-determination,

Addictions are all around us, from celebrity tabloids, television shows and possibly an individuals family member or friend. According to Koob, “addiction can be defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder that has been characterized by (i) a compulsion to seek and take drugs, (ii) loss of control over drug intake, and (iii) emergence of a negative emotional state (e.g., dysphoria, anxiety, and irritability) that defines a motivational withdrawal syndrome when access to the drug is prevented” (Koob, 2013). Substance use disorders are among the largest sources of medical disability in the world and also represent a major public health concern globally (Mari, 2013). Substance abuse is associated with topics such as: poverty, low education, crime, social

You only have to turn on your TV, radio or open a newspaper/magazine to be familiar that the structure of our nation is being corrupted and weathered right down to its deepest core by the ever enlarged immoral plague of drug misuse. In this society of ever growing human rights and of an increasing freedom of choice, we are presumed to observe and permit the demolition of our family values and the crime of our righteous and legal ideals. Ideals which are deliberated to function as a guide to all, presenting what is considered to be the dissimilarity between wrong and correct.

When you hear the words drug addict you think of desensitizing terms, like “junkie” or “crack head” and when you see someone panhandling for money on the street, passed out, or swaying in a doorway you likely wonder, “why don’t they just get help?” Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, points out an article about our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, “Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs. According to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.” Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day.

Drug addiction is something many of us don’t encounter every day. Addiction has, plagued every society across the world, and continues to do so today. It has led to the decimation of towns, cities, and countries; yet we know little about what factors influence addiction. In the past it used to be viewed as a very simple almost binary process, that process being, if someone uses drugs they will become addicted. This idea was challenged and many began to believe that there were much deeper factors at play beyond the pharmacological properties of substances. It pushed us to question what aspects of society, culture, or biology leads people to substance abuse. It wanted to further analyze what factors turn some people from occasional recreational

Select three to five research studies which investigate the particular topic above. Write a short summary of each of the studies.

‘Addiction is a mental illness that nearly 22.7 million Americans (eight percent of the population) needed treatment for in 2013’ many people in the world today suffer from addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse).Becoming aware of what addiction is, the effects of it, and how to prevent it will help keep the cycle from occurring.

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.

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All

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.”