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Drug Addiction

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The Psychology of Drug Addiction

There is a contradiction within each person who has a drug addiction. The drug is helping and yet destroying the person at the same time. It helps by being a coping mechanism that takes emotional and sometimes physical pain away for the individual. It destroys by causing the individual harm. It affects the brain and the heart and over time can harm the kidneys and liver. It hurts relationships with family and friends. Drug addiction is a form of self-harm that hurts internally more than externally.

Some of the most addictive substances are prescribed by doctors, usually for pain or for sleep. Children are being exposed to powerful stimulants to manage ADHD and this has led to many kids trying other illegal substances when they get too old to take Ritalin or Adderall and the doctor stops prescribing it. According to Psychology Today, “Addiction is 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 continuation of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary responsibilities and concerns, such as work, relationships, or health.” The American Society of Addiction Medicine defines addiction as "a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry. It is characterized by the inability to control behavior, it creates a dysfunctional emotional response, and it

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