Letter To Dan's Letter: Addicted To Drug

From beginning to end, Benoit Denizet-Lewis makes this apparent in his tales about the eight addicts, and even in his own experiences with addiction. The book has the potential to change the way the public thinks about the issue of addiction in America. At the end of the book, I learned about who had succeeded or relapsed. In a statement I wholeheartedly agree with, "Where are the millions of addicts in this country who are sober and have turned around their lives? They need to be on the front lines of this war," Denizet-Lewis mentions, encouraging other recovering addicts to join and make both a political and public stand on the awareness of

I strongly request with all that I have that you please read this letter, and reflect on what is stated inside, for it is deeply and truly important to me. Drug abuse has become a large problem in our community, and it truly saddens me that so many lives, younger and older, are being wasted. Think of how many possible and actual world-changing people have fallen prey to addictions or overdose. How much of a better place would this Earth be with them here? Be warned, however, for I am not blaming the user of the drugs for his or her addiction. More than likely, it started off innocently, and the drugs pulled the person into the deep, downward spiral that is addiction. So I would instruct you not to blame the addict or user, but rather the

David Sheff’s purpose is to illustrate what it is like to live the life of a parent who is not only taking care of is addicted son but who has to learn to take care of himself and the rest of his

I find my seat in aisle B, on the plane heading away from you. The cabin is hot and sweaty and crowded, and I suddenly feel claustrophobic, as if the white walls have closed around me like a coffin. I sink down into my narrow chair and gaze out the oblong plane window. Goodbye New York, city of dreams; it’s back to Leith, city of cruel realities, for me. Alone, but what did I expect? That you’d come with me, back to that shitehole? Nae, but when I’m here in this city with you I’m driven to the sick delusion of a junky: that I could stay in this high with you forever. I’m itching for a fag, or something stronger, to ease my parting sorrows, but we havenae even reached altitude, and there’s these sign’s on the cabin walls which loudly and accusatorily remind me of my promises. “No smoking” they seem to plead in your voice. It’ll be a long flight if I keep hearing your voice in my head. These are the effects of withdrawal after a long, sweet hit of you. Worse than the purest smack, you are for me, and I had only replaced drug addiction with my addiction to you.

Culminating this final paper has been an honor and a privilege for me due to the plethora of trials and tribulations encountered during this journey that led me to this incredulous moment. To begin with, a remark that I am not the same person that I was previous to my internship at the DAC (Reading Hospital Drug and Alcohol Center) would seemingly be an understatement. In light of the fundamental role in helping those in our community who suffer from a Substance Use Disorder, I have been honored to work with such an amazing and caring group of people. Ultimately, the internship experience has enabled me to grow as a person by increasing my awareness of myself, others the profession of providing care for individuals with Substance Use Disorders,

While Dan clearly recognizes the need for change, and has drawn connections between his drug use and consequences, motivational interviewing strategies would help elicit change by highlighting ambivalence (Van Wormer & Davis, 2018). Due to Dan’s education and intellect, this approach provides the ability for him to be actively involved in his own change process and personally work through his own resistive barriers.

This writer commends the patient for developing different alternative to address her opioid use. Nevertheless, the patient shared with this writer that after she left her counseling session with this writer, she felt good about it because now, she is able to open up and not feel judged by this writer. In addition, the patient expressed she is able to be herself and received positive feedback from this writer. This writer thanks the patient for her feedback. The patient then says, " You going to make difference here. I am always hearing good things about you.....No other counselor could ever make me go to group....No matter what......since I've been assigned to you, I always feel good....I can stay here for hours and just talk. You listen to me and give me feedback...I like that." Again, this writer thanks the patient for the feedback.

Drug addictions have been around just as long as humans have. Dating back to over 3,000 years ago with the ancient Egyptians as it is documented in history books talking about their addictions to opium, and in the 1600s, with the smoke-able version of opium being distributed to enslaved Chinese, Japanese workers (Butler, Shier, and David 380). A drug addiction is defined by The New England Journal of Medicine as “a chronic, relapsing disorder in which compulsive drug-seeking and drug-taking behavior persists despite serious negative consequences. Addictive substances induce pleasant states or relieve distress. Continued use induces adaptive changes in the central nervous system that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, sensitization,

This video opened my eyes to the fact that addiction is a common issue that affects too many Americans. In the video, it said that the prognosis of addiction is worse than the prognosis of cancer.

It might feel strange to open up to someone about your personal struggles with addiction, but it becomes much easier to do so when you realize that our treatment professionals will

Chapter two describes how addiction is a brain disease and explains how drugs and alcohol change the way the brain works. Based on what I read, people with addiction basically play mind games to themselves. Most of the time is it all in their head. The way the brain structure works is the first time someone consumes drugs or alcohol and get “high”, the quantity of chemical they consume surpasses the altitude of neurotransmitters in the body. The quantity of the neurotransmitters may contaminate higher than they do even when eating, which may last longer. The “Go” system collects that experience, which is kept in the hippocampus and amygdala. When someone initially gets intoxicated or high, both consumptions deluge the brain with dopamine with an illustrated memory of the pleasant event and response. Which makes the individual look forward to implementing the experience again.

During the past few weeks my perspective has evolved and I have come to accept that addiction is a disease and must be treated like one. I have gained a lot of valuable knowledge and respect towards those fighting addiction. Hopefully, I will be able to help them through their tough journey that lies ahead. I am immensely happy to have been a part of this class.

In “My Addicted Son” David Sheff describes how everything is fun and games, until someone falls and can’t get up. Sheff proves this by illustrating the mournful but heartfelt journey that his son and the whole family had been dragged through during addiction. Drugs leave a taste and feeling behind that makes users crave more, Sheff recounts. While on the roller coaster with addiction, the mind gets clouded and the user feels as if no one is there to help them through the protracted recovery fully, except the drug itself.Sheff describes how easy it is to get addicted to drugs, but one drug particularly is addictive and had his son under its trap. “It all seemed so positive and harmless, until it wasn’t.” (pg. 346) Nick had written this in his

Substance abuse, or the overuse (or misuse) of medications, alcohol, and illegal drugs, can have a serious impact on a person. However, it is not just the person who is addicted or abusing substances who struggles. Families, communities, and societies are all impacted by the substance abuse that has become so rampant today. In order to understand the concepts behind this, and what counselors do in an effort to help substance abusers and their families and communities, it is important to understand addiction and what it really means for the person who is addicted.

Many types of drugs that effect the body biologically and physically, can be abused through addiction. Addiction can start though someone else introducing it to you and showing what is does for them or peer pressure can cause teens to feel the need that since everyone else is trying this drug that they wouldn’t become addicted like them. Addiction can range from simply drinking coffee to inserting injection of heroin into your bloodstream. Addiction is a serious topic that is involved with human nature all over the world which can damage a person and their health. During the 1970’s, the drug usage in North America started to increase, “The proportion who said there is great risk in regular marijuana use rose from 35% in 1978 to 79% and 99