Myth Of Addiction Essay

Everyone reaches addiction in a different path, through peer pressure, curiosity, or or they just did it because why not. Doing these drugs release something called dopamine which makes us happy, and is not supposed to release unless we accomplished something, like getting a 100% on this essay. Dopamine is

There is no right answer to “What causes addiction?” Addiction is 50% hereditary. The other half is just bad situation handling. Once a person with a history of addiction in the family is born, they may have the addiction gene. A person with this gene is more at risk than others to become an addict. A person who smoke, or drink, for the first time will experience ‘high’ that will never be experienced again. People become addicted by trying to reach the first ‘high’ they’ve experienced, and it will not happen again.

The SciShow video "The Chemistry of Addiction" was very informative and insightful. There was a lot of information that was new to me. I learned that our brains produce at least 100 different neurotransmitters - chemical messengers that pass signals from to a neuron  or a cell it wants to activate. I've also learned that addictive drugs mess with our dopamine levels and abuse the brain's ability to recognize unnatural highs. After using a drug over a long period of time, our brains will start to lower the amount of neurotransmitters to try to balance the drug's effects. I learned that addictive drugs mess with your brain in two major main ways. They copy your natural neurotransmitter and the other artificially change your levels

Historically, addiction’s definition has mistakenly seemed to include an element of choice; the addict chose to do it to themselves, so if they could just get a hold of themselves, set their mind to it and quit cold turkey, their addiction would suddenly disappear. Studies have shown however, that “addiction is a complex condition, a chronic brain disease that is manifested by compulsive substance use despite harmful consequence” (American Psychiatric Association). The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute defines asthma as a

There are many factors that increase the likelihood of someone becoming addicted. One's genealogy, and environment play very powerful roles in the likelihood of addiction, but the nature and condition of someone's psychological state is the most impactful factor. Someone's psychological state ultimately dictates their behavior and effects their actions. Unfortunately many people who are born with a psychological disorder commonly have predisposed behavioral traits that were created and instilled in them by the psychological effect the disorder has on their personality.

They assume addicts lack moral principles or self-discipline and that they can quit by simply deciding to. The reality is, people who have struggled with substance abuse have often found it extremely difficult to quit due to the physical and/or mental addiction. Drug have the ability to change the brain patterns and cause health complications, making things harder in the long-term and may determine life or death. Fortunately, because of more research, there are more ways to back out of an addiction and seek help through an enduring and extensive treatment. Factors that affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction are environmental and individual factors, including genetics and

Addiction is considered a brain disease that changes the way the brain works, thinks and reacts. Genetics is one way to determine means of addiction through linkage and association. Some effects of drug use can cause permanent damage to the brain and cause abnormalities. Although there is no cure for addiction doctors have came up with many different medications to treat symptoms.

A short definition for addiction is that it is a brain disease that develops over time from initially seeking an enjoyable habit (Leshner, 2016). A long and more scientific definition encompasses the affects addiction has on neurotransmission and interactions within the reward structures of the brain (“Definition of Addiction,” 2011). Addiction is considered a brain disease only when it involves the changing of the brain; otherwise the other addictions are controversial unless confirmed by an addiction professional (Tracy, 2016).

According to Webster's New World Medical Dictionary, 3rd Edition, “Addiction is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain. Addiction is the same irrespective of whether the drug is alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or nicotine. Every addictive substance induces pleasant states or relieves distress. Continue use of addictive substances induces adaptive changes in the brain that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable craving and, all too often, relapse. Dependence is at such a point that stopping is very difficult and causes severe physical and mental damage from withdrawal (WILLIAM C. SHIEL JR., 2008).

There are many factors that are concerned in determining a risk of addictions, for example “genetic, developmental, temperamental, environmental, psycho-economic and cultural factors, and legal context” (Rogers 8). Besides the factors, there are many reasons that make the disease appear. The most basic reason is dissatisfaction with life, it is when something missing in their life. This condition can begin with early childhood. A person is constantly in search of something that could give him/her new

Addictions can be something scary for everyone involved. There are several different types of addictions that are dealt with every day in our society. When someone has an addiction to something it not only affects them, but also anyone around them that could be impacted. There are many different treatments depending on the specific addiction. As well, there are many different causes to various addictions. This is an important topic to understand whether you are the one addicted or someone looking in. There are too many addictions that go untreated because of failure to recognize.

What is a drug addiction? “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use,

Addiction can be characterized as a type of continuous craving that affects someone’s ability to abstain and alter their behavior as they use. “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of

What is addiction? Addiction is anything that can cause you to become dependent on the object of abuse, and is also considered a disease. Addiction is a voluntary behavior that can be broken,

Many people believe that overcoming drug addiction is just a matter of will power, but the truth is drug addictions alters the brain in ways that create powerful cravings and compulsion to use that drug. Drug addiction is a scary thing, and many people believe that once you are addicted, you can never recover because it is a brain disease. Yes, it’s a brain disease, but you can recover.