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.
Addiction is a “chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences.” The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most individuals, but frequent drug use can lead to brain alterations that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain alterations can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease. People in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased threat for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug. It's common for an individual to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be constant and should be adjusted based on how the patient answers. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing desires.
Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by frequent drug abuse can impair a person's self-discipline and ability to make sound judgements, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take drugs. It is because of these alterations in the brain that it is so puzzling for a person to stop abusing drugs. Luckily, there are treatments that help people to neutralize addiction's powerful disruptive effects and regain control of their lives. Study shows that combining addiction treatment medications, when suitable, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are custom-made to each patient's drug abuse patterns and any concurrent medical, psychiatric, and social problems can help achieve sustained recovery and a life without drugs. The alcohol abuse definition is similar
Meet Aaron Short. A 26 year old average male who lives with his beloved mother, father and little sister in Hoppers Crossing. Young and in love. Making plans for the future. As perfect as this life sounds, Aaron’s happiness is not so clear cut. In August 2015, Aaron experienced a tragic relapse in his addiction to heroin. It was this drug that took Aaron’s life in a fatal overdose later that month. What is even more heartbreaking is that Aaron is not alone. Aaron joins thousands of other Melbournians who are stuck in hopeless drug addictions, with limited resources available to save their lives. So what can be done even begin to tackle such a problematic and sensitive issue? It starts with a trial. A trial for a supervised drug injecting room in Melbourne. As concerning as this may sound, if we want to save the lives of helpless victims, reduce criminal activity and protect our community, we must keep an open mind and unite as a community to urge the government to introduce a trial.
Medication and effective behavioural therapy work together as a great formula to speed up drug rehab doctoring. These are two important elements of a therapeutic process which often start with detoxification followed by intensive treatment and relapse deterrence. Warding off withdrawal symptoms in drug rehab doctoring is critical to begin the formal treatment procedure, whereas deterring relapse is vital to maintain its effects. Also, like other chronic health conditions, relapse episodes might require one to go back to previous treatment constituents.
So many people condemn their doctors for medication addictions, according to Dr. Sanjay Gupta on CNN, “Most of the blame, however, belongs on the shoulders of the American doctors themselves,” but is there others who are at fault? Doctors aren't the only ones who should be blamed for prescription drug abuse or addictions. Doctors are supposed to help people, but they are put into quandary about choosing who they help, because they are uncertain whether their patient is a drug addict. Some addicts will go far enough to fuel an addiction by dissimulating that they have chronic pain, and doctors wouldn’t be capable of determining if a patient is truly having internal pain, therefore the doctor would chiefly give the benefit of the doubt and would prescribe them to a medication. Also, patients should be au fait with medication, instead of just taking it and accusing doctors for a possible outcome of them abusing or becoming addicted to medicine.
Drug addiction is a complex disease, even when the person is ready to quit, it may not be possible for it to happen. To fully comprehend drug addiction
In order to discuss the treatments for addiction and the failings thereof, we need to start by defining what addiction is. Once we’ve done so then we will discuss the different treatments available. Only after all this will we discuss the failings of the programs. While a major part of this paper is based on the cited works, some part of it is based on personal experience. I have struggled with addiction in the past, thankfully I’ve been clean for 15 plus years. Some very close friends have also struggled with addiction and sadly some have died because of it. I work as a Paramedic and see the results of addiction very regularly. The United States, and a lot of other countries, is in the midst of the worst Heroin and Prescription Drug abuse epidemic ever.
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
Addiction is a term that has traditionally been used to refer to psychiatric syndrome that is caused by illicit drug use. Actually, addition is the only psychiatric condition whose symptoms are regarded as an illegal activity. In most cases, this term is described on the basis of drug use, which is the main focus of many research and treatment programs. Generally, drug addiction has significant negative effects on individuals using the drug and those around them such as family and friends. Family and friends are usually forced to watch their loved ones wilt away in illicit drug use. While addiction has traditionally been regarded as a psychiatric condition, there are numerous debates that have emerged on
It is often hard for the general population to understand what it takes to be a drug addict, or how an individual chooses to undergo such a lifestyle. However, addiction is similar to many other diseases that can occur in the human body. Addiction usually is not a choice, but a disease that takes over an individual’s sense of control. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her”
Drug use is a common issue that is occurring all around the world today. Drug addiction is also called substance use disorder. It is a disease that changes a person's brain, actions, and self control by making them incapable of not using the legal or illegal drug or medication they have become addicted to over time. Alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are also considered drugs. Whenever an individual is addicted, they may continue their drug usage regardless of its consequences. Addiction is a long term disease. For most individuals, the initial decision to use drugs is optional. Individuals in recovery from drug use disorders risk returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug. Many individuals may need help from their doctor,
As a matter of fact, addiction is a much more complex disease to manage and possibly treat; quitting drug addiction takes the goodwill and intentions and more so a strong will. Lawrence and Melinda Smith’s article, “Drug Abuse and Addiction,” defines drug addiction as a chronic condition which usually results into relapse of the brain which can eventually lead to both compulsive drug seeking and use. The brain changes lead an addict to a lack of self-control and hamper his ability to resist drug use. This is in line with the consequences of drug use (Barker, 2008).
Though the treatments for drug addiction is complicated one, it is curable. The treatment is complicated because the addiction has it’s long term effects on the brain and behavior of the person. But if the person has strong determination, consistent on treatment then it make easy to quit the addiction.
Dana Farnick, a 22-year-old young woman had her entire life ahead of her. However, Dana suffered from drug addiction, she went to several rehabs, therapists, treatment facilities, and more (Farinick). Despite all the programs Dana was enrolled in, she still suffered from relapses, and eventually met her death due to an overdose (Farinick). Dana’s parents found her dead on the kitchen floor of their home. This is the result of drug abuse, the untimely death of individuals young and old.
Throughout life, whether in a workplace, associated with athletes, or in a school district, chances are one may be asked to take a drug test. In the United States, approximately fifty thousand people die each year as a result of taking drugs. To make this number decline, something has to happen. No one can make decisions for an individual, but there can be an emphasis with trying to stop drug users, by drug-testing randomly and efficiently. The brain is a powerful source, taking over the society with drugs, telling the addicts they need the drug. A drug causes our bodies to change, depending on the reaction of the drug. The interaction with drugs and, “Other complex social, psychological, and pharmacological factors [have an] influence [on] the behavior of abusing individuals. Some drugs cause hallucinations, sickness, depression, liver and kidney problems, and fits. Stimulants the drug gives off usually cause the user to be more alert and have energy. The reason why, “Society in general has been unable to understand the dimensions of drug abuse, find a cure, and set up effective prevention measures” is still to be determined. In general, most addicts cannot afford drugs, “So they raise the `money through crime,” making it unsafe for the environment and the people surrounding. The amount of, “People trying to get money for drugs committed one-third of all burglaries, street robberies, and thefts in 2015.” Imagine a life without drugs. How would it be different in the
Drug addiction is a chronic brain disorder that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite the harmful consequences that may occur. Surprisingly, drugs affect people in different ways. One person may habitually take a drug and never become addicted, while another person can have only a single experience with a drug and become iammediately addicted. To be clear, addicts are habitual drug users who continue to use a drug despite its unfavorable effects on their health and social life. It is also worthy of noting, that addiction does not solely occur with drugs, ambling, food, shopping and video games also can become an addiction. There are three stages in drug addiction that should be known, initial drug taking, habitual drug taking, and lastly, drug craving and addiction relapse.
In recent years, America has been in an epic battle bigger than any war we have ever been in; the United States is losing an enormous battle against drug addiction. Recently there have been more and more overdoses and deaths in our nation caused by drug abuse. Would you want your children to grow up in a country addicted to drugs? With all of the deaths and government money being spent on those who are addicted, wouldn't it be great if there was a cheap solution to this huge problem? Imagine what could occur if the United States government were to place drugs with placebo pills.