Rationalization Of Addictive Behaviors And How Society 's Views Affect Addicts And Their Recovery

The definitions have progressed from tolerance or withdrawal symptoms from a specific drug to chronic intoxication, continued use with increased dosage, dependence, and damaging effects to user (Reinarman 2005). Both of these definitions proved to be too restrictive because all drugs do not have the same effects on every user. The current definition used by physicians and the criminal justice system is based on seven criteria (Reinarman 2005). The constant evolution of how the professional world views drug dependence mirrors society’s change in the understanding of addiction. Historically, “the drink” was viewed as the devil and drugs were often thought to be the cause of many criminal acts (Schneider 2003). After the medicalization of addiction and dawn of decriminalization of drug abuse, public opinion of deviant alcohol and drug use has changed. For the family unit, it is much simpler to accept and approach treatment for addiction if it is classified as a medical disease. In society, drug users can be framed as patients instead of criminals based on current standards. By looking at addiction as a treatable set of signs and symptoms instead of holding the individual accountable for actions they committed while intoxicated, the disease concept releases a lot of the stigma that goes along with

Throughout our culture, stigma against people with drug addiction is present. Instead of being treated as people with mental illnesses, drug addicts are simply regarded as criminals. Addicts are often so overwhelmed with shame that they don’t seek treatment. These are just a few examples of how stigma perpetuates our culture and how it is detrimental to those who are addicted. It is imperative that we destigmatize addiction by treating it as what it truly is- a mental illness and allowing addicts to be open about their addiction and treatment.

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

Upon entering the NA meeting I had mixed feelings. I didn’t know how to come to the meeting knowing my intentions were neither to give nor receive help. I felt like I was an intruder. I didn’t understand why I should betray others or act as if I was an addict who chose not to interact in the healing and recovering process. All of those things pushed me into the door of a meeting and open my mind to the hurt behind the physical appearance of these people. Their stories were heart wrenching. They all wanted help or do be noticed at some point of their lives before they became addicts. Never knowing the decisions they chose to take that first hit would turn their

Arielle Duhaime-Ross (2015) concludes, “ [In today’s world] those who are most at-risk for heroin dependence are non-Hispanic whites, people between the ages of 18 and 25, Medicaid recipients, men, people who don 't have health insurance, and people who make less than $20,000 a year” (p.1). Though these are the typical stereotypes for heroin users, heroin addiction can affect any human being no matter their age, wealth, or gender. Straight-A students, millionaires, and people with no history of drug abuse ever before, are all potential candidates for drug addiction. Heroin does not care if your friends miss you being sober, or if your family loses sleep each night wondering where you are. People do not think that one time does anything detrimental, but it can and it will.

The description of a 'usual' addict is poor, male, lives in the city, youge are all false decriptions. addiction affects various types of people from a collection of backgrounds and cannot be explainded by simplified generalizarions because addiction is not simple it is complex and cannot be based on sterotypes. Addiction affects everyone, where you live, your education, family history all have a hand in how one is affected.

Bruce Brandler is a man who lost his son to heroin. Brandler says in an article by the Los Angeles Times, “I want to evaporate the myth that heroin addicts are just homeless derelicts, this epidemic hit’s everyone… I think my situation exemplifies that.”. I think what Brandler meant by this is many people have a certain image in their minds when they think about heroin addicts. This image is often wrong simply because heroin addicts are now the people right in front of us. When society expects all addicts to fit one description it often overlooks those that need

I think it is very important to note that there is not a certain face or person that is associated with substance addiction. Those that are struggling with addiction can be your friend, next door neighbor or even a colleague of yours. There are not specific signs that make an addict stand out, they blend into our communities and are every day people.

There is no feasible way to completely abolish drug use in the United States. As with Prohibition of Alcohol in the earlier part of this century, the fight against drugs has backfired. The United States is spending billions of dollars a year to fight a war, which over the last 60 years, has shown that it cannot be won. So let’s use a little reverse psychology on the subject. What would happen if marijuana or other illegal drugs were legalized?

Substance abuse and addiction have become a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends. Just one example reveals the extent of the problem: in the United States each year, more women and men die of smoking related lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined (Kola & Kruszynski, 2010). In addition to the personal impact of so much illness and early death, there are dire social costs: huge expenses for medical and social services; millions of hours lost in the workplace; elevated rates of crime associated with illicit drugs; and scores of children who are damaged by their parents’ substance abuse behavior (Lee, 2010). This paper will look at

Miller (2015) highlights several differences between men and women who suffer from addiction. For instance, women face more stigma than men. The stereotypical female addict is viewed as pathological (i.e., promiscuous, lazy and/or selfish) and powerless (i.e., weak, scared or trapped). Chemically dependent women are also stigmatized because they are viewed as immoral and are blamed for their addiction. They are also measured against higher moral standards than men and also experience sexual stigma in relation to their addiction which may put them at a higher risk for sexual assault.

What do you think of when you hear the word addiction? When I hear the word addiction the first thing that comes to mind is how many family members and friends I lost due to an addiction. Addiction is a condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, and or activity. Some people use a substance because it’s an attempt for them to try and escape from their problems. When individuals abuse drugs they are more likely to cause new problems in their life. Why do you think people turn to drugs? When individuals are addicted to drugs they believe it helps them with their anxiety or depression. According to, Everyday Health, “drug abuse is less about the amount of substance consumed or the frequency, and more about the reason people

Addiction is all around us. It may be that cup of coffee in the morning for the caffeine stimulation, the cigarette that is smoked for the nicotine, or an alcoholic drink used to relieve a stressful day or situation. For some, the addiction may not be to a substance, but to compulsive behaviors such as gambling, playing video games, or shopping. Consequences to addictions can impact an addict’s physical or mental state. Addiction can also have detrimental impact on the people that surround them. Watching a relationship fall apart because a person has an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or another addictive behavior is a sad thing to happen to anyone. Unfortunately, those with addictions usually won’t admit they even

The views of addiction with society, is perfectly summited up as "dramatic lag between these advances in science and their appreciation by the general public. I think that society has a horrible look on addicts. The public people forget that there is a medical need for addicts. Addict are real people with real problems. It is not only the addict but the families surrounding them that are fighting a battle for survival. As a did research for this paper, I looked a number of other countries and how they handle addict. The way rehabilitation addicts before they send them to jail has had a positive impact on society.

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.