The Consequences Of Addictive Behavior

Five Takeaways The documentary “Addiction” by NOVA PBS shows the harsh realities of drug addiction, exposing the profound impact of pharmaceutical industry practices, societal stigmatization, and systemic shortcomings in America's healthcare system. This prompts a critical reflection on the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to combat this epidemic. First of all, this documentary highlights how the pharmaceutical industry plays a big part in opioid addiction. Specifically, they address how many people become addicted to opioids through legitimate prescriptions from real doctors, rather than through illicit channels such as drug dealers off the streets.

Addiction is a moral issue that brings into question the impact of an addict’s choices. No individual decides to become an addict, but their consumption indulges them in a nonstop habit. The texts discussed so far on the module present different aspects of morality. For, example, Sophia’s lack of shame in GMM is different to Bill’s lack of moral direction in Junky. Here, Wong presents David’s conflicting morality through his choices on and off the “soy sauce” drug. To understand this, we must look at the scene where he shoots Fred Chu. While travelling to Las Vegas to get information about Korrok from Dr. Marconi, Fred gets attacked by the “soy sauce’s” variation of flying worms “gushing” into his mouth (150). Without much deliberation, David’s

Certain models and theories regarding addiction have a tremendously valuable impact con society’s reaction toward addiction. There are certain aspects of each theory which are very important in the treatment of addiction. Not all addicts and alcoholics fit into the specific criteria of one theory or model so it is beneficial for Chemical Dependency Counselors to have an in depth understanding of various theories to draw from. Most theories about addiction fail to provide a comprehensive account of chemical abuse, dependence or addiction. There is truth and speculation to every theory. It is important for Chemical Dependency Counselors to continue to research and critique theories because it initiates the creation of new theories. For the

Over the years, there have been many discussions on whether addiction is a disease or if it is a choice. Addiction has been considered a disease for many years because it shows the same signs as a disease would. Many believe that addiction is a choice and not a disease. Two articles discuss the topic of whether addiction is a disease or a choice and the article that is saying it is a disease is "Addiction Is a Disease and Needs to Be Treated as Such" by David Sack and the other article is stating that it is a choice and this article is titled "Addiction is not a disease- and were treating addicts incorrectly" by Kyle Smith. Article one, "Addiction Is a Disease and Needs to Be Treated as Such" by David Sack is better than article two "Addiction

When dealing with addictive behaviors in Psychology, people find that adolescents are more likely to get involved with addictions and uncontrollable wants with things such as alcohol, smoking, drugs, sex, and much more. With those subjects listed, the age groups more prone to opening up doors to these addictions are the ages of 18-23. This is said for a number of reasons. There is loneliness from living away from home, there is more personal responsibility to manage, there is a desire to escape hard challenges of independence, there is a fear of not finding an occupational foothold in the future, there is more availability and diversity of illegal substances, and there is much more partying with peers (Pickhardt, 2012). When growing into the stages of adolescence, different urges and wants that are hard to turn away from appeal greater to the minds of a youth than simply turning away. This age group falls under the temptation of peer pressure, which could also be a leading cause to the addictions as well. Sometimes, when first developing an addiction to something, it is easier to walk away when not commonly opening up to it everyday. Once the beginning stages of addiction pass, it becomes harder to turn away from what they have been used to doing for a great period of time which is proven to ultimately lead to destruction of ones body, mind, and life.

I am sure that nearly every couple, whether they be newlyweds or not, at some point discusses and dreams of having a little bundle of joy to bring into the world and expand their little family. They long for the gift of a baby and the responsibilities of parenthood that accompany it. Most couples or single parents will do anything and everything to protect their child/children and give them the world. However, not everyone does so. A growing problem, not only in my area, but across the United States is infants being born addicted to some type of drug whether it simple be cigarettes, or something harsher such as an addiction to prescription pills.

Addiction is referred to as a weakness, in which we have high dependence upon something that we buy over and over again; this implies slight obsession and an element of lack of control. An example of where consumers become obsessive is when they queue for hours on end just to get their hands on the latest iPhone, however this can be seen as irrational behavior and when consumers are in this mental state they are seen to be putty in the marketers hand as we will do anything they say just to get the latest products. According to (Orford 1985; Peele 1985) addiction also involves devotion, dependence, surrendering control, habit, obsessiveness, and preoccupation with the object to the detriment of well being. An addiction can be anything from gambling to shopping. There are a numerous similarities among the elements of addiction and the properties of consumerism notably they are people such as compulsive buyers and some collectors who could also be known as hoarders. It has been known of compulsive buyers to discuss their compulsion as if to say they are on drugs, for example they would say “ I got a high when purchasing this dress” or “it gave me a rush when I bought these new trainers to add to my collection” this was proposed by O’Guinn et al, (1989). These types of compulsive consumers are portrayed of having the same self-devotional behavior as drug addicts and they likewise share the deep ecstatic emotional involvement and form “consumption communities” (Boorstin 1968).

Imagine not being able to breath because of vicious cigarette smoke floating all around in the air. Imagine a world where everyone is high off some different drug, and doing anything they can to obtain that drug. A world where there are hundreds of overdoses and different types of deaths everyday. If people keep doing drugs this is where the world is heading. Even after one dose of any drug, anyone can become addicted. Addiction can take over the brain and make anyone do actions they would not normally do. It can also slowly or quickly end any valuable life.

Scientifically, addiction has a logical and factual explanation. Although different types of addiction may vary slightly in their characteristics, it boils down to one thing: certain substances have addictive qualities to which anyone can succumb. Among these addictive substances is alcohol. Alcohol is a drug, a fact which many people tend to forget. This means that it has addictive properties, and like most other drugs, certain people have a greater chance of becoming addicted to alcohol.

In some cases, the abuse of drugs doesn’t always make an addict. In fact, addiction can derive from the disguise of a smiling face and loving eyes. A living, breathing, and screaming reason to resist the madness and take a leap. However, as A Mad Girl’s Love Song by Sylvia Plath portrays, infatuation coexists within a diminishing nature. Despite the growing lack of love, withdrawal has found a way to take claim of the heart.

According to ¨Americans-are-addicted-to-smartphones¨ 58 percent of U.S. smartphone owners check their phones at least every hour — and a large share check their phones while in bed or in the bathroom. If in some catastrophic event they were to lose their device, 73 percent of people admit they would feel “panicked” while another 14 percent would feel “desperate” (Fitzgerald). This goes to show just how smartphones and technology in general have taken over the lives of people considering that smartphones were not popular until the late 2010.

Many people struggle with one of the most powerful, controlling monsters running rampant in the world today. This monster is known for destroying lives, families, and careers and even dragging the people caught in its grasps to their death. The United States had a president declare a war against it, police officers crack down on laws and arrests to fight it, and yet it still seems like a losing battle. This monster does not care about race, religion, sex, socioeconomic status, or even age. The cold hands of addiction can find their grip on anyone if the chance is given. Once this happens, the effects of addiction are seen far beyond the addicts themselves, and the family, friends, and society as a whole carries the burden.

Addiction, defined as a chronic medical disease, has led to great furor in the scientific community.[1] Some argue that because epidemiologic data shows that most addicts quit, possibly when faced with social and financial consequences, addiction is based on decisions and thus, should be treated as a choice. Those in favor of the disease model remark that because experiments have correlatively shown that drugs can change the brain structurally and functionally, one should treat addiction as a medical disease. One can expect from both perspectives, that the more important question is whether or not addiction has a biological aspect to it that can be causally linked to substance abuse behaviors. In this essay, we will review some of the compelling evidence on both sides of the argument and weigh their significance in order to come to a logical judgment.

Addiction is one of the top ten causes of death (CDC.gov). According to Merriam Webster, “a compulsive need for and use of a habit forming substance (such as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal” (Merriam Webster, April 19). Time magazine has classified the 10 dangerous drugs that were used for intentional, or unintentional overdose; in order: Heroin, Cocaine, Oxycodone, Alprazolam-Xanax, Fentanyl, Morphine, Meth, Methadone, Hydrocodone, and Diazepam-Valium (Time, these are the 10 deadliest drugs). Heroin, Cocaine, and Meth are stimulants. Oxy, Fentanyl, Morphine, and Methadone are narcotics. Although, Xanax and Valium are both sedatives (WebMD).

The consumer then proceeds to act upon these urges. Compulsive consumers often engage in compulsive buying practices to compensate for unhappy events, and/or low self-esteem (O’Guinn and Faber, 1989). Some researchers consider compulsive buying to be a dichotomous behavior (Faber and O’Guinn, 1992); meaning consumers are classified either as compulsive or non-compulsive. However, research by Edwards (1993) indicates that compulsive buying, like many other consumer behaviors, occurs on a continuum. She found that compulsive buying ranges from non-compulsive, to recreational, borderline compulsive, compulsive, and addicted buying. In other words, consumers can experience no compulsive consumption tendencies, some compulsive consumption tendencies, or chronic levels of this behavior. The act of buying may temporarily elevate the mood and self-esteem of a compulsive buyer; however it is often followed by feelings of shame or depression. Wicklund and Gollwitzer (1982) stated that people may use symbols to build or maintain a complete self definition as part of a commitment to a self defining goal. Consumers may compulsively buy products to match their subjective perceptions of themselves with a socially desirable or required appearance as a self defining goal (Elliott, 1994). Number of people experience compulsive behaviors like shopping, drug abuse, eating, gambling and variety of other obsessive compulsiveness.