Is drug addiction a disease or simply a choice? Twenty-three million Americans are addicted to alcohol or drugs (Join Together Staff). Drug addiction is a terrible disease and not a choice because drugs change the brain, affect both physical and mental health, and treatment is needed to recover. Drugs are chemicals that affect the brain by entering in its communication system and hamper with the way neurons deliver, obtain, and process data. Changes in the brain support the transition from informal
meaning of addiction has been misconceived on multiple occasions and yet we fail to see it. There are two forms of addiction that we can recognize. A medical diagnosis, according to the Medical Dictionary is a “diagnosis based on information from sources such as findings from a physical examination, interview with the patient or family or both, medical history of the patient and family, and clinical findings as reported by laboratory tests and radiologic studies.” This form of addiction differs from
when did addictions become diseases? Have you ever wondered about the idea that being a drug addict is a choice, and not a disease? Until I started researching this topic, I thought I was alone in my thoughts about this, but I have found this to be a controversial topic. Researchers on both sides stand firmly on their beliefs, whether it is a disease, or a choice. Having survived through the trauma of an addict’s life during my marriage, and after my research, I believe that drug addiction is a choice
In America, drug addiction is everywhere. In fact, according to CBS News, more than one in three Americans used opioid painkillers in 2015 alone (Thompson, “1 in 3 Americans Prescribed Opioids”). This number is startlingly high, especially considering the fact that America is in the midst of a heroin epidemic. There have been many proposals on how to lower and treat drug addiction, such as having pharmaceutical companies stop offering monetary incentives for doctors to write prescriptions or jailing
stresses of work continually wearing on their mental health, many people become vulnerable to drug abuse. One studied also showed that 8.7 percent of full-time adult workers aged 16 to 64 used alcohol heavily in one month, 8.6 percent used illegal drugs, and 9.5 were dependent on one or both of the substances during the year. Yet it is not only the middle class workers that are susceptible to the lure of drugs and alcohol. As we know there is a high percentage of the wealthy population that feel these
basketball players. Next, the two Caucasians cohorts persuaded the African-American male to rob another male who happens to be Caucasian and known as the school's drug dealer. Of course, the African-American male obliged and he the only one out the three with transportation. In any case, the Caucasians decided to commit criminal acts against the drug dealer, while the African-American male sat in the car unknowingly of the plan of attack. For the most part, the African American male presumed innocent at
personally has or knows someone who has had an addiction. Going even further, based on my personal interactions, I can also assume that everyone either is or knows someone who was or still is addicted to drugs. A lot of people seem to think that drug addiction is a choice and that the people who are addicted know this and just don't care about themselves or the people around them, but I do not think that that is the case. I believe that drug addiction is not a choice that people make willingly, but
battling drug addiction, identified criminals do not receive the proper rehabilitation. Drug addiction is a large problem across the United States; however, the court systems are doing nothing to prevent the growing issue. People who are arrested on drug related crimes are often released without the proper tools they need to battle their addiction, creating a never-ending cycle of repeat offenders. If the court system started to view drug addiction as a disease instead of as a crime, drug addicts
Number 1, Moral Model: Pros: Proponents point out that it is a crime and should be punished by law. It recognizes that the individual is responsible for their own choices. Treatment uses clergy and moral persuasion. Cons: shame and blame is placed on the individual. The patient is described as a weak character. Social consequences. My view: I think that it is very important that an addict understands that he/she is responsible for their wrongdoing. I believe that abusing drugs is a crime and should
on a widespread question that is becoming more severe than ever. Drug abuse and addiction is an issue spreading throughout the entire country with multiple pros and cons arising; therefore, creating many opportunities for opinionated discussions. Dr. Brian Johnson made distinct, appropriate points to negate the validity of “safe injection sites” are not a valid response to the opioid epidemic. One point expressed in the pro/con portion is, “[i]f a Ford Motor truck causes expectable deaths because