On Intervention Canada, Aimee a 26 year old from Ottawa Ontario, has been diagnosed with addiction to Fentanyl. Fentanyl is a prescription painkiller 100 times more powerful than morphine. The drugs come in a patch form which is boiled down until there is nothing left. Her addiction consists of a shot of the drug every six hours which she does with a hypodermic needle that gives her a sense of “high” or euphoria. She has been doing it for the last two years because she feels desperate and upset about her life and this drug gives her the feeling of relaxation. The purpose of this paper is to apply theories of drug use discussed in class to a real case of addiction as depicted in the Intervention video. The three theories related to Aimee’s …show more content…
For example, a child throws a fit, a reward for displaying alternate behaviours and punishing the tantrums will help change how the child behaves in the future (Norman, 2015). To explain human behaviour we place great emphasis on cognitive processes which demonstrates the assumption that we learn primarily by observing and listening to the people around us; the social environment. The continued use of the drug occurs in regards to this theory because it shows that people do whatever they must in order to feel pleasure. Humans are pleasure seekers they will do anything to feel good even if that means harming ones self in the process. Positive reinforcement, is probably the most familiar model of addiction because this theory states that users will say they take drugs because they enjoy using them (Newton et al, 2009). In the episode, Aimee shows that taking Fentanyl makes her feel better about her life and less depressed. This is seen as negative reinforcement because she seeks pain avoidance which is demonstrated by the repeated usage every 6 hours. The effects of exposure to drugs on child development create an antisocial behaviour that it seen as normal in the future. Aimee has become so used to taking Fentanyl that her body has become addicted to the drug. Without the drug, Aimee cannot function properly therefore making her dependent on the drug. She brings herself to the point of relaxation and calmness where she is not even capable
n the essay “Embraced by the needle” by Gabor Mate, he highlights how an individualès childhood experiences would make them more susceptible to addiction in their future. He highlights if an individual experienced a traumatic, neglectful, or stressful environment in their childhood they are more vulnerable to addiction as adults. If children grew up in relatively stable and loving homes, but still grow up to become addicts, then there are other underlying factors, like stressed parents, that cause them to turn to vices like drugs or alcohol that lead them to addiction. Maté focuses on events that happened in an individual’s childhood and how they developed from it, and discusses the biology of addiction and how without some key experiences in an individual’s childhood it will lead to addiction because “the fewer endorphin exchanging experiences in infancy and early childhood, the greater the need for external sources” (289). Drugs like cocaine or benzodiazepine imitate or inhibit the reabsorption of endorphins, reaffirming that in Maté’s perspective addictions are caused by pain and unhappiness. Bruce K Alexander’s perspective on addiction and drug abuse in Reframing Canada’s “Drug Problem” is that of dislocation. He describes dislocation as being “the absence of that essential integration and identification with family, community, society and spiritual values that makes a “straight” life bearable most of them time and joyful at its peaks.” (226). When individuals are
This paper is intended to educate those who almost nothing about heroin and those who use it. Many people have been associated with friends or families who have used some kind of drug. There are many people who have not had any contact with heroin users or if they have, don’t understand much about it. Using various sources about heroin to explain where it came from, how it is used, who uses it and how a person starts on the path towards heroin, preventing addiction, and global issues surrounding this drug. Although the topic of heroin is inexhaustible, it is my hope to spark reader’s curiosity. Knowledge of this drug might just help the reader join in on discussions about heroin.
He assumes that drug addiction originated by younger years adversity in major cases; like many women who are addicted are victims of sexual assault in childhood years. Similar, he tells that males suffered “series of abandonment or severe physical and psychological abuse” (Maté 274) in childhood memory would easily be involved in addiction. According to Mate, drug addicts are usually in a state of unawareness; they can self-harm without feeling pain (274). Maté’s patient, Carl, thirty-six year-old native, angrily hurt himself with a knife as punishment for using cocaine (274). However, people misunderstand that addiction will not happen in families that raise children with a “secure nurturing home” (Maté 275). He argues that it still exists in those secure homes, even though they do not recognize it. In brief, Maté describes the mental factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression which are saddled “from family problem, or from outside circumstance” (274); this pressures can emotionally affect to the process of “endorphin-liberating interaction with their children” (Maté 275). He thinks children would rely on opiates to comfort their deepest emotions; it would be a best solution to escape their lonely world. For that reason, Maté confirms addicts usually blame themselves for “stupid decision” (Maté 275) after being suffered of drug starvation. In the last paragraph, Maté concludes his essay by stating “that is the great wound of all” (275),
The disease model of addiction rests on three primary assumptions predisposition to use a drug, loss of control over use, and progression (Krivanek, 1988, p.202). These physiological alterations cause an undeniable desire to take more drugs (McNeece & DiNitto, 2012). Addicts are viewed as individuals with an incurable disease with drug addiction as the symptom. The disease model argues users cannot be held accountable for their addictions (Kirvanek, 1988).
The non-fictional novel The Addict offers a current perspective through the author’s eyes, Michael Stein, into the trials and tribulations that one has to go through when being an opiate addict. The processes that addicts go through becomes instantly examinable, offering insight into how individuals become addicted and what they go through while trying to become rehabilitated. Lucy Fields is the main patient described by Michael Stein in this book. Lucy is addicted to Vicodin and has been addicted for a number of years. Despite many social stigmas associated around addicts, becoming addicted to anything does not happen in a short amount of time. The context in which a person is living, their socioeconomic status, their social support and perceived social support are all factors in becoming addicted or rehabilitated. Throughout the book Michael Stein speaks about multiple patients and refers to buprenorphine as the primary prescribed drug for opiate users, he also refers to methadone treatment. The effectiveness of buprenorphine was shown through the book and how it is, with the help of adequate social and medical support, a viable option with regards to treating opiate addiction.
Should the person experiencing pleasure repeat the behavior to re-experience the pleasure, reinforcement sets in—that is, the more you do it, the more you want to do it. It’s analogous to a roller coaster ride at an amusement park. Those who enjoy the ride will want to repeat the ride over and over for the thrill of it produces. But for opioids, the person is digging a deep hole. As the person uses more of the opioid, there is a greater likelihood that the next phase, tolerance, will develop. Reinforcement is the second critical piece of the Addiction Jigsaw Puzzle.
Drug abuse is on the rise. While the use of drugs like cocaine and heroin is in a state of decline in certain parts of the world, prescription drugs abuse is on the rise (UNODC, 2013). Prescription drugs that were prescribed with the intention to do well are now one of the leading causes of self-harm. Drug abuse has no gender or social class, it can affect people regardless of social status and wealth, and now more than ever we need to understand the reason behind the abuse. What psychological factors could cause an individual to abuse drugs in the first place? In this research essay, I will discuss how each one of the major school of psychology perspectives could attempt to explain a
My journey to understanding addiction did not start with walking into Epworth United Methodist Church, but started in a classroom in the basement of Toledo Promedica. Sixteen students and two clinical instructors gathered to hear a young man give his testimony on his road to recovery. He speaks of his own experience and knowledge of opioid addiction, and how to properly use Narcan Nasal Spray. He spoke on his own overdoses and the first time he felt the feeling of being “HIGH” sitting in front of a TV playing video games. The path of addiction started for him at the age of 13, when his father who is a doctor gave him cough syrup for a cough; consequently, he would chase the feeling of being high for years.
John sits down on the couch at a friend’s party surrounded by over 50 people, most of whom he has never met. He searches the crowd and finds a few familiar faces. Some of them are friends from Biology class, English class and even the football team. A feeling of nervousness creeps over him as he decides on how to fit in. All of a sudden a large guy jumps onto the couch next to him smiling widely. It’s Michael, his best friend in life who hands him a red plastic cup filled with beer and says, “Here you go, drink up buddy, it is time to party!” As the first drop of alcohol touches John’s lips, the reason for why he chose to drink is not known and only theorized. The amount of sociological, psychological
My second concept concerns drug use and its effect. Psychoactive drugs can be legal or illegal. Psychoactive drugs are substances that alter people's moods, perceptions, mental functions and behaviors. I interviewed a 25 year old woman who described the reality of the addiction of illegal drugs. She said, "I have been doing drugs off and on since 2008 and recently quit in May of this year." I asked her, "What type of drugs did you use?" She replied, "Meth." methamphetamine (MA) My next question was, "Do you drink? “She answered no." She quickly said, "I came from a good family," letting me know she is at fault and not her family. I asked her, "Did you finish high school?” She said, “Yes," she also mentioned working a job and having an apartment.
The first similarity between Dr. Jekyll and a drug addict is they both like the way they feel when they transform , they feel stress free. According to Recovery Connection , people commonly fall into addiction because they being using drugs to mask particular emotions that they are going through. Also the abuse makes them feel good and forget about the problem at hand , eventually they think they can’t live without the drugs. This research explains what drug addicts feel while doing drugs and why it is impossible to stop. Most drug addicts have serious issues that play a part in why they decide to do drugs.
To get the actual effects of heroin, users usually take more than the recommended dose, which produces a stronger high; However, the addiction starts when users need to increase their dosage of the drug, when their usual dosage is no longer effective. It is similar to taking medicine, specifically pain medication. When one first takes the medicine, they must wait usually four to six hours until they can take a larger dosage if the pain has intensified or has not gone away. With a better understanding of how addiction works, there are many examples of authors who explained their reasons for taking heroin and their thoughts before, during, and after their
The seven contemporary approaches or theories in psychology include Biological, Behavioral Psychodynamic, Humanistic, Cognitive, Evolutionary, Sociocultural. These seven contemporary approaches allow us to interpret the behavior of individuals. Each perspective makes certain assumptions about human behavior. For this analysis we will review the behavioral and sociocultural approaches in psychology and compare how they interpret drug use.
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.
Drug shipment “spillover” across the U.S.– Mexico border results in increased drug availability in border cities (Wagner et al.,2011). Northern Mexico is experiencing a budding human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) epidemic, particularly among injection drug users (IDUs); who are at an increased risk of blood-borne infections, hepatitis C virus (HCV), HIV, and Syphilis due to availability of drugs, increased rates of unprotected sex, and needle sharing (Frost et al., 2006). Patterson reported 75% of female sex workers (FSWs) in Ciudad (Cd.) Juárez, Mexico were injection drug users (IDUs) (2006). FSWs in these border cities who had recently injected drugs presented a significantly higher risk for sexual risk-behaviors compared to other FSWs,