Addiction Essay

understand addiction, one must examine the pathways and circuits in the brain as well as the genetic attributions that form this type of behavior. It is important to note that addiction has various forms such as with substances (alcohol, tobacco, drugs) and behavioral addictions (food, sex, shopping). With the forms listed and the many other types of addiction that are out there, they all contribute to alterations in brain structure and function. This article focuses on a particular addiction- cocaine

Researchers at Stony Brook University have compared going through a broken heart to a cocaine addiction. Yes, that’s right, I said cocaine addiction! That sounds pretty powerful to me. “Researchers have also found the area of the brain that is most active during the anguish and pain of a break up is the same part of the brain associated with motivation, reward and addiction cravings”. “Just like a drug addict we go through withdraws, the rejection feels so bad because we actually get addicted to

adopted in line with the needs of the drug dependent individual. A greater understanding in the area of causality may produce more effective interventions at earlier stages of drug misuse. Definition addiction/dependence, lots of theories this paper will provide a brief overview of the main theories of addiction in view to their relevance within treatment and recovery issues which will be discussed in later sections. There are many models and theories which attempt to explain the causes of substance misuse

The concept of addiction is well known, however the ability to truly empathize is difficult. Several cannot relate and therefore are ignorant of the consequences of withdrawals, especially those who are addicted to stronger opiates such as heroin. Due to this distance of understanding, public health facilities tend to provide bias care for “dopefiends”. The misunderstanding of public health facilities and the hesitancy to change their methods creates an environment for the Edgewater community in

Addiction : Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. Effects: • Compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to themselves and their friends and family. • Use of drugs (Street and Prescription drugs) leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. BACKGROUND 40 million Americans age 12 and above meet the clinical criteria for addiction involving nicotine, alcohol or other drugs; which is more than the number of people with heart conditions, diabetes or

fetus and extending to the developing child, however there are solutions to help eliminate or improve this epidemic such as education, assisted programs, rehabilitation, or prosecution. What are illicit drugs? Illicit drug addiction may be one of the most dangerous types of addictions. In general, illicit drugs are those that are illegal to make, sell, or use. They include cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, and hallucinogens. Health Professionals consider abused prescription medications, alcohol and tobacco

with drug addiction. When I was younger, a typical day spent with her was stealing money or medications from our loved ones or friends. It did not bother my mother one bit to steal from anyone especially her own children. But she justified her actions by blaming it on a brain disease that she could not help. It was merely a choice that she made everyday to hurt her family and those around her. She would choose to steal, lie, and cheat her way to obtaining the drug of her choice. Drug addiction is not

Sex is a beautiful thing that happens between two people, but sometimes sex can become addictive, and like with any other addiction, it can ruin lives. Patricia is in her mid-thirties, and to those who know her, she is a soccer mom with a successful career. But after her marriage ended due to her husband’s affair, Patricia became insecure, and started exploring dating sites on the internet – soon, Patricia was going on dates, sex dates - and in an interview with the Philadelphia Weekly, she admits

cost of drug and alcohol addiction, in terms of lost productivity, crime, and health-care associated costs, is more than $600 billion per year. Perhaps an even greater cost, but one that is far more difficult to calculate, is the harm of addiction to those addicted and the “collateral damage” that often occurs to the loved ones of the addicted individual. Most people can think of someone in their lives—a friend, partner, parent, or child—who is affected by addiction. Addiction is far too common, and

This chapter focuses on addiction through the use of rats. During the 1960’s and 1970’s scientists were attempting to understand how animals found some drugs to be “irresistible” ultimately to the point of addiction. It is believed that the brain produces its own natural opiates. When a person takes another form of these addictive substances, the brain stops producing its own supply of natural opiates. Thus, when drug users stop taking a certain drug, they experience withdrawal symptoms and the need