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Addiction Fordonation

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Addiction: A Disease of Choice?
Annisa W. Sandage
COM/156
University Composition and Communication II
April 5, 2015
Instructor Kara Polhemus

Addiction: A Disease of Choice?
“Sometimes I am terrified of my heart; of its constant hunger for whatever it is it wants. The way it stops and starts” (Edgar Allen Poe). Is addiction a disease, or the life changing result of personal choices made by an individual in the efforts to reach a sense of self-efficacy? The battle against drug abuse has been a widespread problem in the United States for decades and continues to threaten its very existence. Research reveals that adolescents and teenagers are the largest majority among active drug users (CDC, 2014). Challenges in overcoming addiction lies in finding alternate things to do in order to occupy oneself that does not involve the use of drugs (Goldstein, 2001). The vast array of substance abuse treatment programs available has had no significant effect on the number of users that actually need treatment (Nationwide Trends, 2014). However, additional research suggests that once physically and/or mentally addicted relapse is inevitable and in most cases expected (Witkiewitz, 2007). Despite the numerous treatment programs available, addiction continues to dominate, having a negative societal impact claiming the lives of many of its victims every day (Reinberg, 2011).
Addiction is prevalent everywhere, from the tabloids of celebrities, to television, to a close friend, or maybe even a relative. Addiction can come in many forms varying from gambling, to shopping, sleeping, working, and last but not least, drugs. For example, the following excerpt is from the disturbing Leaving Dirty Jersey: A Crystal Meth Memoir by James Salant: “I gave Doug the spoon and I tried to pull thirty units of water into the syringe. Doug hit me on the side of my head and said, ‘Your [sic]

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