...General Psychology Final Report 2/3/2009 Drug and Alcohol Addiction Many people in the world suffer from drug and alcohol addiction. There are many different causes and effects of addiction. Understanding the causes and effects of addiction can lead to treatment and or cures for them. Some people believe that nature; which refers to heredity, or the influence of inherited characteristics causes addiction. (Ciccarelli and Meyer, 2006). My theory is that nurture; which refers to the influence of the environment, plays a part in it as well. Often times it’s difficult to spot an addict. Some of the signs of being an addict are; mood, body language, and appearance. The mood of an addict can go from mean and angry, if they need a drink or drugs to calm their nerves, or they can be upbeat and very happy, if they are high on drugs or alcohol. Sometimes depending on the type of personality of the addict, they can become very depressed, even when they are high. The body language of someone that is high on drugs or alcohol is often apparent in their eyes, they are often vacant and void of the presence. Often times the eyes communicate an emptiness, loneliness or despair, such as in someone that is depressed. Sometime the pupils of the eyes are dilated, and the person can’t stay focused. (Answers.Yahoo.Com) The appearance of an addict can be an indication that they are using. They will often let their hair grow long and not comb it, or they are just unkempt looking...
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...Alcohol and Drug Addiction Liberty University Abstract This paper is a reflection of addiction in the United States and the statistics that prove addiction is a major issue within the country. Discussed in the paper will be first the primary causes of addiction and risk factors that may lead to an addiction in an individual. Going further into the problem, the cycle of addiction and how to break free of the cycle and an individual’s addiction is talked about. Since there are different drugs that can cause addiction, a breakdown of certain drugs is given. These drugs include alcohol, prescription drugs, heroin, and marijuana. Next, the side effects of drug addiction to the drugs chosen are described in depth as well as the signs that can be viewed in screening for drug addiction. Resources available to drug addiction are touched on and treatment options to explore what can be done if an individual does suffer from drug addiction. Finally, what human service professionals are doing to assist individuals who are addicted and how they can improve on training to ensure that addiction can be caught early enough to make a difference? Introduction to Drug Addiction Addiction is a chronic disease of brain reward, motivation and memory in individuals who submit to any number of different drugs available to them. Such chronic need for the drugs leads to manifestations biologically, psychologically, spiritually and even socially in any given individual (ASAM, 2014). These, however...
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...Drug and Alcohol addiction According to Dictionary.com addiction is defined as, “the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physically habit-forming, as narcotics, to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma.” In 2010 the NSDUH (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) estimated that 22.6 million Americans aged 12 or older were current illicit drug users. Illicit drugs include marijuana, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, inhalants, or prescription-type psychotherapeutics used nonmedically. More than half of Americans aged 12 or older reported being current drinkers of alcohol estimating to 131.3 million people. Solutions for addicts are worldwide, with proceders that use a religious orientation, cognitive-behavior set of techniques, psychoanalysis, treatment centers or awareness programs. With help available, it is still up for that person to gain the courage and search for help. In an article by Riki Markowitz entitled “Drug & Alcohol prevention programs for teens,” Markowitz proclaims that The National Institute on Drug Abuse has determined that research-based drug and alcohol prevention programs successfully deter kids from using drugs. “Youth who participated in the programs had better outcomes than those who did not." This was mention by the NIDA. The goal for this alcohol and drug prevention program is to help the public understand what drives a teen to use drugs and how to prevent drug abuse and eventual...
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...Nature versus Nature in Addiction Introduction Addiction is a resulting condition that occurs once a person engages in certain activities or ingests substances such as drugs or alcohol which are pleasurable. Continued use of these substances becomes compulsive and tends to interfere with one’s ordinary life errands. Addiction is a complex mind disease and quitting takes more of an individual’s strong will or good intention. Addiction is caused by many factors such as nature and nurture amid many others. Discussed below are ways that both nature and nurture influence addiction to drugs or alcohol. Nurture and Drug Addiction The topic of nurture versus nature is highly debated. Researchers believe that nurture and drug addiction is due to simple human genetics. A person’s family record of addiction is a major risk factor in developing an addiction to drugs or alcohol. An individual’s genes provide the necessary information that directs the way that human bodies react under certain cellular levels. Research indicates that about 99% of human genes are comparable and the 1% that is different accounts for differences such as hair color and height and invisible differences such as risks of hereditary diseases, and addiction to drug or alcohol. These genes play a significant part in determining whether an individual will become addicted to a drug or alcohol. Family history and genetic factors influence the probability that risk of drug or alcohol addiction dependence will be passed...
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...Running head: ADDICTION AND FAMILIES 1 The Effect of Drug and Alcohol Addicts on the Family Brandy M. Foster Wilmington University Introduction Many families have one or more family members that are struggling with and/or overcame an addiction, whether it is drugs or alcohol. There are many programs that are established to help addicts, but there are very few programs that actually assess the effects that a family member’s addiction has on the family. The purpose of this paper is to identify how family members of drug and/or alcohol addicts are affected by the actions of those drug and/or alcohol addicted members. I’m interested in this topic, because I have family members who are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol and I want to see what ways I may have been affected by the actions of my addicted family members. My father was a drug addict for majority of his life and died as a result of it. All of my life, my father has been in and out of jail because of drug related charges and my immediate family and I experienced him getting high in our home and walking around hallucinating and being in a constant state of paranoia. He would walk around our house closing blinds, turning off lights, turning the volume all the way down on the television and constantly peeking out the windows. One time he and my uncle were in the hallway of our trailer supposedly fighting devils in the air that he saw by creating flames in the air using a certain spray and a lighter...
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...Addiction in Adolescence When it comes to abuse and addiction in adolescents the relationship between the two goes hand in hand. “Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014, p.1). Addiction can be several things, two well-known addictions are drinking and doing drug. When addiction starts to change the brain it leads to long terms affects which is usually abuse. Adolescents can and will go a little further with abuse by adding things like pill popping and smoking. “Many adolescents who abuse drugs have a history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse or other trauma” (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014, p.2). Abuse begins when adolescents start to do things like steal and lie to friends and family members to get what it is they want. How does abuse or addiction affect the developing brain of an adolescent? Drug abuse can cause serious progressive problems within the adolescent brain.”Memory loss, ability to concentrate, motor skills and coping skills are all affected by drug and alcohol abuse. Adolescents tend to make decisions that are irrational when under influence of drugs and alcohol, they may think they are making the right decisions but they are actually they are doing more harm to themselves then they realized. For adolescents, this can be even more significant as the brain is still developing and changing and...
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...Models/Theories of Addiction Moral Model of Addiction: It is one of the oldest theories of addiction. Under this theory, addiction is the result of an individual's poor choices made from having a lack of will power or moral strength. It does not recognize biological or genetic factors to addiction, ignores all the scientific evidence including genetics, neurobiology/pharmacology and twin studies and offers no sympathy for addicts. It believes that addiction can be cured by simply choosing not to use alcohol or drugs. Although not commonly used anymore, there are still many who feel addiction is still the result of moral failure. Addictive Disease Model of Addiction: Defines addiction to alcohol or other drugs as being an incurable and irreversible progressive disease. There is no cure for the addiction but it can be controlled by lifelong abstinence and group support. It believes addicts cannot control their need for alcohol or other drugs and will ignore negative outcomes to use. This dependency is a result of pre-existing genetic chemical alterations in the brain which are activated by the substance abuse. Progression of the disease is measured by the amount, frequency, and the circumstances of an individual's substance use. Treatment starts with the individual acknowledging and admitting their problem, followed by addiction recovery treatment, and then maintaining sobriety with lifelong recovery through abstinence and support groups like AA or NA. Behavioral/Environmental...
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...Disease of Addiction Harley E. Lang Argosy University English 101 Module 4, Assignment 2 3-28-2015 There has been a war of two sides about substance abuse and addiction; scientific research has proven time and time again that addiction is a disease. The opposition side says that substance abuse and addiction is a choice of behavior. In an article published by Psychiatric Times, Jeffrey A. Schaler, author of Addiction Is a Choice, stated “Addiction is a behavior and thus clearly intended by the individual person.” He goes on in this article talking about how the addict monitors their use and the amount they use, so they are aware of what they are doing which makes it a choice to use. However scientific research proves that the use of drugs and alcohol changes brain patterns and the release of hormones in the brain which actually causes addiction, a disease after the choice to use is in the past. If addiction is a choice then so would be choosing to live an empty life full of pain, health issues, loss, and jail time. Who in their right mind would choose to lead a life like that? Drug and alcohol addiction only begins as a choice which creates a disease developed when the brain is subjected to substance abuse over a period of time, once the brain patterns change, it’s not about choice anymore. The disease of addiction should not be judged by people who have no personal experience and are not willing to face scientific facts. Studies have proven how the brain goes...
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...of family and friends of an Addict. Vonsha Marshall COM/156 July 7, 2013 University of Phoenix Ms. Roberts Introduction Even though you may not be the person using alcohol or drugs, or violating the law, you can Certainly be a victim of an alcohol or drug-related crime. In fact, millions of people each year are victims of alcohol or drug related crime, including millions of young people. (NCADD, 2013). Generation after generation have suffer from some form of psychological and physical distress dealing with a love one are a close friend whom may have had an alcohol or drug addiction. Ranging from lied to for no reason, stole from or spending our money to bail them out of jail as well as providing transportation to and from different places. Everyone seem to overlook the matter of the physiology and psychology distress that an addict my cause to different individuals as well as family members. People who use drugs and alcohol are often times attempting to numb disturbing emotional and psychological pain that they don't want to feel (Dayton, 2010). Over the years I have witness several friends allow some type of addiction to take over their daily routine. Fighting a battle within a battle, numbing the pain only to be faced with pain again. Living with addiction often results in cumulative trauma that deeply affects family members. When addicts are using they are, for all intents and purposes, out of their minds. Their behavior mimics that of a variety...
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...Causes and treatment of addiction Addiction Overview The current model to explain addiction suggests that addiction begins with the basic pleasure and reward circuits in the brain, which involve the chemical dopamine. These reward centers are designed to activate during pleasurable acts such as eating. Whenever ingesting a substance causes these reward circuits to activate, addiction and dependence is possible. However, addictive behaviors that are considered damaging or destructive have characteristics that distinguish them from normal behavior (see common characteristics of destructive addictions. Examples of common destructive addictions are alcohol intoxication, alcoholism, cocaine abuse, drug dependence and abuse, methamphetamine abuse, narcotic abuse, and substance abuse. People with addictions often cannot quit on their own. Addiction is an illness that requires treatment. Treatment may include counseling, behavioral therapies, self-help groups or medical treatment. People often assume that those with addictions should be able to quit by simply making up their minds to do so. Addiction is thought to be possible for a wide range of chemical substances. Dependence, most often related to physical symptoms, can occur for a subset of the chemicals that cause addiction. For instance, rarely an individual is prescribed a medication by a doctor for a legitimate reason (such as pain after an injury) and this can lead to physical withdrawal symptoms if this medication is stopped...
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...The Economics of Addiction 2 The Economics of Addiction Individuals are increasingly becoming more intellectual and more advanced to the many forwarding changes in society, yet humans are still subject to make immature decisions. Immature in the sense they lack cognitive moral development, the stages of maturity in terms of making ethical decisions, and this lets their flexible minds be influenced and persuaded negatively. Drinking alcohol, smoking cigarettes, and using drugs are a large part of these negativities. However, these individuals do not lack rational thought. One can be persuaded out of addiction and also one can be persuaded into addiction. Therefore, individuals can rationally choose to become addicted, and according to the increase in addiction rates over the last 50 years, they have. The reasons however, are different depending on the age group. The age groups that will be focused on are baby busters and echo boomers. Each of this age groups have progressed to certain stages in life where rational thought has been renovated. Therefore the idea of addiction can seem to be an appropriate compromise to an individual. Baby busters and echo boomers are often the generations that are associated with abusing alcohol, cigarette, and drug usage. These are generations that include pre- and early post-adulthood which have shown to be experimental with the many dangerous risks in life. The reasoning behind their rational thinking has been studied by many scientists...
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...The Disease of Drug Addiction Joanne Frye HSER 340 Abstract Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive seeking and use of addictive substances despite harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her. Introduction Dramatic advances in science over the past 20 years have shown that drug addiction is a chronic relapsing disease that results from the prolonged effects of drugs on the brain. (Leshner, 1997) It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain structure and how the brain works. (Volkow and Schelbert, 2007) As with many other brain diseases, addiction has embedded behavioral and social-context aspects that are important parts of the disorder itself. Therefore, the most effective treatment approaches will include biological, behavioral, and social-context components. Recognizing addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use can impact society’s overall health and social policy strategies and help diminish the health and social costs associated with drug abuse and addiction (Leshner, 1997). Addiction as a Disease For decades, the orthodox view in neuroscience and psychiatry has been that addiction is a psychiatric disease (Jellinek, 1960). In 1968 it was included in the second revision of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, positioning it explicitly as a mental illness for the purpose diagnosis and treatment...
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...Addiction can affect individuals in different ways and is very complicated. There is no test to show if an individual will become addicted. A small number of people are genetically predisposed to addictive behaviour. If they use drugs, they are more likely than others to become addicted. However, addiction to a drug is influenced broadly by 3 main factors – the drug, the person and the environment. Drug factors include the drug’s addictiveness, how long you’ve been using it and how much you normally use. Person factors include the role of genetic differences and the individual’s capacity to cope with stresses. And environmental factors include availability of work and social integration Millions of people around the world use drugs and/or alcohol...
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...Addiction has been a sociological issue for decades upon centuries. Alcoholism was first treated as a mental health condition in the New York State Inebriate Asylum in 1864 after Founding Father Benjamin Rush brought to light the concept of addiction as a disease (Patterson.) Addiction causes people around the world to suffer from the loss of the ability to resist craving despite the negative consequences of the craving (Addiction.) Two basic types of addiction are highlighted: behavioral addiction and drug or alcohol addiction. Both behavioral and drug or alcohol addiction come from changes in the make up of the brain. This factor essentially makes it a brain disease (Leshner.) Leading factors of addiction are very important to look at as well as how to diminish the addiction population in the context of society. Addiction is important to look at from a sociological perspective, seeing how it affects the everyday interactions within a society. Behavioral...
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...alcoholics and drug addicts really get Social Security disability benefits? Not anymore. There never were all that many people getting Social Security disability benefits on account of alcoholism or drug addiction, but Congress has now prohibited Social Security from paying disability benefits on the basis of alcoholism or drug addiction. However, alcoholics and drug addicts have heart attacks, get cancer or get sick in other ways just like everyone else. Alcoholics and drug addicts who become disabled apart from their alcoholism or drug addiction can become eligible for Social Security disability benefits. Abstract Social Security Disability Insurance (SSD or SSDI) is a payroll tax-funded, federal insurance program of the United States government. It is managed by the Social Security Administration and is designed to provide income supplements to people who are physically restricted in their ability to be employed because of a notable disability, usually a physical disability. SSD can be supplied on either a temporary or permanent basis, usually directly correlated to whether the person's disability is temporary or permanent There are many different types of disablities that are covered under SSDI. However, one area that has been under heavy debate is whether or not substance abuse should be considered a disablity and funded by SSDI. This study examined symptom severity and level of functioning in recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for drug addicts...
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