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Child Abuse in American

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Substance Abuse and Addiction
Kathy Short
SUBS 505
November 1, 2015

Substance Abuse and Addiction
Throughout history, many people have used substances in rituals of certain cultures, and as a way for people escape their own realities. Even throughout history the first humans would observe animals consuming certain fermented fruits, and mushrooms, and watched the animal’s reaction to the fruit. During the early history of mankind, they consider using substances as a way to become closer to their God, or during certain cultural rites of passage, and to have a vision as a way to commune with God. Although, when a person turns to using substances, it is a choice that is made by the person. When a person decides to use substance the person may have turned to a chemical substance to ease an emotional or physical pain, or explore as an experimental experience to discover alternative realities (Doweiko, 2015). When a person consumes a chemical substance the substance can then pass though the brain barrier, therefore, releasing the feel good endorphins in the brain to achieve a feeling of euphoria.
However, people still confuse the terms of substance use, abuse and addiction (Doweiko, 2015). Whereas, in reality, substance use is considered a normal learned behavior (Doweiko, 2015). This is learned behavior of substance use actually ranging from a person who abstains from all chemical substances, to a person who uses a limited amount, to the person who will use a chemical substance to the point of excessive use resulting in the development of dependence, 2015 (Doweiko, 2015).
Drug abuse can be described as cycles that passes through several phases as an infectious disease would. The first cycle is the incubation, such as when a substance is first introduced into the society (Doweiko, 2015). The second phase is the expansion stage, during this stage the number of many former users will stop using the chemical compound, and at the same time other people to start initial use of the compound (Doweiko, 2015). The fourth and final stage is described as the state of decline, the number of individual’s initiation or using chemical compounds declines (Doweiko, 2015).
When a person consumes substances, it become very easy to move to the next spectrum, since the desire for the feeling that they receive from the substance. This continued use evolves to the next level, which is substance abuse. Although, substance use, and abuse, have very few demarcation between the first stage and the second stage. With diagnosing substance abuse, the issues of substance abuse is defined as levels (Doweiko, 2015). In level zero, this is the where the person has no use of any type of chemical substances at all (Doweiko, 2015). Level one, is when the individual uses recreation chemicals that are technically illegal, during a social occasion with friends (Doweiko, 2015). Level two, the use of recreational chemicals include the majority of all substance abuse, the abuser falls into the pattern that is above the social norm (Doweiko, 2015). During this time the person might experience limited legal, social, vocation, or medical consequences, because of their heavy substance abuse (Doweiko, 2015). Level three, late problem use or early addiction, the person in this category may be physically dependent on the chemical substance, and will experience withdrawn or “drug sickness” without using. However, during this stage if the person discontinues the chemical substance abruptly the person risk increase medical issues such as possible seizure activity, depending on the type of substance the person was using(). Level four, the middle to late stage of addiction, the person will exhibit all classic signs of addiction, they may experience physical ailments, medical problems, issues with the legal system, personal problem, and a possible dependency on the chemical drug substance (Doweiko, 2015).
Substance abuse is a term used when a person will use a chemical compound with no legitimate medical need, the person will use the chemical substance in excess what is prescribed even in what is considered the social standard (Doweiko, 2015). When a person is in the addiction stage, the person loses control over the chemical substance, a person who is addicted to a chemical compound will continue to use the substance, with no remorse for what happens to their own health, or how it affects their family.
On October 21, 2015 President Obama visited the state of West Virginia, because of the numerous amount of deaths because of heroin and prescription drug overdose deaths (Morris, 2015). During President Obamas visit the report states that in the year 2015 alone, West Virginia has the highest right of drug overdose deaths in the nation (Morris, 2015). Statistical from the years of 2011 to 2013, there has been 22,000 deaths per every 100,000 people. Therefore West Virginia statically reports indicate that 98 per 100,000 people die from overdosing compared to other states (Morris, 2015)
Although, West Virginia experiences high unemployment rates, with areas where education is low, some individuals do not have any support from family or friends, leads to an increase in drug use. With all these types of conditions, and the ease of getting narcotics from doctors, the problem with overdoses will continue to increase.
Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 KJV

References
Doweiko, H. E. (2015). Concepts of Chemical Dependency (9th ed., pp. 2-15). La Cross, WI: Cengage.
Morris, J. (2015, October 21). Obama Says WV, Country's Drug Problems Must Be Tackled - WCHS - ABC. Retrieved from http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/Obama-Says-WV-Country-39-s-Drug-Problem-Must-Be-Tackled-221952.shtml#.VjK0HzIWCX0

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