...will cut themselves off from society, because their addiction becomes greater than fear. The addict is left living a life of isolation rather than community. While someone who isn't suffering gains protection. The Ill no matter their diagnoses should receive the same remedy. Addiction isn’t a choice and they’re constantly growing. Researcher Gene Heyman illustrates in his journal that “A normal choice process can lead to addiction, arguing that people do not choose to be addicts, but that normal choice dynamics can lead them to that condition. He points to a variety of factors that keep most from becoming addicted”(Heyman). These individuals are just trying to live with their mental disability and not be abandoned. People with addictions do have the same right to be free from discrimination as anyone else with a disability or...
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...What is Addiction? Addiction is a condition in which a person is unable, without help, to stop from repeating a harmful behavior. While the behavior may not itself be harmful, it is the extent to which the behavior is repeated, as the “using episodes” become more frequent, intense, and severe over time. Typically the behaviors associated with an addiction become physically and psychologically harmful to the person doing them, and often to others as well. The compulsion to repeat the behavior is often accompanied by thoughts which drive the person to continue the behavior, despite them having objective knowledge that the behavior should not be done. The consequences of the addictive behavior usually become more and more serious over time too. The disease model of addiction explains the physical changes in the brain that occur as a result of a person who behaves in an addictive manner. Research has shown that there are biochemical pathways which clearly account for the effects that an addictive behavior or substance has on the body. There are specific chemicals, called neurotransmitters, which are released in the brain as a result of an addiction and these chemicals, such as dopamine, have been found to cause predictable reactions in the way the person experiences extreme pleasure. The addict, however, feels more intensely than a non-addicted person would feel in the similar experience. As a result of this powerful and pleasant sensation, addicts are driven to repeat...
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...Wounds of Sexual Addiction Michelle Beel Liberty University Psych 307 Summary Dr. Mark Lasser’s book “Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction” gives insight to those who suffer from sexual addiction and to the families, friends and other people in their lives. Dr. Mark Lasser has chosen to write this book, to share with others his personal struggle and victory with sexual addiction. Dr. Lasser has written this book from a Christian view, to give other individuals hope in a difficult and growing disease, which is taking control and destroying our families. Lasser defines sexual addiction as “a sickness involving any type of uncontrollable sexual activity, and because the addict cannot control his or her sexual behavior negative consequences eventually result.” (Lasser, 2004, pp 23) Lasser goes on to state that this secret sin has existed for years, since the beginning of time, and it still to this day continues to be “misnamed, mistreated, ignored or completely misdiagnosed, and even though it has wounded, killed and humiliated countless individuals people still believe it doesn’t exist”(Lasser, 2004, pp 15) Lasser describes sexual addiction as a “secret sin which grows from seeds planted in childhood and symptoms go undetected for years” (Lasser, 2004, pp 15), being that this is seen as normal developmental phase, going untreated it becomes worse over time, having grave consequences on the individual. Dr. Lasser further points out; sexual addiction is at an increase...
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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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...The Disease Model According to the disease model of addiction, addiction is a brain disease. Marked changes in brain structure and function that, over time, lead to involuntary use or compulsive behavior are the key characteristics of the disease (Leshner, 2001). The behavioral expressions of addiction are uncontrollable, and in that aspect, similar to that of other brain diseases. For example, just as schizophrenics cannot voluntarily control their hallucinations and delusions or Parkinson’s patients cannot control their trembling, an addict cannot control the urge to use (Leshner, 2001). Once an individual has the disease, it is irreversible. It is an incurable, chronic illness. Proponents of this model purport treating the addict just as one would treat an individual with any other brain disease or chronic illness (McLellan, Lewis, O’Brien & Klecher, 2000). As with other diseases, a holistic treatment approach, combining medication therapy, behavioral therapy and any needed social services and rehabilitation is considered the best treatment approach (Leshner, 2001). Research would seem to support the position that chronic substance use produces long-lasting changes in the brain (Volkow, Chang, Gene-Jack, Fowler et al., 2001) that are responsible for the impaired cognitive functioning, including the compulsive urge to use, that is characteristic of addictive behavior (Leshner, 2001). The comparative analysis conducted by McLellan and others (2000) also suggests similar kinds...
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...Introduction Addiction is one of the global problems leading to huge loss of life and causing untold suffering in families and society. This paper will focus on various models that are used to explain the etiology of addiction. Models for addictions refer to the tools used to deliver message concerning the biological basis of addiction as well as the broader social and psychological aspect of addiction. Models The following are the known models that explain the concept of all forms of addiction. 1. Personal responsibility model 2. Agent model 3. Dispositional model 4. Sociocultural model 5. Public health perspective Personal Responsibility or Moral model According to this model, society has divergent views concerning the issue of addiction although none of them is positive. One of the many views the society has is that addiction is a criminal behaviour. The other view or perspective is that addiction is a sin. The model attributes character and weakness defects to addiction (Bentley, 2007). The model has neither sympathy nor care for the individuals who have chronic addictions. The model bases its message concerning the addiction as an individual’s choice. As per this model individuals who are strong morally are well positioned to avoid, control and stop any form of addiction. The situation makes the model resemble medical and spiritual model. Moral uprightness is closely associated with religion. Without strong spiritual belief, various researchers...
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...Addiction can be defined as an uncontrollable need for or use of a habit-forming substance (“Merriam-Webster”). Addiction is impacted by one’s tolerance and the physiological symptoms that follow when suffering from withdrawal of a substance (“Merriam-Webster”). In our society today, we spend more than $740 billion in relation to crime, lost work productivity, and health care for those who use substances harmfully (“National Institute”). As addiction continues to be a serious problem for many individuals in the US, there continues to be a question: is addiction a disease or a choice made by the own individual (Russell, Davies, & Hunter, 2011)? Disease vs. Choice Addiction as a disease or choice are the most commonly known perspectives to...
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...Behavioral Theory of Addiction Contrasted With Moral and Disease Theories Theory and Practice in Addiction Counseling The behavioral model of addiction emphasizes conditioning as the primary reason for substance abuse. The individual chooses whether or not to engage in substance-using behavior depending on what they get out of the experience, relative to other options they have. If the substances are more rewarding than other activities within the person’s environment, then the behavior will continue. If this situation reverses, then extinction of the behavior is expected due to lack of reinforcement. Although social and economic context are recognized as factors in substance use, they are not primary causes of the behavior, nor is the presence of a comorbid psychological or medical condition. Interventions are based on the idea that an addicted person wants or expects certain results from substance use, and also wants certain outcomes in other areas of life. These objectives, wants, or needs are referred to as rewards, or reinforcers, in behavioral conditioning. The individual sets the economy of reward by weighing the relative value-cost of engaging in substance using behaviors. Immediacy of consequences, whether positive or negative reinforcement, or actual punishment, is a factor in this internal economy. If punishment for the behavior becomes stronger than the perceived benefits of continuing it, then there is economy of reward to motivate change, or discontinuation...
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...view addiction as a disease? Drug addiction is a significant problem in today’s society yet it also seems to be debatable as to whether society should view drug addiction as a disease or choice. Drug addiction continues to grow and affects a diverse population which includes much younger age groups. It must be noted that drug addiction is a voluntary choice; whereas disease is not, despite whether a disease is deemed mental and/or physical in nature. Frankly, whether society views addiction as a disease or choice, it is a problem and a controversial issue. The definition of drug addiction, according the Merriam-Webster’s dictionary is: “the quality or state of being addicted <addiction to reading>, compulsive need for and use of a habit-forming substance (as heroin, nicotine, or alcohol) characterized by tolerance and by well-defined physiological symptoms upon withdrawal; broadly: persistent compulsive use of a substance known by the user to be harmful.”(“Addiction” n.d.) Numerous government and other science researchers continue to study drug addiction while addressing whether addiction is a choice or a disease. There is significantly more information that states addiction is a choice. Drug addiction may be the underlying cause of a disease. However, despite whether addiction may result in disease, addiction is a choice and it is a subject of major study and may reflect how addiction is viewed. “Scientifically, the contention that addiction is a disease is...
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...of Addiction Monday October 1, 2012 Disease Model The oldest and possibly most talked about theory of addiction in the disease model. The disease model basically states that substance addiction is similar to any other disease in that it is genetic, progressive, and often times fatal. The symptoms of substance abuse such as alcoholism are similar for everyone who suffers, and they are easily recognizable. One problem with the disease model is that it is not backed by any strong scientific research. You cannot give someone an X-ray or a CT scan to see if they suffer from drug addiction. Another problem is that if it was a disease then one would assume that some sort of medicinal or therapeutic device would have been developed that can help cure the disease. No such device has been created or is even close to being introduced. The disease model has had serious implications when it comes to treating substance abuse. Alcoholics Anonymous (commonly referred to as AA) was created by psychiatrists specifically to treat substance abuse as a disease. AA is a long process in which participants use self-help methods in order to battle the disease for their entire life. It was founded in the United States in 1935 and has since exploded worldwide and is as prevalent as ever. I believe that substance abuse as a disease makes sense because it seems to be so natural. Alcoholism is commonly passed down through generations and is very common, similar to many other diseases. Substance...
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...Addiction choice or disease This essay will look to outline the different arguments in that; addiction to a substance is a choice of one’s free will, or is it a disease element in our bio chemical or physical make up? It will consider, if addiction extends from genes inherited from parents or forefathers, or if it is a learned behaviour through day to day lifestyles, and changes through growth from tots to teens, to youths, then to adults. It will also seek to analyse how different approaches and points in this relevant argument can be debated in the academic and medical world, with the views and discussion of recognised professionals in the study of addiction. The definition of addiction ad-dic-tion (noun) is ‘the state of being enslaved to a habit or practice or to something that is psychologically or physical habit forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma (Dictonary .com, 2012) One valid stance is that addiction is a chemical imbalance in Deoxyribonucleic Acid (D.N.A) (Wachuku, 2003, p. 199); any toxin or chemical artificially entered into the bloodstream may have a more serious effect on certain human beings than others. It could be argued that some are able to tolerate these toxins or chemicals without becoming addicted, whilst others quite easily fall into addiction, whether it is to alcohol, prescribed drugs, illegal solvents, stimulants, hallucinogenic or anti-depressants. Dr Robert West Professor of Health Psychology University College London...
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...abuse is certainly a demon that has been battled for many years and the fight continues on. In order to treat and help rehabilitate, it is very helpful to understand what causes these addictions. In a perfect world, there would be one theory that would explain addiction. The text indicates that there have been many theoretical models that have sought to give an understanding of this problem, but there are three prevalent models that are identified by Inaba and Cohen (2004). These are: the Addictive disease model, the Behavioral/environmental model, and the Academic model (Martin, 2014). The addictive disease model proposes that addiction is a medical condition much like any other medical disorder. This model teaches that addiction has identifiable symptoms and a course that can be predicted. It also proposes that there are genetic factors that play a role. Like any other disease, addiction will continue to worsen without treatment (Martin, 2014). The behavioral/environmental model uses six stages to describe the possible progression of substance use. These stages are: 1. Abstinence 2. Experimentation 3. Social/recreational use 4. Habituation 5. Abuse 6. Addiction. This model seeks to show that factors in one’s environment can lead one from one stage to the next (Martin, 2014). The academic model discusses the changes that occur in the body over time as one uses drugs. The changes take place at the cellular level in the body and so as more substance is used, the body builds...
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...Addiction in Adolescence Lillie Momon Liberty University Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long-lasting, and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs (Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2015). Addiction is a lot like other diseases, such as heart disease. Both disrupt the normal, healthy functioning of the underlying organ, have serious harmful consequences, and are preventable and treatable, but if left untreated, can last a lifetime (Drug Abuse & Addiction, 2015). Adolescence is a period full of challenges, changes and apprehension, especially for individuals in high school facing peer pressure amongst their friends. There are times when friends and acquaintances can have an increasingly strong influence during adolescence. Drug-using peers can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time. Academic failure or poor social skills can put a child at further risk for using or becoming addicted to drugs. The internal instability, the intense conflicts, and the uncertainty as for the future make the adolescent vulnerable to a series of situations, among them the use of drugs. Several authors alert that this stage is the most critical and sensitive for the initiation of the use of psychoactive...
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...Effective Components in Determining Substance Use Behavior Crystal Ramsey Liberty University Effective Components in Determining Substance Use Behavior Addiction is regarded as having a multitude of causations and contributing factors. No single specific component or model can accurately predict a person’s substance use behavior (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). Substance use disorders are a reflection of the impact of person-specific biological, psychological, and social influences. Understanding an individual’s spiritual beliefs and the role spirituality plays in a person’s susceptibility to addiction is also necessary. If a spirituality component is absent in a person's life, addiction could fill that void (Doweiko, 2015). Substance abusers can use chemicals to cope with psychological anguish, social pressure, be biologically susceptible or to create an illusion of purpose. Biology The biological model consists of the physical, fundamental, and atomic mechanisms. These elements affect the natural functioning of the individual. Substance use disorders are believed to be the result of a physiological abnormality (Doweiko, 2015). Normal biological processes are altered within the body such as the reward system. Typically the reward system is designed to help people. However, numerous substances inundate the natural neurotransmitter system giving false signals to the brain’s reward system (Doweiko, 2015). Unfortunately, a natural process that evolved to assist in human existence...
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...Abstract Addictions covers a range of maladaptive traits to include substance use, alcohol or behavior leading to significant impairments. There are various causes of addiction, but some theoretical frameworks indicates that addictions may have a genetic component that leads to a predisposition to develop addiction, a disease model of addiction or as the result of self-medicating of a primary disorder. This paper will take a theoretical view of the causes of addiction as well as developing a working definition of addiction. Causes of Addiction There are numerous theories regarding addiction and the causes of addiction; however, for the purpose of this paper we will discuss three areas or models of addiction as it relates to substance and alcohol related abuse. Before delving into the causes of addiction we will develop an understanding of what addiction is and what it is not by viewing a few theories and definitions of addiction. We will also develop an understanding of what constitute a diagnosis of addiction and causes one to develop an addiction in the context of genetic predisposition, disease and the prevalence of addiction among individuals with co-occurring disorders stemming from traumatic experiences such as childhood abuse. Addiction Defining addiction is not a simplistic task as there are many theories and definitions of addiction and how addiction develops. In Drugs and addiction: an Introduction to Epigenetics, Wong...
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