...Nature versus Nature Author’s Name Author’s Institutional Affiliation 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...
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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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...Christine Wilson Psy1462 March 21, 2014 The Impact of Childhood Maltreatment on Young Adults’ Substance Abuse: A Reaction. This article contains information regarding a study carried out between 1976 and 1987 about individuals who were subject to different types of abuse between the ages of 10 and 17. The research seemed eager to show what the correlation was between type of abuse the child suffered through and what type of addiction, if any, that the victims acquired over the years. The study followed 842 participants through four years of initial interviews and 7 waves of re-interviewing for the purpose of seeking out addiction information. The final wave of testing, done in 1987, was when the youngest participants reached the maximum age of 24. The final total of 762 individuals whom answered every question and completed every interview was used to create the final graph regarding demographic versus addiction type. The study was split up by race, sex, age, and socio-economic background (welfare, etc.). The mediating effects of depression in later substance abuse were also discussed. Though interesting, this particular study lacks in depth. According to the results, sexual abuse plays very little role in substance abuse and I find this to be highly unlikely. I do agree that alcoholism is likely to be more prevalent in physical abuse cases. Quite often there seems to be a connection between alcohol and violence that it would seem likely would carry on into the...
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...The transtheoretical model consists of three components: the process of change, stages of change, and levels of change. Generally speaking, all parts help the counselor determine how ready and willing a client is to the idea of change. Although, I will not be focusing on all components all play a crucial role in determining motivation. Gutierrez and Czerny (2017) supports addicts going through a series of stages in order to achieve change (p. 199). The stages of change are listed as precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, maintenance, and termination (Gutierrez & Czerny, 2017, p.200-202). The duty of the counselor is to engage the client in a fluid, open dialogue which will allow the counselor to better assess which stage the...
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...Adolescent Substance Abuse Isaiah.R 3/27/14 In society today, a common problem among teenagers is the use of drugs. Teen age years are probably the most challenging periods of life. It is a stage of finding yourself versus confusion of knowing oneself. Belonging and being accepted in a group seems to be very important, as well as being “cool”. Troubled, teens turn to things such as drugs to help Suppress or ease the emotional/mental pain of things such as the common rejection. During these years of maturing, teenagers encounter their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosity, and the availability of drugs are some of the factors that youthful and vulnerable teenagers have to cope with in their young lives. One of the significant reasons for teenage drug use is peer pressure, particularly from the influences among friends, acquaintances, school, and the media. If a teenager’s main social group is using drugs, then there is a strong pressure due to the fact that drugs are present and can easily be offered. Also, the person might get convinced to think that there is nothing wrong with trying drugs because “everybody else is doing it.” In the effect that teenagers will try drugs just to fit in the social norms, they might do it to impress their buddies to be considered “cool” as part of being in the group and gain acceptance by friends. The issue of using drugs is everywhere in this country and around the world. It’s available and accessible...
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...effects technology has on our brain. In the books Fahrenheit 451 and 1984, the societies are very susceptible to dangerous technology without the society caring. Technology changes the brain’s chemical neurons and responses. A human’s brain changes very easily, some of these changes I will be discussing in this article are how teens, the frontal lobe, attention, addiction, and memory are affected from technology. Teenagers and Technology The evolution of technology has lead to our society revolving around social media. Our society has a general want for new products. This has led to a drastic...
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...60-3-8947-1852. E-mail: zeinabzaremohzzabieh@gmail.com Received: October 27, 2013 Accepted: January 16, 2014 Online Published: February 26, 2014 doi:10.5539/ass.v10n6p107 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.5539/ass.v10n6p107 Abstract The Facebook has become an essential part of almost every university students’ daily life, and while a large number of students seem to get benefits from use of the Facebook by exchanging information for educational goals, make friends, and other activities, the literature indicates that this social networking site can become addictive to some university students’ users, which is one of the today’s higher education matters. The aim of this study, therefore, is to explore the phenomenon of Facebook addiction among university students. Qualitative study using interview is used to gather data from nine International postgraduates of Universiti Putra Malaysia and the data established three themes (Compulsion to check Facebook, High frequency use, and Using Facebook to avoid offline responsibility) relied on the participants interviews. The findings from these three themes showed that these users considered their Facebook dependency, are known as salience, tolerance, and conflict. These results also lead to the conclusion that like most activities, moderation and controlled use are key. So, the best approach to preparing...
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...male-oriented biases in research questions, hypotheses, and designs. Unfortunately, the "gender lens" did not appear in substance use research until the early 1980s. Prior to the 1970s, most studies of alcohol and other drug use were conducted among males. Early studies that included women suffered from the "add women and stir approach." Females were added to samples, but no gender-related concepts were used. The result was that women's and men's drug use were viewed through a male lens. Fortunately, the 1980s witnessed the first series of studies that placed women and gender at center stage. For instance, Rosenbaum's (1980) book on women heroin users was one of the first major U.S. publications to challenge conceptual frameworks on drug use, abuse, and treatment by gender socialization (e.g., gender roles). The gender lens asks us to study substance use more carefully and to recognize the impact of social and cultural constructions of masculinity and femininity on individual and group drug use. Fortunately, gender oriented research has blossomed since the early 1980s. However, more is still known about male's drug use and abuse than female's. Following is a review of differences in rates of drug use. abuse, and drug-related problems and also gender-oriented explanations for them. PREVALENCE OF DRUG USE Currently, the two leading data sources on substance use-National Household Survey on Drug Abuse (NHSDA) and the Monitoring the Future (MTF) study-report a greater occurrence...
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...Informational Seminar Ludaisha Washington SHB 5109 Scope of Addictive Behaviors and Eating Disturbances Table of Content Page 3--------- Audience selection Page 4 -------- Drug Classification Page 5 -------- Terms Page 6 -------- Cont. terms Page 7 -------- Signs and Symptoms Page 8 -------- Ethnic and Cultural Page 9 -------- Cont. Ethnic and Cultural Page 10 ------ Cont. Ethnic and Cultural Page 11 ------ Societal Attitudes and Stigma Page 12 ------ Cont. Societal Attitude and Stigma Page 13 ------ References Audience Teenagers abuse a variety of drugs, both legal and illegal. Legally available drugs include alcohol, prescribed medications, inhalants (fumes from glues, aerosols, and solvents) and over-the-counter cough, cold, sleep, and diet medications. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana (pot), stimulants (cocaine, crack, and speed), LSD, PCP, opiates, heroin, and designer drugs (Ecstasy). The use of illegal drugs is increasing, especially among young teens. The average age of first marijuana use is 14, and alcohol use can start before age 12. The use of marijuana and alcohol in high school has become common. The audience for this informational seminar would be aimed to Middle school teachers and administrators prior towards the students entering high school. These are people who educate...
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...VELLEMAN2 & LORNA J. TEMPLETON2 1 Birmingham and Solihull Substance Misuse Services and School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, UK and 2Mental Health Research and Development Unit, University of Bath, UK and Avon Witshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust Abstract Alcohol and drug problems affect not only those using these substances but also family members of the substance user. In this review evidence of the negative impacts substance misuse may have upon families are examined, following which family-focused interventions are reviewed. Several family-focused interventions have been developed. They can be broadly grouped into three types: (1) working with family members to promote the entry and engagement of substance misusers into treatment; (2) joint involvement of family members and substance misusing relatives in the treatment of the latter; and (3) interventions responding to the needs of the family members in their own right. The evidence base for each of the three types is reviewed. Despite methodological weaknesses in this area, a number of conclusions can be advanced that support wider use of family focused interventions in routine practice. Future research needs to focus on (1) pragmatic trials that are more representative of routine clinical settings; (2) cost-effectiveness analyses, in terms of treatment costs and the impact of interventions on costs to society; (3) explore treatment process; and (4) make use of qualitative methods. In addition, there...
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... Abstract In the United States the prison population has increased from 300,000 in 1972 to 2.2 million people today. One in 31 adults in the United States is in jail, prison, on probation or parole. The American government currently spends over 68 billion dollars a year on incarceration. Drug Policy and the incarceration of low-level drug offenders is the primary cause of mass incarceration in the United States. Forty percent of drug arrests are for simple possession of marijuana. Growing evidence indicates that drug treatment and counseling programs are far more effective in reducing drug addiction and abuse than is incarceration. Drug policies most often refer to the government's attempt to combat the negative effects of drug addiction and misuse in its society Governments try to combat drug addiction with policies which address both the demand and supply of drugs, as well as policies which can mitigate the harms of drug abuse. Demand reduction measures include prohibition, fines for drug offenses, incarceration for persons convicted for drug offenses, treatment (such as voluntary rehabilitation), awareness campaigns, community social services, and support for families. Policies which may help mitigate the effects of drug abuse include needle exchange and drug substitution programs, as well as free facilities for testing a drug's purity. Political parties, the general public, interest groups (public/special)...
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...Justice Policy I N S T I T U T E Treatment or Incarceration? Treatment or Incarceration? National and State Findings on the Efficacy and Cost Savings of Drug Treatment Versus Imprisonment by Doug McVay, Vincent Schiraldi, and Jason Ziedenberg January 2004 Justice Policy Institute 4455 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite B-500 Washington, DC 20008 v 202.363.7847 f 202.363.8677 www.justicepolicy.org POLICY REPORT J u s t i c e P o l i c y I n s t i t u t e Table of Contents Introduction: The national and local problem of drug imprisonment 3 Methodology 4 Finding 1: Treatment can be less expensive than a term of imprisonment 5 Finding 2: Treatment can be cost effective 6 Finding 3: Treatment can reduce substance abuse and recidivism while building communities 9 Finding 4: Promising treatment models exist in Maryland and around the country 11 Maryland: Break The Cycle The Correctional Options Program (COP) Drug Courts: Maryland and the National Perspective California’s Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act (SACPA) 11 12 13 14 Conclusion: Drug treatment can be more effective than cycling people in and out of prison 18 Endnotes 20 About the Authors Treatment or Incarceration? was primarily authored by Doug McVay, former research director for Common Sense for Drug Policy, a non-profit dedicated to expanding...
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...2009 (Abuse, 2011). Not only do alcohol use disorders complicate recovery from posttraumatic mental health disorders, such as PTSD, but these stress-related conditions have been found to impede recovery from alcoholism. Ouimette and colleagues found that substance-dependent veterans with PTSD had poorer substance abuse treatment outcomes after 2 years compared with those without PTSD (Ouimette, Finney, & Moos, 1999). Consistent with these results, Brown and colleagues found that substance-dependent individuals with co-occurring PTSD relapsed more quickly than those without PTSD (Brown, Stout, & Mueller, 1999).Taken together; these results suggest that the co-occurrence of an alcohol use disorder with PTSD provides a substantial barrier to recovery from both of these disorders. Social Work Values/Ethics Understanding this information, I feel that it is more applicable to treat the mental health disorder which is most likely co-occurring with the Alcohol Abuse. This is only exercising a competence based approach. The United States Military may be the best fighting force in the world, however, it is not within their scope of practice to determine treatment modalities for soldiers facing co-occurring mental health and substance disorders. The apparent strategy to implement is to have all veterans returning from deployments to be screened by mental health providers on a three month basis post deployment. These screenings would offer proactive approaches to determine the onset of...
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...Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses Versus Associate-Degree Grand Canyon University: NRS-430V January 31, 2016 Baccalaureate-Degree Nurses Versus Associate-Degree According to the American Nurses Association (2010), “a competency is an expected level of performance, knowledge, skills, abilities and judgment” (p. 12). Does the amount of education matter in regards to an associate-degree level nurse (ADN) verses a baccalaureate-degree level nurse (BSN) when it comes to a nurse’s competence? The purpose of this paper will review and compare competencies between nurses studying at the level of ADN versus BSN and describe a patient care scenario where the decision-making process would differ between degree levels. Nursing Education According to the American Association of College of Nursing (AACN), there are three (3) different levels of education for registered nurses that are offered. These include, a 3-year diploma (offered in hospitals), 3-year associate degree from a community college and the 4-year baccalaureate degree which can be obtained through universities or senior level colleges (AACN, 2014). In order to become a registered nurse, specific amounts of education is needed to receive a degree. Education is imperative. Once graduated from one of the three programs, the same National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) will be given. This exam tests minimal competencies to enter the nursing profession and there is no comparison in the passing rate (AACN, 2014)...
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...Running Head: Online Game Addiction Perception of and Addiction to Online Games as a Function of Personality Traits Searle Huh University of Southern California and Nicholas David Bowman Michigan State University Online Publication Date: April 26, 2008 Journal of Media Psychology, V 13, No. 2, Spring, 2008 Abstract With the growing popularity of online video games, there have been anecdotal reports suggesting that these games are highly addictive, with some gamers spending in excess of 40 to 50 hours per week playing. Thus, research into the individual characteristics that lead to excessive play is warranted. This paper examines two individual variables – personality and perceptions of media – and explores how they relate to online game play, specifically online game addiction. By presenting a revised metric for online game addiction, this paper explores the relationship between addiction and both personality and perception. Online addiction is presented in this paper as a process addiction with four unique factors: perceived social sanctions, excessive play, uncontrollable play, and displacement. Both personality and perception are found to be significantly associated with online game addiction. These results are interpreted and discussed, and future research direction is suggested. Keywords: online game addiction, Big Five personality traits, media perception, MMOs Perception and Addiction of Online Games as a Function of Personality Traits ...
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