Addiction Does Not Discriminate
Andrews 1
Kristal Andrews
Dr. Kathy Yates
ENG-1010-E02
Nov. 28th 2011
Research Paper
Final Draft
Addiction Does Not Discriminate Addiction does not discriminate; it does not care if one is rich, poor, famous, unknown, man, woman, or even a child. Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer not only preying on the homeless living on the streets or the people who struggle economically but also the white collared, financially secure, and middle class. Addiction to any substance, including drugs or alcohol, is more than capable of taking control of one’s life no matter how in order life seems. Addiction does not begin with a conscious decision to become an “addict.” Because of the availability of painkillers, central nervous system depressants, and alcohol, every socio-economical group is at risk. For many it is a slow progression from needing to wanting the drug of choice. Fortunately, there are treatment plans and therapy for those who suffer from this life changing disease. The stereotypical view of a drug addict is the poor, dirty, economically challenged, bug-eyed, and most likely of non-white ethnicity. However, Jeff Bishop reports from an interview with Pamela Shepard, coordinator of the Coweta County Adult Drug Court,
Andrews 2 that the addicts they deal with are anything but stereotypical. Shepard states that the people they deal with are not like those in the movies, they are moms, dads, college, students, nurses, teachers and every other profession. Then there are those who never stood a chance from the time they were born. Shepard also says that drug and alcohol addiction and other addictions are pervasive, not just in certain parts of a town or among certain groups of people. (Bishop) There are several prescription medications that are addictive, however, some of the more commonly addictive and abused are painkillers, CNS Depressants, and Alcohol. The National Institutes of Health estimates that in the
Kristal Andrews
Dr. Kathy Yates
ENG-1010-E02
Nov. 28th 2011
Research Paper
Final Draft
Addiction Does Not Discriminate Addiction does not discriminate; it does not care if one is rich, poor, famous, unknown, man, woman, or even a child. Addiction is an equal opportunity destroyer not only preying on the homeless living on the streets or the people who struggle economically but also the white collared, financially secure, and middle class. Addiction to any substance, including drugs or alcohol, is more than capable of taking control of one’s life no matter how in order life seems. Addiction does not begin with a conscious decision to become an “addict.” Because of the availability of painkillers, central nervous system depressants, and alcohol, every socio-economical group is at risk. For many it is a slow progression from needing to wanting the drug of choice. Fortunately, there are treatment plans and therapy for those who suffer from this life changing disease. The stereotypical view of a drug addict is the poor, dirty, economically challenged, bug-eyed, and most likely of non-white ethnicity. However, Jeff Bishop reports from an interview with Pamela Shepard, coordinator of the Coweta County Adult Drug Court,
Andrews 2 that the addicts they deal with are anything but stereotypical. Shepard states that the people they deal with are not like those in the movies, they are moms, dads, college, students, nurses, teachers and every other profession. Then there are those who never stood a chance from the time they were born. Shepard also says that drug and alcohol addiction and other addictions are pervasive, not just in certain parts of a town or among certain groups of people. (Bishop) There are several prescription medications that are addictive, however, some of the more commonly addictive and abused are painkillers, CNS Depressants, and Alcohol. The National Institutes of Health estimates that in the
Cited: http://www.prescriptiondrugabuse.us/statistics-facts.html “Prescription Painkillers May be Over Prescribed”, 2010