Drug and Alcohol Addiction
Running Head: DRUG & ALCOHOL ADDICTION
Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Even though drug and alcohol addiction is the repeated and excessive use of drugs and alcohol to achieve a certain effect, which involves two components: physical and psychological dependency, they both can be treated. The cause of substance abuse is examined through several studies which showed drugs and alcohol are used to get relief from untreated mental or physical pain, through genetics, and low self-esteem. It is very important to know information about drug and alcohol addiction because not only is it a battle for the individual it impacts their family as well. “Whether a drug is considered good or bad depends not on objective conditions but on subjective concerns. Subjective concerns are not fixed, but changed over time. These concerns, and the views they generate, influence how people use and abuse drugs, whether a drug will be legal or illegal, and what social policies people want to adopt” (Henslin, 2008, p. 87). Drug addicts depend on the regular consumption of a drug to make it throughout the day. Drug addiction has been a problem for many people for centuries. Many drugs that were used for medical purpose such as opium, heroin, and cocaine resulted in problems that led to these substances becoming banned. Addiction is now widely classed as a disease which is progressive, incurable and will lead to death or institutionalization if not arrested. Addiction affects all those whom are close to the individual that finds themselves powerless to stop seeking and consuming drugs habitually and their lives begin to suffer (Sage, 2009). According to Lewis, people do not agree that treatment works. The stigma of drug addiction interferes with the acceptance scientific knowledge of this problem and the attempts to remedy it (1997). Henslin (2008) stated how each theory has a different understanding of drugs
Drug & Alcohol Addiction
Even though drug and alcohol addiction is the repeated and excessive use of drugs and alcohol to achieve a certain effect, which involves two components: physical and psychological dependency, they both can be treated. The cause of substance abuse is examined through several studies which showed drugs and alcohol are used to get relief from untreated mental or physical pain, through genetics, and low self-esteem. It is very important to know information about drug and alcohol addiction because not only is it a battle for the individual it impacts their family as well. “Whether a drug is considered good or bad depends not on objective conditions but on subjective concerns. Subjective concerns are not fixed, but changed over time. These concerns, and the views they generate, influence how people use and abuse drugs, whether a drug will be legal or illegal, and what social policies people want to adopt” (Henslin, 2008, p. 87). Drug addicts depend on the regular consumption of a drug to make it throughout the day. Drug addiction has been a problem for many people for centuries. Many drugs that were used for medical purpose such as opium, heroin, and cocaine resulted in problems that led to these substances becoming banned. Addiction is now widely classed as a disease which is progressive, incurable and will lead to death or institutionalization if not arrested. Addiction affects all those whom are close to the individual that finds themselves powerless to stop seeking and consuming drugs habitually and their lives begin to suffer (Sage, 2009). According to Lewis, people do not agree that treatment works. The stigma of drug addiction interferes with the acceptance scientific knowledge of this problem and the attempts to remedy it (1997). Henslin (2008) stated how each theory has a different understanding of drugs
References: Aron, A., Aron, E., & Coups, E. (2008). Statistics for the behavioral and social sciences: a brief course Brooks, R. G. (2009). Drug and Alcohol Detox and Addiction Counseling. Retrieved September 10, 2010, from http://www.drugalcoholaddictionwebsite.com/articles/21/1/Drug-and Gracer, R. (2008). Fighting Alcohol & Drug Addictions: 2 New Treatments for Eliminating Alcohol & Drug Addiction Forever Henslin, J. (2008). Social problems: a down-to-earth approach. (8th ed.) New York: Pearson and AB. Lewis, D. (1997). Fighting the profound stigma of drug addiction. The Brown University Digest of Addiction Theory & Application, 16(10), 12. Reyna, J. (2008). Domestic Violence: Men, Substance Abuse, and Other Factors. Retrieved September 10, 2010 http://www.drugalcoholaddictionwebsite.com/articles/3/1/Domestic Sage, A. (2009). What is Drug Addiction? The Signs, Symptoms, and Treatment. Retrieved September 10, 2010, from http://www.drugalcoholaddictionwebsite.com/articles/30/1/