Heroin Addiction Thesis

Heroin Addiction Thesis
My informative essay will discuss the unfortunate and accidental path of becoming a heroin addict. Heroin is an opiate that contains the same
components as narcotic pain medications. There are people in this world that become dependent on opiates and strongly feel they can't live without
them. Pain medications are the number one source that links them to heroin use.
Becoming a Heroin addict after being proscribed pain medication is more common than people know. Working in the medical field has been a major
revelation for me when it comes to understanding a person that has an addiction. For most people that start using heroin as their priority drug, is due to
no longer having access to proscription opiate medications. A lot of people become
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Essay On Cannabis And Drugs
There are many affects that drugs and alcohol can have on the body, and on the life of a person. Thousands of jobs, homes, and families are lost
annually through the addictions of drugs and alcohol. Children grow up without parents, spouses are forced to raise their children as single parents,
and grandparents become legal guardians for a second time, due to the effects of substance abuse and dependence. Exactly how addiction is defined and
diagnosed is an on–going issue and one that will be discussed in this paper. While there are eleven different categories that substances are arranged,
this paper will be focusing specifically on alcohol and cannabis. An estimated 126 million Americans over the age of 12 reported being...show more
content...
This has made the drug much more potent and easy to grow. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 17 million people in America
had used marijuana in 1992 (as quoted in Smith & Stevens, 2009, p.64). The affects that drugs and alcohol can have on the human body, as well as
the addictions they create, have been discussed in presidential debates, the topic of many scholarly journals and books, and continue to affect the
lives of millions of people worldwide. Meldelson & Mello (1985) wrote that the most conclusive way to define addiction is that it prevails when
drug or alcohol use is directly affiliated with "impairment of health and social functioning is a useful general thesis" (as cited in Smith & Stevens,
2009, p. 138). Addiction can also be defined as "the lack of choice the user has over the drug use" Once the individual needs the alcohol or drug to feel
normal, and not as a way to feel pleasure, they can be considered dependant on that particular substance (Smith & Stevens, 2009). According to the
American Psychiatric Association (2000), in the fourth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual, Text Revision (DSM–IV– TR) a substance is
referred to as a medication or drug of abuse that is used in an abusive way, and in a manner incoherent with medical treatment. Dependence or addiction
is translated as where tolerance is increased, withdrawal symptoms occur based on each individual substance, the substance is taken in larger amounts,
or

Drug Abuse Essay
Drug Abuse
Drug Abuse is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the user has physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. The
substances that are discussed in this report are called psychoactive drugs; those drugs that influence or alter the workings of the mind, affect moods,
emotions, feelings, and thinking processes.
Drug Dependence/Addiction
There are three basic characteristics that indicate that the user is dependent on a drug. First, the user continues to use the drug for an extended period of
time. Second, the user finds it difficult to stop using the drug. They may drop out of school, steal, go to jail, lose their jobs, or leave their families in
order to keep using....show more content...
Effects of Drugs
There are four basic stages that the drug user goes through. In stage one, there are no outward behavioral changes caused by the use of drugs. The
drug use is considered normal. In stage two, the user actively seeks the euphoric effects of the drug by using it more frequently. A reliable source of
the drug is established. The user may add mid–week use rather than only on weekends or at parties. In younger users, a general lack of motivation is
noticed, along with changes in friends and lower grades. In stage three, the user is extremely preoccupied with the desire to experience the effects of
the drug. The drug is used daily. There may be thoughts of suicide and/or depression.
There may be family problems or trouble with the law. In the fourth and final stage, the user has become addicted. They are dependent on the drug just
to feel normal. Physical signs are frequent sore throats, coughing, fatigue, and weight loss. They may be experiencing overdosing and blackouts more
frequently. The user may be engaging in criminal activities in order to obtain money for the drug. Alcohol
One major drug that physically effects the user is alcohol. It causes damage to the brain, pancreas, and kidney. It also causes high blood pressure and
may heighten the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Other consequences of alcohol abuse are possible alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis of the

Drug Abuse and Addiction Essay
Drugs affect people in many different ways. One person can take abuse drugs, yet never become addicted, while another person has one experience
and is immediately hooked to that drug. Drug addiction is defined as a dependence on an illegal drug, or medication. When you are addicted, you
cannot control your drug use despite the fact that you know the consequences. The scary thing is that drug addiction can cause a major intense craving
of drugs. Even though you want to stop, most people can't do it on their own it is very difficult, and most need therapeutic help. For many people this
is what is going to lead them to their death, or a long term mental/physical disability. Being addicted will also affect your relationships with friends and
...show more content...
For example, some people will get addicted and need to keep relying on the drug. When they are hooked onto that drug, becoming a drug abuser, that
person will start neglecting his or her own responsibilities and start delving into illegal activities. Not only are they affecting themselves, but they begin
to hurt family members, friends, and the greater society. Because you have lost yourself too deeply into the drugs, you cannot control yourself; your
life basically revolves around the drug.
When experimenting with drugs, you are running a risk factor for developing more serious drug abuse habits which lead to health and behavioral
consequences. It all depends on what drug one is addicted to, but there is no illegal drug that does not have serious consequences. Taking a
recreational drug causes a surge in levels of dopamine in the brain, which trigger feelings of pleasure, which is considered getting "stoned." The brain
remembers those feelings and wants them repeated all over again. If you become addicted, the substance takes on the same significance as other
survival behaviors, such as eating and drinking. It also changes one's brain, interfering with one's ability to think

Essay on Drug Use
Drug Use
Drug use is part of life in the United States. Some people use drugs for
medical purposes and some use them to escape from reality or as a way to
cope with problems. There are two main types of drugs, medicines and
psychoactive drugs. Medicines are used to help the body fight injury and
psychoactive drugs are used to cause a change in the users brain activity.
Psychoactive drugs are very dangerous. They produce very powerful changes
in the body. What a drug does is called its action and unwanted effects are
called side effects. The side effects of a psychoactive drug can range from
uncomfortable to life threatening. Abuse of a psychoactive drug often results in
dependence or addiction where the...show more content...
Social factors are peer
pressure. Your friends urge you to try a drug and you do it to be "accepted".
Another factor is personal factors. These are stress, low self–esteem and lack

of confidence that can place a teen at risk. Drugs are categorized into their
actions. The 3 main types of actions are depressants, stimulants, and
hallucinogens. Depressants slow down the heart rate and breathing rate, lower
blood pressure, relax muscles, and relieve tension. An example of a
depressant would be heroin. Stimulants speed up body activity. And example
of a stimulant is cocaine. Hallucinogens alter perception, thought, and mood
and have no medical use. An example of a hallucinogen is LSD. Some drugs
are made to look like other drugs and then sold on the street as the drug they
resemble. These are called look–alike–drugs and can contain any kind of
substance. Before a drug abuser can be helped they must first admit that they
have a problem. Then they can seek treatment. There are different ways to
treat drug abuse one is called detoxification. This program involves gradual
but complete withdrawal from the substance. Another treatment method is
called therapeutic communities. In this treatment, drug abusers live in a facility
and learn to adjust to drug free lives. Another type of treatment is methadone
maintenance treatment.

Addiction: Is it a Disease or a Choice? Essay
Addiction: is it a disease or a choice? A disease can be described as "a disorder of structure or function that produces specific signs or symptoms, or
that affects a specific location and is not simply a direct result of a physical injury." Knowing this, one can believe addiction is a disease. It is
something that is done frequently, that usually does not end, just as a disease; it cannot cease on its own, because it requires some form of treatment.
The big question regarding addiction is why people believe it to be a choice opposed to a disease.
Addiction affects 40% of the population in the Western world (Lewis, Marc). There are many different kinds of addictions such as: food, drugs,
alcohol, tobacco, gambling or sexual aspects. When...show more content...
If addiction is put in the disease category, it alleviates shame and gets people to seek treatment sooner. Addiction can be referred to as a matter of
choice. If someone chooses to be addicted to something, they make the choice to not put an end to the use of the substance. An addiction is not
something that can be forced upon an individual. Self–medication is the effort and ability to help oneself to better themselves, when it comes to their
addiction. They find ways to replace the action, or they add other things thinking it will help them recover. The road to recovery is like a
developmental process for the individuals that are suffering.
Addiction is now mentioned in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual published by the American Psychiatric Association (DSM). With it being
mentioned in this book, the idea cannot be dismissed about it being a disease (Leyton, Marco). This book is used to look up diseases and learn more
about the overview, symptoms and possible cures. All of the diseases known are listed. It's like the dictionary or encyclopedia of human diseases.
Some people continue to believe an addiction is nothing but a choice. If presented well, it could make a valid argument along

Narrative on Addiction
Celia D. Roman
Instructor Corbett
COM 041
11 November 2011
Essay 1 Addiction is a disease that I will battle for the rest of my life. After being sexually assaulted at the age of twelve, I started to self–destruct. Lack
of parental support, less than pristine living conditions, and an addictive personality paved an expressway to a life of addiction. I chose to hang with
undesirable people, and was introduced to Marijuana, LSD, Ecstasy, PCP, Cocaine,Heroin and eventually what became the love of my life, the
prescription painkiller Morphine. Never did I think that trying pot would have a domino effect. It led me to try harder and more addictive substances
ultimately turning my life upside down. Often publicly...show more content...
Though after numerous years clean behind bars and completing several prison drug programs, I still had not hit my true bottom. My life after prison
was even harder. I stayed clean of all drugs, and since alcohol was never a problem for me, I would drink and drink often. I continued a relationship
with a drug–dealer that was extremely toxic and abusive. However, it would only take one visit to the hospital to trigger my relapse. I was
prescribed Percocet which gave me the euphoric high of heroin. It caused me to search for stronger painkillers in higher doses. Morphine kept me
calm, able to deal with any problem and solve it, but really destroying the person I really was. I believe God stepped in to show me enough is enough
after surviving a car accident that should have killed me due to overdosing behind the wheel. This was my wake–up call. I immediately put myself into
a program here in Reading, and my ex was arrested for selling drugs and is serving 5–10 years still till this day. I cut everyone and anything that had to
do with using, and focused on getting my life back in order. If I continued, it was certain jail or death. I chose life for the first time ever. I was so
excited for my new life to begin not realizing the real fight was just about to begin. I used the aid of Methadone to get off the Morphine so that I
could still do other things and not have to go away and lose my home. I was living independently and for the

Essay Drug Abuse and Mental Health
Substance abuse complicates almost every aspect of care for the person with a mental disorder. When drugs enter the brain, they can interrupt the work
and actually change how the brain performs its jobs; these changes are what lead to compulsive drug use. Drug abuse plays a major role when
concerning mental health. It is very difficult for these individuals to engage in treatment. Diagnosis for a treatment is difficult because it takes time to
disengage the interacting effects of substance abuse and the mental illness. It may also be difficult for substance abusers to be accommodated at home
and it may not be tolerated in the community of residents of rehabilitation programs. The author states, that they end up losing their support systems
According to the American Psychiatric Association chronicdrug abuse may occur together with any mental illness that may include some of the
following disorders. "Some common serious mental disorders associated with chronic drug abuse include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, manic
depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive–compulsive disorder, post–traumatic stress
disorder, panic disorder, and antisocial personality disorder" (Center, 2004). Some of these disorders carry with them an increased risk of drug abuse.
Another example of a drug that can cause a mental disorder, is MDMA (3, 4–methylenedioxymethamphetamine) which is commonly known as
ecstasy. It produces long term deficits in serotonin function in the brain, leading to mental disorders such as depression and anxiety.
In addition, chronic drug abuse by teenagers during a time of development it is a particular concern because, it can interfere with normal socialization
and cognitive development and thus frequently contributes to the development of mental disorders. Violence has become more prevalent among the
diagnosed population of drugs and mental disorders. Domestic violence and suicide attempts are more common of the mentally ill who end up
incarcerated; there is

Case Study Of Drug Addiction
Assignment 2: Case of Ahmed
This essay is based on a client Ibrahim (30 year old, male) who is currently living with his three siblings with their biological father and step mother.
The client has a history of juvenile delinquency with outrageous behavior. Due the suspensions from the school, he has a low academic performance.
Currently, he is jobless due to abusing drugs and low academic performance, which made him feel depressed. The purpose of the essay is to evaluate
the clients' problems with the help of consistency theory and understand the possible neurological underpinnings that may have occurred in his brain.
Also recommend possible interventions that are most fitting for client.
In the light of Grawe's consistency theory, understanding...show more content...
Therefore, therapist can recommend to the client (Ahmed) to complete the detoxification program at first. As stated previously, detoxification alone
does not address the psychological, social, and behavioral problems associated with addiction and therefore does not typically produce lasting
behavioral changes necessary for recovery (Principles of Drug Addiction Treatment: A Research–Based Guide, 2009).
Cognitive Behavioural Therapies for Addiction
Cognitive and Behavioural approaches are also widely used with alcohol and drug using clients. In a meta–analysis of 17 studies Walters,
Mortgenstern, & Rotgers (2003) found that behavioural self–control programs (training in drinking rate control, goal setting, identifying high risk
situations, alternatives to alcohol use) were more effective than no treatment and at least as effective as abstinence based programs. CBT for substance
abuse encompasses a variety of interventions that emphasize different targets. However, this essay will be focus only on motivational intervention and
family therapy.
a)Individual Treatment: Motivational

Essay On Drug Addiction
When a person has a drug addiction, they have a disease that has the ability to affect and hurt the entire family. Everyone in the addict's immediate
family is affected in one way or another. Addiction impacts a family's finances, physical health as well as psychological wellbeing. It can also cause
tension, miscommunication, and more frequent arguments within a household which in turn creates an unhealthy environment for everyone involved.
The addict can be very unpredictable which can cause anxiety, emotional pain, stress, and a loss of trust because that person cannot be counted on to
follow through with what they say. Frequently, the people who are addicted don't even realize or believe they are causing these problems within their
families. And unfortunately, they don't view themselves as sick or suffering from a problem, so they don't reach out for help. When the person finally
realizes they may have a problem, they believe the solution is to escape and run away from their addiction.
In "Sonny's Blues," Sonny tells his brother "I couldn't tell you when Mama died – but the reason I wanted to leave Harlem so bad was to get away
from drugs. And then, when I ran away, that's what I was running from– really." (218) At this point, Sonny is telling his brother he was willing to leave
his family behind to run away from his addiction. But it also shows how misguided he was, or rather all drug addicts, to think he could just run away
from the drugs. Because in the end, he ends

Teenagers and Drug Abuse Essay
It has been discovered that most people who struggle with drug addiction began experimenting with drugs in their teens. Teenage drug abuse is
one of the largest problems in society today and the problem grows and larger every year. Drugs are a pervasive force in our culture today. To
expect kids not to be influenced by the culture of their time is as unrealistic as believing in the tooth fairy (Bauman 140). Teens may feel pressured
by their friends to try drugs, they may have easy access to drugs, they may use drugs to rebel against their family or society, or they may take an illegal
drug because they are curious about it or the pleasure that it gives them. After interviewing my teenage cousin whom has been in several altercations
My teenage cousin advised me that after she passed the stage of being pressured by her peers to use drugs and alcohol, she began using it to make
her feel better because she was suffering from depression. Depression is the result of chemical imbalance and environmental influence. Drugs and
alcohol are the most readily available methods of emotional anesthesia, if not on hand; they would find a substitute (Henican 141). She would use
drugs when she would think about her incarcerated dad that has been in and out of her life from birth. Her family members would try to encourage
her and would often tell her, "If you continue to do the things that you are doing, you will end up like your dad incarcerated." She rebels against her
mother and stepfather when they try to correct her and discipline her. She doesn't like to follow the rules at home or school and acts like she doesn't
do anything wrong. Something psychologically is really going on with her mentally, that is one of the side effects that drugs causes. Seeing there is
no way out feeling lonely like no one cares and no prospects for improvement leads to depression. Depression is something that many teens deal with
during their lives. Some teens isolate themselves from their families by going in their rooms, staying out late, not eating and a bad grade or because of
an argument with parents or friends – they may use more drugs than

Essay on Problems of Drug Addictions
Problems of Drug Addictions
Drugs have been a major issue for society for much of the 20th century. Drugs are something that effect everyone, regardless of race or financial
standing. They not only affect the user but also how are society is shaped. There are literally hundreds of drugs currently available. All seemingly have
the same affect on the user and no matter how potent or illicit, they effect the body and mind negatively. Besides these negative effects, there is the
financial aspect that has affected users through many generations. Whether rich or poor, chemicals are needed by the body and the user for the feel of
an intense high. Above and beyond all, there is the criminal element that always comes into play for society. Both...show more content...
This generally leads to other drug usage, and usually harder drugs like cocaine and herion which can cause major problems for the human body.
Depressants include mostly the drug known as [delta‑9‑tetradrocannabinol] or otherwise known as marijuana (Pradhan). Cannabis,
which is obtained from the plant cannabis sativa, effects the central nervous system of the brain. It is grown widely across the world and is
harvested as a cash crop in many countries. There are two main types: the dried leaves and buds are known as marijuana, as a solid resin it either
then becomes hashish or hash. This is collected from the flower head then processed into a thick liquid, prepared in a resin. All of these preparations
can be, either eaten or smoked. In some cultures, there are some herbal medicines used in many countries as a painkiller for treatment of glaucoma,
insomnia in a the short‑ term effect of the drug. There is no conclusive evidence that long‑term use of cannabis can cause damage to
physical and mental health. "Studies have found that prolonged heavy use does cause physical damage to the brain and short‑term memory
loss has been reported in several investigations" Walter L. Way (The Drug Scene Prentice‑Hall 1970 p. 25). Short term effects of marijuana can
impair coordination, attention, and memory, which could become hazardous. Barbiturates are also considered a

Heroin Addiction Thesis

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Heroin Addiction Thesis