The Happiness Myth: Drugs, by Jennifer Hecht, discusses whether or not drugs really are as bad as we believe. Many only see one side, if we are taught they are bad from the geico, it makes one is hesitant. While many chose not to do drugs in their lifetime, others are ashamed to admit they have. People have always used happiness drugs, drugs that are considered illegal today, were once used them often as we use “caffeine and Prozac. Though, today, often we disguise our own legal drugs as antidepressants, numbing agents, soporifics, or stimulants, which says a lot about the drugs society deems as okay.…
The Happiness Myth: Drugs, by Jennifer Hecht discusses the misceptions about drugs in society. Throughout history there have always been happiness drugs, though our public for the most part has been morally against them. Today, legal happiness drugs are often labeled things such as antidepressants, numbing agents, soporifics, or stimulants, which tells one a lot about what society thinks about them. On the other hand, the drugs considered illegal today were, at various times, once used as much as we use caffeine today. Which is odd since some of the drugs in markets are a lot stronger than they used to be.…
Freedom from addiction is no different, so each client should consider what must be sacrificed, what compliance must be made, in order to achieve real recovery from addiction. Individual members of the group are encouraged to set personal goals for themselves, as well. This is where in-group motivational interviewing and reflective listening is useful. What do you want? What is important to you and your loved ones? Where will you be in five years? Can you remember when you were really happy? What did you experience that first time you used? What about the last time you used? What problems are you having now? Based on the answers, a client can be led into a self-epiphany about the role that substances play as a perceived solution to his or her chronic fears and problems, and in turn goals can be set to achieve healthy cognitive and behavioral changes. The client can be shown alternative solutions to fears and problems, and taught coping skills to carry out of treatment and develop further in aftercare. Deb is particularly good at working with defensive clients, and claims that meeting anger with tactful persistence…
Addicts live in a world full of self-hatred and shame, and a multitude of these individuals do not want anyone to know the truth about their pain. Our textbook states that “ninety-five percent of untreated alcoholics die of alcoholism an average of 26 years early even if their death certificate might read they died of heart disease, cancer, or something else to protect the family, but the real reason they died is due to addiction” (Perkinson, 2012, p. 2). An individual’s repeated drug use causes long-lasting changes in their brain which causes long-lasting changes in their brain which causes the addict to lose voluntary control. The individual’s addiction is their only way of feeling normal which makes them feel hopeless, powerless, helpless,…
Gabor Maté, in his article “Embraced by the Needle,” encourages people to understand the addiction to drugs is a result of deep unhappiness that occurs in an individual early in life (273-75). Maté shows in a Portland non-profit harm-reduction facility that he works at, the methadone prescribed does not help the emotional suffering that the addicts endure. Although methadone may halt the effects of withdrawal, there is no “high” created, according to Maté. He also asserts that drugs alone are not the source of addiction and that statistics show that only 8 per cent to 15 per cent of individuals who use substances, such as marijuana, become addicted. This small percentile margin of addiction, Maté argues, supports the position that addiction…
Men and women learn a lot in recovery, not just about staying sober but living a happy, satisfying life. They don’t need to be taken care of; they learned how to do that for themselves. Some are deeply spiritual people whose lives are infused with meaning and purpose, while others volunteer in their communities or have interesting hobbies that keep them grounded. Because recovery is a lifelong process, recovering addicts are in a perpetual state of self-improvement.…
The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner and Quincy Troupe entails the life story of Christopher Gardner. Like other books that movies are made from, The Pursuit of Happyness movie was very different than the book. In the movie, Gardner starts out in his late twenties; he lives with his wife, Linda, and his son Chris Gardner Jr., who was five-years-old at the beginning of the movie. The book starts out very differently; Gardner is just three-years-old and living in a foster home (Gardner and Troupe 15-16). By the end of the book, Gardner Jr. is barely four-years-old. The major difference between the book and the movie is that Gardner experiences physical, mental, and sexual abuse.…
They are taught about the dangers of extended substance abuse and also directed to look at their own situation for a better understanding of how addiction dominates their lives. While therapy and treatment are being administered, patients begin the process of collecting the life skills and tools they will need to live a normal life. Living a normal life will include avoiding…
Those who are happiest, never have everything; rather, they are thankful for everything they do have. In an ideal world, everything would be perfect for each of us. There would be no restrictions, no hardships, and no sadness. Unfortunately, such a world is unattainable, which is why we have to make do with the good we do have; something we all possess, no matter how bad things may seem. Dwelling on all the things you do not have will never leave you satisfied, and will never let you be truly happy. Happiness is acceptance, perspective, and embracing all you have.…
Since the birth of America in 1776, the driving force and the heart of America has always been the “American Dream.” To most people, The American Dream means having a cheerful, happy and successful life. According to the Declaration of Independence, founders established America with the idea that its citizens would be guaranteed life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Today, we are able to pursue happiness. Nevertheless, the quality of life in America has certainty had an impact on families. There are around 45 million people who fit poverty guidelines today. The average salary per person is 26,695 dollars (“TheBudget”). However, the life changing stories of people starting from the bottom first then achieving greatness is common in today’s society.…
Addiction is defined as “a state of physiological or psychological dependence on a potentially harmful drug or behavior (Encarta, 2009).” Addiction has the distinction of creating a positive feeling or a false sense of euphoria. This is seen most prominently in drug and alcohol addictions as they both give the user a false sense feeling of well being and happiness. Although drug and alcohol addictions are the prevalent addictions, they are not the only ones. Some other addictions are: shopping, smoking, gambling, and sometimes sex addictions give the addict the same sense of well being. However, they all share the same negative outcome to the individual as his or her compulsion to acquire the “high” overrides the logical and rational sense of self-preservation.…
In class we read three different essays including ‘The Dying family’ by J.H. Plumb,’ Does Fatherhood Make You Happy?’ By Daniel Gilbert, and ‘We Have No Right to Happiness’ by C.S. Lewis. Though the purpose of these essays can be very controversial to some, after reviewing all three essays I have picked my favorite, or the one I agree with and disagree with most.…
Modern day society is not at the same extent of totalitarianism through science and technology as the one depicted in the novel Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. The utopian society which is set in A.F. 632 revolves around a world in which pleasure and the pursuit of happiness are the key aspects in each characters everyday life. This is achieved by the scientific and technological advances in Brave New World. The government’s means of control is to ensure happiness through drugs, stability by controlling the classes of people through what the book refers to as the “Bokanovsky Process,” and pleasure being achieved through the cheapening of moral entertainment. In today’s society, the desire to…
Stevens, P. & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, Fifth Edition. United States: Pearson Education Inc. Retrieved From:…
In today’s world, people have found different ways of dealing with their problem. For example, one of the ways they have dealt with problems is by turning to both alcohol and drugs. Some people even look out suicide as a way out. The main reasons why people turn to a substance like drugs and alcohol is because they feel lonely, depressed, and they try to escape reality. When a person feels depressed, the only way he or she can cure that empty gap is by filling it with drugs and alcohol. Instead of turning to a loved one, they rather be alone and deal with their pain by using drugs and alcohol. There are times when a person reacts in mixed emotions such as happiness, sadness, and even aggressiveness. These are some symptoms a person has when…