Preview

Breaking the Cycle of Addcition

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2266 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Breaking the Cycle of Addcition
Can the Cycle of Addiction be Broken? Addiction is now defined as a brain disease due to the changes it has on the brains structure and functions with continual use. The essence of addiction is the uncontrollable, compulsive drug or behavior craving, seeking and use in disregard to the negative consequences it might have on one’s health and social status (Leshner, 2001 ). The disease, addiction, disturbs the areas of the brain that is in charge of regulating and managing emotional, cognitive, and social behaviors. The body has its own particular system that maintains biological homeostasis; this system regulates the chemicals in the body and brain to maintain balance. When outside psychoactive drugs are introduced it changes the chemical balance and disturbs the “homeostatic system of craving and satiation for the biological functions necessary to sustain life, e.g. Hunger, thirst, sex, and sleep”(Smith D. , 2012). Addiction alters the likely progression so that the craving and focus is on drugs rather than the natural life sustaining process(Smith D. , 2012).
Genetically influenced addicts are identifiable by their peculiar reaction to addictive materials that produce hyper secretion of dopamine in the reward pathway of the brain(Smith D. , 2012). Melemis discusses a study that reveals children of addicts are 8 times more likely to develop an addiction, genetics affect the variability to susceptibility by 50-60%. It has been proven that prevention of drug use, or abstinence, is the best strategy for remaining addiction free. An addict that is predisposed and has children who are predisposed can impact the future of their children by remaining abstinent from drugs, providing a safe environment, talking with their children and being honest with themselves and their loved ones (Adult Children of Alcoholics, 2012). The information presented in this paper will discuss how an addict or one that comes from a family of addicts can successfully regain their life



Bibliography: Adult Children of Alcoholics. (2012). Adult Children of Alcoholics World Service Organization. Retrieved 11 2012, from Adult Children of Alcoholics: http://adultchidren.org/ Blomqvist, J Bristow-Braitman, A. (1995). Addiction Recovery: 12-step Programs and Cognitive-Behavioral Psychology. Journal of Counseling and Developement , 414-418. Freed, C. (2007). Addiction Medicine and Addiction Psychiatry in America: The Impact of Physicians in Recovery on the Medical Treatment of Addiction. Contemporary Drug Problems , 111-135. Harvard Health Publication . (2011). Why is Breaking Free of Addiction so Tough? Retrieved 12 2012, from helpguide.org: http://www. health.harvard.edu/special_health_reports/overcoming-addiction-paths-toward-recovery Leshner, A Melemis, D. S. (2012, March 26). The Genetics of Addiction . Retrieved January 15, 2012, from Addiction and Recovery : http://www.addictionsandrecovery.org/is-addiction-a-disease.htm Melemis, D National Institue in Drug Abuse . (2010, 08). Drugs, Brain, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. Retrieved 12 2012, from Treatment and Recovery : http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/science-addiction/treatment-recovery Smith, D Smith, M., Segal, J., & Robison, L. (2012, 12). Overcoming Drug Addiction. Retrieved 12 2012, from helpguide.rg: http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_abuse_addiction_rehab_treatment.htm

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    COUN 851 Syllabus

    • 2120 Words
    • 9 Pages

    SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING Fall 2013 COUN 851 Textbooks: Substance Abuse Counseling Author: Judith A. Lewis; Robert Q. Dana & Gregory A. Blevins Edition / Copyright: 4TH, 2011 Publisher: Brooks/Cole Publishing, Co.…

    • 2120 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Flakka Research Paper

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Dania Reynolds, “Former Addict Speaks Out About His Past Experiences”, www.covecenterforrecovery.com website, Original author, published by Cove Center For Recovery at 10:06 AM , accessed on October 10th,…

    • 636 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The outcomes of the treatment are evidence that the approach is results oriented (NIDA, 2012). Patients suffering from drug dependency are able to develop coping skills that help them to regain control of their lives. Furthermore, by assessing and identifying the root cause(s) of alcohol and cocaine dependency, the approach helps patients to develop best practices for turning their lives around. They are able to learn the positive outcomes of a drug-free life and pursue…

    • 384 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The harsh reality about addiction is it destroys lives if left untreated. By the time the sick individual realizes the depth of their problems, the problems have usually mounted to the point of causing total disarray in their lives as well as in the lives of the people around them. At some point, something has to be done. While many fringe solutions may be advertised, the only reliable solution usually ends up being a treatment stint in a reliable rehabilitation center.…

    • 597 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    12 Step Meeting

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages

    -Treatment of Drug Abuse and Addiction — Part III, The Harvard Mental Health Letter, Volume 12, Number 4, October 1995, page 3.…

    • 1013 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Drug abuse and addiction.” Pamphlet by: National Institute on Drug Abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2007Retrieved from; Gale virtual reference library…

    • 396 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    AA Paper Turn In

    • 1624 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2012). History and Etiological Models of Addiction. In D. Capuzzi & M. D. Stauffer (Eds.), Foundations of addiction counseling (pp. 1-15). Boston, MA…

    • 1624 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Bipolar Research Paper

    • 4865 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Miller, N., Gold, M., & Smith, D. (1997). Manual of therapeutics for addictions. New York, NY. Wiley-Liss, Inc.…

    • 4865 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Cited: “Definition of Addiction.” The American Society of Addiction Medicine. N.p.,n.d. Web. 29 September 2012…

    • 1063 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Addiction Paradox

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Bower, Bruce. "The Addiction Paradox: Drug Dependence Has Two Faces - As A Chronic Disease And A Temporary Failure To Cope." Science News 185.6 (2014): 16-20. EBSCO MegaFILE. Web. 7 Apr. 2014.…

    • 1090 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    References: Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (2012). Foundations of addictions counseling (2nd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.…

    • 677 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    This experience was eye opening and I feel that it has better equipped me to help others through the process of recovery. It’s easy to see why addictions are difficult to recover from and why it is considered a lifelong practice. I learned that it takes commitment, courage, and the desire to change and in order to create change, you have to create balance in all areas of your life, because this issue not only affects the addict, but the people around him or her as well. During this…

    • 329 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Stevens, P., & Smith, R. L. (2013). Substance abuse counseling: Theory and practice (5th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.…

    • 900 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Doyle-Pita, D. (2004). Chapter One: A Counselors Role in Recovery. Addictions Counseling (pp. 13-19). Crossroads Publishing Company Retrieved From:…

    • 1060 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Effects of Drugs

    • 4874 Words
    • 20 Pages

    Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. What people often underestimate is the complexity of drug addiction—that it is a disease that impacts the brain and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower. Through scientific advances we now know much more about how exactly drugs work in the brain, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated help people stop abusing drugs and resume their productive lives.…

    • 4874 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Powerful Essays

Related Topics