Drug Addiction

An addiction can be considered a physical and psychological incapability to avoid the consumption of drugs, chemicals, substances, or even taking part in an activity even when doing so causes both physical and psychological harm (Nutt, 2018). The Addiction term is not only applicable when it comes to cocaine and heroin use. Any person who cannot function normally without taking some specific chemical or drug is considered to be substance dependent (Nutt, 2018). The obsession with some activities such as working, eating, and gambling is considered an addiction (Clark & Limbrick-Oldfield, 2013).

This type of addiction is commonly referred to as behavioral addiction. As stated by Robbins and Clark (2015) behavioral addictions have gradually become a recognized psychiatric disorder. Recently pathological gambling has been allocated to the DSM-5 category (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). There are several other disorders that have been suggested as being part of the behavioral addiction category although they are yet to receive the formal DSM-5 recognition (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Addiction is essentially a chronic disease that may emanate from the intake of medication.

Overuse of medication such as the opioid painkiller can trigger an addiction from the user. In the U.S. there are 115 deaths annually directly associated with the misuse of opioids (Nutt, 2018). Whenever a person experiences some form of addiction they lose their ability to control substance use or take part in some activity (behavioral addiction) (Robbins and Clark, 2015). An addiction makes the victim dependent on the substance or activity in order for them to be able to manage their daily living.

The American Government spends over $740 billion as a result of illicit drugs, tobacco, prescription opioids, and alcohol abuse. The amount spent goes into the treatment of the addictions, amount of work loss and the consequences of crime suffered as a result. To begin with, drug use or participation in an activity like gambling starts voluntarily. Addiction will eventually take over forcing the addict to lose self-control (Levy, 2013).

It is clear that addiction derails the ability of the addict to have neurological control over their cravings for a drug or an activity. In the words of Goldstein and Volkow (2011), drug addiction can be considered a neurological disorder for the reasons that it entails functional brain circuit changes. The changes detail self-control, stress, and reward alterations. These changes could remain for long durations of time after the addict has seized the consumption of the drugs. Addiction is not any different from other diseases like heart disease or diabetes.

In all disease instances, the healthy and normal body function is disturbed. The organs lose their optimal capacity and induced harmful effects on the body. Most of the diseases can be treatable and preventable just as drug addiction is. If drug addiction and other diseases are not treated, they could inflict lasting effects and possibly culminate into death (Koob, Arends & Le, 2014). Koob, Arends, and Le (2014) explored the neurological, cellular and molecular systems of the brain in an attempt to discover the responsible faculties in drug addiction.

The brain is the mediator that controls the rewarding effect of drug use and the changes that happen when transitioning from preliminary drug use into compulsive drug addiction and use. The point here is that persistent drug use interferes with the neurological reward system that culminates into compulsive drug use. Why people engage in Drug Use There are several reasons why people engage in drug use.

Some of the reasons are: · To perform better · Feel Better · Feel Good · Social pressure and curiosity A good number of people fail to understand how or why others become drug addicts. Some think that pathological drug users are not morally principled or do not have the willpower to stop using drugs (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). Some think that all drug addicts need is the will to abandon their urges. The reality is however different.

Addiction to substances and drugs is quite complex a topic that entails the neurological system and responses (Koob, Arends & Le, 2014). Quitting drug addiction is a complex undertaking that usually requires more effort than will and good intention. Drug use alters the brain responses in various ways that make quitting a difficult affair even for the addicts who have a strong will to (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). The good thing is that various researches have uncovered more about the effects of drugs on brain function.

Studies have discovered some treatments that are useful in assisting addicts to quit their addictions and restore normalcy in their lives. Drug addiction has been described by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016) as a persistent disease illustrated by drug usage and drug seeking tendencies that are compulsive, obsessive, or hard to control. The consequences of the addiction are harmful to the addict. Preliminary stages of drug use are always voluntary for many people although the recurrent and frequent use of drugs results in changes in the brain.

These changes manipulate the ability of the addict to maintain self-control. The changes also make it harder for the addict to resist drug use. The neurological changes could persist to the extent that the addiction is now considered as a relapse. Recovering drug addicts are at a higher risk of returning to drug addiction even after extended periods of not using the drugs (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). Although relapses may be observed among recovering addicts it does not mean that the treatment is not effective.

Just as is the case with other pathological health conditions, treatment for drug addiction ought also to be continuous. The treatment should only be adjusted depending on the response evidenced by the patient. Treatment patterns should be reviewed frequently and adjusted in order to correspond to the changes in the patient. Differences in Drug Addiction There are no specific parameters that can be used to determine if someone will become a drug addict.

Addiction risk factors can be determined by several factors including social environment, biology, developmental stage, and age (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). The more the risk factors the greater the possibility that someone will end up using drugs and become addicted to them. The biology of a person details the genes with which they are born with. When combined with environmental factors biology accounts for close to ½ of addiction vulnerability.

Other factors like gender, other mental disorders, and ethnicity are likely to influence drug addiction and abuse risks (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). The environment, on the other hand, entails various influences such as friends and family, life quality, and socioeconomic factors. Other influences like peer pressure, sexual abuse, parenting quality, and sexual abuse may influence the chances of drug abuse. The factors may also occasion the escalation of the addiction.

On the issue of development, the environmental and genetic factors may cooperate with fundamental developmental stages of a person to influence their vulnerability to addictions. Drugs consumption at whatever age is likely to result in an addiction. This said though the younger the age at which someone begins drug use is, the higher the chances of them becoming serious drug addicts (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). It is for this reason that the adolescent age is quite challenging.

This is because adolescent children have a part of their neurobiological system that is still under development. The brain faculties that govern judgment, self-control, and decision making are not fully developed yet for adolescent children. Adolescents are more susceptible to taking bigger risks. They are therefore more likely to dry drug use at this age. Drug Addiction Prevention Prevention of drug addiction is possible.

Research outcomes have revealed that drug addiction prevention programs that involve the community, media, schools, and families are more productive in the alleviation of drug abuse, misuse, and use (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016). There are various cultural factors and events that influence drug use. If the youthful adolescents are trained to view substance and drug abuse as harmful and dangerous, they will most likely alleviate their chances of taking them.

Outreach, awareness, and education programs for the general public and the youth are important in helping people understand the consequences of drug use. Health and medical professionals, parents, and teachers ought to sustain consistent awareness about drug addiction and the prevention of psychological disorder through avoidance of drug use (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2016).

Although the National Institute on Drug Abuse (2016) advocates for continued awareness and prevention programs as a medium of alleviating drug addiction the reality is that drug smuggling and drug trafficking has become a big business not only in third world countries but also in developed economies like the U.S. (Dell, 2015). If the drugs are not at the disposal of the.