Drugs and Health in Society - Article Example

Drugs and Health in Society Drugs and Health in Society Being ‘addicted’ or in a of ‘addiction’ to something means being unusually tolerant of, and reliant on something that is physically and psychologically habit-forming. Addiction is an expansive word that addresses both (non-chemical) behavioural and (chemical) substance related problems. Addictive disorders comprise of disorders concerned with substance abuse like flashbacks, intoxication, and withdrawal. Owing to the fact that disorders of a nonchemical nature like compulsive shopping, pathological gambling, sex and eating disorders tend to bear a resemblance to disorders that are substance- related, it is critical to include these issues in addiction practice. The word addiction began to be occasionally used in the first years of the 19th century. At the commencement of the present century the term addiction substituted the word inebriety, and started to be commonly used. Addiction grew to be an accepted scientific and medical expression. It was also a notion that carried inferences of vice and immorality (Rassool, 2009). Other related terms such as dependence are now acknowledged terms in the scientific field, even though addiction is still the word usually used by most people. In medical journals, addiction was still viewed as a type of craving for toxic substances – or as acute poisoning. It was also expressed as conscious or accidental overdosing - continual poisonings or being reliant on morphine or opium. During the 1960s, the word addiction was used to tell of a disease. This was then substituted and adapted to other expressions like dependence. Gossop (2007) gives some three models showing why individuals grow addicted to illegal substances, or take part in substance abuse to employ the modern terms: the physical dependency model the disease model the positive reinforcement model Key Factors That Explain Why People Get Addicted To Drugs and Abuse Them In the past, individuals with drug or alcohol related problems were perceived as criminals and sinners, and any assistance they got came from churches or law courts. At the close of the 19th century, the medical experts started to use the expression ‘addiction’ as both an elucidation for, and identification of the condition of excessive drug use. This suggestion was officially recognised when the American Medical Association (AMA) and the World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised alcoholism as a sickness in the 1950s (Keene, 1997). One outcome of this adjustment in attitude is the concept that the addicts are not able to be responsible for their behaviour, and that they need treatment instead of punishment. There are numerous factors that affect a persons response to drugs and a propensity to addiction. Historical and cultural variations are some of the most potent. These ideas are deeply ingrained in society, and start affecting people at a reasonably young age (Jarvis, 1995). By the age of maturity, when personal beliefs are set, the historical and cultural viewpoints of addiction are hard to abandon or modify. One may seek to know why these prejudices endure through generations. Explanatory factors may include the fact that the observance of fashionable prejudices is a conventional norm, that any shortcomings in research proposals are not openly recognised, and that the validity of assorted illegal substances are unsettled. In the final analysis, however, presumptions of addiction have to include not just the genetic perspective, but also the personal perceptions, historical, and cultural aspects that encompass the multifaceted behaviour identified as addiction. There are numerous types of addictions, from chemical substances to interpersonal relations. Though these assorted addictions differ, some general trends connect them. There are numerous theories that seek to explain addiction. These include conditioning and biological exposure theories, adaptation, and genetic theories. An addiction model must combine the multidimensional facets of addiction. It must address cultural and regional variations, interpersonal inclinations, and address issues that are evident in an assortment of addictions. Additionally, an applicable model will illustrate a sequence that exists, and that supports increased drug abuse so that the craving becomes overpowering and renders the host incapable of performing the most mundane daily chores. Lastly, addiction theories have to be able to explain addiction as it takes place in the human experience. Although a genetic theory appears to be a good reason for why people get addicted, it does not address precisely which gene codes are involved in the process of addiction. Questions crop up about whether or not what is encoded is the addictive behaviour, or a genetic system that prompts the behaviour (Forrester and Harwin, 2011). The exposure model is grounded on the supposition that consumption of the drug substance on a habitual basis will predictably result in addiction. The biological, in opposition to the conditioning theory, holds that addiction is an effect of biology. The exposure model holds that the inhalation or injection of a narcotic substance into the human body results in metabolic modifications that need nonstop and increasing measured quantities of the addictive substance to evade withdrawal symptoms. Endorphin related rationalisations have previously been linked with other types of cravings. Researchers have established that alcohol and food can also influence the body levels of endorphin. This could explain the longing, or the persistent psychological desire, for such non-narcotic materials (Gossop, 2007). This is commonly experienced by people who are addicted to exercise, or running. The "runners high", which is often experienced by exercise fanatics or professional athletes, is most likely to be the outcome of endorphin production. Another substance that is said to stimulate endorphin receptors, which then results in addiction, is nicotine. It is medically assumed that individuals of cigarette smokers are biologically dependent on the substance, nicotine. They smoke consistently in order to preserve regular levels of nicotine in their cells in order to withdrawal. While the exposure theory is viewed as being contentious, the allegations that endorphins have a big role to play in the process of addiction, is still the object of much research (Inciardi and Harrison, 1999). The rationale of conditioning concepts is that addiction is the collective result of the reinforcement brought about by the continuous use of drugs. The drugs act as a potent reinforcer and end up influencing the host’s behaviour. Unlike the genetic models of the exposure concepts, these conditioning prototypes indicate that any individual can be compelled to display addictive behaviour, given the basic reinforcements, despite their biology. In this theory, the argument has the potential for taking into account all extreme activities that go along with drug abuse in a singular framework: those of very pleasing behaviour. There are numerous reinforcement models that include the opponent- process proposal of motivation. The ‘validity’ of the overall concept of addiction Addiction, which represents a persons amendment to an environment that is usually self-destructive, symbolises a pattern of managing the habit through habituation. Instead of being a separate disease entity, it is presumed to be more of a continuum of behaviour and feeling. There are some three ways through which drug addiction can be identified in a person. 1. The addicted individual shows a keen need for the substance in question. This craving then results in habits that are designed to ensure that the user accesses the substance. 2. Once the addict decides to forego the substance for health purposes, he or she suffers deeply. 3. The trademark of addiction is the users eagerness to sacrifice anything and everything, in order to get hold of the drug (Druglink, 2004). These characteristics are based on the biology of substance addiction, and, consequently, can be applied more suitably to drug addiction than to other categories of addictions. Moreover, even drug addiction is not exclusively based on bodily processes. To a certain extent, the sensation of withdrawal and craving from an object, a drug, or behaviour involves a person’s values, expectations, and self-image for satisfaction. The notion of addiction gives a powerful portrayal of human behaviour that includes self destruction and compulsion (Davis, 1997). Addiction, at its worst, is an overpowering and pathological process. The purpose of addiction is the users experience of the pooled emotional, physical, and environmental components that comprise the involvement for that individual. Addiction is frequently distinguished by a harrowing withdrawal reaction to any withdrawal from this state of living. Tolerance or the desperate need for the drug experience, are assessed by taking into account how willing the user is to surrender other sources or rewards of personal security and health in life to the hunt for the illegal substance. The thing that brings about addiction, when viewed in this light, is its attraction to the user, even when she or he is faced with harmful consequences. Only by recognising this intricacy is it practical to put together a significant theory that delineates the issues that concern drug addiction, and to understand the ways in which users can be prevailed upon to reduce their intake of substances that destroy their bodies. References Davis, J. (1997). The myth of addiction. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic. Druglink. (2004). Druglink guide to drugs: A guide to the non-medical use of drugs in the UK London: Drugscope. Gossop, M. (2007.) Living with drugs. Abingdon: Ashgate. Forrester, D., & Harwin, J. (2011). Parents who misuse drugs and alcohol: Effective interventions in social work and child protection. Chichester: Wiley. Inciardi, J.A., & Harrison, L.D. (1999). Harm reduction: National and international perspectives. London: Sage. Jarvis, T.J. (1995).Treatment approaches for alcohol and drug dependence: An introductory guide. Chichester: Wiley & Sons. Keene, J. (1997). Drug misuse: Prevention, harm minimisation and treatment. London: Chapman & Hall. Rassool, G.H. (2009). Alcohol & drug misuse: A handbook for students and health professionals. London: Routledge. Read More