Drug Addiction Disease or Choice? Essay

do drugs dependence, disease or picking, the guinea pig groundwork of Drugs Association (NIDA) has determined Drug habituation a chronic, relapsing brain disease magic spell opposing views debate Drug Addiction as solely a option controlled voluntarily? Drug pilferion is now recognized as a chronic relapsing brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors. Hence, the estimated economic cost contributed to disease assembleations is $181Billion a year? Could this be a loophole for obtaining cash and doesnt this kind of m iodiney seem high to be contributed to a voluntarily poor conclusion? Weather you intend dependency to be a disease or a cho rubbish is to be seen. Many well respected professors and scientist claim nut caseion is a scapegoat behavior that has been incorrectly place as a physical or affable illness, an addict is only a victim of lousy science and misguided policy. NIDA has made ground-breaking discoveries about the brain and has revolution ized our understanding of drug abuse and drug addiction. subsequent to be defined is what the signifi nookiet distinction between abuse and addiction, which peck ultimately change ones station of view. The following is a combination of research by medical institutions and well respected professional in the fields of science, along with two very interviews, with an ex drug addict turned counselor for a methadone treatment facility, an soul in active addiction, and a recovering addict. The let, strength, and hopes of these professionals and the mortalal trauma had by each of these addicts is part of a message that should be heard by anyone ever touched by the disease of addiction in any way shape or form.Drug Addiction is a growing problem to solar day and has caught the attention of somewhat(prenominal) professionals these professionals wipe out opposing views of the cause, some will read Drug addiction is a disease while others will claim it is a willing choice of poor d ecisions making. NIDA has determined that addiction is a disease. The big controversy is said to be in the difference of terminology. Before one can possess the assessment weather addiction is adisease or choice they must first understand the difference between addiction and abuse.What argon the differences Between a Drug Abuser, and a Drug Addict? Many people assume that addiction is simply an employ of drugs, and that the addict is just a drug user who chooses to use too much. But research has shown that addiction, foreign casual drug use, is no longer a matter of free choice. Functionally youve moved into a different situate, a state of compulsive drug use, prescribes Alan Leshner, Ph.D., director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). Drug use really isnt a choice of morality. By interview with a counselor at a drug rehabilitation center Drug addiction is a mental disorder with a physical allergy. When an addict doesnt use they become ill physically, muscles tight en, sweats and fend for pains, vomiting and many other flu like symptoms surface. Then the voice in the brain begins to pour forth to them and it is a vicious cycle of emotional stress. The abuser can use at parties and on surplus occasions. He or she may like to use when they chose, but if they do non use drugs they do not have a mental relapse or physical discomforts.When an addict puts down the drug they ar not cured, they ar only sober. For this reason many addicts must undergo either a 12 step program or have the support of a drug counselor. An abuser can stop using at any given time and never pick up again. The National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine, the American Psychiatric Association, and the American Medical Association all define this state of driven, compulsive use as the essence of addiction. Someone who abuses drugs may suffer negative consequences from using, as the addict does, but generally can and does stop when these consequences become too sever e. The addict may be uneffective to stop, even after negative consequences, without medical and/or behavioral help. Says Steven Hyman, M.D., director of the National Institute of genial Health, An alcoholic taking a drink looks like anyone else engaged in that behavior, but whats accident in his or her head is different. He or she is in the grip of a powerful fatality that may lead to a binge. (Firshein, Janet) Some have characterized addiction as a behavioral choice and can be controlled voluntarily.There is an interview with Gene M Heyman a professor at Harvard University, as the conversation around his ideas of addiction cosmosa voluntary decision and why anyone would want to put up to be an addict. Gene Hymens findings are and what they mean. The author argues what has been said about addiction in so many studies, drug addiction is a Disease this means it is not a choice. Heyman states it is simply an act of voluntary choice. plot of ground he does not pretend to be a poli cy expert, he does believe that treatment should consist of non-drug activities to lower the value of the drug. (Akst, Daniel) Heyman states, In a most impressive display of brain technology, scientists have used scanning technologies to observe metabolic activity of the brain in action. In a regular(prenominal) demonstration, addicts are shown drug related videos that depict people handling crack pipes and needles. Brain scans capture the witnessers reaction to these provocative images and represent it as glowing Technicolor splotches of color that represent activation in drug sensitized brain regions. (Videos of neutral contact depict no such activity.)Heyman goes on to project his claim that this proves that addiction is not a brain state it is a behavior. (Leshner) Its not peculiar or unlikely that as soon as a psyche hears the words addiction, they are interpreted immediately as a negative and a stigma is automatically attached to the individual with the addiction. In the article called Drug Addiction A Brain disease? I have found that there are studies that define drug addiction, as a compulsion to take drugs. There are many biological factors that are indications of drug addiction being a form of a mental disease do to the lack of control one has in their behavior. Drug addiction affects even the neurotransmitters that one uses to learn or for memory.The studies go on and on and do to the behavioral components there are some scientists and other professionals who seem hesitant to call drug addiction a brain disease. (Pietas, Nicole) Some say it is a disease some say its a choice. None the less, he disease of addiction has become such the problem in the United States of America it is considered the most costly and damaging unsoundness by the National Institute of Drug Abuse.This kind of money being delegated for these drug addicts and alcoholics is alarming. If not a disease than what is it? The evidence and research has been done. The brain behave s differently in an addict. When one ingests drugs one of the changes is the rise in available levels of sureneurotransmitters associated with feelings of pleasure. Key among these is dopamine a naturally occurring neuro-transmitter that some scientists now call in is involve in most of the basic human experiences of pleasure.The pleasure of a kiss, a bowl of favorite ice cream, and a compliment may all be related to a rise in dopamine levels in the normal persons brain. Drugs of abuse also boost dopamine levels. When a person takes a hit of crack cocaine or a drag on a tooshie the drug causes a spike in dopamine levels in the brain, and a rush of euphoria, or pleasure. While its not the only chemical involved in drug abuse, experts have come to believe that dopamine is the crucial one.The damage is truly done over time as neurotransmitters are not replaced pain and suffering becomes more real when drugs are not present. The cycle of addiction is so cruelly painful. How can one assume or argue that this is a choice? We would be claiming that 600,000 people currently addicted to heroin today are just gluttons for punishment.Is there a cure for this disease? Unfortunately, no cure up to date, but recovery is possible with persistence, guidance and reinforcement as learned in an interview with Charlotte Doe, an ex addict turned CDAC Certified Counselor of Drug and Alcohol addiction, at Spectrum Health, a methadone rehabilitation center. The question is how bad does one want recovery? When asked, what was her most challenging duty her response was being able to know when someone wasnt ready and knowing that any day could be their last. She explained how there is no one rule in how to counsel an addict its not found in a text book, and no two addicts are the same. Her best gift to cleft is being able to identify with the addict from experience. Charlotte also believes strongly in that meetings and step work are incredibly important.Putting the drug down is o nly the beginning of a long road ahead. The experience strength and hope from a recovering addict and a drug treatment counselor is how this addict is giving back to society. The sad part is that some havent truly hit joggle bottom and until they do, they will not be ready. Hence, the addict relapsing, this is a term of when an addict puts down the drugs for a period of time to endure recovery and has a setback. There is an active addict which we will call, butt Doe, who I had the pleasure of speaking with who shared with me the pain and suffering he goes through. He has attempted recovery numerous times, butjust cant seem to find a way to wait clean. He knows that when he is in recovery, for example inpatient, he can stay clean. The problem is once subjected to smell on lifes terms its back to square one. He also admits that until his enablers, those who make his using possible, stop being providers than he will continue using.Again, hearing those words straight from the mouth of an addict one can agree that until an addict Hits rock bottom there may not be a occur for recovery. Charlotte said it best, an enabler is cheating the addict of his/her Rock Bottom. Tough love is the key in a situation like jakess. His enablers might need to take a step back and let John go through his process. Being addicted cant be a very gratifying habit. Its costly, you have to answer to the drugs regularly, no vacation without them, no chance of separation from the substance while sick and suffering. You are no longer your own boss, the drugs are. Unfortunately for the addict people continue to think its primarily a moral and poor Choice caused by being a throw and having lack of willpower.As learned in the research addiction is a disease that Causes addicts to have no regard for consequences and to abandoned everyone and everything with no control. Addiction is a disease that causes changes in the brain, which then drive certain behaviors, taking the drug compulsively, but addicts can learn to change the behavior. We wouldnt blame a person with a heart disease for having a heart attack. But we would guide them into better habits a full-blooded diet, exercise, and making sure they are complying with medication.The same with an addict, we can blame them for being sick, but we should encourage and make them responsible for their recovery. The disease itself cannot be cured but can be treated. Its been said that the familiar has little sympathy for addicts, but whether you like the person or not, youve got to deal with their problem as an illness. abandoned the views of the professionals and personally affected individuals has your opinion of addiction been altered?Akst, Daniel The 1eBoston Glob, August 9, 2009Akst Daniel www.Boston.com/ bostonglobe/ idea /articles/2009/08/09Campbell, William G. Canadian ledger of Psychiatry, Nov2003, Vol. 48 Issue 10, p669- 674, 6p, 1 Chart (AN 11539480)Falk,Daniel Hsiao-Ye Yi Susanne Hiller-Sturmhfel. Alcohol Re search & Health, 2008, Vol. 31 Issue 2, p100-110, 11p, 4Feske,Ulrike Tarter, Ralph Kirisci, Levent Pilkonis, Paul. American Journal on Addictions, Mar2006, Vol. 15 Issue 2, p131-137, 7p, 1Firshein, Janet, PBS OnlineLeshner Science 3 October 1997 45 DOI10.1126/science.278.5335.45, www.scienceAAAS.org the Addiction Is a Brain Disease, and It MattersMiriam-Webster, I. (2002). Merriam-Websters Third New International Dictionary Unabridged. Retrieved www.mwu.eb.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com/mwu Pietas, Nicole. Drug Addiction A Brain Disease? Serendip Biology 1/17/08