Alcohol Addiction and the Addiction Process

Despite the general tendency to assume that we can recognize addiction when we encounter it, the idea of addiction is not well defined.   No matter what the addiction, all addiction begins as a habit and progresses from there.   Even if there is a genetic component, the initial expression of the addiction is expressed as a habit. Some habitual addictions end up as chemical imbalances in the body, others as changes at one or more receptor sites and so on. The concept of addiction as it is often portrayed and used is unclear.   Finagarette (1988) and Davies (1992) proposed that the concept of addiction as it is generally viewed is a myth.   Other researchers have presented similar ideas. (Szasz, 1974; Peele, 1985)   Since the 1970s, some have suggested that the concept of addiction requires revision in that it combines social discourse, moral dilemmas, psychological states and pharmacology in an awkward manner. (Hammersley and Reid)   The typical view of addiction is generally viewed as a myth. (Szasz, 1974; Peele, 1985; Finagarette, 1988; Davies, 1992)   The general view of the concept of addiction may be of little value and require major revision. (Akers, 1991)   Today, terms such as â€Å"substance abuse† and â€Å"drug dependence† are subtly replacing the idea of addiction. (Edwards and Gross, 1976) Theoretically, there are at least two general classes of addiction:   1) physical dependence and 2) psychological dependence.   The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV TR) defines substance dependence as a cluster of symptoms that indicate that the individual has a pattern of impaired control over substance use. The seven DSM-IV TR criteria for Dependence can be separated into physiological dependence and compulsive use.   Addiction is considered to be the uncontrolled, compulsive use of a substance.   Physical and psychological addictions are not always easy to distinguish, especially as there is certainly some degree of overlap between the two. Each type of addiction has its own cause.   This report will focus on alcohol addiction.   We will look at the addiction process from beginning to end.   We will ask, What causes addiction or Why does addiction begin, Why does addiction persist and finally, Why does it end?   Our approach will be to take a general look at addictions so we will know and understand what we are dealing with and then to focus on one type of addiction, alcohol addiction, for an in-depth consideration and review. We will begin by looking at the concept of addiction and defining what the means and we will proceed from there.   Overall, we will discuss the general aspects of alcohol addiction and then apply what has been discussed to a hypothetical case. In what follows, we will create a hypothetical case that will exemplify the addiction process from the initial stages to addiction to treatment.   If we are to follow the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) model, the process cannot go beyond treatment because the AA model does not allow for a cure.   Addicts are always recovering and never recover, so we will follow the AA model and its treatment throughout the life of the addict.   We will create our hypothetical addict after defining what is generally meant by the term addiction. Addiction Defined Substance abuse is widely viewed as addiction, but Hammersley and Reid (2002) point out that addiction is a dramatic, dangerous and chronic condition caused by the biological effects of drugs.   Hammersley and Reid suggest that substance use is a normal behavior with social causes and should be viewed as such without perpetuating any unhelpful moral issues and the unsuccessful solutions suggested by the myth. Hammersley and Reid suggest that the myth of addiction continues and prevails because it is functional in western cultures and can be used to deal with issues of ‘control’.   According to the generally accepted myth, addictive drugs are supposed to meet six criteria.   They are 1) supposed to lead to addiction quickly and easily, 2) force addicts to resort to crime to finance their drug habit, 3) have psychoactive effects, 4) cause serious health damage or death, 5) supplied by ruthless criminals and 6) addiction is long lasting if not permanent.   For the most part, these ideas appear to be mainly fiction. These ideas are essentially a myth based on exaggeration and distortion regarding the effects of certain drugs.   Such myths are common.   They arise, in part, because evidence counter to these ideas is ignored and individual cases of â€Å"mythical figures and events† that support the myth are commonly projected before the public. As a result of these myths, the public is led to believe that drug users started out as naà ¯ve you people who were persuaded to use drugs, then become addicted and then turn to a life of depravity and crime because they are unable to control their habit and they need to finance their drug use.   (McAdams, 1993) Although a number of drugs have been used to perpetuate this myth, cannabis is perhaps the most common and widespread example of the myth.   In the late 1960s and 1970s, many believed that cannabis use would lead to serious psychological harm.   Research failed to confirm this belief. (Johnson, 1973)   Other drugs that have been involved in this myth include heroin, cocaine and ecstasy. Research to understanding drug abuse often focuses on changes at a specific receptor site.   The studies will investigate those changes and seek to determine how to control them with medications.   However, in contrast to many other commonly abused drugs, alcohol   does not bind to specific receptors (Kranzler and Ciraulo, 2005), but it appears to modify neuronal membranes and neurotransmitter receptors embedded in those membranes in a variety of neurotransmitter systems, including virtually all the major system found to be associated with psychiatric symptoms (Kranzler, 1995) If we were to apply this information to the hypothetical case of a male alcoholic since, even though both males and females become alcoholic, males are two or three times more likely than females to become alcoholic, we would arrive at the situation of a male in his mid to late twenties who began drinking socially and quickly became an alcoholic.   Subsequently, he turned to crime to support his drinking habit. His habit is now long lasting and permanent.   This would be the hypothetical example of an alcoholic that supports the myth of addictive drugs discussed by Hammersley and Reid.   Viewed from the perspective of an alcoholic, we can see that this model would not apply well to alcoholics. Although his habit may have begun socially, and other aspects of the generally accepted myth might sometimes hold true, becoming addicted was a gradual process, the drug was legally sold at liquor stores and perhaps even in grocery stores and may even have been provided in small amounts in the community church.   No ruthless criminals were involved and the alcoholic had no need to resort to crime to finance their drug habit.   Therefore, the myth, although consistent with some aspects of reality, is misleading and inaccurate. We can see that the characteristics of alcohol addiction are sufficiently consistent with the generally accepted myth as to allow individuals to assume that it supports the myth.   However, none of the components of the myth need to occur in order for an individual to become alcoholic. Perhaps the one characteristic that may always apply is that alcohol is psychoactive, but in small amounts, not even that characteristic need apply.   Alcohol addiction is a gradual process, it   is relatively inexpensive, it is psychoactive, it has beneficial effects as well as harmful ones, is legally sold in liquor stores and in supermarkets and may even be found in the neighborhood church during communion and finally, alcohol addicted individuals are not always doomed to a permanent or long lasting addiction. Yes, each of these things can occur although the idea of a drug pusher selling alcohol is far-fetched.   Our alcohol addict is merely an individual, in this case a male but it could have been either sexual gender, who began drinking for whatever reason and then, somehow went overboard.  Ã‚   We have already touched upon causes and treatment and will now move on to those considerations below.

Borderline Personality Disorders Research Paper

Borderline Personality Disorders - Research Paper Example Often patients who are difficult are labeled with the disorder without fully exploring all other possible explanations for behavior (Wirth, 2001). While it is considered one of the most often diagnosed conditions in the clinical setting with 10% of the population suffering from the disorder, one of the problems in asserting a defined prevalence of the disorder is that often it is associated with addictive behaviors or misdiagnosed (Swift 2010). There are three primary theories that guide the treatment of borderline personality disorder. Clinicians look to biological, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic causes in order to approach an effective course of treatment (Gunderson and Links, 2008). In the assessment of behavior disorders, finding a cause can be an illusive prospect. One of the predominant issues with the disorder is the overwhelming feminization of the condition, the diagnosis being one of the first areas of concern when treating a female patient. The relationship that w omen have with their social environment is a primary concern in the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. ... The disorder can define the future of those who suffer from its effects with a series of unstable and unsuccessful relationships. Self-destructive behaviors will also be common creating an inability to find success and move forward into a stable and secure life. The criteria for diagnosis will appear in early adulthood marked by a variety of effects within variations of context. The primary diagnostic criteria include emotional instability, inappropriate or intense anger, self-destructive acts, impulsivity, unstable relationships, identity disturbance, and chronic feelings of emptiness or boredom (Wirth-Cauchon, 2001). These basic criteria is further defined by a list of contexts from which a refined diagnosis can be assessed (see Appendix 1). The condition has the highest prevalence amongst women, one of the primary causes appearing to be sexual abuse in childhood with a variety of effects then manifesting as a result later in adulthood. As well, other forms of abuse such as neglect , emotional abuse, or physical abuse have appeared as precursors to the development of the disorder. In a study that compared other patients to BPD patients, 71% had suffered traumas of physical abuse while 68% had suffered sexual abuse, while 62% had witnessed serious domestic violence (Wirth-Cauchon, 2001, p. 66). The most common comorbidity associated with BPD is that of substance abuse. However, according to Lee, Bagge, Schumacher, and Coffey (2010), the effects of BPD are no higher or lower in substance abusers as they are in non-substance abusing patients. Therefore, the substance abuse seems to be a part of the of the self-destructive behavior rather than a

Social iSolation Prompted by Technology & Social Media Research Paper

Social iSolation Prompted by Technology & Social Media - Research Paper Example Today people hardly find time to speak to their neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Instead, they make relations with unknown people around the world through social media. Evidently this situation leads to social isolation, a potential issue affecting the social development process. According to Cacioppo and Hawkley, â€Å"social isolation is defined as the absence of contact with other people and lack of integration to society and includes the perceived feeling of being isolated from others† (as cited in Uribe, 2007, p. 3). Studies indicate that social isolation can cause depression and other long term psychological impacts on the victims. This paper will explore to what extent the obsessive use of technology and social media promote social isolation. It is assumed that the current trend in the use of social media and technology would drastically affect the social lives of individuals, and hence this issue should not be taken lightly. The primary audience of this paper will be anyone who uses social media and similar technologies to connect with family and friends. The secondary audience includes my professor and fellow classmates. Evidently social media and technology are increasingly used by children and young adults as compared to others, and hence they are highly exposed to its negative impacts. As reported by Lenhart, Purcell, Smith and Zickuhr (2010), nearly 72% online young adults extensively used social networking websites on a daily basis as of 2013. The major social media websites used by youngsters include Facebook, Twitter, and You Tube. Today teens and young adults consider social media as a vital part of their life, but they do not recognize the detrimental effects of such social websites on their social skills and personal interactivity. Generally formation of basic social skills including