ipl-logo

Addiction Is Not A Disease Essay

1628 Words7 Pages

When it comes to phycology, people need to think about how it is everywhere. Why do grocery stores not have clocks, or why do casinos not have windows? However, many other factors play into psychology and can show why people love or hate it. I am majoring in the field of phycology. Psychologists face many issues daily, including people who are substance abusers, in other words, addiction treatment. The disease is complex and can be very hard to treat. In this essay, I plan to address the problems psychologists face when determining if addiction is a disease or a choice. I plan to address those issues using three main key points. I also intend to teach my fellow majors, mental health workers, and psychologists that addiction is a disease; I …show more content…

According to Schaler (2000), addiction is a choice, although it may not be easy. An example is tearing your ACL and being prescribed painkillers. You may choose to take the pain killers to help ease the pain but continue taking them without pain, then addiction may follow. Most people do not realize they are addicted to something until they lack control, which makes the difference between addiction being a choice. Dr. Marc Lewis is on the argument side of this being a choice because a person’s activity that you get enough of triggers pleasure in the brain. Addiction is a disease, which is what I chose to go into detail about. When a person becomes addicted to a substance, the brain's “reward system” is highly affected. Addiction is a disease because the chemicals in your brain, called dopamine and serotonin, which cross a blood-brain barrier, tell the body that it needs the substance you are addicted to, so when addicted to a substance, the dopamine in the brain becomes altered which leads to a cycle of addiction. Just a little insight on dopamine, dopamine is a neurotransmitter in the brain that is released into the brain when we experience …show more content…

Agrawal, A., Verweij, K. J. H., Gillespie, N. A., Heath, A. C., Lessov-Schlaggar, C. N., Martin, N. G., Nelson, E. C., Slutske, W. S., Whitfield, J. B., & Lynskey, M. T. (2012, July 17). The genetics of addiction-A translational perspective. Nature News. https://www.nature.com/articles/tp201254 3. This source states that addiction is a disease that constantly relapse. This supports my argument because it states exactly what I argue which is addiction is a disease. It even states that it constantly relapses, and that supports my argument because an example I can use is cancer is a form of disease as well, and just like addiction, cancer-free patients can relapse. Stanbrook, M. B. (2012, February 7). Addiction is a disease: We must change our attitudes toward addicts. CMAJ. https://www.cmaj.ca/content/184/2/155.short 4. This source supports the opposing side by stating that addiction is a choice. I am arguing that addiction is a disease and the side that argues that addiction is a choice would like this resource better. The source is a great one, it states that addiction is a choice. schaler, jeffrey A. (2009). Addiction is a

Show More
Related
380 Words | 2 Pages

I chose to side with Sally Satel and Scott Lilienfeld, after closely reading both arguments regarding the topic: “Is Addiction a Brain Disease?” Satel and Lilienfield believe that addicts can make a conscious decision to stop substance abuse whenever they see fit. Although, it may be difficult for them to control their urges, it is humanly possible. A solid argument that Satel and Lilenfield made is the correlation between addiction and Alzheimer’s. A disease such as Alzheimer’s can not be personally controlled.

Read More
736 Words | 3 Pages

Proposal Argument 1 Proposal Argument Aaron Kincaid Western Governors University WGU Student ID# 007163199 Proposal Argument: 2 Addiction is a significant problem in the U.S. today, affecting millions of people and causing widespread harm to individuals and society as a whole. While addiction can have many causes, two of the primary factors are technology and family. The effects of addiction can have devastating consequences for individuals, families, and society. Addiction can lead to health problems, financial ruin, and social isolation.

Read More
381 Words | 2 Pages

However, I feel that almost anything can become an addiction because wail your body may not become dependent on it you mind can become addicted to it. You may not get addicted to the drug its self but you can get addicted to the feeling it gives you like how adrenaline junkies are addicted to that rush of

Read More
1550 Words | 7 Pages

 Journal Of Food & Drug Analysis, 21s73. Genes and Addiction. (n.d.). Retrieved May 15, 2016. Gowing, L. R., Ali, R. L., Allsop, S., Marsden, J., Turf, E. E., West, R., and Witton, J. (2015), Global statistics on addictive behaviours: 2014 status report.

Read More
1208 Words | 5 Pages

A drug addiction occurs when someone uses substances to give themselves a feeling of pleasure even if it has negative consequences for them or others. When an addiction occurs the brain changes too making it extremely difficult to quit. This is because the brain wants more of the pleasurable substance because it’s giving dopamine. Once someone is addicted to something all they want is that thing and they will do anything to get it.

Read More
1310 Words | 6 Pages

Around 270 million people had used psychoactive drugs in the past year and about 35 million are estimated to be affected by drug abuse disorders. Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite consequences. It is very common for a person to relapse even after treatment. As a person uses drugs, their brain becomes more adapted to the drug, increasing the tolerance of the person. Long term effects could cause a change in chemical systems and circuits of the brain.

Read More
846 Words | 4 Pages

A Common World Wide Disease Addiction is an issue an innumerable abundance of people face. It is a problem some individuals cannot avoid. A certain amount of people believe that addiction is a personal choice, whereas on the other hand, some believe that addiction is a disease. In a blog titled “Is Addiction a Choice?”

Read More
841 Words | 4 Pages

Addiction is a disorder of the brain where a person feels he has to take the drug despite its destructive effects (Volkow, Koob and McLellan). Dependence is a state normally associated when an

Read More
1584 Words | 7 Pages

Addiction is a growing problem that affects people from all walks of life. It can manifest in various forms, including drug and alcohol abuse, gambling, technology, and food addiction. While addiction can have several causes, such as psychological, environmental, and social factors, self-esteem is one of the key psychological factors that plays a role in the development of addiction. Self esteem is the confidence in one's own worth or abilities.people that have low self-esteem often turn to addictive behaviors as a way to cope with negative emotions (Hamid Reza Alavi). However, relying on physical substances can have an even more damaging effect on self-esteem, causing additional negative

Read More
925 Words | 4 Pages

Comparison/Contrast Essay What is an addiction? Many may think of addiction is a character flaw, a weakness, or a disease. An addiction is a condition resulting from the use of an activity, whether it be ingesting a substance or engaging in work, gambling or shopping, to the point that it becomes compulsive. Addictions interfere with ordinary responsibilities and daily tasks, such as work, relationships or health.

Read More
596 Words | 3 Pages

Addiction Being an addict is not something that is talked about often. In fact, people generally assume the worst about a person struggling with addiction. They often times feel an addict is just another junkie that doesn’t deserve to live. Every day an addict dies.

Read More
552 Words | 3 Pages

The disease model of addiction takes power away from an individual who is struggling with a substance use disorder. Instead of the individual taking responsibility for their own actions and their own recovery they can place blame or responsibility on the disease. I have heard many people say that they “can’t help that they have a problem” and “once an addict always an addict” and honestly those words are sickening to me. I believe that people are responsible for their own actions and reactions. Therefore, to a certain extent, individuals have control over themselves.

Read More
1428 Words | 6 Pages

"Drug addiction is the disease. Recovery is the choice." (Addiction). A disease is a condition that is brought with medical care, which means no matter what the addict will see effects even after recovery. Drug addiction is chronic, usually causing a disease called relapsing brain disease.

Read More
458 Words | 2 Pages

As defined by the government's National Institute on Drug Abuse, "Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful

Read More
1251 Words | 6 Pages

Addiction is the reliance on a routine. There are many addictive stages. Addiction, as it comes along, becomes a way of life. The persistent use of the substance causes to the user serious physical or psychological problems and dysfunctions in major areas of his or her life. The drug user continues to use substances and the compulsive behavior despite the harmful consequences, and tries to systematically avoid responsibility and reality, while he or she tends to isolate himself/herself from others because of guilt and pain (Angres, & Bettinardi-Angres, 2008).

Read More

More about Addiction Is Not A Disease Essay

Related Topics

Open Document