To a tragic extent, a substantial population in the United States has developed an addiction to illegal drugs, making drug dependency a significant issue in public health. Some people can watch their addiction worsen in front of their eyes. Although-of-the-shelf pain relievers and other medical drugs are readily available. There are insufficient resources to treat addiction or end the current drug crisis. We must invest in holistic addiction treatment programs that address the biological, psychological, and social aspects of habit, and we must also implement stricter regulations on the prescription of drugs.
Root Cause of Addictive Behaviors
Various reasons might contribute to the development of an addiction, such as mental health issues, traumatic experiences, and genetic susceptibility. Yet, it’s important to remember that addiction can stem from many different things (Rozzano). When someone first starts using substances, it’s difficult to know who will eventually become dependent on them and who won’t. Some believe drug addiction isn’t an illness because the user causes it. Therefore they don’t take it seriously when medical professionals call it that. Most specialists agree that once the brain has been harmed by addiction, the person loses the ability to control their actions, even though they may have been willing to do so at the outset. This would still be the case even if use were optional at first.
One of the defining aspects of addictive behavior is the need for a sustained effort to abstain from the abused drug or activity. Substance abuse and compulsive behavior can contribute to the disease of addiction. Be unable to conceal their addiction and openly exhibit a lack of self-control (Rozzano). Strengthen your longing for the substance, item, or action currently the subject of your attention. They should not worry that their addictive conduct could lead to unintended results.
Many people struggle to overcome addiction despite their best efforts. Effects of psychoactive substances, financial rewards, pleasurable sexual experiences, and delicious food are similarly processed in the brain. The nucleus accumbens, located underneath the cerebral cortex, is home to dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure (Mate). The nucleus accumbens has been called the “pleasure center” of the brain due to the strong correlation between dopamine release and pleasurable experiences.
The nucleus accumbens is a significant site of dopamine release, and all addictive substances have this effect. The probability of becoming addicted to a substance or engaging in a pleasurable activity depends on the rate, intensity, and duration with which it causes dopamine release. Different routes of administration produce varying degrees of physical dependence on a drug (Mate). The risk of drug abuse increases when drugs are taken in other ways besides by mouth, such as when they are smoked or injected intravenously.
How to Treat Addicts and Curb Addiction on A Social, Political, or Practical Level
By addressing the effects of the SUD on the family and its members, teaching loved ones how to support the SUD individual best, and helping loved ones work through their reactions and issues that have arisen as a result of the SUD individual’s substance abuse, family interventions can help loved ones convince or pressure the individual to seek treatment. Members of a family unit may benefit from an intervention. The second choice is seeking treatment, such as psychotherapy or a family support group. The patient’s immediate family members should be consulted as soon as feasible during the decision-making process (Mate). Reaching out to loved ones and including them in the healing process is crucial. To encourage family members to actively participate in their loved one’s treatment for substance abuse, professionals have turned to a number of proven family interventions. These days, there’s a lot of money behind everything from politics to helping people overcome their addictions. You get that having community and government backing for drug rehab is crucial. Check out the records of the hopefuls who have proven they will provide adequate funds to stop this problem from happening again.
Investigating drug addiction, detox, and maintenance to reduce relapse rates. Care might be received on an outpatient, inpatient, or residential basis. Medication can be helpful during detox, but it is not a suitable replacement for treatment and will not help you beat your drug addiction (Rozzano). Because no pharmaceuticals have been demonstrated to treat drug addiction effectively, behavioral therapy is the primary strategy used to help people hooked on drugs like cannabis or amphetamines. While medications’ physical, mental, and social effects vary from person to person, tailoring care to each patient is essential.
It’s no secret that drugs are a severe issue in the United States. Habits deteriorate as time passes. Addiction therapy must take a more holistic approach, and drug restrictions must be tightened. Addiction necessitates continuous sobriety. Addiction can develop as a result of both substance misuse and obsessive behavior. Behavior is indicative of addiction and impulsivity. Strengthen your concentration. The issue of addiction shouldn’t be a problem for them. Physical dependency is influenced by how a drug is administered. Injecting or smoking drugs raises the chance of addiction. Studies on drug addiction, detox, and maintenance have decreased relapse. There are options for inpatient stays and visits. Prescription detox drugs do not aid in overcoming an addiction. Relapse is common among those going through detox. Addicts of cannabis and amphetamines are treated with behavioral therapy because there are no pharmaceutical solutions. The physical, psychological, and social impacts of drugs necessitate individualized treatment for each patient.
Work Cited
Rozzano, Lorelie. Is Addiction A Disease? Or A Choice? 2018.
Mate, Gabor. In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounter with Addiction. Vermilion Editions. (2018)
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