Stigma Of Addiction

Words: 1277
Pages: 6
Open Document
Myths and Stigma of Addiction For as almost as long as there have been drugs and alcohol, addiction to these substances has been seen as a moral failing. People who have struggled with addiction have were seen as simply lacking willpower. Although this myth is still held by some, a newer and more scientific paradigm for understanding addiction has taken its place. The reality is, addiction is a disease. “Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug [alcohol] seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use drugs [alcohol].”(NIH, 2016) A common misconception is that addiction …show more content…
A combination of genetic, environmental, and developmental factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.” (NIH, 2016) Countless neurological studies have been performed to understand the parts of the brain that are triggered to better understand and treat addiction. “The neurobiology of addiction encompasses more than the neurochemistry of reward. The frontal cortex of the brain and underlying white matter connections between the frontal cortex and circuits of reward, motivation and memory are fundamental in the manifestations of altered impulse control, altered judgment, and the dysfunctional pursuit of rewards (which is often experienced by the affected person as a desire to “be normal”) seen in addiction--despite cumulative adverse consequences experienced from engagement in substance use and other addictive behaviors.” (Lopez, 2017) Neuroscientists at the University of California, Berkeley have found that neural activity in the brain’s orbitofrontal and anterior cingulate cortex regulates choice. Dr. Jonathan Wallis, who conducted this study, “the findings offer hope that, through understanding the mechanism of addiction, treatment can be targeted at these risk-weighing, decision-making centers of the brain.” (Nauert, …show more content…
It is believed that addiction could run in the family. Genetics play an important role in everyone’s development. But does it also influence a person to become addicted? In my experience, the answer is yes. My mother is an alcoholic. Just as tragic, I am watching my beautiful youngest brother slowly kill himself with alcohol, only to have lost a brother to suicide while he was under the influence of alcohol. If that isn’t genetic, I don’t know what is. Genetic Science Learning Center: “Because addiction has an inherited component, it often runs in families. That is, it can be passed down from parent to child by way of genes.” Researchers “begin by comparing DNA sequences of family members who are affected by addiction with those who are not, and they look for pieces of DNA that are shared among affected individuals and less common in the unaffected.” (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2017) Genetics do play a role in addiction, but it is also not a clear indicator that someone will be dependent on drugs or
Show More

Related Documents: Stigma Of Addiction

Essay Prohibition and Social Stigma

Lauren Castle English 102 12/17/12 Position Paper The Debate Addiction is a complex wildly misunderstood disease of the brain. The issue of drug addiction and whether addicts should be treated criminally or medically has been a source of ongoing debate in the forms of prohibition and legalization. Critics of prohibition have declared America’s “war on drugs” a disastrous failure that has resulted in a public health crisis. Ethan A. Nadelmann, an influential prohibition critic, is founder…

Words 1199 - Pages 5

Smokers On Edge Analysis

who they are says Dr. Evans in her research about stigma. Looking over 570 article reviews from over the years his team wanted to see if there was any correlation between smoking stigma and quitting. She had found 30 reviews that met her criteria and found compelling evidence that the people who shame smokers are actually causing them to smoke more not less. Guilt leads to anger, social identity, and obsession that exhibit the hallmark of addiction. Constantly being told that this place is not a…

Words 930 - Pages 4

SATP: 12 For Women's Treatment Services

Policy #12, or SATP#12 for Women’s Treatment Services is a policy that was developed to reduce barriers for women who are attempting to seek treatment who are pregnant or have dependent children. In reviewing the dimensions on the social problem of addiction, it has lead to questions regarding implementation of the policy, history and problems occurring that lead up to the development of the policy as well as identifying areas of effectiveness. It leads to the question of with the SATP#12 in place, does…

Words 2090 - Pages 9

Personal Narrative: My Experience In Drug Court

understanding of people with addictions so I can better care for them now and down the road…

Words 1030 - Pages 5

The Anonymous People Analysis

‘anonymous’ they are speaking out about their addiction, and they are no longer afraid. Most people explain in the movie that the reason that they’re speaking out is because they’re tired of the stigmas’ that are attached to those who are suffering from addiction. Also, as the mother who lost her son stated, she is speaking up because she does not want others to feel the way she does, and she also does not want others to lose family, friends, and loved ones to addiction. One of the major differences…

Words 1482 - Pages 6

Opioid Crisis Analysis

exponentially and requires new strategies to address addiction and reduce overdose deaths. Portugal also faced a similar opioid epidemic in the 1990s and experienced high rates of addiction and overdose deaths. In 2001, the country took an incredibly unique and innovative approach to solve this issue. 23 years later, Portugal cut drug deaths by 80%. In 2023, Portugal recorded around…

Words 1502 - Pages 7

Substance Abuse And Addiction

have been touched by addiction are the only ones who know just how terrifying it can be. Popular culture has attempted to replicate this situation, which at times can seem chaotic, but does not truly paint the entire picture. Drug abuse and addiction are real issues that are plaguing all levels of society. Various parts of the nation have even had to claim “states of emergency” as the drug problem has spilled over to an epidemic. As a result of the increased amount of addiction and substance abuse…

Words 1286 - Pages 6

Essay on Barriers of Treatment

worst or better than the other. Both effects the outcome of treatment and can prolong the addiction. Internal barriers effecting clients from treatment include stigma, personal beliefs, depression and attitudes. Addressing these issues will not come easy. Each individual will have to be helped in their own personal way. Different methods will have to be used in order to personalize help for each client. Stigma refers to the ideal of being called an addict or an alcoholic. To be called such a title…

Words 1014 - Pages 5

Stigma Research Paper

word “stigma” was used to refer to the marks left on Jesus’ body after the crucifixion. In sociology, however, “stigma” is used “to refer to bodily signs designed to expose something unusual and bad about the moral status of the signifier” (Goffman 1). The text also refers to stigma as something which is “used to refer to an attribute that is deeply discrediting” (Goffman 3) and an “undesired differentness from what we had anticipated” (Goffman 5). Based on this evidence, it is clear that stigma is…

Words 1590 - Pages 7

Jo Harvey Addiction Analysis

After watching the video on addiction by Jo Harvey, the most surprising and eye opening aspect during the TED talk was the truth about addiction and how difficult it can be for people with addictions. People who have an addiction use a substance to free themselves of pain for a period of time or to get away from their negative reality. This story decreases the stigma of mental illness because it gives another perspective of why people with addiction continue to abuse a substance or abuse a negative…

Words 237 - Pages 1