The disease of addiction

DISEASE OF ADDICTION : Outline Dupont (2000 ) stated that addiction is a term often associated with alcohol and drugs . People who are addicted cannot control their need for alcohol or other drugs , even in the face of negative health , social or legal consequences . Often , this is associated with crimes (such as murder , robbery , kidnapping , car napping ) in to satisfy the emptiness from within to the point of being out of control

-Addiction had been defined by several mechanisms . The first mechanism would be the genetic factor , second would be the environment altering the

neurobiological deficits of a person pushing him to be addicted to something . Also , drug intake which is disease-related can stir up the intense feeling causing dependence on that particular drug (Dupont 2000 Peer pressure is also a determining factor . With group of individuals having the same habit , the person though avoiding the habit would eventually take in the group 's habit , given some time . The sense of belongingness would be the main question , pressing on the individual to be at one with the group , thereby taking in the habit himself , and as it is continuously done , the person would build his dependence , making it part of his daily living (Washton , 1990 The environment plays an important role in addiction . Abused children are likely to become drug addicts . But still , the chances of people having a positive outlook in life are not spared by being addicts themselves (Dupont , 2000 Nestler (2000 ) reported that dopamine rushes resulting to DNA changes activating another glutamate , another neurotransmitter , pushing people to take response . As for the addicts , as the dopamine had been increased , the glutamate is also increased thereby increasing the urge to response , particularly , the urge to take in the drugs . The cues take part for the addiction , thus it must be avoided As the neurotransmitters are increased , the brain quickly adapts and these circuits desensitize allowing withdrawal symptoms to occur . Drug addiction works with some neurological mechanisms used in learning and memories . Dopamine used as tool for leaning explains the continuous use of drugs despite that the pleasure is not present during the in-take (Nestler , 2000 Memory and pleasure zones are found within the brain . Classical conditioning had been employed to the addicts for rehabilitation . The patients are exposed to drugs along with the bad effects it brings to an individuals ' life . The addicts pair the drugs with its bad effects . Upon seeing these cues , the brain particularly the orbitofrontal cortex become hyperactive , pushing the people to be hyperactive (Washton 1990 Washton (1990 ) stated that understanding addiction must involve unraveling the complex interactions between the genome and the environment in which addiction develops . Addiction is a treatable dis , in contrast to what had been said that it cannot be treated The chances of returning to its old habit is dependent on the environment , the emotional turmoil felt by the patient must be avoided because it would act as a cue causing the person to return to its old habit . Those...