Narcotics Anonymous Research Paper

Narcotics Anonymous is a support group using the same principles as Alcoholics Anonymous but designed for individuals addicted to narcotics (Fortinash & Holoday Worret, 2012). The programs emphasize both personal responsibility and mutual accountability by means of a social model recovery program which is peer-driven. Recovery Kentucky utilizes care and change as their foundation for the peer-driven model. Participants are often reminded the program is not just a pit stop for drug and alcohol use but a commitment to change the whole body, mind and spirit. They are required to attend community meetings and complete a twelve step program where the client will acknowledge the problem, recognize a solution and develop a plan of action that will support the ultimate goal of sobriety (MIC Program Description, n.d.).

Methadone is a synthetic (man-made) narcotic. There is a chemical in methadone known as opioid. Methadone is a depressant and can cause symptoms as such as sweating, itchy skin, and sleepiness. “When the use of this drug is stopped it causes withdrawal symptoms as such as anxiety, muscle tremors, abdominal cramps” and etc (dea.gov).

Last night, I attended a Narcotics Anonymous meeting. This was not quite a new experience for me, be my late father was an alcoholic and narcotics addict that died of cirrhosis later on in my life this is why I identified myself with them. Narcotics Anonymous is a fraternity or association where there a recuperating addicts and their main purpose is stay clean. Consequently, the member of this fraternity were well-groomed, yesterday was ice cream sticks day where they had a keyword written on a little piece of paper, such as “perseverance”. Anyone can be a narcotics or alcohol user.

: Heroin is an drug that is from an asian plant called the “poppy plant.” Heroin usually appears as a brown, black, or white powdery substance known as “black tar heroin.” in Mexico. Heroin abuse is associated with a number of serious health conditions, including fatal overdose and infectious diseases like hepatitis and HIV. Street heroin often contains additives that can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain, causing permanent damage to vital organs.

Opiates are only one of many substances used in North America for recreational purposes. Opiates compromise a class of drugs used for dealing with pain. Opiates are made from opium which is derived from the poppy plant. Such examples include codeine, morphine, and heroin. Many people use opiates for multiple reasons such as recreation, medication, and personal escape. This essay will consider how economic stability, cultural groups, stress among youth, and accessibility contribute to trends in the recreational use and abuse of opiates.

The second intervention chosen to decrease his dependency on pain killer is for him to join a support group. According to Galanter and Brook, “It has become clear that the more support an addict or abuser can muster, the greater the likelihood of achieving and maintaining abstinence, as well as the possibility of achieving deeper characterological changes. This understanding has been incorporated into the work of family therapists,” (Galanter, M., & Brook, D., 2001). Mr. Vincent will attend an outpatient rehab facility to decrease pain killer dependency twice a week for 2 months. NA is the peer support group recommended for Mr. Vincent’s reduction of drug dependency. “Narcotics Anonymous (NA) is the most well-known and widely available self-help

The social problem I chose to do something about is opiate abuse/addiction. Opiates are naturally occurring narcotics, such as opium and opium derivatives, including morphine, codeine, and heroin. Prescription painkillers are opioid analgesics. Opiates are highly addictive and dangerous when misused. This social problem matters to me because I am a recovering opiate addict. I have been clean for four months and my new found passion is educating people about the dangers of opiates. People assume because doctors prescribe opioid analgesics, they must be safe. Opiate abuse matters to society because when opiates are misused, lives are taken. People die from overdose, abusers’ worlds fall apart because of their addiction, and loved ones of the abusers are left grieving and feeling helpless.

Support groups are an excellent way for patients to find a helpful and understanding group of individuals to aid in their recovery from heroin addiction. Narcotics Anonymous is an excellent option. Support from caring medical professionals as well as from friends and family can make all the difference in recovery from heroin addiction.

Opiates are a commonly prescribed medication today in America. These powerful medications come from the poppy plant and are known to relieve pain. They fall into a class known as “narcotics,” which also includes other pain relievers. The term is often used interchangeably with the term “opioids,” drugs similar to opium. Regardless of what you call them, opiate addiction happens quite frequently.

Heroin is a drug that has taken over the western world in recent years. Considered to be one of the most dangerous drugs, heroin has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. A highly addictive drug, heroin has swept the nation and has achieved epidemic status. An opiate, heroin is used as a painkiller and is known for its euphoric effects. There are many dangers that come with the abuse of heroin such as death but there are even more serious issues that can arise from the drug.

-Depressants(Alcohol): They help people relax and relieve their inhibitions. They also impair memory and judgment. When a person is depressed by something in his or her life( divorcement, losing jobs,...), they can help that person feel relaxed. Or another example is if a person has to do something that he or she daren’t do when he or she is conscious, by the use of depressants, that person will have more couragement to do it.

Heroin use has reached epidemic levels In the U.S. The overdose deaths have nearly quadrupled and has increased 63% within 11Years (CDC). Tom Friden, director of the CDC thinks that the addiction to prescription painkiller may be contributing to the rise of heroin use. According to the CDC, “most heroin users have a history of non-medical use of prescription opioid pain relievers...” (ReadWorks). The government needs to become more active in regulations relating to prescription drugs. The people using need help both in treatment and realization of what damage people are doing to their body buy using heroin. For the sake of others the continuation of this epidemic needs to be shut down and put on high priority. Heroin use has reached an unhealthy,

I abused narcotics and barbiturates for the better part of 15 years. I initially liked the way the drugs made me feel. Toward the end of my use, however, everything had changed. I was hopelessly addicted. I lived in terror of being caught, thinking that I was maybe one of two or three doctors in the entire country with such a shameful problem. I went to bed every night vowing not to use tomorrow, but I always did. I despised myself for my lack of willpower and for not being able to control my drug use. Friends, family, and colleagues commented upon my unpredictable mood swings, bizarre behavior, and fits of anger..Finally, the day came when I reached bottom. I had been removed from my job, my family life was in shambles, and I felt that my

Heroin is a drug with a multitude of effects on the person and the community around them. Heroin is a highly addictive opioid drug, that is sweeping the nation as an epidemic. Many people have been effected by the addiction to heroin. The addiction dose not just effect the person that is addicted. Heroin dose a lot to the community, economy, and people directly in contact with the addict. Heroin is a source for a lot of widespread issues.

This quote is important because it proves that people just judge the outside and have no real intention of challenging accepted beliefs. The accepted belief for drug dealing is that these individuals go into a dangerous and illegal job, but come out making fortunes. Many individuals claim that drug dealers to be low-income, high school dropouts that join the business to make quick money. What most people do not know, is that this illegal business is just like any corporation, with pyramid structure, meaning the lower the status the lower the income. As a consequence, the pyramid structure challenges what the “ideal belief” of drug dealers are since it contradicts the theory of drug dealers making top dollar and hence the reason why they still