Understanding the Psychology of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is on the rise. While the use of drugs like cocaine and heroin is in a state of decline in certain parts of the world, prescription drugs abuse is on the rise (UNODC, 2013). Prescription drugs that were prescribed with the intention to do well are now one of the leading causes of self-harm. Drug abuse has no gender or social class, it can affect people regardless of social status and wealth, and now more than ever we need to understand the reason behind the abuse. What psychological factors could cause an individual to abuse drugs in the first place? In this research essay, I will discuss how each one of the major school of psychology perspectives could attempt to explain a
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A person’s inability to ascend a level of needs may cause frustration and succumb to drug abuse as a mean to increase self-worth, thus creating a false sense of accomplishment and lead to further their abusive habit. Drug abuse could result in a collapse of the hierarchy as drug abuse can affect a person at any level.
The second perspective on this question is Psychodynamic Psychology. In a report published by the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, A Psychodynamic psychologist may approach this problem by investigating and understanding a drug abuser’s past and present behaviour by focusing on the person’s unconscious processes. Therefore, psychologists would focus on the abuser’s experience during childhood or past troubled relationships that may manifests itself later on in life, which then causes the individual to abuse drugs. The report continues to state “The ingestion of the drug provides him with the self-esteem which he does not possess. Through the incorporation of the drug, he supplies for himself the feeling of being accepted and thus of being self-confident; or he creates the experience of being merged with the source of power that gives him the feeling of being strong and worthwhile” (Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, 1999). Self-esteem is an incredible force that drives us to get up in the morning and face another day. Some individuals are born with an innate sense of self-confidence and
He assumes that drug addiction originated by younger years adversity in major cases; like many women who are addicted are victims of sexual assault in childhood years. Similar, he tells that males suffered “series of abandonment or severe physical and psychological abuse” (Maté 274) in childhood memory would easily be involved in addiction. According to Mate, drug addicts are usually in a state of unawareness; they can self-harm without feeling pain (274). Maté’s patient, Carl, thirty-six year-old native, angrily hurt himself with a knife as punishment for using cocaine (274). However, people misunderstand that addiction will not happen in families that raise children with a “secure nurturing home” (Maté 275). He argues that it still exists in those secure homes, even though they do not recognize it. In brief, Maté describes the mental factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression which are saddled “from family problem, or from outside circumstance” (274); this pressures can emotionally affect to the process of “endorphin-liberating interaction with their children” (Maté 275). He thinks children would rely on opiates to comfort their deepest emotions; it would be a best solution to escape their lonely world. For that reason, Maté confirms addicts usually blame themselves for “stupid decision” (Maté 275) after being suffered of drug starvation. In the last paragraph, Maté concludes his essay by stating “that is the great wound of all” (275),
For many years, individuals have battled substance abuse and addiction. My position comes from hearing about it, having seeing results from it, and reading about it, also developing my own thoughts about addiction. Weil and Rosen (1993) believe that a drug use (and addiction) results from humans longing for a sense of completeness and wholeness, and searching for satisfaction outside of themselves. McNeece and DiNitto (2012) says the reason why people continue to use drugs to the point of becoming a physically and/ or psychologically dependent on them are more complex, some have tried to explain this
Addicts use drugs to overcome their feelings. If an addict is feeling sad, happy, or angry, they use. This leads to their addictions. After a while, the addict can’t hold a steady job,
The history of addiction goes back centuries, and unfortunately, there is still a long way to go for people to realize the effects of chemical substances do more harm than good. The difference between drug use and abuse relies heavily on a person’s dependence on the substance. The line between the differences is often very fine. Depending on other factors involved, such as morals, values, environment, and genetic predisposition, the line will most likely be crossed without regard to the consequences until treatment and recovery are the only options left. This is essay compares two theoretical explanations
There are many models and theories which attempt to explain the causes of substance misuse and dependence. They range from those which highlight the importance of genetic and biological factors to those which stress social and psychological factors and those which may consider the ‘blame’ to be that of the dependent individual (Rassool 2009).
The theory that I chose to use for the psychology side of addiction is the social and environmental aspects on the person with the addiction. There is no real definition of the social and environmental conditions of addiction but it basically means how the person starts their addiction whether it is by where they usually spend heir time or if the people around them are doing these drugs also. But some of these reasons include feeling that they have to use these substances because of things that happen in their home environment or also if their friends are using it. The agreements of this states that “Once addicts decide to quit, they must leave the scene, break all ties with opiate users and create new interests, new social
addiction; individuals begin to feel the sense of loss of belongings needs. Individuals engage in drugs and alcohol because it gives them a false boost of self-esteem, where they will eventually lose the respect of others and eventually their own self worth. This is usually a good indication that the individual is descending lower down Maslow’s hierarchy of needs pyramid, and the addiction progress.
This then results in lack of control when the same outcome can no longer be established. This leads to increasing dosage or behavior to try and achieve the same high or to possibly better it. Substance addictions leave the body constantly craving a good feeling despite the consequences they may have. In order to understand the real mentality of someone with addiction/s is to examine a person in a philosophical and psychological way.
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.
Substance abuse and addiction have become a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends. Just one example reveals the extent of the problem: in the United States each year, more women and men die of smoking related lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined (Kola & Kruszynski, 2010). In addition to the personal impact of so much illness and early death, there are dire social costs: huge expenses for medical and social services; millions of hours lost in the workplace; elevated rates of crime associated with illicit drugs; and scores of children who are damaged by their parents’ substance abuse behavior (Lee, 2010). This paper will look at
Alcohol abuse is a serious problem, driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is an even bigger problem that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Abusing either one of these substances can lead to the death of you or the death of someone else or even cause a major change in their life like Jacqueline’s story, her whole life has been changed because of another person’s ignorance and carelessness. Therefore, you should know the facts about drug and alcohol abuse before you do something you may regret for the rest of your life.
Numerous individuals do not comprehend why individuals get to be dependent on drugs or how drugs can change the mind to cultivate enthusiastic drug abuse. They erroneously view drug misuse and dependence as entirely a social issue and may describe the individuals who take drugs as ethically powerless (Alving, Matyas, Torres, Jalah, & Beck, 2014). One extremely regular belief is that drugs abusers ought to have the capacity to stop taking drugs if they are willing to change their conduct and be a member of society (Alvin et al., 2014). What individuals frequently underestimate is the intricacy of drug dependence that this is
Have you ever walked down the street or in a grocery store and bumped into someone you know, and they look really bad? Drugs have “eaten them alive” and they are barely recognizable. You can remember how beautiful they were “before” the drugs but you’re staring the “after” directly in the face. It is not a pretty sight, is it? Just think, it could be one of your family members or loved ones. The more I walk down streets, in grocery stores, at my child’s ball games, at work and even on my college campus it is more evident that drug abuse, is much more than a personal problem that everyday people, have in common
A drug is a chemical substance applied into treating, diagnosing and preventing one from disease infections or a substance that is used by a person to enhance his or her physical and mental state in the perceived effect. Drugs used for different purposes and their effect depend on which cause for usage. It causes both positive and negative consequences directly to the user and in the long-run it affects the whole society or community. Drug addiction is the activity of uncontrollable dependence on a substance by the user no matter the harm caused by its usage. It is a habit that has been in many years hard to curb especially among the youths. “We must recognize that substance abuse and addiction is a disease, not a moral failing or easily abandoned self-indulgence,” (Califano, 2008).The cases of drug abuse have been on the rise over the recent years and resulted in crimes. The cases have a great effect affected the society in general since the reliable energetic youths have turned to drug abuse. However, some measures have been initiated to mitigate, curb and treat drug addiction in the society as outlined in the essay.
Throughout life, whether in a workplace, associated with athletes, or in a school district, chances are one may be asked to take a drug test. In the United States, approximately fifty thousand people die each year as a result of taking drugs. To make this number decline, something has to happen. No one can make decisions for an individual, but there can be an emphasis with trying to stop drug users, by drug-testing randomly and efficiently. The brain is a powerful source, taking over the society with drugs, telling the addicts they need the drug. A drug causes our bodies to change, depending on the reaction of the drug. The interaction with drugs and, “Other complex social, psychological, and pharmacological factors [have an] influence [on] the behavior of abusing individuals. Some drugs cause hallucinations, sickness, depression, liver and kidney problems, and fits. Stimulants the drug gives off usually cause the user to be more alert and have energy. The reason why, “Society in general has been unable to understand the dimensions of drug abuse, find a cure, and set up effective prevention measures” is still to be determined. In general, most addicts cannot afford drugs, “So they raise the `money through crime,” making it unsafe for the environment and the people surrounding. The amount of, “People trying to get money for drugs committed one-third of all burglaries, street robberies, and thefts in 2015.” Imagine a life without drugs. How would it be different in the