COUN 5108 Unit 3 Assignment: Impact of Addiction

COUN 5108 Unit 3 Assignment: Impact of Addiction. IMPACT OF ADDICTION 1 COUN 5108 Unit 3 Assignment: Impact of Addiction COUN 5108: Foundations of Addiction and Addictive Behavior In 2017, 19.7 Million American adolescents and adults older than 12, had a diagnosed a substance use disorder (National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2018). Of those, 38% suffered from an illicit drug use disorder (American Addiction Centers, 2020a). While some people argue that addiction is due to personal choice or lack of willpower to stop, research continues to show that this is not the case. Addiction is considered to be a complex brain disease. The addiction brain disease is thought to be manifested by compulsive substance use. People with substance use disorders typically know and understand the health risks and the problems that it can cause. However, they have such an intense focus on the substance that it often takes over their entire life (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). People can become addicted to a variety of different substances from alcohol to cocaine. While some people can take or use a substance and never become addicted, others may use it once and become addicted. Causes of Addiction While some people argue that addiction is caused by a person’s choice to choose to use and abuse a substance, research has continued to prove that addiction is ultimately a brain disease (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). While it is typically a choice for a person to begin using illicit substances, people with substance use disorders will develop distorted thinking, behavior, and body functions (American Psychiatric Association, 2020). According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, people begin using substances for a variety of reasons: to feel good, to feel better, to improve performance, or simply because others are doing it (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). BRIEF VERSION OF THE TITLE, ALL CAPS 2 Drugs activate the parts of the brain that makes a person feel good. Once they take the drug on a repeated basis, the brain becomes accustomed to the drug and requires more of it to produce the same feeling it once had. Soon, the body and the brain requires the substance just to feel “normal.” At this point a person who is addicted will begin to feel withdrawal symptoms, such as: anxiety, irritability, flu-like symptoms, or even cravings (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). There are a variety of theories regarding addiction and substance use disorders. Some of these theories include biological factors, or genetics, exposure, social and environmental, and conditioning. First is the basis of genetics on addiction. The National Institute of Drug Abuse reports that 40%-60% of a person’s vulnerability to addiction is based on genetic factors alone. These genetic factors can include ethnicity, gender, and a presence of other mental disorders (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). According to American Addiction Centers, American Indians and Alaska Natives have the highest rate of substance use followed by Caucasians and African Americans. Hispanics and Asian Americans have the lowest rate of substance abuse reported (American Addiction Centers, 2020a). We offer online tutoring, help with assignments and essay writing for all Majors with a guaranteed pass. For assistance Contact Tutor Lucas: