Drug Addiction Disease or Choice - 2171 Words

Check Point: Rough Draft of Research Paper Research Writing / COM220 Adam Meehan Madeline Chavez October 13, 2010 Drug addiction, disease or choice, the National Institution of Drugs Association (NIDA) has determined Drug Addiction a chronic, relapsing brain disease while opposing views debate Drug Addiction as solely a choice controlled voluntarily? Drug addiction is now recognized as a chronic relapsing brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors. Hence, the estimated economic cost contributed to†¦show more content†¦Someone who abuses drugs may suffer negative consequences from using, as the addict does, but generally can and does stop when these consequences become too severe. The addict may be unable to stop, even after negative consequences, without medical and/or behavioral help. Says Steven Hyman, M.D., director of the National Institute of Mental Health, An alcoholic taking a drink looks like anyone else engaged in that behavior, but what s happening in his or her head is different.† He or she is in the grip of a powerful compulsion that may lead to a b inge. (Firshein, Janet) Some have characterized addiction as a behavioral choice and can be controlled voluntarily. There is an interview with Gene M Heyman a professor at Harvard University, as the conversation around his ideas of addiction being a voluntary decision and why anyone would want to volunteer to be an addict. Gene Hymens findings are and what they mean. The author argues what has been said about addiction in so many studies, â€Å"drug addiction is a Disease† this means it is not a choice. Heyman states it is simply an act of voluntary choice. While he does not pretend to be a policy expert, he does believe that treatment should consist of non-drug activities to lower the value of the â€Å"drug.† (Akst, Daniel) Heyman states, â€Å"In a most impressive display of brain technology, scientists have used scanning technologies to observe metabolic activity of the brain in action. In a typicalShow MoreRelatedIs Drug Addiction A Choice Or Disease?1480 W ords   |  6 Pages Is Drug Addiction a Choice or Disease? Should the cause of addiction rely on people s actions? These days, drugs can be found everywhere, and it may seem like everyone s doing them. Lots of people are tempted by the excitement or escape that drugs seem to offer. But learning the facts about drugs can help one see the risks of chasing this excitement or escape. Several people argue whether drug addiction is a disease or a choice. Discussing this argument in hopes to have a better understandingRead MoreIs Drug Addiction A Choice Or A Disease?1743 Words   |  7 PagesIs drug addiction a choice or a disease ? There are two central debates that often arise when speaking of addiction ; either addiction is a disease caused by the brain, or addiction is a matter of weak will. In comparison the disease model would take responsibility away from the addict and place it on biological reasoning ; the weak will model, would ultimately condemn the addict and place blame on the addicts decision making process and thus blame the addict for their behavior. Utilitarian theoryRead MoreDrug Addiction, Disease or Choice Essay2115 Words   |  9 PagesGraybeal November 7, 2012 Addiction: A Decision or Disease? Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday lifeRead MoreDrug Addiction1473 Words   |  6 PagesIs drug addiction is a disease, not a choice? Or it is a choice and not a disease? Drug Addiction has become a serious issue in society today, with an increase in controversy leading towards the topic of whether drug addiction is a disease or a choice. Addiction and disease are two different things and understanding them is very important when it comes to drugs and how it affects the mind and body. Several people tend to jump the gun and think that drug addiction is a disease, when in fact it isRead MoreThe Perception Of Drug Addiction Essay1712 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction There is a wide-range reaction about drug addiction today in society. Illicit drug use continues to be a major social issue all over the world. Drug addiction defines a â€Å"chronic, relapsing brain disorder that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences† (Kuhar, 2010:453 ). Research has shown that decades have passed since the clinical population has accepted addiction as a disease instead of a series of bad choices. Nevertheless, specific group affiliationRead MoreArgumentative Essay Addiction1629 Words   |  7 Pagesbenefits, but the majority of people diagnosed with addiction receives little to no treatment. According to the article Treating Addiction as a Chronic Disease, †Health officials estimate 22 million people in the U.S. abuse alcohol or drugs or both and only around 10 percent of them are in treatment.† Deciding whether addiction is deserving of jail time or necessary treatment is a huge controversy in our wor ld today. Will naming addiction as a disease end the stigma of addicts and provide a better environmentRead MoreDrug Addiction777 Words   |  4 Pages Is drug addiction a choice or a disease? This polemical topic has been in the media for many years and has provoked many debates to ascertain the whole thing. Many researchers have concluded being a drug addict is a disease that is only cured by â€Å"feeding the habit†. Conversely, there are researchers who assert that drug addiction is just a choice. Having thoroughly taken into consideration both sides of the arguments and doing my own research, my stand remains that being a drug addict is undisputedlyRead MoreAddiction : An Emergent Consequence Of Elementary Choice Principles Essay1195 Words   |  5 PagesInformation Heyman, Gene M. 2013 Addiction: An Emergent Consequence of Elementary Choice Principles.Inquiry: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Philosophy 56 (5):428-445. Abstract The measurement of the research concerning addiction is regarded as a brain disease by researchers, physician, and informed societies; however, the extreme use of narcotics is projected as an individual’s choice. The choice theory suggest that drugs do not turn users into addicts, but the choice to keep using them does. ThereforeRead MoreIs Addiction a Disease865 Words   |  4 PagesIs addiction a disease? This question has long been debated and not just among the medical community. It seems if you ask this question to any random people you can find varying opinions on the issue. Stanley Peeles wrote an article which argues that addiction is not a disease and the growing influence of addiction as a disease will create problems within our society. Stanley presents several arguments for his points, however these are not strong enough arguments for people to consider his pointRead MoreHow Drug Use And Addiction878 Words   |  4 PagesDrug use and addiction has always been a topic of discussion for many people. None of it being good nonetheless, but it has been a topic on people’s minds. In our society today there is still a stigma attached to drug users and even worse drug addicts. The feelings are always geared towards shaming the user or addict and not much else. The really divisive idea being if addiction is actually a choice a person makes or if it is a disease. Most knowledge and discussion about this either leans one way