McCoy 1 Michelle McCoy English 111-09 Professor Megan Keaton 8 July 2013 Drug Addiction

According to the (NIDA) National Institute on Drug Abuse, Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite the harmful consequences (9). Drug addiction is a difficult matter requiring a solution among communities and studies show there is no known cause for this problem. The knowledge of what addiction actually is has a great importance to the needed solutions for this problem that is experienced worldwide. This paper will discuss researched solutions to the problem known as drug addiction For many people struggling with drug addiction, the biggest step toward recovery is the very first one: deciding to make a change. The desire to change begins the long recovery process and there are steps and suggestions that accompany this solution. (Smith, M.A, Segal, Ph.D. and Robinson 1). Change can be achieved with proper treatment and also by addressing the root cause of an addiction to drugs. There are things to consider when approaching the solution of change with drug use. A couple things to consider are the way stress is handled, the company kept, the perception of self and whats done with free time (Smith, M.A., Segal, Ph.D. and Robinson 1). Change also involves communicating with loved ones and important people to find out exactly how ones drug use has affected them. Setting goals such as dates to stop using drugs as well as monitoring the amount of drugs used go along with the changing process. This is said to help provide a better outlook on the role drug use plays in an

McCoy 2 addicts life. Smith goes on to provide five steps to addiction recovery in regards to preparing for change making this solution a noted step in drug addiction. One solution according to the (NIDA), is medication. Different types of medications may be useful at different stages of treatment to help a patient stop abusing drugs, stay in treatment, and avoid relapse (26). Some of the medications used to treat drug addictions are methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone, disulfiram, and acamprosate (27). The medical term classifies these drugs as use for opioid and other drug addictions, as well as alcohol addiction (27). Methadone is a prescription drug that is used to help treat pain and withdrawal symptoms experienced by heroin users. It is not a sedative or intoxicant, but instead relieves the cravings experienced by [heroin] addicts without causing a high (wisegeek.org 1). Buprenorphine and naltrexone are also used to help with opioid addiction. Naltrexone helps recovering addicts remain sober after eliminating their drug intake. This medication works by preventing the high feeling that causes the desire to use drugs and is accompanied with treatment (PubMed Health). Some treatment medications are used to help the brain adapt to the absence of the abused drug. The medications assist addicts with treatment methods used during drug treatment (NIDA. 27). The third solution to drug addiction is prevention and awareness of drugs. If we can prevent drug abuse, we can prevent drug addiction (NIDA. 11). When drugs are perceived as harmful it is reported that drug use declines. Science validated programs are a method of drug abuse prevention. The term science validated means that these programs have been rationally designed based on current knowledge, rigorously tested, and shown to produce positive results (NIDA. 12). According to NIDA, there are three types of programs that are all catered to children who are either at risk of, or already using drugs. When science validated substance

McCoy 3 abuse prevention programs are properly implemented by schools and communities, alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug abuse are reduced (13).

The final solution to drug addiction is (NA) Narcotics Anonymous. (NA) is a program designed to assist with drug treatment methods. This program is a spin off from an alcoholic recovery program that was established in the 1940s. Narcotics anonymous has been in existence for more than sixty years. According to Information about NA, Membership is open to all drug addicts, regardless of the particular drug or combination of drugs used. The main requirement to attend (NA) is the want for sobriety (2). It has been the experience of NA members that complete and continuous abstinence provides the best foundation for recovery and personal growth (NA World Services 2). This solution is similar to twelve step programs designed to help with addiction but also different in some of the methods used among the program. The primary service provided by Narcotics Anonymous is the NA group meeting (NA World Services 2). These meetings are ran by the members of (NA) and it consists of experiences of drug use being shared with other members in the group. Although the organization is not affiliated with any specific religion, all meetings are ended with what is called a serenity prayer. The prayer states, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference... ( Niebuhr, Reinhold). This is the version that is given out to members on key chains and considered a gift to recovering addicts for use when they feel it is needed the most. In conclusion, when reviewing the data researched, I agree with all solutions. There are many steps associated with solutions to drug abuse and most of them are helpful if an addict desires help. I strongly agree with prevention techniques applied to adolescents to assure they are

McCoy 4 aware of the harm drug addiction can cause their lives. If implemented among schools and communities, I believe this will definitely assist with the decrease in drug addiction. Although none of the solutions are considered a cure to drug addiction by definition, they all clearly assist with the decision to obtain sobriety when an addict decides they want to become and remain free of drug addiction. . The solution to want to change is an important step among any process involving recovery. I agree with Smith, Segal and Robinson with saying that it is a long process. Steps provided and utilized can definitely assist with a solution to drug addiction. I am also in agreement with the need to accompany medication with curving addictions and the want to acquire drugs. I agree with NIDA on this issue mainly because studies show these medications used have proven results when followed with treatment and counseling. These solutions continue with research that consists of surveys and observations among group meetings and individual counseling. I agree with the techniques and steps suggested in their entirety because I find drug addiction to be a continuing problem around the world and anything that brings us closer to eliminating this problem whether conventional or unconventional, I think is worth a try to ensure a better and safer future for the people who inhabit this planet. One day I hope a cure is found but until then, these are three solutions to help with the worldwide problem known as drug addiction.

McCoy 5 Works Cited

Drugs, Brains, and Behaviors. www.drugabuse.gov. NIDA National Institute on drug Abuse, National Institute of Health U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. NIH Pub NO. 10-5605 printed, Aug. 2010. Web. 20 Jun. 2013

Information about NA. www.na.org. Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Copyright 2006-2012. Web. 27 Jun. 2013

Naltrexone (By mouth). PubMed Health .www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. U.S. National Liberty Of medicine. 1 Apr. 2013. Web. 27 Jun. 2013

Overcoming Drug Addiction: Drug or Substance Abuse Treatment, Recovery, and Help www.helpguide.org. M.A. Smith, Melinda, Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., Lawrence Robinson. Jun.2013.Web. 20 Jun. 2013

The Serenity Prayer. www. Crypton.org. Reinhold Niebuhr. Web. 8 Jul. 2013

What is Methadone? www.wisegeek.org/what-is-methadone. Conjecture Corporation. Copyright 2003-2013. Web. 25 Jun. 2013