Baker 1

Hailey Baker

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors

9 March 2017

Treating Addiction

Addiction is a disease that is difficult for many to control. Once one becomes addicted,

the effort to quit becomes tremendous. One must desire to give up his or her problem. In order to

conquer addiction, a person must understand the dedication needed to achieve the goal. It is a

process that takes time and will not have successful results immediately. Although addiction is an

issue due to the consequences and effects, treatment is immensely effective when one is fully

committed.

Using drugs causes the body to have harmful effect over periods of use. For instance,

Pham-Kanter expressed the severe effects of using drugs. The most severe outcome is death, and

the less severe include the sudden change of heart rate and seizures. When conditions become

too serious, having to seek medical attention is just an additional cost. Furthermore, people can

spread diseases like HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and hepatitis much faster when drugs are involved

(Leshner). The increase in diseases due to drugs is excessive because from 1991 to 1995 in

major metropolitan areas, the annual number of heroin-related emergency room visits has

increased from 36,000 to 76,000, and the annual number of heroin-related deaths has increased

from 2,300 to 4,000 (Cooper).The drug heroin involves the use of needles, and if not sterilized,

can spread the disease from one person to the next. Also, the chemicals within the drug make it

difficult for the body to fight off infection. When one is addicted, the person does not realize that

spreading disease can occur because he or she only care about fulfilling the craving.
 Baker 2

Addiction is a brain disease. Addiction can be described as a chronic illness, and due to

this classification, the illness is only managed, not cured. Medication is one way in which

addiction is managed (Cannon). In most cases, addiction is a relapsing disorder and has the

possibility of positive treatment outcomes (Leshner). Along with relapsing, one can experience

withdrawal. (Leshner). Withdrawal is a reaction that occurs if a dependent user suddenly stops

doing drugs. Symptoms of withdrawal include loss of appetite, hallucinations, weight loss, and

sleepiness. Overcoming these issues as a whole is doable with effort.

Drug abuse affects all population groups, but patterns vary based on age, gender, culture,

and social or economic status. The causes of drug dependence are unknown, but likely causes

include social learning, genetic factors, and psychopathology (Pham-Kanter). Ones social

environment can also affect ones dependency on drugs. Younger people are being pressured to

do drugs. Peer pressure is a major reason that makes one feel like he or she must do drugs

(Snow). The person typically wants to fit in and relieve stress in any way possible. Students are

stressed out from school, work, and other extracurricular activities. A group of students argue

that "Teens and preteens don't get enough attention. These days some families don't even eat a

meal together. The parents are so busy with work they don't have time for kids (Snow). Being in

an abusive can trigger ones way to cope and escape. One option to get away is to do drugs or

drink alcohol.

Drug education is being implemented in schools to keep students from using drugs.

People do drugs without knowing the effect on the body and do not realize what they are getting

into. Understanding addiction and drugs will allow one to gain knowledge and will not want to

use them in the future. Advertisements and medias are presented in various ways to make

students think drugs are harmful (Snow). In return, people argue that advertisements are luring
 Baker 3

teens to drugs. Once one does drugs, he or she wants more because the hardship is taken away

(Leshner). The stress is no longer present and one feels that all the pressure disappears (Snow).

Starting at a young age can make it especially difficult for people to come off the drug entirely.

After one can recognize that addiction is an issue, seeking treatment is the first step in

quitting. It depends on the drug used, but plenty of treatments are available to suit each

individual. The health care worker will check the specific drug that one uses and will determine

the characteristics of it (Cannon). Then, the health care worker will provide the person addicted

with information on programs available to help one give up drugs. Pamphlets are given out as

well to convey information about specific drugs (Cannon). The pamphlet will describe the drug

itself, what it contains, how it affects the body, treatments, and rehabilitation programs. A

common drug used is heroin, and an option for treatment is methadone, which was originally

used for painkillers, but changed in 1947 when doctors found it treated drug users in a more

beneficial manner (Cannon). Methadone is widely used around the United States today.

Methadone and other treatments are tremendously effective when proper action is taken.

Methadone allows the person to not feel the need to use the drug and does not experience

withdrawal symptoms. Methadone is considered to cost very little, reduces the crime and other

social ills caused by drug use and does not involve legalization (Chapman). Methadone is low

cost and is about $13 a day. Due to the cost, the government is more likely to save far more than

that if every addict wears off heroin (Chapman). Addicts would have the ability to kick the habit

if methadone had easier access. The process one must take to receive methadone is lengthy, but

in the end, it is worth it to cease addiction. One must go to a special clinic almost every day, have

frequent urine tests, and possibly even have counseling sessions (Chapman). However, the

doctors give quality care when assisting patients with their needs. They will make sure that the
 Baker 4

patient is receiving the correct dosage to ensure that withdrawal will not occur (Chapman). Also,

with the quality care, the doses allow the individual to reduce drug use.

In addition, treatments that include non-drug therapies include outpatient and residential

approaches, and contingency management. The purpose of these approaches are to change ones

expectations, behaviors, and thinking abilities (Join Together). Furthermore, the programs are

intended to increase skills in coping with stress (Join Together). Contingency management is a

voucher-based system in which patients earn points based on negative drug tests. With these

points, patients are able to exchange them for items that encourage healthy living (Join

Together). A reward is given to promote good behavior with rehabilitation, which is not what one

would typically expect. After treatment is successful, the brain can restore to a degree of

normalcy and establish orderly behavior.

Although addiction is an issue due to the consequences and effects, treatment is

immensely effective when one is fully committed. Some start using drugs at a young age to deal

with hardships. Addicts do drugs to cope with stress, or for no particular reason at all. Learning

where the problem originated will allow one to begin treatment and commit fully. A treatment for

heroin is methadone, which is only one example of an effective treatment for drugs. Those

addicted will commit to rehabilitation in a separate manner, and goals will vary due to the needs

of each patient.

Works Cited

Cannon, Byron D. "Rehabilitation programs." Addictions & Substance Abuse. Ed. Robin

Kamienny Montilvo. Hackensack: Salem, 2012. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 22 Feb.

2017.

Chapman, Stephen. "Methadone Treatment Is a Practical Solution to Heroin Addiction." Heroin,

 Baker 5

edited by Stuart A. Kallen, Greenhaven Press, 2001. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context, 3 Mar. 2017.

Join Together. "Treatment for Heroin Addiction." Heroin, edited by Stuart A. Kallen,

Greenhaven Press, 2001. At Issue. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, 3 Mar.

2017.

Leshner, Alan. "Addiction Is a Brain Disease." Chemical Dependency, edited by Laura K.

Egendorf, Greenhaven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context. 22 Feb 2017.

Pham-Kanter, Genevieve, and Teresa G. Odle. "Substance abuse and dependence." Gale

Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Vol. 7. 5th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2015.

Nursing Resource Center. Gale. Discus. 22 Feb. 2017

Snow, Misti. "Young People Talk About Drugs." Drugs, edited by William Dudley, Greenhaven

Press, 2002. Teen Decisions. Opposing Viewpoints in Context, 6 Mar. 2017. Originally

published as "Kids Offer Sobering Look at Illegal Drug and Alcohol Use," Minneapolis

Star-Tribune, 8 Jan. 2001.