A Disease Of Obsession Addiction Is A Disease Of The Mind

A Disease Of Obsessionaddiction Is A Disease Of The Mind

Assignment: A Disease Of Obsession Addiction is a disease of the mind, a disease of obsession, and a disease of isolation. The role of a particular substance, whether it is alcohol, opiates, marijuana, gambling, food, or sex, is merely the symptom of the disease, not the disease itself. Any substance has the potential to be abused due to the addiction disease itself. Many naively believe that merely removing the substance from the addicted person will "cure them." If the disease of addiction were that simple, this disease would not be a rampant social problem. "The idea of addiction being a neurological disorder is critical to understanding its development and the recovery process" (Recovery Connection, n. d.).

There are a variety of reasons and opportunities that support people with addiction seeking help. Whether from internal turmoil and conflict, outside interventions, or a combination of both, clients will seek to stop the addiction cycle. The goal is to develop a healthier lifestyle called recovery. It may take months, years, or decades before this process leads to the path of recovery (Recovery Connection n. d.). For this Assignment, review this week's resources and explore co-occurring disorders and their impact on addiction or addictive behavior.

You also examine how an individual's addiction impacts other individuals or society. Support your response with references to the resources and current literature. Submit by Day 7 a 2- to 3-page paperthat addresses the following: Provide two examples of how symptoms of a co-occurring disorder may influence efforts to stop the abuse of a substance. Describe the symptoms and how substance abuse or an addictive behavior might temporarily counteract the symptoms of the co-occurring disorder. Explain how the development of a ritual around substance abuse or addictive behavior can be used to strengthen an addiction or be used to treat an addiction.

Explain why the type of substance or other obsession is relevant when it comes to the disease of addiction itself. Describe three examples of how an individual's addiction might impact others or society.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Understanding addiction as a complex neurobehavioral disorder emphasizes its characterization as a disease of the mind, obsession, and isolation. This perspective underscores that substances such as alcohol, opioids, marijuana, food, sex, and gambling are symptoms rather than root causes. The misconception that removing the substance alone can cure addiction oversimplifies the profound neurological and psychological alterations involved. This essay explores how co-occurring disorders influence addiction recovery, the development of rituals in addiction, and the broader societal impacts of addictive behaviors.

Influence of Co-Occurring Disorders on Addiction Treatment

Co-occurring disorders, also known as dual diagnosis, involve the simultaneous presence of a mental health disorder and substance use disorder. Two prominent examples are depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which significantly influence efforts to cease substance abuse. For instance, depression often manifests through persistent feelings of sadness, worthlessness, and appetite or sleep disturbances. An individual suffering from depression may use alcohol or sedatives to temporarily alleviate feelings of hopelessness or emotional pain. However, substance use exacerbates depressive symptoms over time, creating a vicious cycle that impedes recovery. Similarly, PTSD symptoms such as hyperarousal, intrusive memories, and nightmares may lead individuals to self-medicate with substances like alcohol or opioids to numb emotional distress. Yet, these substances often interfere with therapeutic interventions and may intensify PTSD symptoms, complicating treatment efforts.

Temporary Counteraction and Development of Rituals

Substance abuse may temporarily counteract co-occurring disorder symptoms by providing a sense of relief or emotional numbness. For example, alcohol might reduce anxiety in someone with social phobia, or opioids might dull intrusive memories in PTSD patients. While these effects offer momentary respite, they reinforce addictive cycles. Over time, individuals often develop rituals—specific routines or rituals around substance ingestion—that serve to validate their addiction. For instance, a person might have a daily ritual of drinking alcohol after work or engaging in a routine of compulsive gambling during weekends. These rituals can serve to reinforce dependency by providing a predictability that becomes psychologically reinforcing. Conversely, recognizing and modifying such rituals are crucial in treatment, as they underpin habitual behaviors that sustain addiction.

The Role of Substance and Obsession Types in Addiction

The specific type of substance or obsession in addiction matters because different substances have distinct neurochemical impacts and social stigmas. For example, stimulants like cocaine rapidly increase dopamine levels, leading to intense euphoria but also a quick cycle of craving and relapse. Opiates, such as heroin, depress the central nervous system and create profound physical dependency. Food addiction may involve compulsive eating patterns driven by emotional regulation deficits. Furthermore, obsessions like pathological gambling affect cognitive processes related to risk and reward, generating behavioral compulsions that mimic substance addiction. These variations influence treatment approaches, as each disorder requires tailored interventions considering the neurochemical and behavioral mechanisms involved.

Impact on Others and Society

Individual addiction extends beyond personal suffering to impact families and society in profound ways. First, addiction can lead to familial instability, including broken relationships, child neglect, or abuse. Second, addiction-related criminal activities, often associated with drug seeking or illegal transactions, strain law enforcement and judicial systems. Third, societal costs such as healthcare expenses due to overdose, long-term health complications, and lost productivity impose significant economic burdens. These societal impacts underscore the importance of preventative measures, early intervention, and comprehensive treatment strategies that address both individual and societal dimensions of addiction.

Conclusion

Recognizing addiction as a disease rooted in neurological and psychological alterations fosters a comprehensive approach to treatment. The influence of co-occurring disorders complicates recovery efforts but highlights the necessity for integrated treatment programs. Understanding the role of rituals and the specific nature of substances or obsessions guides clinicians in designing effective interventions. Lastly, acknowledging how individual addiction affects others and society at large underscores the urgent need for policy frameworks, education, and support systems to mitigate these far-reaching consequences. Ultimately, addressing addiction as a disease requires a multifaceted approach rooted in scientific understanding and compassionate care.

References

  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
  • Koob, G. F., & Le Moal, M. (2008). Neurobiology of addiction. Elsevier.
  • McLellan, A. T., Lewis, D. C., O'Brien, C. P., & Kleber, H. D. (2000). Drug dependence, a chronic medical illness: Implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes evaluation. JAMA, 284(13), 1689–1695.
  • NIDA. (2020). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
  • Hall, W., & Carter, A. (2015). What is addiction? In J. H. Cryan & G. F. Koob (Eds.), Progress in brain research (pp. 13-36). Elsevier.
  • Peen, J., Schoevers, R. A., Beekman, A. T., & Dekker, J. (2010). The current status of urban-rural differences in psychiatric disorders. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 121(2), 84–93.
  • Grant, B. F., & Dawson, D. A. (2006). Age at onset of alcohol use and its association with DSM-IV alcohol abuse and dependence: Results from the National Longitudinal Alcohol Epidemiologic Survey. Journal of Substance Abuse, 17(1), 3–15.
  • Sher, K. J. (2013). The developmental psychopathology of addiction: From childhood to adult. Development and Psychopathology, 25(3), 781-806.
  • Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.
  • Fremont, W., et al. (2017). The neurobiology of compulsive behaviors: Implications for addiction treatment. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews, 72, 123–134.

Related Assignments