Article Discussion 1: I Am Who I'm Meant To Be

Article Discussion 1 I Am Who Im Meant To Be Httpbitly3xn9f

Article Discussion #1 – I Am Who I’m Meant to Be - 2 pages minimum, three pages maximum.

Discussion Questions (must answer questions noted by asterisk below):

  • What was the article about? – Begin with a brief overview in the introduction *
  • Who is Hayden Hurst? *
  • What issues was he struggling with? *
  • What happened the night of January 2016? *
  • What did Hayden decide to do to shift his life around? *
  • How does this tie into Chapter 3? *
  • Do kids really steal pills from their parents ‘medicine closet’? What makes you say yes or no? *
  • Can people really conceal or hide that they are really struggling with alcohol addiction? *
  • What was your reaction after reading this article? *

Paper For Above instruction

The article titled "I Am Who I’m Meant to Be" narrates the compelling personal journey of Hayden Hurst, an individual who faced significant struggles with addiction and personal identity. The narrative aims to shed light on the challenges associated with addiction, the process of self-discovery, and the importance of resilience and support in overcoming adversity. This discussion will explore Hurst’s background, his struggles, pivotal moments in his life, and how his story connects to broader themes covered in Chapter 3 of the course materials.

Hayden Hurst is a professional athlete and former football player, known not only for his sporting achievements but also for his inspiring personal story. Hurst's journey is marked by his battle with substance abuse, which was a significant issue in his life. His struggles with alcohol and prescription drug misuse are central to the narrative, illustrating how addiction can impact individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their success or social status.

The night of January 2016 was a critical turning point for Hurst. It was a moment of crisis that forced him to confront the depth of his struggles. During that night, Hayden experienced a realization of how far he had fallen and decided that he needed to make drastic changes in his life. This pivotal event catalyzed his commitment to recovery and self-improvement, setting him on a path toward healing and greater self-awareness. His decision to seek help and turn his life around underscores the importance of resilience and the human capacity for change amid adversity.

To shift his life around, Hayden Hurst committed himself to sobriety and self-care. He sought support from professional counseling, engaged in programs aimed at addiction recovery, and cultivated a healthier lifestyle. His journey highlights the importance of external support systems, including family, friends, and professional help, in overcoming addiction. Hurst’s efforts reflect the broader theme of personal agency and the importance of choosing a path of recovery, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

This narrative ties into Chapter 3’s themes surrounding the complexities of human behavior, mental health, and the social factors influencing addiction. Chapter 3 emphasizes understanding addiction not merely as a failure of willpower but as a multifaceted issue involving biological, psychological, and social components. Hurst’s story illustrates how external pressures and internal struggles can coexist, often making concealment difficult. His efforts to overcome his addiction resonate with the chapter’s discussion of recovery strategies, resilience, and the importance of support systems.

Regarding the question of whether kids really steal pills from their parents’ medicine closet, anecdotal evidence and research suggest that such behaviors are common, often driven by curiosity, peer pressure, or the desire to escape life’s stresses. Family environments where medications are not securely stored increase the risk of misuse among adolescents. This issue underscores the need for increased awareness and preventive measures to safeguard young people from the dangers of prescription drug abuse.

Similarly, many people do conceal or hide their struggles with alcohol addiction due to stigma, fear of judgment, or lack of awareness. The ability to hide such struggles is facilitated by behavioral changes, secretive behaviors, and sometimes, rationalizations that convince oneself or others that they are not struggling. This concealment complicates efforts to seek help, making awareness and supportive intervention critical.

After reading this article, my reactions ranged from empathy to concern. It served as a reminder of the vulnerability individuals face and the importance of compassion and support in recovery journeys. Hurst’s story is both inspiring and sobering, emphasizing that regardless of one’s background or achievements, everyone is susceptible to struggles that require resilience, support, and a commitment to change.

References

  • Hurst, H. (2023). I Am Who I’m Meant to Be. Retrieved from http://bit.ly/3xn9f
  • American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th ed.).
  • CDC. (2020). Understanding the Opioid Overdose Crisis. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2016). Neurobiology of addiction: A neurocircuitry analysis. The Lancet Psychiatry, 3(8), 760-773.
  • McLellan, A. T., et al. (2000). Drug dependence, a chronic medical illness: Implications for treatment, insurance, and outcomes evaluation. JAMA, 284(13), 1689-1695.
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents. NIDA.
  • Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Behavioral Health Barometer: United States, Volume 6.
  • Volkow, N. D., et al. (2019). The neuroscience of drug addiction. The New England Journal of Medicine, 380(4), 344-353.
  • Wirsing, R., & Dugas, M. (2018). Adolescent Substance Use: Risk Factors and Prevention Strategies. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 47(4), 763-777.
  • World Health Organization. (2014). Neuroscience of addiction. WHO.

Related Assignments