The Disease of Drug Addiction free essay sample

For example, in his capacity as the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Alan Leshner wrote that the reason we ought to think of addiction as a disease is that it ‘is tied to changes in brain structure and function’(Leshner,1997). This reasoning is echoed in the work of several other authors. Heyman, Heather and Alexander, among others, have challenged the disease status of addiction on primarily empirical grounds (Heyman, 2001; Heather, 1992; Alexander, 1988). Philosophical accounts of disease, which attempt to clarify the concept, come in many shapes and sizes. For example, Boorse argues for a naturalistic conception of disease in which a disease must be reflected in a loss of function in an organ (Boorse, 1977). At the other end of the spectrum, Nordenfelt argues for a normative conception, which defines diseases as conditions which prevent us from meeting our ‘vital goals’ (Nordenfelt, 1995). It is still an open question whether Boorse’s view, Nordenfelt’s view or some other view gives the best rendering of what we mean when we call something a disease, but the published accounts can support the claim that changes in brain structure and function are enough to constitute a disease. We will write a custom essay sample on The Disease of Drug Addiction or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The concept of addiction as a neurobiological disease has taken hold, thanks largely to the efforts of both NIDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) that addiction is a disease (NIDA, 2009 ; WHO, 2004) Substance Dependence or Drug Addiction† The term â€Å"substance dependence† has gained great currency because of its use in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). The DSM, both in its revision of the third edition (DSM- III- R; American Psychiatric Association [APA] 1987) and in its most recent edition (DSM- IV; APA 1994), avoids the term addiction, preferring instead to use the diagnoses of substance abuse and dependence, collectively referred to as substance use disorders. Beginning with DSM-III-R, the criteria used to diagnose substance use disorders were applied more or less equally to all of the substances that are commonly mis-used by individuals. In the DSM, therefore, individuals are differentiated onto three mutually exclusive categories: no substance use disorder, abuse only, or dependence. With this approach, abuse is diagnosed only if the individual does not meet the criteria for dependence. Accordingly, an individual meeting the criteria for both abuse and dependence is diagnosed only with dependence. The most recent text revision of the DSM (DSM-IV-TR; APA 2000, p. 192) identifies impaired control over substance use as the essential feature of dependence, which is â€Å"a cluster of cognitive, behavioral, and physiological symptoms indicating that the individual continues use of the substance despite significant substance-related problems. † The dependence syndrome, which forms the basis for the diagnostic approach used in DSM-III-R, was first described for alcohol by Edwards and Gross (1976); it was later broadened to include other drugs (Edwards et al. 1981). However, as was true for DSM-III-R (APA 1987), the inclusion of abuse as a distinct category in DSM-IV deviated from the purely dimensional approach (in which all dependence occurs on a continuum, varying from no dependence symptoms to severe dependence) taken by Edwards and colleagues. This dimensional approach recently has been supported by findings from a large, nationally representative sample of more than 43,000 people. Saha and colleagues (2006) found that, except for alcohol-related legal problems, all DSM-IV criteria for alcohol abuse and dependence formed a continuum of alcohol use disorder severity. Moreover, only one of four diagnostic criteria for alcohol abuse (i. e. , hazardous use) fell among other criteria associated with mild dependence, whereas the other three abuse criteria clustered with the most severe symptoms of dependence. These findings call into question the distinction between abuse and dependence and the identification of abuse as being milder than dependence. O’Brien and colleagues (2006) have argued against the use of the term substance dependence, calling for a renewed emphasis on addiction. Dependence, they pointed out, is often confused with physical dependence (i. e. the adaptations that result in withdrawal symptoms when substance use is discontinued), which can occur with therapeutic applications of a variety of medications. This terminological confusion may make clinicians reluctant to prescribe pain medications, for example, for fear of causing addiction. By emphasizing the behavioral aspects of compulsive substance use, addiction captures the chronic, relapsing, and compulsive nature of substance use that occurs despite the associated negative consequences. On that basis, these authors urged the APA to restore the use of the term addiction in the DSM-V, which currently is in development. A disadvantage of the term addiction, however, is that it often is used pejoratively and can lead practitioners to avoid its use for fear of stigmatizing their patients and damaging their relationship with them. Further, the term addiction has been used so widely and variably that, like â€Å"alcoholism,† its meaning has been diluted, substantially limiting its value. The terminology used to describe alcohol and other drug use disorders is of key importance to both the study and the clinical care of people suffering from these conditions (Kranzler, Ting-Kai; 2008). Addiction Is a Disease Drug addiction is a compulsive behavior that creates a desire to use a dangerous substance, despite the health repercussions and sometimes irreversible consequences. Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease. It is important not to confuse drug addiction with drug dependency, drug dependency does not always manifest into drug addiction. Understanding what happens in the brain with addiction is key to understanding drug addiction. Once a brain is exposed to a substance it changes.

Of Mice And Men Essays (489 words) - English-language Films, Films

Of Mice And Men Essays (489 words) - English-language Films, Films Of Mice And Men George was in a state of shock after he had shot Lennie. All of the workers were suspicious of George and they were all talking about the incident when George went back home. Curley was very angry and he was looking to cause trouble as usual. Curley came up with a preposterous idea that George had planned to kill Lennie. He told all the workers that George was to have Lennie do all the work and then George would rake in all the pay. He said that Lennie didnt like it anymore and he threatened to tell on George. Curley said that George was just looking for a reason to shoot his friend. After George had told everyone of Georges plan they were going to confront George. When they did, George threw a punch at Curley and a fight broke out between George and most of the workers. George got thrown to the ground and thats when Slim stepped in. Slim threatened to hurt every one of them if they didnt go away. The next day when George had awakened from his bloody beating, Slim had told George that Curleys father had canned the both of them. Slim and George were trying to figure out what they were going to do. George remembered that he told the old couple that he would take the farm. When he told Slim about the idea of the farm, Slim agreed and they tried to come up with the money. Between George, Slim, and Candy, they only had 500 dollars, which included what they had already sent to the old couple. They thought and thought of an idea to get another 100 dollars, but there was no possible way they could. They had all packed up and they were ready to be on their way. They began to walk out into the forest and to see what new obstacles they would have to overcome. George and Slim heard hooves off in the distance. All of the sudden they saw two men on horses in the distance. One of the men was white and the other was black. When they got near, George and Slim realized that it was Candy and Crooks! When they got off the horses, Crooks took out 100 dollars and handed it to George. They all were jumping and yelling with happiness. George looked up and yelled we finally did it, we finally did! They made camp and the next day George mailed off the letter with the rest of the money. With the four men on horses they were on their way to their new life. They reached the farm a few days later to greet the old couple. They looked around and the place needed a fixing up, but to them the place was a dream farm. They realized that they had overcome their challenges and they were ready to start a new beginning.

Analysis of an Advertisement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

Analysis of an Advertisement - Essay Example Sisley is a multinational company operating in major nations throughout the world. The company deals with clothing and jewelry. In the recent years, it has made progress in its fashion products because of the differentiation of products it formulated. This also made it to segment its market and attract fashion female addicts. However, my problem with the company and product is associated with their advert. They tend to associate their target consumers with certain behaviors, which is not good. Their latest advert portrayed their target consumers in a negative way since they associated them with drugs as shown in the image below. The advert is an association of the target groups with drugs, cocaine. It portrays fashion addicts as cocaine addicts. For instance, the word fashion is misspelled to â€Å"Fashioin.† This was intentional to make it rhyme with cocaine. It depicts two women snorting cocaine. It also features a white dress, which is arranged to resemble cocaine. Similarly, there is also a white powder in the JPMorgan chase cards resembling cocaine. The accompanying text for the advert is, â€Å"Sisley Fashioin Junkie.† The target audience for the advert is young women who are fashion addicts. The advert features the picture of two beautiful women who are at their young ages hence acting as the target audience. The advert also uses bold textual techniques in selling their fashion products. The text has the name of the company as well as the altered spelling of fashion. This brings attention to the audience, hence capturing them. The advert is very effective in reaching its target. Its controversy in portraying the target consumers as cocaine addicts makes many consumers aware of its existence because many discuss it. Similarly, it attracts attention since many consumers are eager to find out what is going on and its nature. This makes it attract attention, hence reaching the target. The advert is not ethical. It depicts its target consumers in a negative

Management project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Management project - Essay Example Generation Y are engaged in extensive internet and new technology usage. They are innovators in the social media platforms. The youth segment accounts for high mobile and broadband internet for accessing information and online purchasing. With increased demand from this market segment, the airline industry went on to introduce more flights at cheaper rates. The impact of youth travels is not only limited to the travel industry but to the technology and telecommunication industry as well (Richards, and Wilson, 2004) The author Moutinho (2011) in his book explains the impact of youth travellers on the global tourism sector. More than 20% of the total international travels were the youth. The total international travels accounted for 940 million in 2010. The global tourism industry received $165 billion in 2010 from young travellers and also expects this number to grow in the coming years. The young population has driven the change in the communication technology and has forced the tourism industry to build new communication system to interact with them. The tourism industry has benefitted from the new market segment of not only through increased revenue but also allowed them to integrate their strategy with sustainability. The youth travel industry accounts for 190 million travels a year and its rate of growth has exceeded the growth rate of travel industry. The annual international youth trips are expected to reach 300 million trips by 2020 (Moutinho, 2011). The author Loudon (2001) explains that youth travel contributes to the development of local communities and the economies. It is seen that young travellers spend as much as 60% of their travel budget in the destination place. Small economies are solely dependent on the tourism sector for their revenue and the travel receipts from the young travellers contribute to the earnings of the local community. Local communities benefit from the

English Department Essay Example for Free

English Department Essay From various literatures, there is no clear definition about what postmodernism is. Dr. Mary Klages (2003), Associate Professor in the English Department at University of Colorado, says that postmodernism cannot be defined in a single term. Instead, postmodernism can be considered as a complex term since it appears as a concept that exists in variety of study including art, science, sociology, and technology. Postmodernism present as the sign of new times, an outcome of changing trends in all areas of human life, the irruption of new social, political, cultural, and economic values which are maddening great human behavioural changes in organizations. In addition, the postmodernism is considered as a new expression of philosophic, ontological, methodological, scientific, artistic, political, social, economic, etc. trends, and therefore a new outlook which set limits and deficiencies on modern expressions. Moreover, postmodernism is a new paradigm approach to knowledge, and it is also a new paradigm of aesthetic. Concerning the discussion of postmodernism, information science and technology, this paper will take into account the discussion about knowledge management in organizations. The reason to include the discussion of postmodernism in organizations is because it represents the use of information science, sociology, and knowledge. I. 2 Characteristics of Postmodernism Organizations Any structure can be called as an organization because it is designed to carry out a given purpose. Organizations are living systems, oriented in the direction of a trend of self-organized patterns, structures and processes which respond to demands of a complex and confused, changing environment through constant and permanent learning. Historically, organization theory originated from academic institutions within the context of socially legitimized public institutions. Under such circumstances, learning capacity of organizations becomes key determinant in their survival to face various business challenges. Some characteristics of postmodernism organizations which influence on organizational analysis are as following: 1. Identification With â€Å"might being† 2. Emphasis Effectiveness 3. Structure In function of market needs 4. Focus of power Centralized in knowledge and experience 5. Orientation Toward Market (Boje, M Dennehy 2000) In organization practices, it is found that postmodernism tends to force the organizations to avoid human beings from bureaucratic structures. This is because postmodernism has the philosophy to provide simplicity instead of complexity (Boje, M Dennehy 2000). Links between modernity and postmodernism Modernity is often characterized by comparing modern societies to pre-modern or post-modern ones, and the understanding of those non-modern social statuses is far from an issue. To an extent, it is reasonable to doubt the very possibility of a descriptive concept that can adequately capture diverse realities of societies of various historical contexts. In term of social structure, many of the defining events and characteristics listed above stem from a transition from relatively isolated local communities to a more integrated large-scale society. There is a shift from the model of the modernist, factory-bureaucracy: a rigid structure, with everything in place to do its particular function to the place where it has a connected with different types changing formation in response to the conditions. II. Postmodernism, Social Science and technology In sociology point of view, there is a notion that postmodernism is considered as the results of the changes in economy, culture, and demography. In addition, postmodernism is also considered as the factors that contribute to the rise of service economy and the increasing interdependence of world economy. Concerning the relation of postmodernism in technology, there is a notion that technological utopianism is a common trait in Western history and it is true in postmodernism era with some changes in the manifestation. In postmodernism era, the expression of technology comes in the form of the sudden increase in analog mass broadcasting of television. In this situation, people see the mass broadcasting of television as a liberating force to human affairs since television has capability to provide various understandable symbols. This situation drives Newton N Minow to consider television as â€Å"a vast wasteland. † Another expression of technology in postmodernism era is the development of digital networking. In this view, digital communications are believed to provide modern society with positive feature since people are now enabling to experiences in art, culture, and community that they think as being correct.

Free Essays: The World of the Odyssey and Todays Society :: Homer Odyssey Essays

The World of the Odyssey and Today's Society In the book the Odyssey by Homer violence, deceit, disorder, absence of law enforcement, and it's principal of self-sufficiency, obviously differs from our modern society today. In modern world today we have laws and law enforcers, which is to help keep away from as much violence as possible. We have legal systems and courts to decide whether people deserve punishments, and this shows in many ways how the present differs from the past. That is why many leaders of the past couldn't be successful leaders in running today's society. Odysseus went by his own rules and made up his own rights, which he lived by, and would set the tone for the rest of his crew. Odysseus would be a poor leader in today's society based on his leadership skills in the book. Odysseus would be a terrible leader today because his way of being just and solving problems is to kill people. He believes in no sound reasoning and cares about himself and how much of a great fighter he is. " Lady, it's not possible to interpret this dream in any other way. You have learnt from Odysseus himself how he will make the dream true. Clearly, the Suitors are all of them doomed: there is not who will escape his destined death (p.301)." When Odysseus heard of the suitors in his home, he had it set in his mind to kill them all before even trying to reason with them or asking them to leave. Also, he plans to take revenge and kill his servants when he believes that they were disloyal and instead of giving them the chance to explain why they had been disloyal to him. In today's society you can't go out and kill someone because you feel what they are doing is wrong. For that we have legal systems where people have the right to prove their innocence if thought to be guilty. If Odysseus killed someone today because he didn't like what they were doing, he would be jailed. If killing people were the answer to everyone's problems, then there would never be peace in our society today. Odysseus had his own way of thinking and doing things and in today's society that

Highlight on Nations Hostile to the United States: Outlook in Iran and North Korea Essay

The proliferation of nuclear weapons combined with anti-American sentiment in government and rogue groups in Iran and North Korea certainly give rise for concern in the United States’ government’s dealing with these countries. The nature of these hostilities must be uncovered in order to proceed with understanding how these sentiments arose historically, culturally, and as a potential part of religiosity. Certainly the political regimes of both countries have their similarities in the propaganda that is portrayed to each country’s citizens respectively. However, groups like Hezbollah in Iran certainly make this country unique, considering the rogue nature of this group as well as the religious underpinnings that help to support it and it’s militancy. However, North Korea is unlike Iran in that the citizens of North Korea are strictly under the hard and heavy rule of the regime without rogue groups and religions motivations to further complicate this anti-American issue. In looking at both political regimes, Iran is a theocracy with religion as it’s core base of decisions made for and against the Western and non-Arab world. North Korea is a highly rigid authoritarian regime that violates the human rights of it’s people consistently in order to scare them into submission. As well, the propaganda that is spread regarding the Western world keeps citizens in both countries in a very fearful and controlled environment. When this fear leads to anger, it is of no surprise that citizens turn to a militant way of thinking, in order to stave of their fear. However, in Iran religion also demonizes non-Muslim citizens and leaders of the United States as infidels, deserving of punishment. In North Korea, religion plays no motive, but the move to militancy is a way to stave of starvation and imprisonment, which is a common tactic of Kim Jong-il’s regime. This type of socialization experienced by the people of both countries is a part of the strict indoctrination by two regimes that employ fear as a weapon of mass control. Conversely, the American people are in fear of weapons of mass destruction and the divide between the American culture and the two Eastern cultures are vast. The regime of Kim Jong-il can be considered more of a cult with a cult following of the people of North Korea toward their leader, who is worshipped like a religious God might be. On the other hand Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is classed as a president of his country, through a supposedly democratic and theocratic election. However, many members of opposing parties have voiced concern over the fairness of these elections. Dissent toward Ahmadinejad has been met with violence and imprisonment, as well as dissent against Kin Jong-il. Therefore, it is fair to say that since Kim Jong-il is to remain North Korea’s leader throughout his lifetime and that there is much speculation that Ahmadinejad can unfairly rig elections, that the people have reason to be fearful of the power of the ruling party for an indefinite period of time. Certainly the religious customs associated with Islam can be upsetting to women, as they are oppressed and virtually voiceless in the cultural and military change that might be beneficial to peace and prosperity to the future of Iran. Men in this country, on the other hand, have little incentive to change, since their gender allows them much power. The fact that the government, as well, supports Hezbollah, Hamas, and other Palestinian terrorist organizations and has be known to harbor members of Al Qaeda and the Taliban also gives the men in this country a reason to see how militancy is a way to join in causes that have meaning to them culturally and have the potential to unite them with an entire movement across borders and with supporters in various countries in the Muslim world and elsewhere. Although it must be noted that this type of unified Arab ideal is a relatively new cultural trend, as much of the hatred that is aimed toward America is sourced to be from America’s support of Iraq in the Iran-Iraq War. As well, interpreting the Quaran as a source of inspiration for militancy can compound the problem with men in the country becoming a part of a militant group. Although, women cannot be counted out completely, most of the members of militant groups are men. The militancy of the people of North Korea can be contributed to the strict government policy that supports military strength and has allies with similarly strong governments with notably strong armies; China and Russia. Though the people of North Korea are in dire poverty, the military is one way of avoiding this and becoming part of an aspiring nation that simply refuses to stop acquiring and testing missiles despite sanctions imposed by the United States and their allies. Certainly when sanctions involve economic issues, such as cutting off needed food or equipment for farming, the already indoctrinated people of the country can easily back this leader when he makes hateful claims about and against America. As well, the nature of the country to be cut-off from modes of information from the outside world does nothing to help the citizens in realizing that their severely impoverished country with a horrible record of human rights violations is not always giving out correct and accurate information about their enemy, the United States. It can be stated that Kim Jong-il and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad are in essence, terrorists themselves as they terrorize their citizens through oppression, indoctrination, and propaganda. The citizens of both countries are socialized from an early age to see the power of the ruling party and the futility of uprising against them. The fear that is instilled in the people can then translate in militancy and a feeling of being part of something powerful or productive. In the case of the military members of North Korea, poverty can be averted. In the case of Iran, a feeling of following the Quaran along with being united with Muslims all over the world can lead to a powerful military force either through the state of insurgency groups.