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Escalation of Substance Abuse Addiction

Escalation of Substance Abuse Addiction

Numerous factors contribute to substance abuse addiction and alcohol addiction, inclusive of preexisting mental health conditions, socioeconomic status, environmental influences, and genetic factors. Addiction happens in a progressive or escalation manner due to these factors. One does not just wake up and become addicted but instead slides into it.

Often, substance use addiction starts from experimentation. APA (2013) finds that many adolescents in the U.S. experiment with tobacco by 18 years, and statistics show that at least 20% of adolescents smoke tobacco at least monthly. They often view substance use as a one-time happening, not realizing it is the door to addiction. Those who can quit using the drugs do so, but those who believe that the drugs will keep making them feel good often progress to the next phase of regular use. According to APA (2013), 80% of those who use tobacco try to stop using it, but 60% relapse within one week, while 5% quit completely. Get in touch with us at eminencepapers.com. We offer assignment help with high professionalism.

When substance abusers reach a regular use level, they increase their dependence on drug use. They then make drug use part of their routine, like an occasion of taking a shower. In their occasional drug use, a host of neuroadaptive changes happen in the individual’s brain’s stress systems and reward systems (Becker, 2008). These changes challenge the regulatory systems that defend the normal equilibrium of different internal processes. According to Becker (2008), when individuals attempt to withdraw from drug use, the reward effects reduce, and the individual finds themselves depending on the substance use to regain the brain rewards.

This constant use then turns into a high-risk use. Despite experiencing the social or legal consequences of regular use of drugs, an individual is found to continue using drugs. What was considered initially a temporary event or occasional event now becomes the norm since the individual may be unaware or unafraid of the results of their behavior. At this phase, the individual’s appetite for substance use increases as they crave excitement, stimulation, and novelty and get easily bored with the usual normal routines, law, and order (APA, 2013). This may lead them to justify dangerous behaviors such as driving under the influence or working high.

The next phase after the high-risk stage is addiction. An individual at this stage is considered sick and needs medical assistance. Some clinicians may diagnose the disease as a substance use disorder (APA, 2013). At this stage, the decision to take the drugs does not depend on the individual alone. Their body informs them of what they should take through symptoms such as frantic behaviors, tremors, sweats, and shakes. Therefore, individuals at this level spend most of their time either high or drunk and are willing to do anything to get the substance they want. Even when counseled, the individual is not likely to turn away from substance use.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (5th ed). (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Download Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders. Washington, DC.

Becker, H. C. (2008). Alcohol dependence, withdrawal, and relapse. Alcohol Research & Health.

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Question 


Module Notes:
Module 1: Module Notes: Introduction to Abuse or Dependence
Everyone is touched by addictive behavior in some way or another. Whether you have addictive behaviors, a loved one or a member of your community, there is no escaping the impact and outcomes of addiction.
Addictive behavior is frequently related to the use of alcohol and drugs. Much of the research has been conducted with these substances as the target. Therefore, you will be relying on a lot of this information. However, addictive behavior also is evidenced in other ways.

Escalation of Substance Abuse Addiction

Escalation of Substance Abuse Addiction

In addition to alcohol and other drugs, addictions may surface in the areas of:

• Nicotine
• Caffeine
• Eating
• Sex
• Pornography
• Internet/Gaming
• Television
• Gambling
• Shopping
• And the list goes on
Your exploration of addiction will encompass these areas. However, as approved by your instructor, you are also free to investigate other addictions in the discussions and assignments.

Addiction is a broad term. It covers a range of symptoms on a continuum. Although not a clinical term, it is used freely by many professionals and laypeople to describe one’s behavior as it relates to the overuse of a substance or action.
Addiction is a very complex disease that impacts individuals, those around them, and the society at large. It is estimated that one in four families is directly impacted by alcohol and substance abuse alone.
Professionals in the field think of it as a chronic illness. Like other chronic illnesses, we attempt to manage the illness and expect that there may be relapses along the road to recovery.
Addiction involves out-of-control behavior. Addicts have lost control over what they are using or doing to the point where it is now creating harm in their lives. We often look at five major life areas to determine the impact:
• Social, family, or relationship impacts
• Legal impacts
• Financial impacts
• Health impacts
• School or work impacts
Addictions often start out as habits. A habit is often a choice that one can choose to stop. Habits do not have psychological and physical attachments. Addiction involves the psychological and/or physical component in which the individual has lost the ability to control the behavior. Choice does not play a role in the addiction once the behavior has taken place.
Addictive behaviors impact people regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status, sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. However, culture does play a role in the use of various addictive substances.
Module 1: Module Notes: Introduction to the Addiction Spectrum
are considering an individual’s use of a substance, such as alcohol or drugs (or any of the other addictive behaviors), we see the activity on a continuum.
On one end of the spectrum, some individuals simply do not use these substances. On the other end of the continuum would be those who are dependent or addicted to the behavior or substance.
In between, there are other often-forgotten categories.
• Some people are in the experimentation phase. There are individuals who may use it once or twice to see what the effect is.
• Following this would be recreational users. These individuals use in a casual manner, but their usage is not excessive and does not interfere with their lives.
• People who abuse the substance or behavior are those who are now experiencing difficulties as a result of their usage or behavior but still continue to use the substance or behavior.
• Those dependent on the behavior or substance come next and are considered to be using in a manner that is out of control.
Abuse and dependence are explained in detail in the next screens and in your reading of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM IV).