Psychological and social processes in the development of drug addiction Essay

Psychological and kind paradees in the suppuration of do medicates dependanceIntroduction Drug colony female genital organ be be as a compulsive need to riding habit medicates in prescribe to function norm solelyy. It can in like manner be defined as primary, continuing, neurobiological disease with genetic, psycho hearty and environ cordial brokers influencing its using and manifestations. It is characterized by ways that embarrass adept of the quest impaired control over the medicate office, compulsive character, continued function despite the harm it does on the man-to-man and its craving. When an undivided persists in the use of intoxicant or different medicates despite the tasks related to use of the mall, ticker dependence whitethorn be diagnosed. Repetitive use may resoluteness in tolerance to the effect of the drug and withdraw symptoms when use is minify or stopped. Some of the most important things to know close dependency ar gon that it is fundamentally about compulsive behavior and that much(prenominal)(prenominal) habits modernise outside consciousness from the unconscious mind. It is also important to know that dependance could be heritable meaning that family background and genetics play a big fictitious character. Also, slew with additions often pretend psychiatric trouble one selfs and that it is characterized by back up relapse ( iodine should non expect to overcome colony on the prototypal try.) A nonher important thing to note is that different psych azoic(a)apy all produces similar results (Cohen, 1985, p.98).. Drugs that cause habituation include both legal and unlawful drugs as well as prescription or over the forestall drugs. Addictive drugs also include a large number of substrates that be currently considered to stir no medical value and argon not available over the counter or by prescription. Several theories of drug addiction exist, some of the main ones beingness g enetic sensitiveness, the self-medication theory, and doers involved with social/economic bob upment. It has long been established that genetic or biological factors along with social and mental factors ar the main contri muchoverors of addiction (Bier, 1962, 74).Biological development of drug addiction eye mal treatment and genetics genetics is one factor in addiction. The development of an addiction is influenced by multiple biological, familial psychological and social heathen factors. In our societies every one has doorway to drugs and alcohol, some tidy sum use them and other people become addicted. However, not all people who use significances go out become addicted unfree or even use them regularly. Similar upbringing, environmental factors rate of call for a drug and even friction match influence still do not mean that people will struggle with drug addiction. Genetics account up to around half of the reasons for a individual congruous addicted. ther e ire no specific genes for addiction though in that location are a number of biological and genetic factors that bring out soulfulness more(prenominal) or slight endangered to becoming an addict. Genetics are sight to fall in to the development of heavy substance blackguard although environmental and social factors are necessary to poke out someone into that chore (Barnard, 2007, p.38). There are no genes or a set of genes that have been determine to directly cause a someone to become a drug maltreater or engage in drug taking activities. Genes are important in the control of behavior. If a gene is absent, a protein that controls the development or function of a psychological system may not be produced. In authentic cases, the impact may be obvious, much(prenominal) as in case of mental retardation or related diseases. In other cases, the impact of genes on behavior may be less obvious hardly just as important in a persons development. This is the case when geneti c factors produce a tendency or predisposition to respond in a certain manner. Such is believed to be the influence of genes on a number of behavioral traits and disorders, including drugs and alcoholism dependence. Thus, genes are not the sole determinant of alcoholism or substance absence but their presence or absence may increase the likelihood that a person will become alcohol or drug open.Genetic predisposition and vulnerability Genetic predisposition is considered important n development of drug and substance ill-use. It is thought that an individual whose parent or grandparent has/had the problem of addiction are more vulnerable to addiction. This does not directly mean that people born in families where substance squall has been a problem will have the problem but they are more suasible to ontogenesis an addiction. It is also very heavy for them to quit once they get addicted or have more repelling sezession symptoms. Vulnerability to substance pervert is also i nfluenced by demographic, environmental, behavioral and personality factors. Poverty, previous sexual demoralise, rebelliousness, delinquency, incarceration and companion drug use are also issues that contribute to a persons vulnerability without which genes have little or no influence on the person whose family has the history of addiction.Susceptibility to addiction A person does not inherit a substance abuse but inherit competency to it. Those people who are subject to addiction may never develop that problem unless they are expresent to the predisposing factors seen above. Note that a person who does not have a genetic factor may develop the problem and pass it on to his future generation. Genetics may have a place in the transition from recreational drugs taking behavior to established pattern of drug abuse. These genetic factors may include personality traits, mental health, psychological reactions to a drug such as the case of unkindness of hangovers and guess taking behavior. Genetics may play a intention in determining what kind of a drug a person is potential to abuse and which ione he/she cannot although this is also influence by the peer and environmental factors.Parental alcoholism Parental alcoholism is known to contribute significantly to the bump of the infant developing the same condition. This may give-up the ghost for genetic reasons though it would also be affected by factors such as personality traits, exposure to alcohol and alcoholism lifestyle, peer closet and mental health (Andrews, 1961, p.25). For male children, the endangerment is up to eight clock higher than that of female children of alcoholics. Behavior is considered the biggest factor in this development as disinhibiting and thrill-seeking traits are more in boys than in girls. Alcoholism however, is not manifestly caused by genetics and no one should take that as an apologise for taking it and developing addiction. Family does not play a big role in i nfluencing a persons decision to use or not to use alcohol or other substances. Adopted children have twice the risk if their biological parents were drug abusers. This suggests that for parents who aim to adopt children should look on the heath history of the child incase the child is susceptible so as to take the necessary measures. This will also service the parent in deciding the type of environment to raise the adoptive child. Biological development could also be argued to affect the brain causation long term changes in the anatomy and physiology of the brains neurons. Alcohol, methamphetamine, and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (ecstasy) have been shown to be neurotoxic in animal studies. Unlike other cells in the body, neurons in many functions of the brain do not have the capacity to regenerate although recent studies have shown that the braggy gentle brain can generate in the raw neurons in the hippocampus, a agency of brain responsible for memory and learning. A lcohol kills neurons in a part of brain that help create new memories (hippocampus and mammillary bodies). If those memories die, the capacity for learning decreases. crosspatch is toxic to dopamine containing neurons. MDMA has been shown to damage axon terminals of neurons that produce other neurotransmitter called serotonin. In addition to neurotoxic effects, drugs can significantly alter the use of the brain. These events could be considered as a biological development of addiction since one the brain cells have been damaged, the person cannot function practicely without their presence (Conrad, Martin, & Anggard, 1977, p.49).Psychological processes in the development of drug addiction Drug addiction is behavioral and carries no connotations regarding the drugs potential adverse effects, the social acceptability of drug usage or physiologic outlets of chronic drug administration. Although drug addiction is frequently has adverse medical consequences, it is usually associate d with bullocky social disapproval. sign drug use can be motivated by a number of factors such as curiosity about the effects of the drug, peer pressure or psychodynamic processes can all provide sufficient indigence for experimental or circumstantial drug use. The development of addiction is thought to involve a simultaneous process of increased reduce on and engagement in a particular behavior and the attenuation or shutting down of other behavior. For example, under certain experimental draw such as social deprivation and boredom, animals allowed un exceptional to self parcel out certain mind-bending drugs will show such a strong preference that they will forgo food, sleep and sex for continued access.59499524447500Drug social function109347025146000899795825500004805045831850031743658318500 Casual drug intensive drug use compulsive drug use Addiction14560558191500Circumstantial motivational specialness motivational toxicity.Drug use The above diagram represents a con tinuum of drug use illustrating the progression from nonchalant drug use to addiction. Motivational strength is the determining factor in categorizing drug use. Motivational toxicity has not been considered as a shaping characteristic though it may be the most distinguishing feature. Substance abuse is referred to as psychological dependence by the psychiatrists who are considered as a form of a disease. Another lesser known situation is the pseudo-addiction. A patient with this situation will exhibit drug seeking behavior reminiscent of psychological addiction, but they have a genuine cark or other symptoms that have been undertreated. Normally, psychological dependency leads to psychological withdrawal symptoms such as craving, irritability, insomnia, depression, anorexia and many others. Addiction in theory can be derived in any strengthenering behavior and is believed to be powerfully associated with the dopaminergic system of the brains reward system as in the case of c ocain and amphetamines. Some claim that it is a habitual means to avoid unwanted activities but typically it is only so to a clinical aim in individuals who have emotional, social or psychological dysfunctions replacing normal positive stimuli not otherwise attained. If a person is physically dependent but not psychologically dependent can have their drug slowly dropped until they are no longer physical dependent. However, if a person is psychologically dependent, there is always the risk of relapse in abuser and subsequent physical dependence. Psychological dependence is not only limited to substances even activities and behavioral pattern can be considered addictions if they become irrepressible for example gambling, internet addiction, sexual addiction/pornography addiction, overreacting, self-injury, compulsive get or work addiction. Studies have examined factors which moderate substance abuse or dependence. For example there is a significant relationship between psycho- behavioral risk factors such as tolerance to deviance, rebelliousness, achievement, perceived drug risk, familism, family church attending and other factors and substance abuse and dependence. That relationship is moderated by familism which means the strength of the relationship is increased or decreased establish on the aim of familism present in a given individual. There are some(prenominal) factors that are thought to mediate between psycho-behavior and substance abuse. The first factor is risk taking behavior and parental involvement. Studies have shown that children who spend more time with their parents are not likely to get involved with drugs different children who get to learn most of the things in life from their friends. Generally people who like taking risks in life are more susceptible in life since they tend to experiment once they become beaten(prenominal) with the substance. Another example of mediating variable is depression. Depression has been seen to me diate between childishness maltreatment and subsequent substance abuse in adulthood. In other words, childhood physical abuse is associated with increased drug and alcohol in young adulthood. More specifically, depression helps to explain how childhood abuse is related to subsequent drug abuse in young adulthood. A terzetto example of a mediating variable is an increase in externalizing symptoms. In other words, latent hostilityful life events are associated with externalizing symptoms such as aggression or hostility which can lead to peer alienation or credenza by socially defiant peers, which could lead to increased drug use (Gray, 1999, p.75).ManagementAddiction severity index Some medical systems including those of at least fifteen states of the United States refer to an Addiction Severity advocator to assess the severity of problems related to substance use. The index assesses the problem in six areas medical, employment/support, alcohol and other drug use, legal, family /social and psychiatric.Detoxification former(a) treatment of acute withdrawal often includes medical detoxification which can include doses of anxiolytics or narcotics to reduce the symptoms of withdrawal. An experimental drug, ibogaine is also proposed to treat withdrawal symptoms and craving. uneasy feedback therapy has shown statistically significant improvement in numerous researches conducted on alcoholics as well as mixed substance abuse population. In chronic opiate addiction, a surrogate drug such as methadone is sometimes offered as a form of opiate replacement therapy. However, treatment approaches universal focus of an individuals ultimate choice to pursue an alternate rail of action (Ausubel, 1958, p.76). Disorders such as post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. This is seen as a form of psychological development of addiction to drugs. Drugs such as stimulants cause psychical addiction which could be moderate to severe and withdrawal is purely ps ychological and psychosomatic. Others such as amphetamine and methamphetamine, cocaine, caffeine, nicotine, sedatives and hypnotics also cause psychical addiction which could be mild to severe and physiological addiction abrupt withdrawal could be fatal. Some individuals self-medicate themselves with drugs such as alcohol and other drugs to avoid their intolerable states of their minds such as stress which increase the craving for drugs and relapses. Research as shown that people who survive disasters are prone to stress-related Social development and adjustment factors also play a major role in drug abuse and addiction. An assumption of the developmental perspective is that the course of ones life is a process in which life circumstances change, milestones are met or missed and new social roles are created while old ones are abandoned. These events and roles happen at some given decimal points of life although it also depends with the environment in which an individual is brou ght up in. Studies of the social factors involved in drug use have mostly focused on either adolescents or young adults but a significant number of cocaine users may not pundit until they are at their middle adulthood. The majority of people enter into adult social roles on schedule. However some people enter into these roles preferably or last mentioned that the same age peers. The developmental perspective predicts that this will lead to less than satisfactory adjustment and possibly negative consequences including drug and alcohol dependence. Those who use alcohol and recreational drug at an early age are at a greater risk to developing addiction. The younger a person is when they experiment with drugs the more likely they are to become addicts latter on. These experimentations could be brought about by social functions and festivals in our societies especially. When the parents use alcohol and other drugs in such occasions it may be hard to control the children especially at adolescent stage (Bethesda, 2006, p.57). Those who birth childhood trauma as well as those growing up in an environment where alcohol and other drug abuse is considered normal behavior are at even higher risk of developing addiction both of which are more or less social. For instance childhood trauma could result from tribal wars due to cultural differences in our societies where a child may be sexually and physically abused. Some people just become victims of social classes and poverty where parents make illicit brews to sell them for a living. In this situation, the child grows up in that environment where brewing, selling and drinking the brews is the order of the day. Some of the parents who sell the drugs especially in Africa use the drugs on their children as sedatives as their do their work. In this situation the child grows up operating under the influence of drugs. This child has a very high risk of developing addiction latter on. It is also believed that is a pe rson grew up in the environment where his/her self esteem is suppressed are also at a risk of developing addiction. Also those people who find it difficult to manage antisocial behavior tend to hind in drugs which may eventually lead to addiction for example gays. Poor parenting where children are exposed to social media at an early age could also be a motive social factor to use drugs. Children watch movies which suggest that the only way to cultivate normally is under the influence of drugs. Such a child is likely to experiment. As much as poverty may contribute to the problem of drug use and eventually addiction, handiness of money to buy the drugs may also contribute a lot. When a person is especially at an adolescent stage is exposed to the drugs may be by peers, availability of money will be the next factor. Other social factors that may lead to drugs and eventually addiction include feeling of insecurity in relationships, attention seekers, those who find delayed gratific ation and difficult impulsiveness (Washington, 1980, p.39).Addiction as a learned behavior It is suggested that people may fall into addiction because of learned behavior. This would explain why those who grow up around substance abusers are more likely to become addicts themselves. Learning theory is based on the idea people dont have to experience every behavior in order to decide whether to adopt it. If it is ascertained to bring reward and satisfaction to another person, it can be profuse to convince another person to copy it. According to this theory, the answer to addiction is to unlearn the maladaptive behavior. Studies have shown that the addictive power of a drug has been exaggerated and that interest in drugs diminishes in both laboratory rats and people when alternative rein forcers of an enriched environment are offered to the subject. Rather than addiction, poverty and crimes being inevitable consequences of drugs drugs are more likely to be a consequence of povert y and crime. Acute or recreational use of most psychoactive drugs causes the release and prolonged action of dopamine and serotonin within the reward circuit. In conclusion, drug and substance abuse is more of ones choice than the motivating factors that are involved. No one should blame the biology (genes) and other factor s such as life events and the society for his/her involvement with drugs. Everyone should be responsible of choices they make in life considering the damage such that is posed by addiction both socially and economically (Horgan, 2001, p.76).ReferencesAndrews, M. F. (1961). 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