Essay On Psychological Dependency

518 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Causes and consequences of drug abuse

After examination the facts of an individual who has been using a drug for an extended period of time suddenly finds he is unable to secure more of the drug. The individual acts nervous and irritable and is hyperactive. They seem almost desperate to find more of the drug, but experience no sickness, pain, or other outward physical discomfort. Based upon the behavior this person is demonstrating they have developed a psychological dependence on a drug.
The psychological dependence may vary from person to person manifesting in different social and personal issues. In some individuals they suffer from mental health issues that develop into them being unable to cope with changes around them. These emotional issues are often times controlled with the use of drugs allowing the individual to self-medicate themselves to get a sense of well-being. With the continuous drug use the individual will develop drug dependency. The term “Chasing the high” is the euphoric feeling the …show more content…

An example of both psychologically dependency and physically dependency on the drug is a person who used the drug heroin. The drug heroin, after being administered to the individual caused the body to release a massive amount of the chemical called dopamine to the brain. Dopamine affects the pleasure center of the brain and provides a euphoric feeling of reward. If the individual does not get the heroin, stops suddenly or goes too long between they may begin doses to experience symptoms of withdraw. These symptoms can be body chills, stomach cramps, convulsions, vomiting, insomnia, pain and hallucinations. Withdrawals can carry a significant risk of seizures “grand mal” resulting in strokes or a heart attack that could become fatal. At this point the individual using the drug heroin has become so dependent on the drug they will become sick without

Show More
Related

  • Gerald May's Addiction And Grace

    1081 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is imperative for a counselor to identify these qualities and know how to navigate an addict through these phases. Addiction has psychological, neurological, and spiritual elements that are important to understand in order to provide quality counseling. Psychologically, an individual suffering from addiction will often practice various methods of self-deception: denial & repression, rationalization, hiding, delaying tactics, breakdown, and collusion. Habits are formed in three stages. During stage one, a person learns that a specific behavior either provides pleasure or pain relief. Stage two is when a person actively seeks the effects of that behavior in everyday life, causing the formation of the habit. Finally, in stage three, a person is now dependent on the effect of the behavior and develops feelings of distress when the behavior and feeling are not easily

    Read More

  • Drug Addiction: A Brain Disease?

    746 Words  | 2 Pages

    George F. Koob defines addiction as a compulsion to take a drug without control over the intake and a chronic relapse disorder (1). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association defined "substance dependence" as a syndrome basically equivalent to addiction, and the diagnostic criteria used to describe the symptoms of substance dependence to a large extent define compulsion and loss of control of drug intake (1). Considering drug addiction as a disorder implies that there are some biological factors as well as social factors.

    Read More

  • Ecstasy

    2453 Words  | 5 Pages

    According to the World Health Organization, becoming dependent requires at least: "a strong desire to take the drug; difficulties controlling the behavior; a withdrawal state; tolerance; progressive neglect of alternative pleasures and persisting with use despite evidence of harm" (Jansen).

    Read More

  • Heroin: The Dangers Of Heroin Use

    901 Words  | 2 Pages

    Behavioral signs and symptoms of heroin abuse include lying or other deceptive behavior, avoiding eye contact, loss of motivation and lack of interest, decreasing attention to hygiene and physical appearance, and more. Once a user has become fully addicted to heroin, they will do anything to get their hands on the drug. They don’t care who they get the money from, if they have to beg for it or steal it. Some addicts even lose their family, friends, car, house, and more because of their ...

    Read More

  • Substance Abusers: A Vulnerable Population

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    Substance abuse is when a person want their mind to be altered with the use of drugs. Substance abuse affect all ages, race, religion, and income. When it comes to the characteristics of substance abusers there are many factors one must consider such as internal and external, physical, behavioral, and psychological. According to Demand Media (2013), stated that internal substance abuse is when someone feels the need to use drugs regularly, having that feeling like you need the drug to get through problems and have trouble when one is trying to stop taking the drug. External substance abuse characteristic is when people often notice behavioral, physical, and psychological changes (Demand Media, 2013). According to demand media, (2013), stated that physical changes are lack in hygiene, changes in the person pupils such as being dilated or constricted, and changes in their weight. Some behavioral changes are decrease in work performance, changes in the type of friends and interest and asking for/ or need money (Demand Media, 2013). Psychological changes are personality change, mood swings an...

    Read More

  • Dopamine and Drug Addiction

    1156 Words  | 3 Pages

    Drug abuse is part of everyday life, most of us know someone who is or was abusing drug at some point. A way to simplify a difficult time in our life, we find an exit in a product that numbs our brain to the surrounding. People find addiction through drugs, activities and action that creates chemical reaction within our bodies. Whether you love jumping off the empire state building or inject yourself with a drug, you are looking for a high that your body enjoys. The body creates chemicals which stop our self-control. According to the CDC website, “Deaths from drug overdose have been rising steadily over the past two decades and have become the leading cause of injury death in the United States.” (Birnbaum HG, web).

    Read More

  • The Negative Effects Of Substance Abuse

    1309 Words  | 3 Pages

    Substance abusers seek this impairment for a variety of reasons such as to get away from reality or to escape their problems. In the process of getting this “high” their brain chemistry changes and they become addicted. “Addiction is the repeated compulsive use of a substance even after the person suffers from the physical, mental, and legal consequences” (Williams, 2011). Substance abuse causes many negative effects to the person who is addicted as well as their loved ones. Even though these effects are devastating, the person continues to use because their brain and body are reprogrammed to need the substance. When the person isn 't using the substance they begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. “Withdrawal is a physical response to the sudden cessation of a substance that has been used over a period of time; these symptoms are specific to the substance” (Williams, 2011). When a person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms they have mental and physical effects. These effects can range from sweating to seizures. Physical symptoms are usually the first step followed by mental symptoms, these two steps together can last up to a few weeks. (Melemis, 2016). I was recently able to observe at a substance abuse rehabilitation facility where I witnessed a client withdrawing. This client seemed to be agitated and anxious. Also he was very red in

    Read More

  • Addiction In Christina Rossetti's Goblin Market

    1161 Words  | 3 Pages

    The experience is rewarding and motivates the user to consume the drug repeatedly in order to experience the same effect. The craving for the drug maintains the vicious cycle of drug addiction. It is evident that Laura greatly suffers from withdrawal as her appearance begins to be affected. “Her hair grew thin and gray; to swift decay and burn her fire away”. A common characteristic seen in drug addiction, is the physical transformation the drug user undergoes.

    Read More

  • Mental Health Counseling Essay

    1929 Words  | 4 Pages

    A mental health counselor develops a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families and groups to accomplish mental health and career goals. Helping others to accomplish their goals and listening to various stories of hardship have always played a part in my life. Stories of others have helped me get through rough times, and so did my own personal stories do the same for others. My story may help save a life tomorrow. It is a rewarding career path that one may enjoy which requires excellent communication skills and a commit between each other.

    Read More

  • Effects of Drugs on Consciousness

    1057 Words  | 3 Pages

    Without contrast, the primary reason for drug abuse in individuals comes from the conscious state of addiction. According to Webster’s, addiction is described as “the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance, thing, or activity (Hacker, 2011).” Sure, human nature’s desire to conform to peer pressure might cause one to first try a certain drug, but the euphoric mental states found in drugs mentally trap many individuals into becoming dependent upon these sensations. With that being said, these sensations vary depending on the type of drug used.

    Read More

  • Argumentative Essay On Drug Abuse

    1089 Words  | 3 Pages

    Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go

    Read More

  • Mental Health Essay

    1582 Words  | 4 Pages

    Mental health refers to the state of individuals psychologically, emotionally and socially. Mental health affects a person’s emotions, feelings, thoughts, and sections when exposed to different situations. Furthermore, mental health is responsible for a person’s reaction to stress and other social conditions. Generally, mental health affects how a person relates to others and their ability to understand and interact with them. Therefore, problems that affect a person’s mental health affect the abilities to socialize, their feelings, moods, reaction to situations. The person experiencing mental health problem may portray different behaviors when confronted with different issues. Mental health issues have several

    Read More

  • An Essay About Drug Addiction

    1114 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are many addictions in the world, and drug addiction is the biggest. People may experiment with the drug for many reasons. “If your drug use is causing problems in your life, then you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem”.(Lawrence Robinson pg.1) Many people start out using drugs by peer pressure or out of their own curiosity. Stress, anxiety, lows self-esteem and depression could be another factor to start using drugs. The drug takes over your body and gives you a good feeling that many people tend to enjoy. The urge to use the drug can keep increasing rapidly after the first use. The urge can become so severe that your mind can find many other ways to deny the factor of addiction. Very few drug addicts can feel and realize when they have crossed the line with drugs. A drug addicts mind can build up a very large tolerance for the drug that they start to abandon the activities they used to do on a daily basis like showering, hobbies, socializing and even being associated with family members. The person with the addiction will continue to use the drug knowing that it is harming there body, but they don’t have any remorse. A drug addict will often try to hide their problem, so they can continue to use without anyone’s input. Family and friends may try to use preaching methods or tell the user that they need to stop using the drug. This method is not ...

    Read More

  • Illegal Drugs Essay

    1610 Words  | 4 Pages

    It is known as a mental addiction because they depend on stimulants to seek pleasure or comfort. Therefore, many parents who work hard for the whole day, and they would try illegal drugs to relax after a long day, but lead their children on the wrong path toward using drugs. From many surveys about drug use claim, addicted Americans want to feel high at parties feel interested doing whatever they want. Drugs are really dangerous, if people want to find some new challenges or feelings, they could choose some others things for satisfying themselves. If they have experienced something disappointed, they can share with their best friends. They can then figure out some way to solve it, not use drugs to forget

    Read More

  • Consequences: The Cause and Effect of Drug Use

    941 Words  | 2 Pages

    The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.

    Read More

More about Essay On Psychological Dependency

Open Document