Addiction in Today’s Society No matter the type of addiction, the number of addicts per year increases drastically due to the endless access of addictive resources, and media promoting it. Addiction is a common element in the modern world today which objectifies weak psychological behavior and a poor lifestyle through genetic, environmental and developmental factors. In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley promotes the use of Soma, alcohol, and sex to sooth people of their pain and change their reality of life, which connects to the world today given that addicts rely on something or someone to escape reality. The cons of addiction immensely strike society through environmental factors of dependence and developmental factors of changes in the …show more content…
Soma is the key component to people's “pursuit of happiness,” which emphasizes the reasoning on people’s cravings for the “second dose of soma had raised a quite impenetrable wall between the actual universe and their minds” (Huxley, ).As drugs do in real life, Soma altered people’s state of mind and became their way of life, leading them to more pleasures, indefinitely sex. In the world today, drug use leads to strong physical action, which can create a temporary state of happiness. Huxley emphasizes addictive behavior through "advantages of Christianity and alcohol; none of their defects”(Huxley, ).Some people with addictive tendencies can believe this as true and think any time is appropriate to “use.” The saying “once an addict, always an addict” is crucial in contrasting society to Brave New World since both societies have people that truly believe the lifestyle is happy and …show more content…
There is hardly comprehension of Christianity for the people “have the World State and Ford's Day celebrations, and Community Sings, and Solidarity Services” (Huxley, ).Spirituality is twisted and modified in this society and therefore corresponding a drug to personal religious aspect seems like an unrealistic tactic that may not be considered in the future due to the fact that drugs are a sin and unethical. Unlike the real world, people in the book can detach love from sex, for simulated sex creates “Every hair of the bear reproduced. The most amazing tactual effects"(Huxley, ).This way they can “find the feeling” of true love from mating with anybody and never get pregnant, since every human is decanted from a bottle. Creating a drug that majority of society desires, using drugs and sex in terms of escape for religion, and manipulating humans into a lifestyle of addiction is far beyond the technological advances in society
Neil Postman, in his 1985 book “Amusing Ourselves to Death” asserted that Aldous Huxley’s worry, we are becoming a passive and trivial society controlled by what we love, is coming true. Now, more than ever, these fears are becoming reality. Our society’s addiction to drugs and the stigma against the communication of emotions are causing us to fall down the slippery slope that is leading to an oppressive society similar to that of the one depicted Huxley’s Brave New World. ****
Soma is the gateway to pure happiness. "you do look glum! What you need is a gramme of soma." (Huxley). In a way Soma is like nicotine or marijuana. It puts you into a trance or high like state of mind. It gives the user an exit from reality, a way to escape everyday life. Because of this the citizens have become codependent on soma; without it they feel in complete. “Again twelve stanzas. By this time the soma had begun to work. Eyes shone, cheeks were flushed, the inner light of universal benevolence broke out on every face in happy, friendly smiles. Even Bernard felt himself a little melted” (Huxley). By having entire nation dependent on a single drug it becomes simple to control the people. Codependency affects people both mentally and physically. Going through withdrawals is one of the worst experiences out there; especially if you have been on the drug for long periods of time. The World State made its natation dependent on soma and sense it’s the only disruptor, it made its citizens dependent on the World
According to Leshner, drug addiction is a chronic brain disease that is expressed in the form of compulsive behaviors (Leshner, 2001). He believes that drug addiction is influence by both biological, and behavioral factors, and to solve this addiction problem we need to focus on these same factors. On the other hand, Neil Levy argues that addiction is not a brain disease rather it is a behavioral disorder embedded in social context (Levy, 2013). I believe, drug addiction is a recurring brain disease that can be healed when we alter and eliminate all the factors that are reinforcing drug addiction.
Cocaine and amphetamines both cause a chemical, dopamine, to be released into the body which causes a pleasurable and rewarded feeling. However, in today’s society, these drugs are often considered to be highly immoral, not to mention illegal. In Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World, he introduces a utopian society in which nobody is ever in pain or sadness on account of a pill called soma. Huxley introduces the drug in a way that captivates the reader because although the general public perceives it as illegal, the citizens of the World State know no different. Brave New World clearly evinces that soma has been adopted for common relaxation and mental distraction. Furthermore, Huxley’s utopian World State refers to Henry Ford much like present-day humanity alludes to God. Although the World State regarded Ford as a near saintly figure, ultimately religions, such as Christianity, and God are replaced by soma.
In today's society, people use drugs to escape from reality and issues that may be present in their lives. They think that the use of drugs will help them achieve happiness, which leads to addiction. This addiction allows others to take advantage of the person while they’re under the influence. In Brave New World, Aldous Huxley uses soma to show a similar idea through the theme of pursuit of happiness through drugs. The purpose that soma serves in the novel is that it is illustrated as being the “perfect drug” with no negative effects.
Addictions, whether they be alcohol, drugs or even gambling have long been viewed as a badge of ignominy for those that have been plagued by it. Factors such as biological, social and psychological are all considered to be influential in the causation and intensification of addictive behaviors. However, even though these components of the biopsychosocial model are communicated, there are still negative societal perspectives when it concerns the realm of addiction.
For example, in the 1920s, addictive drugs could be found in everyday products that people consumed. Despite the fact that “The Roaring Twenties” was also the time of the Prohibition Era and the time of the banning of various drugs, Americans increasingly turned to drugs in order to feel better. However, this “period of prosperity” came to an end when the stock market crashed in 1929. Huxley’s work displays the possibilities of what could happen if people become too dependent on a artificial pathways to satisfaction with life. He uses soma in order to spread the message that over-dependence on drugs can lead people to become blind-sighted to the problems in their society, which could have been part of what caused America to go from prosperous times to a time of economic depression so rapidly. Since Huxley’s time, drug-dependence has become an even larger problem in our society. With the increasing amounts over-medication, abuse of drugs, and deaths due to drug overdoses, Huxley’s novel continues to serve as an important reminder of just how dangerous taking the “easy” route to happiness can potentially
Bruce Alexander’s Rat Park experiment of addiction appears to be applicable to human drug addictions. Alexander explains that addiction is not caused by chemical hooks, but by the environment people surround themselves with. Addiction is a common theme in all forms of rhetoric we have viewed for this class. As we see in The Wire, Bubbles is a serious heroin addict using his shopping cart business to bring in money to purchase more drugs. Similar to the situation of the rats, Bubbles may not have a dangerous addiction to the drug if he was in an environment where he wa happy and had more control of his life.
So what is it that makes people search for the next high, or feel good experience? Exercise, sex, laughter, and touch all produce positive effects within the body via chemicals in the brain. These chemicals are called endorphins, a mixture of the two words endogenous, meaning from within the body, and morphine, a powerful pain fighting drug that is also used and abused for recreational purposes. Endorphins are the body's internal pain regulators. The drug opium has been used recreationally as early in the ancient Greek, Roman, and Egyptian cultures. British physician, Thomas Syndenham brought opium to the public to be used for medicinal purposes around sixteen-eighty. By the end of the seventeen-twenties o...
In “Rat Park”, Slater discusses the debate on the nature of addiction. Bruce Alexander argues that drug addiction is not caused by physical dependence or chemical alteration to the brain; instead, he says other factors play a role, and he makes several conclusions about the nature of addiction based on his studies. I agree with Bruce Alexander’s theory of addiction because I believe environmental factors can cause drug abuse. For example, a peer group that encourages drug use will play a role in using drugs.
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Addiction is normally thought of as drug abuse and alcoholism but people can also be addicted to things such as gambling and sex as well. The controversy on if addiction is a disease or a choice is a continuous debate. Everyone has an opinion on this topic, one side believes it’s a disease, while the other believes it is a choice. Although addiction has been assumed to be a lack of willpower and a weakness, addiction is actually a complex disease that changes the wiring of the brain. Addiction is a brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behavior (Leshner.) Both devolping
The controller was talking to a group of students about their society and how it works. During his talk he states “there is always soma, delicious soma, half a gramme for a week and two grams for a trip to the gorgeous east three for a dark eternity on the moon” (Huxley 55-56). The people in “Brave New World” rely on soma to say joyful. They use different amounts depending on how long they want it to last. When they are off it they are miserable and don’t know what to think. Since they are not used to being off soma they start to feel all these emotion and makes them feel worse and want more soma. They rely on it so much they become dependent on it and causes an addiction. In their society it’s normal to take multiple amounts of soma. In reality it’s an addiction they have. Drugs can be very addictive and addiction can bring you to a downfall. In the article “Drugs and Happiness” it talks about how if you are addicted to drugs stopping become hard and you can get down on yourself. Also since the effects drugs offer is not long lasting relying on them will always lead you to unhappiness (Drugs and Happiness). The high one receives is temporary and once it starts to wear off you have to deal with what comes after. Withdrawal from drugs is a very hard experience.You feel weak and start realizing what actually is going on, that nothing has changed and you are back to facing reality. You let it get to you and put yourself down. Drugs not only becomes an addiction but it also has a harmful effects to not only the consumer of the drugs but also those around
Sex, drugs, alcohol, food, gambling, even hoarding and work - Can all of these things cause addiction? What is addiction, and why are some people more prone to it while others are not? It's long been accepted that people can become addicted to drugs and alcohol but what about the newer addiction theories regarding sex addiction, food addiction, and gambling addiction - are these truly addictions? As a society what is the best way to handle people with addictions whom need help or commit crimes? In this paper I will answer these questions and address other interesting aspects of addiction.
The rethinking of contemporary adulthood leading to social change among people who are influenced by their addictions would be a foundation for the framework of my research. Given this framework I will to gain strategies to assist me when making critical inquiries regarding an adult’s cultural experience as it relates to addiction. Essentially, people are a culmination of their cultural experiences in society. As a result they can be influenced both positively and negatively. By taking the approach that addiction can be caused by a cultural and environmental effect, it could be examined for the narrative self which was shaped by society (Van Wormer & Davis, 208). (do you mean 2008? Or pg
The disease model treats addiction as an illness, and related behaviours as signs and symptoms. A disease can be described as “a disorder of structure or function in a human, animal, or plant: that produces specific symptoms: and is not simply a direct result of physical injury” (Oxford university press, 2014). Suggestions of addictions being diseases appear in literature as early as 1700 (Campbell, 2003). However, it was more widely accepted during the 1700’s that addiction was a symptom of pathological breakdown or impairment of accepted moral functioning (Harding, 1986). Addiction was still seen as a bad habit, not a disease, into the early nineteenth century (Berridge, 1979).