Addictions And Rehab Research Paper

Addicts and Rehab

Addicts should go to rehabilitation or detoxification centers because the current system isn’t working, rehabilitation and detoxification centers would have more traffic, and it would build a healthier nation.

The complexity of drug addiction is often underestimated, stopping is not simple or a matter of willpower. Addiction is a chronic brain disease that can affect anyone. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, but it changes the brain over time. Drug abuse can impair one’s self-control and ability to make sound decisions. The chemical of drugs taps into the brain’s communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells send, receive, and process information (WebMD).

Some substances, particularly alcohol, Severely

affect with several neural systems influencing our choices, positively and negatively. The drug may elevate the user’s mood, giving the user the “feel good” simulation (WHA 55). There may be influences for an addict, such as family, friends, peer pressure, physical abuse, sexual abuse, stress, and parental involvement (WebMD). Some may become addicted easier than others depending on certain factors, such factors include age, race, heredity, sex, health, and emotion state. Individuals over the age of 30 are at risk of becoming addicted because their body does not produce as many enzymes to metabolize certain drugs. Ethnic groups have different levels of enzymes. Certain traits are passed on to an individual by their parent that affect the metabolism of drugs. Women are more likely to be affected by drugs than men. Alcohol drinkers with liver damage cause more problems than a drinker with a healthy liver. LSD in the system of a paranoid individual can be dangerous because it can further disrupt the chemical imbalance (WHA 23). According to Muñoz, “Addiction may be understood as a disorder of neurotransmission associated with the effects of such drugs (including alcohol and tobacco) on particular parts of the brain,” (WHA 7). Muñoz also states, “When opiates are used as painkillers for a long period, it is frequently necessary to increase the dose to produce the same analgesic effect, with illicit drugs (whose cost is high) tolerance drive the addict to need more of the drug and to obtain more money to get enough of the drug just to feel normal,” (WHA 8). Opiate withdrawal can trigger the following symptoms: restlessness, extreme anxiety, depression, sweating, irritability, dysphoria, insomnia, fever, chills, vomiting, and explosive diarrhea (WHA 56). Most addicts do not get better after going to prison and they end up in a never-ending cycle of abuse and they do not receive proper help.
The current “detoxification/rehabilitation” system is not doing its job. “As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapt to the dopamine surges by producing less dopamine or reducing dopamine receptors,” (WebMD). Drug abuse and crime is not treated with jail time, it is treated with treatment. Treatment should be provided for those who need and want it (“Why Addicts Belong”). “Rates of drug abuse and addiction have shown no signs of improving, despite the continuous effort to make the problem go away by arresting and incarcerating as many drug users as our prisons can hold.” (“Why Drug Addicts”). The current system is costing us a lot, the punishment route is bankrupting us, the punishment approach should make the rehabilitation approach an easier decision (“Why Drug Addicts”).
The new rehabilitation system would bring more traffic to the centers.

“Once detox is underway, the underlying issues will normally begin to surface it is critical at this point to move into the therapeutic elements of help, to begin to resolve the emotional issues behind the addiction…” (How It Works). The alterations drugs make to the brain make it difficult for someone to stop. There are treatments available to aid the road to recovery. Each of the rehabilitation programs should be custom-made to each person. A mixture of medication, when absolutely necessary, with behavioral therapy, is the best treatment for many patients (WebMD). “Detoxing from alcohol or drugs involves withdrawing from the substance itself, usually whilst medication is administered which alleviates withdrawal symptoms and cravings,” “Nevertheless, detox puts additional stress on the liver and other organs during this time, as, until this point, they’ve not normally been able to function in this way or been given time to process the toxins in this way.” Importantly, addicts can receive help to plan in as much detail as they wish. Clearer plan makes it much easier for them to follow through with detoxification and rehabilitation, and seize a new life, free from addiction (How It Works). The most common group addicts join is AA, alcoholics anonymous, where they can join, talk, and support others in their journey of being and staying sober. Some places have people to help day and night. Members get together and discuss their daily struggles of detoxification and recovery. NA, narcotics anonymous allows addicts the chance to share their drug-abuse stories with people who want or have the patience to listen to other former and current addicts (Gregory 2). Marijuana Anonymous or MA offers users the chance to learn more about the drug and its harm on the body. How THC, the chemical most commonly found in Marijuana, is stored in fat cells and how once it takes residence in their body it

tells the brain that it needs more THC for the user to feel okay (Gregory 2, 3). Even though it is not seen as much of an issue, overeating is still classified as substance abuse. There is also a group available to help stop compulsive eating (Gregory 3).
The effect of the new system would build a healthier nation. Most clinics will provide facilitation of aftercare arrangements and planning. The planning happens long before the user leaves the clinic. It is usually one-on-one sessions, however, they can be done in groups. They gauge your process in the clinic during and after rehabilitation and focus on areas for improvement.” (How It Works) Drug addiction is preventable, if people are informed of the harm of drugs, the drug usage rate would be lower (WebMD).
Addiction is an issue, a curable brain disease, and not treatable by punishment. After receiving some background information, the decision should be clear. Since the current system isn’t working, the rehabilitation/detoxification centers will get more traffic, and it would build a healthier nation, drug addicts should go to rehabilitation/detoxification.

Works Cited
"Drug Abuse, Addiction, and the Brain." WebMD. WebMD. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
"How It Works." Addiction Rehab Peterborough. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.
Muñoz, Mercedes. What Causes Addiction? Detroit: Greenhaven, 2005. Print.
"Why Addicts Belong in Rehab and Not in Jail." Drug Rehab. 21 Dec. 2014. Web. 03 Apr. 2017.