Conceptualizing Addiction Paper Essay Example for Free

Conceptualizing Addiction Paper Essay The history of addiction goes back centuries, and unfortunately, there is still a long way to go for people to realize the effects of chemical substances do more harm than good. The difference between drug use and abuse relies heavily on a person’s dependence on the substance. The line between the differences is often very fine. Depending on other factors involved, such as morals, values, environment, and genetic predisposition, the line will most likely be crossed without regard to the consequences until treatment and recovery are the only options left. This is essay compares two theoretical explanations for addiction, including a psychological theory, and a biological theory. In addition, the writer will describe the viewpoints of each model, and how their effectiveness in addiction prevention and intervention. The Psychological Model The psychological model includes cognitive behavioral theories, psychodynamic theories, and the learning theory. Cognitive-behavioral theories associate a person’s motivation for taking drugs with their need for variety (McNeece DiNitto, 2012). People often look for fulfillment and pleasure as they carry out their day-to-day responsibilities, thus finding chemical substances a way to escape reality or a reward. Psychodynamic theories suggest more complex explanations are the reason behind drug addiction. Childhood experiences and structure within the family determine a person’s ability to cope socially and emotionally. Thus, the person uses drugs to forget about the pain or provide a false sense of security. Finally, the learning theory of addiction implies that people learn over time and exposure to drugs that anxiety, tension, and stress all decrease with use, becoming a reinforcer for the user (McNeece DiNitto, 2012). Each  of theories explain addiction in terms of a malfunctioning thought process or learning process that can be reversed. For less severe cases of addiction, this type of treatment is effective. However, usually, a multi-treatment approach is necessary. Psychological models focus on the emotion and the mind, while biological models, as discussed next, find that addictive behaviors depend on the structure and chemistry in the body’s genetic makeup. The Biological Model â€Å"The statistical associations between genetic factors and alcohol abuse are very strong† (McNeece DiNitto, 2012). However, there is still much debate over the validity of genetics as a definite cause for addiction. Perhaps, the reason for this is because the number of children of alcoholics that go on to become alcoholics is still small. Additionally, genetic predisposition cannot explain the number of cases of alcoholics that did not come from alcoholic parents or families. In fact, addiction can be so prominent, that it remains even after the drug use has ended (McNeece DiNitto, 2012). Therefore, the biological theory should not be ruled as it is based on what takes place in the body. There is no other theory that can explain how a person could still have addiction symptoms when the substance is absent from their system. Predisposition implies that there is a mutation or malfunction in the body that appears to cause a craving or susceptibility to becoming addicted to a substance. Comparing Psychological and Biological Models Both of the psychological and biological models explain addiction. In addition, both models take a holistic approach in their arguments. They simply emphasize a certain portion of the body and based their studies around that. Interestingly, the theories related to the psychological model are all insightful to how humans think and interact, however, they do not explain well the interactions that take place once a substance takes over quite like the biological model. Finally, the main shortcoming of the psychological model of addiction is the treatment approaches, which attempt to retrain a person’s thinking. Since biologists have proved there are specific genetic components of addiction that are naturally either present or absent, causing a mutation, a simple change of thought will not be enough  to cure addiction in most cases. Treatment for Addiction Prevention and Intervention Out of the two models, the biological model has impressive supporting evidence regarding treatment for addiction. Perhaps, this is because of the perspective of how addiction affects people. It is easier to find a solution to a problem that is explained with support, rather than common thought patterns shared between people. Addiction may have specific characteristics that users share, but ultimately, it will affect everyone differently and many factors will be involved. Problems associated with drug abuse affect areas such as the digestive, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems, which is another advantage of biological treatment. Biologists study these systems and there functions and how addiction affects them. Thus, allowing them to incorporate treatment techniques that specialize in minimizing the effects of addiction while restoring the body’s systems. The duration, extent, and resiliency of the person still plays a vital role in the recovery and treatment process. Conclusion The history of addiction continues to stir controversy as to how it starts, who it affects, and why. While many choose to use chemical substances to get variety out of life, there are several that become addicted who cannot even give an answer as to why they continue to use. This is a sign of chemical dependency and typically means that the body and mind have now been altered in such a way that there will be adverse effects if and when a person chooses to stop using. Often, the decision to stop using is not voluntary. For many, there is not a realization that there is even a problem. There are just as many models that explain addiction as there are reasons that people become addicted. This essay explored the psychological and biological models of addiction. The psychological model deals with the mind and emotions, suggesting that people learn and adapt to certain behaviors over time. The biological model explains addiction as being present in all of us prior to being born, depending on the genetic predisposition and mutations. Arguably, no theory is better than another at explaining addiction. However, there is substantial evidence that supports  the biological model and its treatment when dealing with people with addictions. Reference McNeece, C.A., DiNitto, D.M. (2012). Chemical Dependency: A systems approach (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay example --

Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell Have you ever felt that rush of excitement when you can do whatever you want without thinking of the consequences? If so, wasn’t it one of the greatest feelings you’ve ever felt? The feelings that describe us that we are leaders, that we have followers and our every move are important to the people around us? Power is the one possession that everyone desires. It lets you feel that one can do anything he or she wants without the consequences of his or her actions. In George Orwell’s illuminating fable of â€Å"Animal Farm,† he describes how a pig named Napoleon takes over an entire farm. Napoleon, with his sly group of trustworthy pigs, maintains power and takes over â€Å"Manor Farm† by using the concepts of intimidation, fear, and persuasion. Intimidation is a malicious, yet intelligent way to gather up people to join a force. By intimidating someone, one would be too frightened to stand up for his or her self. Thus, he or she would have no other choice but to go along with the event of intimidation. In Napoleon’s case, he uses intimidation by having a group of dogs to stand as his bodyguard. â€Å"Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creature came from, but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately. Though not yet full grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to Napoleon.† (Orwell 68). This shows that the ferocious dogs intimidate the silent and terrified animals. Thus, when the animals are intimidated, they will follow Napoleon’... ...eon work his way to the peak of class. Since Squealer follows Napoleon’s orders, he has helped him persuade the animals to side with Napoleon instead of Snowball for it is said that Snowball had sided with Jones. So in the end, intimidation, fear, and persuasion combined have overcome every move, and knowledge of the animals. In addition to Napoleon’s tactics to maintaining power, the innocent animals of Manor Farm tricked without any precaution, are under control of the great comrade Napoleon. Intimidation, by the use of dogs and torture has compelled the animals to undergo his powers. Fear from Jones has frightened them to give up leisure time to work together and rethink a way to overcome humans. Furthermore, persuasion, with the help of the spectacular Squealer has played a trick in the minds of many helpless, and oblivious animals of Manor Farm. Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell Essay example -- Power and Possession in Animal Farm by George Orwell Have you ever felt that rush of excitement when you can do whatever you want without thinking of the consequences? If so, wasn’t it one of the greatest feelings you’ve ever felt? The feelings that describe us that we are leaders, that we have followers and our every move are important to the people around us? Power is the one possession that everyone desires. It lets you feel that one can do anything he or she wants without the consequences of his or her actions. In George Orwell’s illuminating fable of â€Å"Animal Farm,† he describes how a pig named Napoleon takes over an entire farm. Napoleon, with his sly group of trustworthy pigs, maintains power and takes over â€Å"Manor Farm† by using the concepts of intimidation, fear, and persuasion. Intimidation is a malicious, yet intelligent way to gather up people to join a force. By intimidating someone, one would be too frightened to stand up for his or her self. Thus, he or she would have no other choice but to go along with the event of intimidation. In Napoleon’s case, he uses intimidation by having a group of dogs to stand as his bodyguard. â€Å"Silent and terrified, the animals crept back into the barn. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. At first no one had been able to imagine where these creature came from, but the problem was soon solved: they were the puppies whom Napoleon had taken away from their mothers and reared privately. Though not yet full grown, they were huge dogs, and as fierce-looking as wolves. They kept close to Napoleon.† (Orwell 68). This shows that the ferocious dogs intimidate the silent and terrified animals. Thus, when the animals are intimidated, they will follow Napoleon’... ...eon work his way to the peak of class. Since Squealer follows Napoleon’s orders, he has helped him persuade the animals to side with Napoleon instead of Snowball for it is said that Snowball had sided with Jones. So in the end, intimidation, fear, and persuasion combined have overcome every move, and knowledge of the animals. In addition to Napoleon’s tactics to maintaining power, the innocent animals of Manor Farm tricked without any precaution, are under control of the great comrade Napoleon. Intimidation, by the use of dogs and torture has compelled the animals to undergo his powers. Fear from Jones has frightened them to give up leisure time to work together and rethink a way to overcome humans. Furthermore, persuasion, with the help of the spectacular Squealer has played a trick in the minds of many helpless, and oblivious animals of Manor Farm.

Lord of the Flies Chaos vs Order Essay

The conflict between two competing impulses that exist within all human beings: the instinct to live by rules, act peacefully, follow moral commands, and value the good of the group against the instinct to gratify one’s immediate desires, act violently to obtain supremacy over others, and enforce one’s will. This conflict might be expressed in a number of ways: civilization vs. savagery, order vs. chaos, reason vs. impulse, law vs. anarchy, or the broader heading of good vs. evil. Throughout the novel, Golding associates the instinct of civilization with good and the instinct of savagery with evil. Topic sentence isputed leadership and infighting between the two dominate powers (Jack and Ralph) cause a disputed leading to the separation of the tribe into two separate tribes each determined to destroy and ruin the other showing how government (power) can deteriorate to nothing if the following â€Å"citizens† don’t go along with the ruling power they started out with a good governing system based mostly off of a dictator ship but allowing some voting as in democracy this lead to the group working together to build houses, gather food, create weapons and finally set up fires for both cooking and signaling a passing ship. This system worked for the majority of the book allowing the children to solve their problems as a group effort with all contributing to what they could. The evidence showing this is as follows, when they first landed on the island the idea of government was first brought up by the conch shell which symbolized power and eventually lead to the election of a leader (Ralph), leading to the children coming together and working towards survival and hopefully their salvation this as we know failed as the tribe split in two and became democratic and dictatorship ased with Ralph as the democratic leader and Jack as the Dictatorships leader. Ralph and Piggy discover the conch shell on the beach at the start of the novel and use it to summon the boys together after the crash separates them. Used in this capacity, the conch shell becomes a powerful symbol of civilization and order in the novel. The shell effectively governs the boys’ meetings, for the boy who holds the shell holds the right to speak. In this regard, the shell is more than a symbol—it is an actual vessel of political legitimacy and democratic power. As the island civilization erodes and the boys descend into savagery, the conch shell loses its power and influence among them. Ralph clutches the shell desperately when he talks about his role in murdering Simon. Later, the other boys ignore Ralph and throw stones at him when he attempts to blow the conch in Jack’s camp. The boulder that Roger rolls onto Piggy also crushes the conch shell, signifying the demise of the civilized instinct among almost all the boys on the island. Now on to the dictatorship Jack set up with his symbol The sow’s head is a symbol of savagery and destruction. The boy who introduced the idea of the sow’s head on a stick was Jack, and Jack too is a symbol in the book. Jack stands for savagery. You know right from the start of the novel the Jack is not like the other boys, and that he’s a savage because of what he tells Ralph that he wants him and his choir to be. When asked what he would like to do on the island he replies â€Å"Hunters† showing he only cares for killing and wants to be the only provider on the island this then gives Jack the theoretical power he wanted from the start (the leadership of the tribe) The power the sow’s head holds over the boys is more of fear than a power. The sow’s head is a constant reminder that they are living like savages. I think it also reminds the boys that if they can kill a pig then they would probably kill one of the others. This once again shows how Jack is willing to kill for his power and take what he wants from Ralph (later shown when he splits the tribe and attempts to become supreme ruler) To Simon the sow’s head holds a completely different power over him. To Simon the sow’s head represents craziness. Simon is different than the other boys, so that might by why the sow’s head is different for him. When the other boys are fighting, Simon goes to his private glade in the forest. The thing that gave me the idea that the sow’s head represents something different to Simon is because Simon has a conversation with it. Also because the conversation sounds like something that would’ve came out of Simon’s head, because Simon never really believed in a beast on the island and after learning the truth sets off to tell the others ultimately leading to his own demise as the boys mistake him for â€Å"the beast† and kill him during a ritual.

The Against Gay Marriage Racism Or Proverb - 1737 Words

Opposition to Gay Marriage: Racism or Proverb Racism is the belief that all members of each race possess characteristics or abilities specific to that race, especially so as to distinguish it as inferior or superior to another race or races. But discrimination is a treatment or consideration of, or making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category. Is the opposition to gay marriage an act of racism, discrimination or truth? Homosexuality and Heterosexuality have the same moral status; it is wrong to discriminate against homosexuals solely based on their sexual inclination. What is marriage? A common definition among Christians is â€Å"Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh† There is no recognized definition of marriage. Society values its freedom to choose the one they marry based on love and compatible. Our concept of marriage comes from the book of Genesis in the Old Testament; where the firs t man; Adam and the first woman; Eve formal joined together under God’s law. A lot of the disapproval to same-sex marriage comes from Biblical scriptures; the foundation of Christians argument. Many Christians question the dawning dismay of the marriage tradition. For Christians the legalization of same-sex unions would be reducing to something of a relationship that affords good benefits and sexual convenience. The United States has always separated churchShow MoreRelatedManagement Course: Mba−10 General Management215330 Words   |  862 Pages2004 9 CHAPTER 1 NEW MANAGEMENT FOR BUSINESS GROWTH IN A DEMANDING ECONOMY 9 Dell. This has also been a basis for the resurgence of great technologydriven corporations such as IBM from the severe down cycles it had experienced. This marriage of leadership and technology capability can also be credited for the success of E-Bay. Some astute investors and managers long ago figured out this power of management capital in establishing their valuations of growth companies—and with lucrative