Drug Addiction as a Serious Problem - Essay Example

Psychology One can see that the drug addiction is a serious problem because the same leads the addicts towards physical, emotional andsocial problems. To be specific, mild addiction can be viewed as a failure based upon poor decision making. But complete addiction is different because it is a serious ‘disease’ to be cured with the help of therapeutic treatment. Still, the thin layer between ‘wanting’ (say, the urge to continue drugs) and ‘liking’ (say, infatuation without complete addition) determines whether the victim is an addict or not. Thesis statement: It is evident that mild addiction to drugs (or gambling, food) must be viewed as a moral failure or the result of poor decision making and therefore be punished (negative reinforcement or similar punishment), but complete addiction to the same must be viewed as a disease and therefore be treated therapeutically. Mild addiction and punishment First of all, mild addiction must not be considered as addition because it is just a temporary addiction. Besides, a mild addict can easily quit his/her bad habit because he/she is not under the control of any product (say, drugs, gambling, food etc). From a different angle of view, mild addiction is just an infatuation and a mild addict can easily quit his/her habit of using drugs. Robinson and Berridge (2001, p.106) states that, ‘The influence of environmental factors on sensitization has important implications not only for understanding the phenomenon, but for thinking about therapeutic approaches in treating addiction.’ For instance, a person may consider drug as a product with recreational value. He/she will be aware of the side-effects of the same and may use it judiciously. Still, this sort of usage of drugs for recreational purpose can be considered as a moral failure because regular usage of the same can force an individual to be its victim in general. One can see that human morality is based upon general acceptability. If an individual is under the influence of mild addiction, his/her moral side will be weak and may end up in moral failure. Within this scenario, mild addiction is interconnected with moral failure. Besides, this sort of failure may force a mild addict to consider that moral values put forth by the society are limiting his/her personal liberty. Similarly, mild addiction can be considered as the by product of poor decision making. To be specific, mild addiction affects the human capacity to make decisions. If one is under the influence of mild addiction, one’s decision making capacity is poor because one did choose the wrong method to keep oneself happy. Within this context, simple punishment including negative reinforcement can be used to rectify this mistake. If an individual is under the influence of gambling, relatives can neglect that individual for a few days as negative reinforcement. If an individual is under the influence of overeating, limiting accessibility to food is a negative reinforcement and punishment. So, it is evident that mild addiction to drugs (or gambling, food) must be viewed as a moral failure or the result of poor decision making and therefore be punished. Complete addiction and therapeutic treatment Generally, complete addiction is viewed as a severe disease to be treated therapeutically. For instance, addicts are threat to the mainstream society and must undergo medical treatment. This is partially correct because medical treatment can help addicts to recover from addiction. Still, there is no evidence to prove that this sort of recovery can help addicts to keep themselves away from addiction in general. To be specific, medical treatment can help an individual to save himself from the clutches of addiction. Berridge and Robinson (1995, p. 76) states that, ‘Only reversal of neural sensation would transform the brain and mind of an addict back into the brain and mind of a nonaddict.’ But it is difficult to prove that this change is permanent because recovered addicts may try to turn towards drugs. If others treat an addict with due care, there is high possibility for earlier recovery. One can see that the scope of recovery is interconnected with the difference between wanting (urge) and liking (infatuation). If an individual was under the direct influence of dangerous drugs for a long time, it is difficult for easier recovery. So, therapeutic treatment is essential to save such individuals from drug addiction. One the other side, some mild addiction may transform into complete addiction. Besides, addicts may not realize the severity of their addiction because they gradually accept drugs as the integral part of their lives. Within this scenario, therapeutic treatment with the help of innovative methods and medication related to modern medicine can help those who are facing the problem of addiction. Similarly, complete addiction can hinder an addict from having proper socialization with others. One can easily identify that a complete addict will turn away from the mainstream society and try to live in an imaginary world of pleasure. If he/she is not able to get more drugs, he/she will try to get it by any means. This can create problems within his/her private/public domains in general. Within this scenario, a drug addict may transform into a public nuisance. This problem can be solved with the help of therapeutic treatment. So, it is evident that complete addiction is different from mild addiction and it must be viewed as a disease and therefore be treated therapeutically. Summing up, the mainstream society must try to understand the problem faced by mild/complete addicts under the influence of drugs. Within this scenario, mild addiction is not so serious because it is with less serious health problems and individuals can have earlier recovery without external pressure. So, simple penalty like negative reinforcement can help individuals to keep away from drug addiction. On the other side, complete addiction is serious because it can curb the development of an individual. Still, therapeutic treatment can be depended here to save the life of an addict. But people misunderstand that there is no difference between mild and complete addiction. This can limit the scope of the earlier recovery of drug addicts in general. In short, the society must realize that mild addiction and complete addition are different and must be treated differently to save lives. References Berridge, KC & Robinson, TE 1995, ‘The mind of an Addicted Brain: Neural Sensitization of Wanting versus Liking,’ Current directions in Psychological Sciences, vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 71-76. Robinson, TE & Berridge, KC 2001, ‘Incentive-sensitization and addiction,’ Addiction, vol. 96, no.2, pp. 103-114. Read More