The essay below is about a controversy of my choice that is currently an ongoing issue in the scientific community. I choose to write about addiction. In this essay, I was not to take a stance and address the different perspectives on the topic.
Have you ever started eating something and simply could not stop eating it? Or have you done something and struggle to stop doing it whether it was good or bad for you? This is what we call addiction. Addiction is a problem people suffer all around the world. It doesn’t matter whether you are wealthy or poor, black or white, short or tall, you can be a victim of addiction.
Addiction is a very controversial topic that usually start arguments. Many people have different opinions and beliefs when it comes to the topic of addiction. Some controversies of addiction is whether it’s a disease or a choice, are addicts bad people, and should addicts be punished or treated.Currently, the status of the addiction controversy is undecided.
What is addiction? “Addiction is the repeated involvement with the substance or activity, despite the substantial harm it now causes, because that involvement was (and may continue to be) pleasurable and/or valuable.” (Mentalhelp.net ) When someone has an addiction to something, they struggle to stop doing or using the substance involved because of how it makes them feel or what it does to there mind and/or body. Some examples of addiction in the form of an activity is gambling and sex. In terms of substance addiction, it can be drugs or alcoholic drinks. No matter if the substance or activity may harm cause harm, it is continued.
Some may wonder, how do they know if they have an addiction or not. There are several ways to find the answer to this question. The first steps to determining whether a person is an addict or not is by looking at the costs of the activity or substance use. Addiction can affect an individuals daily life. For instance, if an activity or substances negatively affects the emotional, social, physical, intellectual, productivity, legal and or financial statues you are currently in then that may be a sign that you are an addict. Another way of confirming an addiction is by going to a mental health professional.”Diagnosing … requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor.” (Mayoclinic) . Almost all metal health experts use the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-5) to evaluate whether someone has an addiction or not.
“Is addiction a disease or a choice?“ is one of the most argued controversies surrounding addiction. People who argue that addiction isn’t a disease say the individual decided to use the substance or engage in that activity. No one forced the person to do such thing. Others argue that it is a disease because the substance or activity can alter an individual’s brain making it a brain disorder. The individuals is not longer in control when it comes to the addiction.
Most medical associations identify addiction as a disease. According to the central on addiction center, “Like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, addiction is caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental, and biological factors.” They also argue that it can change the brains operation involving reward motivation and memory therefore the individual is not capable of control over the activity or substance.
Majority of people who say addiction is a choice are people who are not in the medical or physiological field. Many argue that people have a choice when it comes to addiction. For example: some may say that no one forced an drug addict to put a blunt to their mouth or inject themselves with drugs. They also argue that it isn’t a disease because some addicts get rid of their addictions with little to no treatment at all.
Another conspiracy in the topic of addiction is weather addicted should be punished or treated. Some argue that drug or alcohol addicts shouldn’t be sent to jail because it doesn’t really help them get rid of their addiction, instead they should get treatment. Others argue addicts should be sent to jail because they broke the law therefore they must suffer the consequences.
People against addicts getting punished argue that it isn’t an effective way to get them to stop doing what they do. According to psychologists Skinner “ … a behavior that is punished is likely to reappear after the consequences are withdrawn.”. People who are incarcerated will continue to do the activity or use the substance he or she is addicted to after being released which will land the individual back in jail. They believe that incarcerations isn’t a long term treatment to those who have addictions and if not treated it will get worse.
Some argue that people should be put behind bars for their addiction because that is where they belong. There are many people that are addicted to drugs like cocaine, marijuana and many more. These drugs can cause people to act out a certain way which can cause harm to not only them but to others around them. No one is above the law so if they break the law they should be put behind bars like everyone else.
Every addict has there own reason for doing what they do. Some people become addicts because they enjoy how the substance or activity makes them feel. Others are addicts because they are depressed or going through rough times so the substance/ activity relieves them of how they feel or takes the rough times out of their minds. Although we may not know all the reasons behind why people become addicts, addictions had a negative connotation tied to it. Some believe addicts are addicts because they are bad , while others believe not all addicts are bad people.
In modern day society, people who abuse substances are considered as bad people. Many believe that people with bad attitudes and intentions are mainly the people who abuse drugs or engage in a addicting illegal activities. “ It is commonly believed that those who abuse drugs and/or alcohol are “bad” people, usually, because the behaviors that they partake in are either dangerous, thoughtless, cruel, or selfish.” (journeypure.com). Regardless of what you have done before and who you are, in society addicts are people with bad personalities and are harmful to the community.
Others argue that addiction is non-discriminatory . Regardless whether you are kind heart or evil, people can become victims of addiction. “Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people who are kind, considerate, and thoughtful of themselves, others, and the world around them struggle with substance use disorders.”(journeypure.com)There are many wealthy nice people who wouldn’t even hurt a fly that become addicts. Many may behave like a “bad” person but it actually is side effects of using the addictive substance or activities. Those substances or activities affects people’s brains so it may alter their behaviors although that may not act that way in reality.
Conspiracies surrounding addiction has been argued for many years. Although each side has great evidence to support their opinions, we haven’t reached a conclusion on the conspiracies. Should addicts be thrown in jail, or should they receive treatment in rehabilitation? Are addicts bad people or not ? It is up to you to decide what side you want to be on or what you believe.
CITATION
Elizabeth Hartney. Are Addictive Behaviors or Activities Real Addictions?. ( Jan.18,2018)
An american addiction centers resource. 5 Controversial Thoughts We Have About Addiction (2019)
Mentalhelp.net. What is Addiction.(2015)
MayoClinic. Drug addiction (substance use disorder). (Oct. 26, 2017)
Pyramid Healthcare. Addiction Treatment or Punishment: Which Works Best Long-Term?. (Apr. 10, 2017)
https://journeypure.com/understanding-addiction/stigma-of-addiction/
