What’s Is Addiction?
When you hear the word addiction, the first thoughts that come to mind are those regarding alcoholics and users of illegal drugs. In reality, as recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and referred to as substance-use disorders, it encompass’ ten classes of drugs: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, inhalants, pain-killers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, stimulants, tobacco and unknown substances. Although these substance-use disorders are commonly referred to as substance abuse or addiction, It has been heavily argued that the term “dependence” would be more appropriate and more accurately portray the individuals that suffer from these disorders. Justly, the Oxford English Dictionary defines addiction as …show more content…
In a National Institute of Drug Abuse article, “America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse”, Nora D. Volkow, M.D. explains that, “The number of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription pain relievers has more than quadrupling since 1999.”, and argues that, “There is also growing evidence to suggest a relationship between increased non-medical use of opioid analgesics and heroin abuse in the United States.” For example, an individual recovering from a surgery who is prescribed opioids for pain relief is likely to exceed the recommended dose causing them to run out prematurely; This window between doses will cause them to have minor withdrawal until they can fill their next prescription. Those withdrawals will subside when they begin taking their medication again, but they will have to take higher doses to feel the same relief and their withdrawals will be worse once they run out this time. This cycle will continue until they are red flagged for drug-seeking behaviors and they will no longer be able to fill their prescription. What people do no understand is that heroin and medications such as Vicodin, Oxycontin and Morphine are all opioids. They occupy the same receptors in the brain causing a sense of well-being and alleviating any physical discomfort. The difference is that heroin has more intense effects and a longer duration which is ideal for someone who has developed a tolerance. Many prescription opioid users graduate to heroin due to the fact that it is extremely potent, less expensive and easier to obtain than prescription opioids. When heroin addicts attempt to quit, they experience intense withdrawals that make it difficult to remain sober. In addition, many recovering heroin addicts withdrawal symptoms persist for months or even years after becoming sober
When you hear the word addiction, the first thoughts that come to mind are those regarding alcoholics and users of illegal drugs. In reality, as recognized by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and referred to as substance-use disorders, it encompass’ ten classes of drugs: alcohol, caffeine, cannabis, inhalants, pain-killers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, stimulants, tobacco and unknown substances. Although these substance-use disorders are commonly referred to as substance abuse or addiction, It has been heavily argued that the term “dependence” would be more appropriate and more accurately portray the individuals that suffer from these disorders. Justly, the Oxford English Dictionary defines addiction as …show more content…
In a National Institute of Drug Abuse article, “America’s Addiction to Opioids: Heroin and Prescription Drug Abuse”, Nora D. Volkow, M.D. explains that, “The number of unintentional overdose deaths from prescription pain relievers has more than quadrupling since 1999.”, and argues that, “There is also growing evidence to suggest a relationship between increased non-medical use of opioid analgesics and heroin abuse in the United States.” For example, an individual recovering from a surgery who is prescribed opioids for pain relief is likely to exceed the recommended dose causing them to run out prematurely; This window between doses will cause them to have minor withdrawal until they can fill their next prescription. Those withdrawals will subside when they begin taking their medication again, but they will have to take higher doses to feel the same relief and their withdrawals will be worse once they run out this time. This cycle will continue until they are red flagged for drug-seeking behaviors and they will no longer be able to fill their prescription. What people do no understand is that heroin and medications such as Vicodin, Oxycontin and Morphine are all opioids. They occupy the same receptors in the brain causing a sense of well-being and alleviating any physical discomfort. The difference is that heroin has more intense effects and a longer duration which is ideal for someone who has developed a tolerance. Many prescription opioid users graduate to heroin due to the fact that it is extremely potent, less expensive and easier to obtain than prescription opioids. When heroin addicts attempt to quit, they experience intense withdrawals that make it difficult to remain sober. In addition, many recovering heroin addicts withdrawal symptoms persist for months or even years after becoming sober