Why+People+Feel+the+Need+for+the+Needle

=Why People Feel the Need for the Needle=

Name: Robert Andrews Student number: n8800812 Tutor: Jey Rodgers

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**Cultural Artefact **
====The term “drug addict” often incurs negative and judgmental connotations. But is drug addiction a result of the individual failings of an individual or is it a medical condition? A documentary filmed in part by Heroin addict, Ben Rodgers, gives an insight into the life of a drug addict. He films himself in every day life without the influence of a camera crew following him. It gives a genuine and insightful perspective showing just how addictive and destructive drugs can be. His family members are interviewed as part of the documentary and they describe the experience of living with Ben and his addiction. The documentary ends with Ben admitting himself to drug rehabilitation however tragically dies of a brain haemorrhage as a result of drug withdrawal. ====

**Public Health Issue **
====There are many public health issues associated with drug use with some being transmittable infections, mental health conditions induced by drug use and the side affects associated with drugs. Yet the major health issue that is sometimes overlooked is the addiction itself. Experts describe addiction as a chronic relapsing medical condition (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2012). What must be taken into consideration are the factors that lead to drug addiction. Ben Rodgers came from a stable middle class family yet developed an addiction to heroin. Therefore there are other social, psychological and physiological factors that influence an individual’s risk of developing drug addiction. ====

**Literature Review **
====There is often debate as to whether drug addicts have no self-control and don’t want to stop or whether there are factors outside of their control that contribute to their addiction. Various scientific studies have concluded that there are numerous risk factors that contribute to drug addiction. The first is particular personality traits - the main one being impulsivity. Impulsivity, as described by Ersche, Turton, Pradhan, Bullmore, and Robbins (2010) is a “Behavioural endophenotype mediating risk for stimulant dependence”. In other words, this is a genetic predisposition an individual has in developing a drug addiction. ====

====There are also a variety of social influences that may increase the risk of substance addiction. An individual’s family environment is a major factor that determines a person’s susceptibility to drug abuse. However it is important not to look at familial risk in isolation but to also account for the wider social environment (Zimić & Jukić, 2012). There is primary and secondary socialisation of children. Primary socialisation comes from early childhood and family experiences. Secondary socialisation comes from school, peers and the immediate surroundings (Zimić & Jukić, 2012). Secondary socialisation can influence the risk of developing addiction through peer pressure and established social normality’s (Zimić & Jukić, 2012). There is evidence to suggest that disruption in early psychological development can influence risky behaviours such as drug use (Bowles, DeHart, & Webb, 2012). Disruptions include but are not limited to domestic violence, parental alcoholism and child molestation (Bowles, DeHart, & Webb, 2012). Also poor parental supervision of children while they are young has been associated with an increased risk of the child developing a substance addiction (Bowles, DeHart, & Webb, 2012). Furthermore, a child raised in a low socioeconomic environment leads to a greater likelihood that they will develop a drug addiction (Solinas, Thiriet, Chauvet, & Jaber, 2010). Poor peer relations and difficulties at school have also been linked with substance addiction. ====

====A psychological determinant for developing a drug addiction is stress. Stress levels can lead to drug addiction but also to addiction relapse in individuals trying to abstain from drug use (Schwabe, Dickinson, & Wolf, 2011). It is thought that stress induces changes in neural circuiting. If an individual who uses drugs experiences stress, the brain will crave the substance leading to addiction and relapse. It changes part of the brain that controls decision-making and there are two distinct systems that do this. There is a goal directed system and a habitual system (Schwabe, Dickinson, & Wolf, 2011). The goal directed system involves learning of action-outcome associations and the habitual system involves learning of stimulus-response associations (Schwabe, Dickinson, & Wolf, 2011). Recreational drug use first uses the goal directed system of action however quickly changes to the habitual control centre. This could be interpreted as the individual losing their “self control” when using drugs. There are other traits associated with a genetic predisposition to drug addiction and they are stress reactivity, novelty seeking, attention allocation, behavioural disinhibition and impulsivity. ====

====The nature of addiction is mostly a psychological question as addiction has many physiological effects on the brain. Most drugs work by causing the release of large amounts of dopamine into the brain, especially in areas associated with reward. In response, the body demands this same rush of dopamine resulting in drug cravings (Siegel, 2005). People predominantly start drug use because of the pleasurable experience they feel. Long-term use of drugs leads to neuroadaptations, tolerance and dependence of the substance (Siegel, 2005). Consequently, the individual uses a larger quantity of drugs in order to avoid the unpleasant withdrawal symptoms and high consumption is linked with addiction (Siegel, 2005). However, drugs have other actions on the brain that result in altered neural circuits. As discussed earlier, substance use changes neural pathways from a goal-directed system to a habitual system resulting in drug addiction (Schwabe, Dickinson, & Wolf, 2011). There are also studies to suggest that drug addiction is linked with the dopaminergic system. This encompasses dopamine receptors as well as transporters and enzymes associated with the metabolism of dopamine (Gorwood et al., 2012). If the dopamine is metabolised quickly, the individual will need a larger quantity to have the desired affect and this increases the risk of addiction. ====

====There is debate as to when drug use becomes problematic and when it is recreational. There are two quite distinct arguments and one comes from neuro-scientists and the other from psychologists. A relatively new theory is that drug use can induce aberrant learning within the reward circuitry – this is an atypical type of learning (Robinson & Berridge, 2003). The brain creates an abnormally strong reward association with drugs, much stronger than naturally occurring associations. Therefore scientists hypothesise that this is the crucial development that determines when drug use becomes addictive (Robinson & Berridge, 2003). The second theory for when drug use becomes problematic is widely known. It summarises that problematic use is when an individual starts to experience social, financial, psychological, physical or legal problems and there is recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous (Drug Scope, 2013). However the defining features of problematic drug use could be a combination of both these arguments. The neurological processes that occur in the brain in order for someone to be addicted then changes that person’s behaviour that ultimately leads to personal problems. ====

**Cultural and Social Analysis **
====Addressing the primary as well as the secondary health issues associated with addiction is of vital importance. However for the general public, it is sometimes hard to see drug addiction as a true medical condition. Rather people tend to think there is something intrinsically wrong with addicts. There are some social theories that explain this phenomenon. The social theory of “otherness” would contribute to the misunderstandings about the nature of addiction and the personal lives of drug addicts. This theory suggests that different groups of society do not understand each other and the unique behaviours they exhibit creates fears and phobias (Carrol, 2013). A large majority of the community is not exposed to drug addicts and this creates misunderstandings that prevents society from realising it is a true medical condition. ====

====Marxism could also be applied to this health issue because there is a correlation between social class and the rates of addiction. As stated earlier, individuals coming from low socioeconomic backgrounds have a greater risk of developing addiction. Social constructionism could also add to the public health issue. This means over time as different social groups interact, they start to form concepts or a mental representation of each other’s actions (Carrol, 2013). This can add to stereotyping or prejudice against drug-addicted individuals that may make society largely unwilling to help them. ====

====The theory of symbolic skins is also applicable to drug addicted individuals. Symbolic skins are the things such as clothes and jewellery in which people use to identify the social community they belong to. It involves how the social world shapes the way people act and communicate (Carrol, 2013). It forms normality’s regarding health related and risk taking behaviour. If individuals are consistently exposed to risky health behaviour then they are more likely to be influenced by this leading to increased rates of drug experimentation and addiction. Furthermore, if drug use is considered a normal social behaviour within a group, then individuals who are trying to overcome an addiction may find it harder to abstain from drug use. ====

====The strain theory could also be applied to drug use. In summary, this theory suggests that the social structure and goals of society places strain on people (Agnew & Scheuerman, 2011). There are five theories of adaptation to cope with this strain and they are conformity, innovation, retreatism, ritualism and rebellion. This theory could explain why people first experiment with drugs and consequently develop addictions. ====

====Awareness around this issue is vital for the public realising drug addiction has a physiological and psychological basis. Drug addiction as described by medical professionals and scientists is a chronic relapsing medical condition (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2012). Therefore it must be treated as a medical condition and not referred to as a problem caused by a lack of willpower. As discussed earlier, there are many psychological, physiological and social factors that contribute to drug addiction and it is not related to the will of the individual. ====

====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Awareness of the nature of addiction and the medical implications it has must be communicated to the wider public to address these judgments. There must be a greater understanding of drug addiction in the community in order to decrease the fear and phobias associated with it. If people understand that this condition has a medical basis then it will increase their willingness to help these individuals overcome addiction. ====

**<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Artefact Analysis and Reflection **
====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Looking back on the documentary of Ben Rodgers, it represents many issues that are associated with substance addiction. Ben films his real life and leaves nothing unexposed but what he might have potentially done is expose the failings of a system in addressing the issue. For some it may be easy to associate a drug addict with homelessness and poor health. What I learned however were the small steps that lead to an ordinary person becoming homeless, ill and financially ruined because of drug addiction. It is easy to assume that when you see a drug addict at their lowest point that they have been that way for the majority of their life. What I now think is that both successful and ordinary people alike can lose the life they are accustomed to because of drug addiction. ====

====<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">I think what this documentary does very well is that it shows drug addicts are not bad people without will power to give up. It shows that individuals with drug addiction do not necessarily enjoy their lifestyle however the power of addiction is too strong to overcome. It can drive people to commit acts of crime not out of hatred but out of desperation. It also subtly highlights how treatment is hard to seek and largely unaffordable. My views since doing this assignment have shifted even further to thinking drug addicts are victims yet society does not see them this way. I believe drug addiction is a medical condition and needs to be treated as one and not as a problem that can be eradicated with will power and the justice system. I also firmly believe that this needs to be communicated to the general public to remove stigmas and fears associated with drug addicts. ====

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Agnew, R., & Scheuerman, Heather. (2011). Strain Theories. Retrieved 15 October, 2013, from http://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/view/document/obo-9780195396607/obo-9780195396607-0005.xml
 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Reference List **

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Bowles, M., DeHart, D., & Webb, J. (2012). Family Influences on Female Offenders’ Substance Use: The Role of Adverse Childhood Events Among Incarcerated Women. Journal of Family Violence, 27(7), 681-686. doi:10.1007/s10896-012-9450-4

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Carrol, J. (2013). From Social Theory to Bodies of Evidence: Critical Thinking in the Health Sciences [Lecture Notes]. Retrieved from http://blackboard.qut.edu.au/bbcswebdav/pid-4966473-dt-content-rid-1079649_1/courses/PUB209_13se2/Lecture%20Three%20Social%20Determinants%20of%20Health%20and%20Social%20Theory%20Dr%20J%20Carroll%202013.pdf

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Drug Scope. (2013). Problematic Drug Use. Retrieved 22 September, 2013, from http://www.drugscope.org.uk/resources/drugsearch/drugsearchpages/problemuse

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Ersche, K., Turton, A., Pradhan, S., Bullmore, E., & Robbins, T. (2010). Drug Addiction Endophenotypes: Impulsive versus Sensation-seeking Personality Traits. Biological Psychiatry, 68(8), 770-773. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2010.06.015

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Gorwood, P., Le Strat, Y., Ramoz, N., Dubertret, C., Moalic, J., & Simonneau, M. (2012). Genetics of Dopamine Receptors and Drug Addiction. Human Genetics, 131(6), 803-822. doi:10.1007/s00439-012-1145-7

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2012). The science of Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved on 28 September, 2013, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/media-guide/science-drug-abuse-addiction

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Robinson, T., & Berridge, K. (2003). Addiction. Annual Review of Psychology, 54(1), 25-53. doi:10.1146/annurev.psych.54.101601.145237

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Schwabe, L., Dickinson, A., & Wolf, O. (2011). Stress, Habits, and Drug Addiction: A psychoneuroendocrinological perspective. Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 19(1), 53-63. doi:10.1037/a0022212

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Siegel, S. (2005). Drug tolerance, Drug Addiction, and Drug Anticipation. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 14(6), 296-300. doi:10.1111/j.0963-7214.2005.00384.x

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Solinas, M., Thiriet, N., Chauvet, C., & Jaber, M. (2010). Prevention and Treatment of Drug Addiction by Environmental Enrichment. Progress in Neurobiology, 92(4), 572-592. doi:10.1016/j.pneurobio.2010.08.002

<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Zimić, J., & Jukić, V. (2012). Familial Risk Factors Favoring Drug Addiction Onset. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 44(2), 173-185. doi:10.1080/02791072.2012.685408


 * <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Learning Engagement and Reflection Task **

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<span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">Comment 2: <span style="font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif;">[]