Addiction and Society - 1653 Words

In our society we place high regard in individuals that are independently motivated and generally motivated towards purposes that are considered to be respectable within our society as contributing something. When individuals suffer from addiction deviate from this acceptable behavior they are often ostracized by society and in turn fall into a cycle where they are unable to better themselves not only because of their own addiction but because of the limiting view of an addict in our society. When addiction takes over an individuals being they become less capable of making decisions not related to finding or using a drug. Another aspect of this is the range of what addictive behaviors are considered acceptable in our society where it is†¦show more content†¦What if the CEO was addicted to crack would the prostitute still be looked at as the â€Å"addict† and him the hard working individual? The answer would be probably not because he would be succumbing to an addictio n that is socially considered worse than cigarette addictions. The level of addiction in our society is often viewed on a continuum rather than a black and white issue which we see in relation to almost all behaviors that are considered to fall into social behaviors. The continuum of addictive behaviors and the range of social acceptability spans especially in the idea of gambling. In this idea of a spectrum we see the range from excessive gambling or problem gambling at one end where a person is considered by the majority of society to have a gambling addiction to someone who plays bingo on a weekly basis. Both these individuals would be gambling but one has taken it to the level where it is probably interfering with their ability to financially support themselves. This seems to be a defining factor in most aspects of the continuum the point at which an individual loses their control of supporting themselves. This seems to have an effect on social view of when a problematic behavior transitions to an addictive behavior. This is often because the responsibility for that person often shifts to society to assist them which in our western culture is an unacceptable outcome as we placeShow MoreRelatedAddiction and Society1244 Words   |  5 PagesAd diction and Society Sociology Professor Trembicki February 22, 2013 Abstract Drug addiction is a disease that damages addicts, their families, communities, the economy, and society. Addiction has a widespread reach: from dealing with unpredictable and often dangerous addicts at home to the costs incurred by society as a whole. As the population of addicts rises and the average age of an addict is younger, society is forced to deal with a pressing matter. Addiction is no longer limitedRead MoreAddiction : The American Society Of Addiction Medicine ( Asam )778 Words   |  4 Pages Addiction is a problem that is misunderstood by many people. One of the reasons it is so misunderstood is because there is no real consensus as to what addiction really is due to Satan’s lies as to the true nature of addiction. Many people consider addiction a disease. The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) states â€Å"Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory and related circuitry†. However, Psychology Today questions whether addictionRead MoreSocial Media Addiction : The Society1527 Words   |  7 PagesSocial Media Addiction: Blighting Our Society Social media has the ability to help people greatly in connecting with each other. A friend from childhood could be found from across the world in just minutes at little cost if they have a Facebook account. That was impossible even 20 years ago. However, this is not always the case, as more and more people seem to feel disconnected from the people around them due to social media. Despite being a simple way to make and keep friends, it can be a drainRead MoreAddiction : The American Medical Society1329 Words   |  6 PagesThe American Medical Society (AMA) declared addiction to alcohol to be an illness in 1956. Prior to 1956, addiction was stigmatized as a moral failure or weakness of character. You can read a fascinating historical review of addiction evolving from a moral failure to an illness at http://bit.ly/1TwOdE8. There is no one â€Å"best† definition of addiction. The American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, American Society of Addiction Medicine, and the National Institute on DrugRead MoreDrug Addiction And Its Effects On Society1402 Words   |  6 Pageshuman being is severely dependent on drugs, or indulgences in the experience of getting â€Å"high† once in a while, drugs alter the chemistry of the brain and that person becomes disassociated from their character and their surroundings. The symptoms of addiction are very obvious on the physical self of a person. The shakiness, nausea, and outbursts of emotions when that drug is not delivered immediately are common. But inside, not only does it cause liver damage, weight fluctuations, and neurological issuesRead MoreAmerican Society Of Addiction Medicine1901 Words   |  8 PagesSome people crave crack cocaine or black tar heroin, they find it hard to put down the needle or pipe, society calls t hem addicts. What about the people who find themselves craving food, or needing to continually eat past the brink of the stomach’s capacity? Society calls them fat, lazy, gluttonous. People often times don’t think to consider food as an addictive substance, but is it? â€Å"Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, and craving, diminishedRead MoreDrug Addiction And Its Effects On Society Essay1596 Words   |  7 Pages Addiction is a condition that results when a person takes in a substance that can make you feel great for a certain amount of time, but when the continued use/act of which becomes compulsive and interferes with ordinary life. How do you know when you are addicted to something? Is it a choice or just an effect? What most people do not understand, is that no one really chooses to be an addict. Being addicted to something such as drugs, alcohol, food, etc., is not due to someone waking up one day andRead MoreDrug Addiction : Today s Society945 Words   |  4 PagesDrug addiction is one major problem in today’s society. Really, every country faces such issues today. A ton of measures are taken to battle against medication misuse, and, certainly, a few improvements are obvious. Nonetheless, this issue is not dispensed with and, maybe, will never be. Today, Americans are losing their employments, families, and even their lives over the misuse. There are a considerable measure of le gal drugs that Americans are dependent on, yet there are additionally a great dealRead MoreSociety s Addiction On Social Media Buzz Essay1124 Words   |  5 PagesAlana Clemente Caruso Writing 105 5 December 2016 M3 Final Society’s Addiction on Social Media Buzz Throughout the past few years, society has become more and more technologically advanced. Whether it be a cell phone, tablet, computer, television or any other device, most people have some sort of technology. With technology comes social media and social buzz. Everything people do, adult or teenager, can be linked with social connections. A simple tweet or Facebook status can be posted in a secondRead MoreAddiction Is Prevalent Within The Current Society. People1632 Words   |  7 PagesAddiction is prevalent within the current society. People are becoming more susceptible towards addiction. If an addiction to something is heritable within a family, it is often than to the new generation. There are many factors that play a role in addictions. The BPS Plus model includes biological, psychological, social, cultural and spiritual dimensions to help understand addiction. In this essay, I will be focusing on the addiction to alcohol and how it effects the lives of alcoholics, using exa mples