Ian Cavanaugh

Professor Sawaya

Humanities & Technology 1130

2 February 2019

Does mental illness lead to drug addiction?

My research proposal is “Does mental illness lead to drug addiction?” My claim is

after dealing with mental health issues and addiction for five years with a family member, I

do believe mental illness leads to drug addiction. The image is trying to convince the

audience that drug abuse flows to the human brain and puts more dangerous, addictive into

our brains that only hurt us more. In the picture, the pill or drug is opening up and sharing its

toxins flowing to the brain. The particles, or the grey/blue screws, are completely flooding

the human’s brain and adding more of these various sizes of “screws” that are not needed

into the human’s head.

There is an element of pathos due to the emotional connection. The viewer feels the

emotion of the mentally ill person’s brain/head become overwhelmed by the drug and its

chemicals flowing straight to the brain. This image allows the viewer to see how much of a

struggle the brain and mental illness allows someone to become so overpowered so quickly.

The two are connected.