Saylor-1

Kilee Saylor

Professor Firestone

Intermediate Writing

Feb. 28, 2017

Addiction

The topic of addiction is something so many people can relate to; whether they have

struggled with addiction, or they have watched a loved one struggle through it. Some believe that

addiction is a disease that can be treated. While others believe that it is a state of mind, and that it

can be overcome with some support. There have been many tests and interviews of addicts who

have shared their stories and experiences that have been brought on by their addiction. Some

addicts fell into their patterns at a young age; others started their addiction as older adults.

Everyone has a different story. This is an epidemic that quickly impacts an addict, and those

around him. Although getting help is the most difficult part, it will always be the most

rewarding.

Alcoholism is one of the most common form of addictions. There is a diverse

conversation about whether alcoholism is something that is caused by a chemical reaction in the

brain, or if it is more of a choice. Kimberly Fleming, from the University of Missouri, states that

it is a chemical reaction. There are two systems that greatly impact this action: Reflective and

Implosive. The Reflective system is the system used by humans that help them consider what it

right, and what is wrong. As opposed to the Impulsive system, that works as a counterpart. No

matter what is right or wrong, the subject will do what they want to do. If these systems have an

imbalance, alcoholism could very well develop. “a fast-impulsive system, governed by affective

reactivity reflecting associations in long-term memory that automatically trigger a motivational

orientation (e.g., to approach) and a slower reflective system, associated with conscious

deliberation and emotion regulation and governed by cognitive control processes rooted in the

prefrontal cortex.” (Fleming, pg. 85). The Impulse System can be highly influenced during the

adolescent years of a child’s life. If children had parents who were problem drinkers, there is a

chance they would follow by example and drink until they reach the level they are used to

witnessing.

Statistics show that children who grow up in a house with addiction associated with it are

likely to pick up on the addiction later in life. Pharmacologist, Mary-Anne Enoch states, “[…]

alcoholism is around 50%; similarly, the heritability of cocaine and opiate addiction is around

60–70%” (Enoch, pg. 17). The biggest factor of an individual picking up an addiction is their

parents, and the environment they were raised in. “Therefore, genetic and environmental

influences on the development of addictive disorders are equally important, although the

proportions of risk may vary according to societal groups.” (pg. 17).

Drug addictions are known to be the most fatal addictions someone can have. It is said by

Enoch that a big reason why drug addiction becomes a habit is because the addicts don’t have the

emotion they need in their lives (pg. 19). Emotional support is such an important factor in

everyone’s lives. Some people believe that instead of rehab, addicts should be admitted into

Assisted Living facilities. This way, they have emotional support and people to talk to rather

than sitting in a room alone, having nothing else to think about but the drug they are trying to

come clean of.

Addicts are not the only affected factors of this epidemic; their families and friends are

also severely impacted. In an analysis done by Gabriele Schafer, a Senior Lecturer at Auckland

University of Technology, it was found that many children impacted by addiction were abused
by their parent, the addict. Whether it was physical, sexual, or emotional. Schafer states, “During

adulthood most of those interviewed still experienced highly conflictual and difficult

relationships with members of their family of origin.” (Schafer, pg. 139). Meaning, not only did

these individuals experience negative and abusive childhoods, but they also experienced negative

relationships in their adulthood. Many of these residents were drawn to people who treated them

like their parents treated them, because it was all they knew. Even if that familiar treatment was

abuse and being degraded (pg. 141).

This could also have the opposite effect of someone. Rather than pushing them toward

someone who will mistreat them like they were when they were young, they could just avoid of

the idea of a relationship all together. Thinking that they can’t get hurt or be effected by someone

if they don’t get close enough to someone to let them have that impact on them. They have a

mindset that since it was easy for a parent to choose their addiction over them, it could happen

with anyone they choose to let into their life. Having the “unavailable” parent to them growing

up shows them that anyone can pick the addiction over the relationship (Schafer, pg. 144).

An addiction can be picked up by someone who has personal issues, someone who has

witnessed another person going through it, or someone who was just simply in the wrong place

at the wrong time. The biggest step of overcoming this is admitting the addiction is there.

Therapist, Steve Barlow, states in his article The Elephant in the Room, “Denial often takes the

form of self-justifying statements that combine classic defense mechanisms such as

minimization, rationalization and, of course, denial itself into addict-friendly self-talk” (Barlow,

pg. 30). Steve continues to talk about phrases like “I can stop anytime I want.” or “I’m different,

I’m not like that guy.”. These phrases are often used by an addict that hasn’t yet come to terms

with the fact that they have a problem. Once they can admit to themselves that they have an issue
to overcome, the motivation to become a clean person should be more than enough push to break

them of their habit.

Recovery is the final, and most satisfying step in overcoming addiction. A big step to

recovery is going through an intervention. A positive intervention, as highlighted by Amy R.

Krentzman, University of Michigan Addiction Research Center, is defined as, “an intervention,

therapy, or activity primarily aimed at increasing positive feelings, positive behaviors, or positive

cognitions, as opposed to ameliorating pathology or fixing negative thoughts or maladaptive

behavior patterns.” (Krentzman, pg. 153). Positive interventions have helped many adolescents

break the habit of addictions. By noting how extensive the addiction is, interventionists use

positive emotions to break down the walls of their client. By doing this, their client can then

open up about why they have their addiction, and how their addiction makes them feel.

Typically, if the subject doesn’t accept that they need help they won’t help themselves, but if

they hate their addiction and can admit to needing help, the odds of them overcoming their

addiction is greater.

Addiction is such a dramatic impact on so many people: Friends, family, and the addict.

Avoiding triggers and bad environments can be a tremendous help in avoiding picking up an

addiction. Relationships are impacted throughout one’s whole life because of this epidemic.

Children who witness this as adolescents are more likely to pick up on the habits of the adults

they are watching. The final step is recovery, this is the step that keeps a former addict strong

throughout their process of getting clean and continuing through life as a “former” addict.

Everyone has a different story. No one knows how life is going to go, but outcomes can be

determined as long as someone is passionate enough about it.

 Works cited:
Barlow, Steve. "The Elephant In The Room? The Question Of Addiction As It Relates To

Drug/Alcohol Use And Sexual Behaviors: Raising The Issue With Patients." HIV

Nursing 15.2 (2015): 29-32. CINAHL Complete. Web. 21 Feb. 2017

Enoch, Mary-Anne. "The Role Of Early Life Stress As A Predictor For Alcohol And Drug

Dependence." Psychopharmacology 214.1 (2011): 17-31. Psychology and Behavioral

Sciences Collection. Web. 19 Feb. 2017

Fleming, Kimberly A., and Bruce D. Bartholow. "Alcohol Cues, Approach Bias, And Inhibitory

Control: Applying A Dual Process Model Of Addiction To Alcohol Sensitivity."

Psychology Of Addictive Behaviors 28.1 (2014): 85-96. PsycARTICLES. Web. 19 Feb.

2017

Krentzman, Amy R. "Review of the Application of Positive Psychology to Substance Use,

Addiction, and Recovery Research." Psychology of Addictive Behaviors, vol. 27, no. 1,

Mar. 2013, pp. 151-165. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1037/a0029897.

Schäfer, Gabriele. "Family Functioning In Families With Alcohol And Other Drug Addiction."

Social Policy Journal Of New Zealand 37 (2011): 135-151. SocINDEX with Full Text.

Web. 19 Feb. 2017.