Addiction and Dependency final copy

Addiction is the persistent irresistible urge to take the drug while dependence is the way in which the body adapts to the drug such that it is impossible for the body to attain certain effect without the drug. There are numerous types of addiction, for instance, technology, drugs, spiritual obsession, food, sex, shopping among others. One common thing with addiction is that they have negative consequences to the person addicted to them (Thompson 1996). Furthermore, they all need treatment hence a person addicted to substance abuse will need to undergo detoxification process, and the person addicted to the internet will need to undergo cognitive behavior therapy, counseling or even do group therapy.

Generally, people who are drug addicts and depend on drugs are denounced in the United States and most parts of the world. The negative stereotypes are the result of public stigmatization which eventually results to self-stigmatization. Moreover, the incident where a person believes they are weak results in them having a belief in the negative generalization hence low self-esteem. (Ahern, Stuber & Galea 2007). Society perceives these individuals as unreliable and those, who cannot be trusted. Also, society deems them as weak. In the western culture, typically they appreciate bodies that are young, strong and healthy.

Additionally, addicted characters withdrawal themselves from contributing to the social activities in that; they will not apply for jobs advertised since they perceive themselves as unfit (Ahern, Stuber & Galea 2007).

Therefore, the stereotyping leads to avoidance of people with drug addiction and the society tends to ignore them. Similarly, the society blames these individuals for their behavior and society perceives them as dangerous. The shame and discrimination by the society may end up affecting their mental health and also their physical health.

Moreover, addicted persons may not pursue treatment for the way society treats them. They will be motivated to continue taking drugs to forget or to reduce the feeling of humiliation they have arising from the substance abuse (Matthews, Dwyer & Snoek,2017). Individuals tend to have self-loathe. Consequently, they hate what they have done to themselves and also what they have made others feel due to substance abuse (Matthews, Dwyer & Snoek,2017). Additionally, there are images out there that shows that the drugs are still out there and in case they pursue the help they can easily access them once again.

In conclusion, the affected individuals will have attitudes towards themselves. In some instances, they will feel shameful; they will not associate with the events in the society, the individuals will have a belief they are unworthy as the community perceive them. Eventually, their physical and mental health will be affected.

References

Ahern, J., Stuber, J., & Galea, S. (2007). Stigma, discrimination and the health of illicit drug users. Drug and alcohol dependence, 88(2-3), 188-196.
Matthews, S., Dwyer, R., & Snoek, A. (2017). Stigma and self-stigma in addiction. Journal of bioethical inquiry, 14(2), 275-286.
Thompson, S. (1996). Internet connectivity: addiction and dependency study (Doctoral dissertation, Pennsylvania State University).