Patients must have three or more symptoms. The symptoms outlined are people drinking increased amounts of alcohol to get desired effects. Drinking to suppress or avoid withdrawal symptoms is one option for being diagnosed (DSM5). Another is having an increased tolerance for alcohol (DSM5). Another is using alcohol over a long period of time (DSM5).…
As some people develop addictions to drugs, and not others, it’s interesting to think about why. Robinson and Berridge go into many complex neurological explanations for this issue, mainly involving animals, but that can, however, carry over into humans. Why certain people can start taking an addictive drug and stop when they so choose, and why others cannot, is interesting to think about. As no two people are the same, there’s obviously not a single, distinctive way to determine a definite cause. It is interesting that both negative and positive reinforcement had been considered as possible descriptions for drug addictions, as they would appear to be opposites.…
It is important for all social workers to know DSM-5 diagnoses when practicing as social workers in the field for a myriad of reasons. The process of diagnosing involves gathering information pertaining to clients’ conditions which is then connected with the social workers’ understanding about behavioral, emotional, and cognitive conditions (Barsky, 2017). It is pertinent that social workers utilize evidence-based research to inform their practice and through the application of understanding the DSM-5 diagnoses social workers have a better understanding of their clients and can utilize this information to guide interventions through goal setting, treatment planning, and determining prognosis. Barsky (2017) posits, that research is facilitated…
However, as we learn more about the science of addiction, the disease model takes a firmer hold as the correct model. It is a model I firmly believe in, both from my readings and my clinical experience. Another model is that addiction is narcissism. The need to get “high” is a means to reduce the insecurity that…
The traditional model of addiction treatment is rooted in the concept of an addiction as a disease, proposed in the late XVIII century by Benjamin Rush. The theory was later strengthen by professor Elvin Jellinek, popularized by the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous, applied to The Minnesota Model, the dominant form of addiction treatment in the USA, and finally used by the American Society of Addiction Medicine to create a formal definition of an addiction (Meyer, 1996). According to ASAM, addiction is primary, diagnosable, progressive, chronic and treatable disease that involves brain reward, motivation, memory and learning. It is important to recognize that addiction, as a brain disease, is also characterized by impairment in the ability…
Addiction is caused by a substance that our brains receives pleasure…
The third criterion is a reoccurrence of legal problems, which result from arrest. Arrest from DUI’s, public intoxication, disorderly conduct, as well as, any arrest that resulted from the use of any substance (White, 2007). Lastly, the fourth criterion is the continued use of any substance despite having persistent or reoccurring social and interpersonal problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the substances. This includes arguments with a spouse or significant other about consequences of intoxication, physical, and verbal altercations that result from consumption of a substance (White, 2007). In closing, White argues that while the above-mentioned criteria are categorized by the DSM-IV as criteria for substance abuse and dependency, scientific factors can often contribute to the abuse of substances.…
Defining any type of addiction is referred to as a periodic use or action. Substance addiction, however, is likely to be correspondent when defining an addict (Kosovski and Smith 854). Dopamine is the neurotransmitter responsible for the ongoing pleasure the body receives while using drugs (Jedras and Field 2). An urging need of a “high” is the main objective for the addict (Piazza 388). Effects of drugs result in abnormalities in bodily functions (Bartlett et al. 350).…
There was a study in 2003, using data from the Drug Evaluation Network System and a study conducted through the Center for Studies on Addiction of the University of Pennsylvania/Philadelphia Veterans Administration Medical Center, which sought to determine the potential of the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) to serve as a screening instrument for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) substance dependence. It had a positive correlation between the composite scores of the ASI and the DSM-IV in both the alcohol and drug areas. Using the Drug Evaluation Network System (DENS), the DSM-IV questions, included in the ASI, regarding drug and alcohol had seven yes-or-no answers which was included in a checklist where three yes responses determined a DSM-IV diagnosis. The only problem was that the system couldn?t differentiate between what drug it was talking about. Using the pen-and-pencil interview was able to determine drug of choice, therefore a better…
When generalizing addictive disorders there is a 12-step process and a basic assessment described in the NCBI Substance Abuse Treatment article for persons with Co-Occurring disorders. Addictive disorders can be described as co-occurring disorders because addictive disorders stem from the act of something a person is doing and continues to do as an addictive disorder. According to the article, a basic assessment includes important information needed for treatment and planning. It describes the basic assessment structure as client demographics and historical information and acknowledging previous diagnosis and impairments (NCBI, 2005). It as examines client general strengths and problem areas, their stages of change and their stage of treatment for the addictive disorder.…
However, in the later version of the manual (the fifth edition), to longer uses the terms ‘substance dependence’ and addiction’ have been replaced by ‘substance use disorders’ (SAMHSA, 2016). The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) touches upon how the DSM-5 talks about what is now known as ‘substance use disorders’. Substance use disorders is broken down into three levels of severity: mild, moderate and severe. In order to be diagnosed as having a substance use disorder, the individual must meet certain criteria, as put forth by the DSM-5 (SAMHSA, 2016). According to the DSM-5, “diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on evidence of impaired control, social impairment, risky use and pharmacological criteria” (SAMHSA,…
Addiction is commonly used as an equivalent for dependence which, according to John Jung, is “the state in which the user no longer seems to be able to control his or her usage… a strong physiological or psychological need to use alcohol or drugs” (2001, p. 40). According to Dr. Marco Diana, a disease or pathology is “A derailment from normal functioning of a system/organ/cell (physiology), and ultimately of the whole organism” (2013, p. 1). From my limited understanding of neurobiology, psychology, and behavior, I have come to the conclusion that addiction, whether to alcohol or other drugs does not meet the requirements of a disease. I will examine some arguments from both sides to illustrate the complexity of the issue, and why I have come to this conclusion.…
In this article, cravings are analyzed as similar to an affective and psychological state by using the Process Model of Emotion Regulation. They cite that certain cognitive techniques can be used to down-regulate cravings. The first is Situation Selection. This involves avoiding a craving all together so in a weak moment, one does not succumb to the urge to engage. Another mentioned is Situation Modification in which a substitute food is used to combat the urge, or a serving container of a craved food is moved to the other end of the table to avoid reaching for more.…
Cocaine as with many of illicit drugs, can be backed a theory regarding why users experiment leading to use, abuse, and may become addicted. My theory behind drug usage, in this case, cocaine, is backed behind the classical theory biological instinct – that being a psychological theory of reinforcement. It is important to understand what is meant by reinforcement theory – which can be split into two categories. The first, being positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement “occurs when the individual receives a pleasurable sensation and, because of this, is motivated to repeat what caused it” (147, Theories of Drug use).…
Drug Users Should Go To Treatment Drug addiction is an illness causing extreme drug craving, drug seeking and use. Despite all the consequences it still continues. Drug addiction begins with the single act of taking drugs, and over time the ability to choose not to do so becomes harder and harder. Taking drugs and seeking the high becomes a compulsion. The behavior results from prolonged drug exposure on the brain and how it functions.…