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Heroin Addiction - As A Social Problem - College Essay

Heroin Addiction - As A Social Problem

Millions of Americans struggle with addiction. Heroin addiction in particular can be especially detrimental to the life of the addict, family, friends and community. In the past, Heroin addiction was viewed as a moral failing, rather than an actual medical condition. Over the last 20 years it has become recognized as a serious medical condition that needs treatment, much like cancer or diabetes and there has been a fair amount of collective action to try to remedy the problem. These factors make addiction, particularly that of heroin addiction a social problem; it not only affects the user, but the family and society as a whole.
Opiates are defined as a group of drugs including morphine ...

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street. They are highly addictive substances that can lead to dependence and withdrawal symptoms.
Opiate dependence is a chronic brain disease caused by long-term changes in brain chemistry and functioning. Opiates have molecular structures very similar to chemicals that are found naturally in the body. This similarity allows the drugs to activate the reward circuit in the brain and stimulates dopamine release. This in turn causes euphoria, a decreased sense of pain, relaxation, a drowsy feeling, and a “rush” when used intravenously (Goldstein, 2001, p.160). When an opiate is used for an extended period of time tolerance develops. Opiate receptors that are naturally used for pleasure and pain are activated and over time multiply. Normally these receptors are activated by naturally occurring things like sex and appetite, but the brain adapts to the synthetic drug the same way. When your brain produces more of these less sensitive receptors, it means having to use more and more of ...

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 3/9/2011 02:32:07 PM
Submitted By: lacey
Category: Drugs & Alcohol
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 1209
Pages: 5

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