Category: Addiction

Problematic or addictive social media (SM) use and its implications for health have become popular research topics in recent years. SM addiction refers to a type of behavioral addiction characterized by an individuals excessive concern with SM communication that results in an obsessive desire to check SM feedback in a frequent manner. Eventually, those developing this form of addiction start to devote too much time to SM-related matters. In some instances, this approach to priority-setting can impair a persons activity and success in other crucial areas of life, such as in-person communication, studying, and career progression. The causes and effects of excessive SM use require an in-depth investigation to achieve clarity in formulating a new public health concern and developing resources to address addictions. The issue stems from SM platforms technical characteristics and being a source of dopamine and a relief for socially unhappy individuals, and its effects include poorer mental health, physical health issues, and impaired productivity.

The Causes of SM Addiction

The chosen problem can be caused by various interacting factors, including SM sites addiction-inducing characteristics, the ability to trigger dopamine release, and offering spaces to compensate for previous relationship-building failures. The first cause refers to modern SM platforms addictive features, for example, the promotion of endless scrolling. SM applications news feed functions expose the user to an endless and unrestricted stream of information, resulting in immersion combined with distortions to chronoception (Friedman, 2021; Montag et al., 2019). Exposure to such streams of data can create the habit of mindless SM scrolling without realizing how much time has passed. This can give rise to addiction and the symptoms of distress in SM users (Montag et al., 2019; Zenone et al., 2022). The second cause is that rewarding SM experiences can elicit neurotransmitters activity, making SM platforms similar to certain drugs. For instance, SM websites are referred to as dopamine-inducing social environments as the stream of positive attention, including likes or personal messages, induces pleasure and affects reward pathways in the brain (Hilliard, 2022, para. 3). Getting positive reactions evokes temporary feelings of joy and satisfaction, and this effect is inextricably connected to dopamine release (Burhan & Moradzadeh, 2020). The user can feel the urge to receive even more attention to remain in this positive state. Finally, SM addictions can stem from the individuals desire to compensate for previous social failures, for instance, insecure attachment. It has been shown that the intensity of Facebook use is positively correlated with the degree of the users attachment anxiety (Burhan & Moradzadeh, 2020). The desire to alleviate negative feelings linked with in-person communication might encourage heavier and more addictive SM use (Burhan & Moradzadeh, 2020). Therefore, both neurological and psychological reasons can be involved in the issue.

The Effects of SM Addiction

SM addiction can have various types of negative effects, including a greater likelihood of mental health issues, alterations to individual productivity, and deficiencies in a persons subjective physical well-being. First, psychological and mental issues become more likely as a result of overusing SM. Specifically, excessive and addictive long-term SM use has been positively associated with developing self-esteem issues, anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and an increased sense of guilt (Rast et al., 2021). Increased SM use limits in-person interaction and physical activity levels while also promoting the fear of being judged during face-to-face communication, thus contributing to the aforementioned conditions (Rast et al., 2021). Second, both academic and workplace performance can decrease due to SM addictions. Specifically, unhealthy SM use has been linked with sleep issues and some reductions in cognitive capacity, as well as extra distractions and time wastage (Priyadarshini et al., 2020; Rast et al., 2021). In combination, these effects can promote barriers to users academic and workplace achievements by causing disengagement and information overload (Priyadarshini et al., 2020; Rast et al., 2021). Third, negative physical health outcomes can stem from SM overuse and, more specifically, its effects on the amount of health-promoting physical activity and sleep. For instance, aside from higher C-reactive protein levels, the degree of SM use has a positive relationship with backaches, eye strain, chest pain, and headaches (Lee et al., 2022; Priyadarshini et al., 2020). These consequences are likely to be related to the unhealthy screen staring practices, adopting more sedentary lifestyles, and sleep issues that are the components of SM addictions (Priyadarshini et al., 2020). Thus, the adverse effects of excessive SM use on a persons life are all-encompassing.

Conclusion

Finally, SM addiction is a complex health issue that can result from the causes of different nature, including the peculiarities of human psychology and neurological functioning, and influence both health and individual productivity. Based on the discussion of hypothetical causes, it is likely that the most popular social networking sites are built in a way to capture and redirect users attention. They also offer some illusionary remedies for users psychological issues and unmet attachment-related needs. The phenomenons outcomes also signify that SM addiction can be more dangerous than it is currently portrayed. These points give support to an opinion that the global healthcare community and researchers should explore the behavioral issue more intensively to develop safe SM use guidelines and effective practices to address the addiction. Additionally, researching how addictive information presentation technologies are used for profit-making might be essential to get at the problems root cause.

References

Burhan, R., & Moradzadeh, J. (2020). Neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) and its role in the development of social media addiction. Journal of Neurology & Neurophysiology, 11(7), 1-2. Web.

Friedman, E. (2021). Internet addiction: A critical psychology of users. Routledge.

Hilliard, J. (2022). Social media addiction. Addiction Center.

Lee, D. S., Jiang, T., Crocker, J., & Way, B. M. (2022). Social media use and its link to physical health indicators. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 25(2), 87-93.

Montag, C., Lachmann, B., Herrlich, M., & Zweig, K. (2019). Addictive features of social media/messenger platforms and freemium games against the background of psychological and economic theories. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(14), 1-16.

Priyadarshini, C., Dubey, R. K., Kumar, Y. L. N., & Jha, R. R. (2020). Impact of a social media addiction on employees wellbeing and work productivity. The Qualitative Report, 25(1), 181-196.

Rast, R., Coleman, J. T., & Simmers, C. S. (2021). The dark side of the like: The effects of social media addiction on digital and in-person communication. The Journal of Social Media in Society, 10(2), 175-201.

Zenone, M., Kenworthy, N., & Maani, N. (2022). The social media industry as a commercial determinant of health. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 1-4.

The Moral Model of Addiction

Needless to say, the moral model of addiction is a notion that has very little in common with the biological or genetic components of addiction. The genetic and biological explanation sounds more scholarly, whereas when talking about the moral model of addiction the prior feature that comes to mind is the censure. By the moral model of addiction, the result of human weakness is meant. Also, it is regarded as a defect in character. One of the limitations of this model is the opinion that the addicts make poor decisions that subsequently lead them to addiction because they lack willpower or inside strength. I cannot fully agree with this statement as ones behavior also depends on society and the level of living wage he/she has.

The Disease Model of Addiction

The disease model of addiction is a lifelong addiction of a person. This is considered to involve both biological and social impacts on a human. It is important that the disease model of addiction is the abnormal condition that is accompanied by the dysfunction or distress of an individual. The strong part of this model is that the medical approach requires considering the changes in the mesolimbic pathway which makes it completely clear within the medical treatment. However, the medical model of addiction also comprises psychological and environmental influences that are a bit controversial to the previous statement and makes the model vulnerable.

Bio-psycho-social-spiritual Model

Fortunately, clinicians nowadays examine patients broadly once they get to the hospital and require to be diagnosed. The broad approach is called Bio-psycho-social-spiritual. This is the kind of all-around assessment of an individual taking into consideration all of the spheres of our life. The drawback of this model is that the doctor does not really know precisely the way of life his/her patient has. Thus, it is always difficult to guess which sphere has the most impact on life.

Sixth Model  Own Perspective  Physiological Model

It is hard to suggest any other model of addiction after the proposed five. However, the physiological model suggests regarding addiction as a need for certain substances for functioning. Although those are not the nutrients, some addicts say they consume drugs in order to enhance brain work.

Drug Administration

Since it is important how quickly the drug enters the bloodstream and how it is distributed to the site of action, as well as how much will ultimately reach its target (Hanson, p.146), let me list the drug administration methods from the most effective one to the method that takes longer to act:

1. Subcutaneous;
2. Inhalation;
3. Parenteral;
4. Sublingual and buccal;
5. Oral;
6. Vaginal;
7. Rectal;
8. Topical.

Neurotransmission

Neurotransmission is a process of transmitting electrical impulses through the neurons. The impulse is produced once the neurons are stimulated. The communication between neurons is called synaptic transmission. It is important to know in order to understand the process, thus helping the addict cope with it.

Substance abuse and substance dependence

Substance abuse is not considered dependent, though does not exclude dependency, whereas substance dependence certainly means consuming the substance regularly despite the vital need to do it. Substance dependence can be diagnosed as psychological dependence.

CNS depressants impact

The depressants have a tendency to be addictive physically and psychologically. A counselor should be concerned about the addict in case he/she takes depressants because ultimate withdrawal from the CNS depressants cause rebounding symptoms after the brain has been suppressed. Besides, the body can get used to the CNS depressant hence the next time a larger dose will be needed.

Popular central nervous system stimulant

The most popular central nervous system stimulant is MDMA. Though the government does everything possible, still its hidden availability is pretty obvious. It comes in the forms of tablet, capsule, or powder/crystal form. Until 1985 ecstasy was used in medical care for the treatment of depression. The effects are hypertension, anorexia, euphoria, social disinhibition, insomnia. The possession of MDMA may result in criminal prosecution.

Understanding the DSM-IV-TR system

Once a counselor totally understands the system of DSM-IV-TR he/she is able to diagnose an addict: whether one has a psychic disease, psychopathy, somatic disease, or influenced by psychosocial factors. There are five axes. The first is about the reversible abnormalities. The second  personal disorders. The third contains the list of somatic or psychosomatic diseases. The forth contains sustained psychosocial stress (divorse, death of the beloved one). The fifth axis characterizes the highest level of functioning ranking it from 90 to 1 ( 1  is the worst result)

• Case II: Larry, 46

  • The stage of substance abuse is Dependence because Larry is consuming alcohol repeatedly in order to calm down from the stress of the job;
  • The starting point of drinking was an argument with his wife which subsequently led to break up;
  • Is there a desire to get alcohol no matter what in cases when he has none? (This would help assessing the stage he is at more precisely)
  • Setting the trustworthy relations with the addict. Setting the housekeeping rules.
• Case III: Sarah, 34.

  • Regular Use;
  • She is afraid to remain an old maid. The sexual relations have never been experienced. Is undergoing a depression because of being unclaimed. Also, disabling depression (Fields, p. 151)
  • Is the absence of sex a result of introversion or religious beliefs?
  • Personality test is applicable.
• Case IV: Barry, 39.

  • Regular Stage of substance abuse;
  • Depression related to divorce;
  • What is his current status among his colleagues? Were there any other therapy attempts?
  • Anti-drug program. Discussing the steps he can make when he has complaints or concerns. Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy. (Tate, p.191)

Works Cited

Fields, Richard. Drugs in Perspective. New York: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2009. Print.

Hanson Glen, Venturelli Peter, et al. Drugs and Society. Boston: Jones and Burtlett Publishers, 2008. Print.

Tate, Philip., Ellis, Albert. Alcohol: How to Give It Up and Be Glad You Did. Tucson: See Sharp Press, 1996. Print.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Drugs? Essay Introduction

A drug is a substance containing a chemical with the ability to change the normal biological processes and functions. It is used in medicine to correct or cure diseases and socially as a psychological stimulant to enhance pleasure. Drug addiction is a tendency of utilizing one or more psychologically active substances that are liable to enhance a mental or physical (and at times both) dependency. This phenomenon is characterized by repeated and uncontrolled use of addictive drugs. The most commonly used addictive drugs in the world include cannabis, heroin, meth, alcohol, and cigarettes among others.

The historical evolution of drug addiction is important. It helps to seek to establish appropriate redress to mitigate the underlying misconception and myths that demonize drug addiction.

Factors that cause drug addiction are equally significant and therefore should be understood. This study also seeks to examine the advantages and disadvantages of drug addiction and thereafter establish a solid convincing position about drug addiction.

Disadvantages and Advantages of Drug Addiction: Essay Main Body

Drug addiction casualties may experience tolerance or withdrawal symptoms when they cease utilizing the substance. Tolerance symptoms refer to a situation developed after attaining a specific amount of addictive substance over some time to satisfy the desired effect. While withdrawal is another part of addiction symptoms that is reflected by unpleasant physical reactions as a result of decreased or termination of the use of drugs. Withdrawal effects range from nausea, muscle aches, fever, concentration problems, insomnia, anxiety, and unpleasant dreams among others. (Drug Rehab 2002)

The utilization of addictive drugs is dated back from time immemorial. Man used to have the desire, still have the desire, and will continue to have a desire to drink or eat substances that make them stimulated, relaxed, and euphoric. The use of wine can be associated with the early Egyptians, while the origin of narcotic use is believed to be as early as 4000 BC. In 2327 BC in China Marijuana was used for medical purposes, as time advanced the use of drugs diversified. The means of consumption during the olden days were through eating, drinking, rubbing on the skin, or inhalation to achieve the desired result. These means of consumption are still used to date with new methods of consumption such as injection being introduced.

Several early discoveries of drug-bearing plants by South American Indians were a boost in the use of addictive substances. Some of the discoveries contained alkaloids of worldwide importance. This has become a modern drug. It included cocaine and quinine. Cocaine is believed to have a higher potential for addiction.

The cocaine addict, therefore, increased rapidly during this time. Between 1856-1939, it is documented that an Austrian psychoanalyst  Sigmund Freud  treated many deeply disturbed cocaine addicts (Drug Rahad 2002) Thereafter, pharmacologists like Carl Koller, paid tribute to the fact and crowned it by introducing cocaine as a local anesthetic into surgical procedures.

In the 19th century, particularly during the American Civil war, the use of substances such as morphine, laudanum, cocaine was not regulated or controlled. They were widely prescribed by physicians for numerous kinds of ailments.

The drugs were sold as a patent medicine.

These types of drugs were commonly used in the United States of America. In Asian Continent, recreational drugs such as opium were widely consumed. During this period there was a noticeable spread of drug consumption in the west. It is reported that by the early 19th century; there were 250,000 drug addicts in the United States of America (Drug Rehab 2002)

The utilization of drugs has faced some challenges. Culturally the use of drugs such as marijuana was no widely accepted. However, drugs like alcohol were widely used during the cultural celebration. This is evident, particularly in the African continent.

Caffeine is also widely accepted by many communities. Even though marijuana is termed illegal by many cultures, it has continued to sail in historical popularity.

The use of drugs has faced the strong arm of the law. In 1875, there was an increased abuse of drugs in the United States of America. To address this problem, legal measures were institutionalized to ensure control of the use of addictive drugs. This led to outlawing the use of opium particularly in San Francisco. The first law on drugs was the pure food and Drug Act of 1906. This law required companies to appropriately label the patent medicines containing opium and other drugs. Formulation of drug-related regulation continued. In 1914, Harrison Narcotic Act was formulated. This restricted the sale of substances such as opiates or cocaine to licensed practitioners only. This was followed by a total ban on heroin (Drug Rehab 2002)

The development of these regulations has adversely affected the historical advancement of the utilization of addictive drugs. It has continued to suffer major blows especially in the corridors of justice.

Judges in supreme courts have subsequently outlawed any prescription of any narcotic to addicts. To make the matters worse, many doctors who violated the Supreme Court decision were jailed. By the 1920s, the use of narcotics and cocaine declined drastically.

Other than culture and government regulation, religion has also hindered the development and spread of the addictive drug. Many faith-based organizations term the use of drugs particularly those taken for pleasure like marijuana as a sin. Man is highly affiliated with a religion. He always desires and aspires to be righteous before God.

The confession against drug abuse in church condemns many. Others have opted to withdraw their commitment to the church since they find it difficult to cease using addictive drugs. For example, Christian perceives drug addicts as morally irresponsible and thus a disgrace to God. They are therefore unacceptable in the house of God.

These religious actions that demonize the use of drugs hinder its wide consumption.

Drug addiction is attributed to many factors. Even though culture condemns the use of certain types of drugs, it is widely believed that it has influenced its members to use drugs. All over the world, culture sets an environment that leads to use adoption of behavioral attitudes. For instance, the use of alcohol is embedded in most cultures.

Culture is authoritative it, therefore, dictates the prevailing attitude in the community. For example, American culture in general views ethanol-containing beverages as sexy, mature, sophisticated, facilitating socializing and enhancing status (Hanson, Venturi & Annette 2005, p, 228). In Italy and France, alcohol is viewed as a virtual component during celebrations. Thus alcohol drinking occurs frequently while eating with members of a family.

Culture is categorical in promoting the use of certain drugs. It sets regulation that governs drinking and also provides meaning for use of addictive drugs within the community. These aspects that culture serves promote the use of such addictive drugs. For instance, the traditional culture of Italian and Jews accepts moderate drinking in the family during meals. Thus Italian use wine as food, while the Jew uses a ritual attachment on the use of alcohol.

In Scandinavian, Nations are considerably separated from work. Culture continues to permit the drinking lifestyle by providing meaning to drinking.

The first notable work on ceremonial use and ethnic drinking practices was undertaken by Bales in 1946 who attempted to explain the different rates of drinking between Jews (low) and Irish (high) in terms of symbolic and ceremonial meanings. For Jews, drinking had familiar and sacramental significance, whereas for the Irish it represented male convivial bonding. (Hanson, Venturi & Annette 2005) Currently, the Irish, have continued with the culture of heavy drinking to live and continue their stereotype of heavy drinking culture.

All over the world, many people believe that drug is management support over lifes serious emotional, medical and physical problems. Medications are critical to the treatment of diseases.

However, excessive use of such drugs is dangerous. For example, drug addiction originates from such unrealistic expectations. It is not always addicting. Also, it is not a guarantee that an individual who follows a doctors prescription to the letter, will always avoid being addicted to drugs. Apart from medicinal drugs other forms of drugs are meant to serve social and psychological reasons or Euphoria.

People, therefore, continue to utilize drugs for a search of pleasure and maintain of good feeling: relieve stress and anxiety; helps individual to forget the problems and avoid or postpone worries; for relation; fulfill religious or mystical occurrences and to relieve pain and some symptoms of illness (Hanson, Venturi & Annette 2005 p, 37)

Peer influence is a major cause of drug addiction, particularly among the youths.

Many persons have turned to drugs since they want to fit within the social identity of their peers. It is believed that peer pressure is always powerful during the early age of adolescence and the late stage.

Consequently, these individuals do perceive taking drugs as a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood.

Alcohol use and other drug consumption levels among students are on the rise. It is estimated that college students drink approximately 4 billion cans of beer annually. (Hanson, Venturi & Annette 2005)

Drug addiction is linked to the demand of the brain. Human addiction constitutes of substances such as the neurotransmitter dopamine whose levels increase rapidly with continuous intake of nicotine. This results in a pleasurable sensational feeling experienced by many smokers thus keeping their desire for more tobacco. High Nicotine pharmacokinetic properties also enhance the potential of addiction.

Tobacco utilization produces a rapid distribution of nicotine to the brain with drug levels peaking within 10 seconds of inhalation. However, the acute effect of nicotine dissipates in few minutes as do the associated feeling reward which causes the pleasant, pleasurable effect and prevents withdrawal. Other tobacco ingredients apart from nicotine react with monoamine oxidize (MAO) enzyme responsible for the breakdown of dopamine. A low level of MAO in the body may lead to an increased level of dopamine, thus increasing smoking desire. Recently, the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) has shown that acetaldehyde  tobacco production  reinforces nicotine properties, particularly to adolescent age structures thereby increasing the desire for more.

Effects of drug addiction are diverse. Many people in the world suffer due to the dangers of smoking by being passive or active smokers. Cigarette smoking has massive effects on the life of pregnant women. It has been reported that many mothers have lost their pregnancies as a result of smoking. Smokers experience health complications. Tobacco contains carcinogen which damages important genes that control the growth of cells thus causing abnormal growth. Carbon monoxide in drugs particularly cigarettes combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells. This adversely affects the oxygen circulation in the body and may result in suffocation.

Global warming is also attributed to the increased use of tobacco in the world.

The human body is vulnerable to the detritus effects of drug addiction. Heavy consumption of drugs alters the functional processes of the body. This is because drugs contain chemical compositions that are harmful to the harmonious functioning of the body organs. For example, alcohol alters the health normative through the following mechanisms: effect of alcohol oxidation on intermediary metabolism; effects mediated by toxic breakdown products such as acetaldehydes; effects due to coexistent malnutrition; and that are secondary consequences of alcohol-induced organ injury per se (Ammerman et al 1999) this health problem ranges from liver complication, pancreas effects, heart problems gastrointestinal effects and respiratory complication among others.

The worlds population survival is being threatened by the wide impact of drug abuse.

Drub abuse has claimed a greater number of individuals through deaths and physical deformities. It is approximated that during the coming decades about 60 million premature deaths will have been caused by smoking.

According to Peto et al 1994, The worldwide annual mortality attributed to smoking alone will increase from 2 million a year to 10 million a year by 2010.  (Ammerman et all 1999)

The use of drugs affects young children within a household. Children in most instances look to their parents as the best role model. They will always desire and aspire to be a duplicate of their parents. The young generation, therefore, does inherit the habit of drug utilization from their parent at a very tender age. Having developed this culture from their childhood, withdrawing at a later date is never easy. The positive modeling of drugs and active encouragement of siblings to initiate drug use is part of the dynamic that leads other siblings into using drugs. (Bernard, 2006, p, 135) These children who are addicted to drugs early always behave violently and very aggressively.

Other than child abuse, addiction to drugs affects individual mental functioning.

The person cannot, therefore, make rational decisions concerning their life. This has encouraged a promiscuous lifestyle and victims have ended up contracting deadly diseases such as HIV/Aids. Others have failed to undertake their family responsibility. Consequently, their families have continued to sleep with an empty stomach, poor clothing and health condition and worse their children dropping out of school.

These impacts are disheartened.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Drugs: Essay Conclusion

Drug addiction is not necessarily bad as its effects reflect. The problem is that many people have taken to irresponsible and immoral approaches to drinking and therefore have continued to cause havoc to the moral principles of drinking. The result they are after is fun and joy. However, we do appreciate that drug addiction affects human health.

The individual should therefore cease excessive drinking. They should therefore adopt responsible means of drinking for us to maximize the potential benefit such as pleasure that comes from the use of drugs. The government thus has a role to promote healthy means of utilizing addictive drugs.

Reference

Ammerman, Robert T. Ammerman, Pegy J, & Ott Ralph B. Tarter (1999) Prevention and social impact of Drug and alcohol Rotledge.

Bernard Marina (2006) Drug Addiction and families: The impact of drugs. Jessica Kingsley.

Cigarette Addiction. Web.

Drug addiction Definition: Web.

Glen R. Hanson, Peter J. Ventruri, Annette (2005), Drug and Society. Jones & Bartlett. Web.

Introduction

The safe and effective delivery of care, as well as positive outcomes for people seeking addiction treatment, depends on the counselors application of the best practices and adherence to the established ethical and legal standards. Organizations such as the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC) and the Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals (CCAPP) have established detailed guidelines to enhance the competent practice of addiction therapy. Counselors in this field assist addicts and people with behavioral issues by providing resources, support, and judgment-freedom encouragement to promote their recovery and subsequent resumption to normal life.

These healthcare professionals observe ethical and legal standards which enumerate the expected conduct and guide the decision-making process. For instance, the ethical code prohibiting sexual relations between a therapist and a current or former client protects the former from situations that could compromise their objectivity. Similarly, the best practices delineate the most prudent and efficient course of action, which guarantees superior outcomes. Although the ethical and legal standards outline the expected professional conduct of counselors, their observance protects clients rights, minimizes harm, and promotes eventual recovery.

Legal and Ethical Standards and Best Practices

Ethical standards are the principles established by a professional body to guide the decision-making processes. They articulate the parameters of behavior and the expected conduct of the members of the organization. The counselors code of ethics provides an elaborate guideline protecting the welfare of the clients and the professionals. For instance, the principle of autonomy acknowledges the counselors persuasive authority over their patients but asserts the inviolability of the latters entitlement to make decisions (National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors, 2021).

In this regard, therapists are required to uphold their clients independence and self-determination, particularly regarding their freedom of choice and action (Herlitz et al., 2016). According to Berton (2014), counselors who violate the set tenets are sanctioned by their professional bodies, determining the penalties to be imposed, including suspension or cancellation of license. Therefore, ethical standards are a guiding framework on which counselors ground their clinical practice.

Conversely, the legal principles are predefined rules and regulations by the federal or state governments, and their violation is punishable in a court of law. Notably, countries establish numerous laws to oversee, control the operations of their citizens, and help them understand what is prohibited. This implies that regulatory principles have a legal basis and are enforceable by authorities. In this regard, legal standards impose mandatory responsibilities and obligations to counseling practitioners, and their infringement attracts punishment in a court under the law.

For instance, in California, credentialed alcohol and drug therapists are prohibited from misrepresenting their professional qualifications and making misleading advertisements (Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals, 2019). Anyone who violates these legal provisions commits an offense punishable by the applicable federal or state laws through the imposition of fines or jail terms. This differs sharply from the breaching of ethical standards where the professional body handles the infringements, and the scope of punishment does not include imprisonment. Therefore, clinicians are obligated to observe and uphold both law and ethics.

In addiction treatment, best practices are the specific techniques or methods which have been generally accepted as superior to other alternatives. They entail guidelines, concepts, and ideas which represent the most prudent or efficient course of action due to their ability to generate excellent results. From this perspective, best practices consist of guidelines designed to provide counselors with objectives to which they can aspire.

They differ significantly from the ethical and legal standards since they are motivational and unenforceable by the regulatory or professional bodies. For instance, the conscientious and judicious integration of the current evidence-based insights in clinical decision-making significantly increases the likelihood of positive patient outcomes. Therefore, counselors are only encouraged to utilize such knowledge, and the failure to use it does not entail sanctions.

NAADAC Code of Ethics and CCAPP Code of Conduct for Addiction Counselors

The most accomplished counselors anchor their professional practices on the strict adherence to the NAADAC and CCAPPs codes of ethics and conduct. NAADACs counseling relationship principles and the latters maintenance of professionally appropriate boundaries are the most prominently critical counseling tenets to me. Notably, the principal objective of establishing a therapeutic connection is to assist clients in changing their lives positively.

However, accomplishing this purpose can be jeopardized or inhibited by inappropriate links between the clinician and the patient. According to Stargell (2017), the quality of the therapeutic association has the most profound impact on successful client outcomes. The rationale for choosing the counseling relationship is that the appropriate connection between the professional and the client is the foundation on which elements such as reassurance, openness, honesty, and confidence are built.

Similarly, it is imperative for alcohol and other drug therapists to maintain and strictly observe the established ethical, legal, and organizational boundaries for the overall benefit of the client and the clinician. Notably, breaching these limits severely compromises the attainment of the predefined goals and creates other problems for both the patient and the professional. For instance, sexual relations between a therapist and a current client may impair the formers judgment and diminish their objectivity, exposing them to prosecution risk and the failure of the recovery process. The rationale for choosing this CCAPPs codes of ethics principle is that it is fundamental to preserve the clinicians professional authority and minimize their vulnerabilities to exploitative and unlawful behavior.

Culturally Competent Counselors

The most effective counselors acknowledge and work towards eliminating prejudices, biases, and discriminatory tendencies from their practice. Addiction professionals are obligated to develop multicultural competency to enhance their service delivery in a culturally-sensitive manner. The rapid increase in the minority populations across the world means that therapists can expect to work with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds. According to Conner and Walker (2017), a culturally competent counselor can effectively draw on the knowledge, sensitivity, awareness, and skillful interventions to relate and work appropriately with others from different cultures. This implies that such a therapist has eliminated all cultural biases and negative attitudes which impede the accomplishment of desired behavioral changes.

As the scope and definition of multicultural counseling continue to evolve, cultural competence is no longer limited to issues of ethnicity, nationality, or country of origin. It now encompasses concepts such as gender, sexual orientation, race, physical ability, socioeconomic status, and historical experiences, among others (Conner & Walker, 2017).

As a result, counselors should equip themselves with knowledge and skills specific to the uniqueness of the diverse groups and provide an adequate level of treatment that meets the various ethical standards. For instance, a healthcare provider without cultural competence can prejudice, discriminate against or stigmatize an African-Americans mental health challenges due to the absence of sufficient knowledge about the specific populations experiential stressors. Therefore, multicultural competence is the counselors ability to work and interact with people from diverse cultural backgrounds effectively.

Counselors Responsibilities Regarding Safeguarding Client Welfare

Confidentiality is among the highest-ranking foundations of therapeutic relationships. Addiction professionals have significant privileges and authority over their clients in their position. However, these professionals are ethically bound to safeguard their patients welfare by protecting their privacy and the disclosed personal information. Notably, confidentiality is integral in establishing the requisite degree of trust, which is critical in fostering honest and transparent engagements.

The failure to protect the patients identity or the shared sensitive information exposes them to possible misuse and the subsequent commission of criminal activities such as fraud. The rationale for choosing this concept is that counseling entails sharing enormous and highly classified information such as revelations, confessions, ongoing plans, and secrets, leading to arrests and prosecutions. However, addicts confide in the counselors because they trust the professionals and the centrality of such divulgence to their recovery. Therefore, the breach of this concept is the greatest betrayal of a person in need.

Additionally, addiction counselors have a responsibility to safeguard their clients welfare through strict adherence to the principle of informed consent. The healthcare professionals explicitly state the direction, nature, and methodologies of the services to be rendered and their implications. Moreover, the clinicians notify the patients about their right to refuse treatment or any of the enlisted tests. The rationale for selecting this principle is due to the indispensability of collaboration, which is a critical component of safeguarding the clients welfare.

Aspects of Informed Consent

Clients have the right to be fully informed about the entire treatment process, including the methodologies and the nature of services to be rendered. Additionally, they are entitled to be explicitly informed about the implications of the diagnosis and the benefits of the procedures. These two aspects of informed consent establish the essential trust between a patient and a counselor by creating an understanding and what the proposed treatment means. For instance, notifying clients about the therapeutic interventions to be implemented and the associated risks prepares the clients psychologically for the task ahead and exposes the professional to a reduced risk of legal actions. Additionally, the explicit notification greatly enhances collaboration, which is critical in safeguarding the welfare of the clients.

Further, informing the patient about the implications of the diagnosis and the gains to be reaped from the procedure promotes the clients self-realization and recovery by stimulating honest, accurate, and truthful engagements. Indeed, the patients outcomes are directly influenced by the actions and the quality of their engagement with the clinicians. This implies that addicts are aware of the procedures, potential risks, and benefits of the services rendered.

Where the client anticipates the potential challenges, risks, and limitations of a given treatment, the adverse implications can be mitigated effectively and the positive elements of the recovery enhanced. Cumulatively, these two aspects significantly promote the accomplishment of positive patient outcomes by preparing clients psychologically and minimizing the therapists exposure to legal suits.

Conclusion

Conclusively, the ethical and legal standards and the best practices form the foundation on which addiction treatment is established. They outline the expected behavior or conduct of professionals and protect the clients from harm. However, they differ in that the violation of the former attracts sanctions from the organizations regulating the therapists, while the infringement of legal standards exposes the counselor to imprisonment or court fines.

The ethical standards do not have a legal basis, while the regulatory principles are established by the federal or state governments. Conversely, the best practices are aspirational tenets, generally accepted as the superior alternatives. This implies that they are unenforceable by the regulatory authorities or professional bodies.

References

Berton, J. D. (2014). Ethics for addiction professionals. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Certification Commission for Addiction Professionals. (2019). CCAPP Code of Conduct for Credentialed Alcohol and Drug Professionals. Web.

Conner, G., & Walker, W. (2017). The culturally competent counselor: Issues specific to four minority groups. Open Journal of Social Sciences, 5, 113121.

Herlitz. A., Munthe, C., Torner, M., & Forsander, G. (2016). The counseling, self-care, adherence approach to person-centered care and shared decision-making: Moral psychology, executive autonomy, and ethics in multi-dimensional care decisions. Health Communication, 31(8), 964973.

National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors. (2021). Code of ethics.

Stargell, N. A. (2017). Therapeutic relationship and outcome effectiveness: Implications for counselor educators. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 9(2). Web.

The TEDx video discusses some factors that enhance recovery from substance use disorder. These include social support, mental wellness, and hope for the future People with addictions can only recover through the help of professionals, peers, and family. The lack of a support system can deter people from seeking help and contributes to relapse and pushes them to go back to social groups that encourage substance use (TEDx Talks, 2013). The success of a recovery program also depends on a persons hope for the future. Often, people resort to drugs when they experience poor mental health due to stigma and loneliness. To treat addiction, the underlying mental health issue must be resolved. This is connected to the third factor, which is hope for the future. Recovery programs tend to work better for people who are optimistic about the future.

There are also barriers to treatment that curtail the success of recovery programs. The first main problem that people seeking recovery face is the issue of financial constraints. Some programs operate on a cash-only basis which may not be economically feasible for them In addition to this, some programs accept people addicted to one drug but not another. For instance, one detox program rejected people addicted to cigarettes while another rejected those addicted to meth (TEDx Talks, 2013). The difficulty in finding an appropriate program is a barrier to treatment. Another problem is the stigma associated with addiction and recovery. Society labels them as junkies, boozers, pill-poppers, and other derogatory terms. People avoid treatment because of the stigma associated with it.

The Phoenix MultiSport program works well because of several factors. It introduces people to an active lifestyle, including climbing, cycling, and strength training. This is helpful because conquering such physical challenges makes it easier for the participants to overcome their addictions (TEDx Talks, 2013). In addition, the program improves the mental well-being and quality of life of the members. It helps them to deal with feelings of shame and worry associated with addiction and relapse. It is also effective because it is run by instructors who are themselves recovering addicts. They can help the programs patients because they understand their situation. The program is successful because it is not just a recovery program but also a community of people who care for each other.

Reference

TEDx Talks (2013). Transcending addiction and redefining recovery: Jacki Hillios at TEDxBoulder. [YouTube]. Web.

Addiction to alcohol, nicotine, and drugs is a chronic disease. Treatment for such dependence can continue for a long time, but the possibility of relapse will still be preserved. Traditionally, relapse is perceived as a return to substance use after a long break. However, Washton and Zweben (1996) note that the concept has expanded and gone beyond a return to previous harmful habits. Relapse is a complex process provoked by certain triggers that cause personality changes and gradually lead an addicted person to substance abuse. Despite the complexity of the relapse dynamics and the stealth of its signs, therapists can help patients prevent it using specific strategies.

Studying the dynamics of such a regress is crucial for its effective prevention. The risk of disruption is almost constant, but the largest number of cases occurs during 3-6 months after quitting (Washington & Zweben, 1996). Factors that provoke relapse are usually multiple, not just one. Examples of such triggers include events that stimulate a strong emotional response  both positive and negative, cognitive distortions, reminders of periods of abuse, and others.

They activate changes, recognition of which is essential for timely intervention. Experts divided such signs into several categories: high-risk situations, physiological, behavioral, cognitive, and affective warning signs (Washington & Zweben, 1996). Although the indicators and triggers are predominantly individual, the dynamics is similar for the majority of patients.

It is possible to distinguish relapse stages, which form a single chain leading to new substance abuse. First, stress level increases and activates negative thinking and frustration. Then, due to oppression, the patient cannot take measures for self-regulation and, in this way, disrupts the recovery and treatment regime. Quitting the healthy routine provokes a skeptical view of all treatment and then disbelief that getting rid of addiction is possible. Impaired thinking and interrupted processes established during treatment strengthen stress, and the patients become disappointed in themselves. Finally, craving for substances becomes insurmountable, and the dynamics of relapse are completed.

In the early stages of the regress process, patients show signs of behavior and mood change mentioned earlier. The psychologists task is to recognize them and intervene in time, which is easier to do if the dependent person is also aware of the relapse phases and signs. Washington and Zweben (1996) note that patient awareness as part of an educational intervention strategy helps identify traps and signs earlier and is likely to prevent complete treatment disruption. Simultaneously, the therapists must maintain a balance in their judgments and think about how exactly the dependent people perceive them. On the one hand, it is vital to encourage progress, but on the other hand, pay attention to the risk of relapse, not forcing the patients to believe that they are weak and breakdown will happen soon.

Such a balance is also essential in handling the pink cloud  the euphoria of the first months without substances. It is dangerous because patients enjoying new feelings are not ready for stress and the possibility of relapse. To improve awareness, specialists can use methods to analyze both potential disruption cases and real ones, if any happened. The therapists can also ask about events that have occurred as possible signals at regular meetings with patients, thereby determining their potential for regress.

In conclusion, relapse is not just a return to addiction after treatment but a long process triggered by certain factors. The relapse chain begins with stress creating emotional suppression and, as a result provoking inability to self-regulate. It ends with the patients self-disappointment and a new intense craving for substance use. Although triggers are usually individual, they can be recognized, which means that a complete recurrence can be stopped. Not only the therapists professionalism plays a crucial role in prevention, but also the patients awareness of both the risk of relapse and the course of this process.

References

Washton, A.M. & Zweben, J.E. (1996). Treating alcohol and drug problems in psychotherapy practice: Doing what works. Guilford Publications.

In the modern age, the internet and computers have become a common practice, especially in the business sector. Most people rely on these technologies for work, entertainment, homework, communication, or medical advice. Health studies have pointed out significant consequences like addictions with increased dependence on digital advancements. The brain changes can be related to influences caused by reliance on alcohol or drugs. In the article by Davidow, the relationship between internet use and neuroscience is discussed.

The article delineates what people do online and argues that increased dependence on the internet affects peoples brains. According to Davidow (2012), dopamine is released into the brain, and this causes an obsessive pleasure-seeking habit. The context of the articles major claims includes facts that identify how a specific community group is affected. For instance, the author informs that players in the gaming field achieve their goals and receive a reward for new content, which causes the urge to continue playing. Achieving an objective or getting rewarded for an activity stimulates neurons in the midbrain area, releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine.

The article targets major internet users like gamblers or gamers since they are the most affected groups due to their increased urge to fulfill goals, get rewards, or meet satisfaction. Technology companies fall under this audience category because they significantly facilitate access to digital content in different varieties and designs that attract prospective consumers. Moreover, parents are targeted by the information in this resource as they are mostly concerned about their children spending many hours on computers, and this article notifies them of the possible health outcomes. Davidow appeals to these audiences intellect using factual information and employs examples to show the trend. For instance, he informs that obsessive-compulsive behavior linked to computer games started to grow in the 1990s (Davidow, 2012). Moreover, he asserts that there is a challenge to enforce physical barriers and limit internet use, unlike in the past when portable devices were unpopular.

The authors tone of voice is formal and casual as he expresses the change of peoples behaviors towards negative outcomes-based technology trends. However, the author appears casual when shortening words like it is or we are. The authors communication style is effective because it conveys attitudes expressed through words and details that are specifically selected. For instance, Davidow is precise in facts and offers reasonable explanations about companies contributing to internet addictions.

Davidow appeals to ethos or credibility through the use of his expertise on the subject and citing an expert. For example, he quotes the words of Thomas Edison, I find out what the world needs (Davidow, 2012). In appealing to pathos, the author quotes an example of a recent Newsweek cover story that described the harmful effects of being in a compulsion loop (Davidow, 2012). In that way, there is a connection to the audiences emotion concerning adverse outcomes. Moreover, the author informs that in 1957, Vance Packard identified through publication eight hidden needs (Davidow, 2012). As such, this article employs a logos approach by using factual information.

Th author express attitudes through the choice of words, figurative language, supporting evidence, or sentence structure. Davidows attitude can be detected through his formal tone based on word selection and supporting factual information; for example, he says 2 to 4% of gamblers are addicted (Davidow, 2012). Unfortunately, there are no opposing views identified, as the author is informative throughout the article, with supportive details and real-world examples.

Authors of informational materials tend to present ideas while supporting specific contexts, reasons, facts, or evidence to convince the audience. In the process, writers reasoning can be questioned to assess the reliability of the message conveyed. The article by Davidow opens with statements that communicate peoples habits and the consequences involved. The source reveals details on how technology companies are enforcing addiction to internet users, along with the trend of events in societies. Effectively, Davidow highlights the problem by comparing the past and current situation. In that way, he convincingly shows that the issue is getting worse amid the emergence of technological resources. The mode of communication employed by the author is formal and interactive, which engages targets groups such as companies, game players, gamblers, parents, and business leaders. The document ends with insights into how addition can be avoided to function happily in a virtual world. Advisably, users must commit to living without the internet.

To conclude, technology firms play a great role in exploiting the neuroscience of internet addiction through marketing, as revealed in the article. The analyzed resource informs that what people do online triggers dopamine releases in the brains center of pleasure and induce an obsessive behavior of engaging in more internet-based practices. The game company hooks players through rewards with new content once they attain goals, creating the urge to receive more. Moreover, Davidow asserts that the compulsive habit goes beyond games where individuals continually check their phones, emails, or stock prices through portable electronic devices driven by the dopamine effect of expecting good information.

Reference

Davidow, B. (2012). Exploiting the Neuroscience of Internet Addiction. The Atlantic. Web.

The importance of addiction counseling professions grows every day as humanity grapples with the modern worlds challenges. Substance abuse is a serious problem affecting millions of people, with negative consequences for them and society. Therefore, the approaches employed in availing treatment have to be such that they ensure the best outcomes for victims. This article will explore addiction therapy, including the impact of language on treatment and patients, tools and approaches, and their affordances and limitations, among other elements related to this topic.

Addiction therapy can be rendered ineffective by the use of undefined terms, jargon, and folklore terms that lack professional consensus, with negative outcomes for victims. The treatment of persons with substance abuse disorders is undermined when practitioners use unstandardized language. The main reason is that the care lacks the professionalism and intensity needed to make it effective (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). Patients also suffer detrimental consequences, usually stigmatization, in such a care environment (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). Counselors should therefore take the necessary steps to ensure their practice follows tested conventions when delivering interventions.

The importance of using correct, consistent terminology that is defined and generally accepted by professionals lies in the fact that it allows for the delivery of standardized care. Strictly adhering to the disciplines professional language facilitates evidence-based practice that ensures the best outcomes (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). This is true for all stages of the care process, including screening/assessment. This stage is crucial because it determines the path the treatment will follow. The use of reliable, validated tools is important in this phase because it will ensure the counselor makes the correct diagnosis and designs the proper plan (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). The quality of the intervention depends on the robustness of the tools used.

Individual and group counseling theories and techniques are meant to alleviate patient symptoms and set them on the path to recovery. One major misconception I had was that there was one that was better than the rest. I know that is incorrect and that each is based on ideas about human function, not hard evidence (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). Therapists should look at the specific cases requirements before making a choice.

The major counseling approaches include humanistic, cognitive, behavioral, psychoanalytic, constructionist, and systemic. Of these, behavioral and cognitive approaches are the most used in treating people with substance abuse disorders. Behavioral theories hold that people participate in problematic behavior when their environment supports it (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). In treating addiction, counselors might help patients change or redesign their environments to solve their problem. Cognitive theories are based on the idea that people experience psychological and emotional difficulties when their thinking is not in alignment with reality (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). In the context of addiction, these methods might look to show victims how their problem is linked to their thought patterns and how correcting them will solve it.

Therapy can be delivered on either an individual or group basis. Group therapy is usually preferred because it conveniently delivers treatment to multiple individuals simultaneously. However, over-reliance on this approach and inadequate use of individual counseling, case management, medication, or other adjunct therapies comes with important ramifications. The most important limitation is that individuals do not receive the customized, focused interventions they might need for optimal recovery (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). Everything is done collectively, denying participants the personal care they often require.

I believe humans are products of the interplay between their thoughts and environments. We are what we think about, and the degree to which our environment facilitates the same. Experience has shown me that people with substance abuse disorders usually have detrimental notions about drugs and come from backgrounds that make it easy for them to engage in them. As such, the behavioral and cognitive approaches emerge as the best fit with patient needs and my style and personality.

The main challenges I expected when working in the addiction counseling field are solving intermittent attendance and working with uncommitted clients. Clients who fail to attend sessions regularly can impede the treatment process and lower its quality (Lassiter & Culbreth, 2018). I will work with them to assess and address any obstacles that might stand in the way as a method of tackling this issue. Some patients under my care will be there because of directives from the judicial system or other authorities and may feel forced to endure it. These individuals will need careful attention to help them see sense in participating. Areas I may have biases and need to become more self-aware include the belief in an individuals ability to stop addiction immediately and the view that one has to hit rock bottom to see the need for therapy. Areas I need to develop more in-depth knowledge and skills to work in addiction counseling include assessment/evaluation tools and care plan customization in treatment.

Addiction is a significant problem with personal and societal ramifications. This issue is associated with high costs that harm individual and collective outcomes. Different effective therapies and methods have been created to tackle substance abuse disorder, and proper application is now the biggest challenge. Counselors must adhere to standard language and tools to ensure the best results for all stakeholders. There is always hope for victims, and trained professionals play a big role in delivering the same.

Reference

Lassiter, P. S., & Culbreth, J. R. (2018). Theory and practice of addiction counseling (1st ed.). Sage Publications, Inc.

Introduction

Mitochondrion plays a very vita role in energy transduction in human body especially brain. Mitochondrion has got its own genetic material that helps in coding for polypeptides. It has its complexes I-V that are encoded for by mitochondrion DNA. A review is going to be done on scientific journals that touch on genes and epigenetic regulations of learning and memory, addiction and Parkinsons disease.

Main body

Gould (2007) asserts that neurogenesis occurs in the brains of adult mammals in the period of their life. This happens in the sub-ventricular zone and the sub-granular zone. Neurons found in the sub-ventricular zone do migrate over long distances to become granule neurons and periglomerular neurons.

Paradies et al 2011 asserts that aging is a biological process that occurs when cells bio-energetic function is impaired and elevated oxidative stress. It can also be occasioned when the cells ability to respond to stress gets attenuated and age related disorders that are related to contracting. This affects tissues of the brain and heart hence an effect on heart and the brain. Oxidative stress is widely believed to contribute to a number of aging processes by rendering the respiratory chain process dysfunctional. When the mitochondrion is exposed to oxidants in the presence of calcium ions, their permeability can be induced. This can have adverse effects on the functions of the mitochondrion. Cardiolipin is pivotal in mitochondrion energy transduction processes. It is also very important in apoptosis. It stabilizes the mitochondrion membrane as well as its dynamics. When the Cardiolipin structure, content, and its hydrocarbon chain profile are changed, the mitochondrion does not function normally in several tissues hence the affected tissues wear out. The electron transport system that takes place in the mitochondria helps a great deal in energy transduction processes in aerobic organisms. This process makes use of five protein complexes that is complex I-V. These are NADH dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, ubiquinone-cytochrome c oxidoreductase, cytochrome c oxidase, and ATP synthase respectively. Complexes I, III, IV helps in pumping protons across the inner mitochondrial space. This creates an electrochemical gradient used by complex V to generate ATP. Electron transport system helps in generation of ROS. Mitochondrion is therefore the main source of ROS. A significant amount of oxygen that the cell takes up is usually converted by mitochondrion into ROS especially when the mitochondrion produces the superoxide ion. Most of the oxygen that the cells take up are normally used in oxidative phosphorylation. Oxidative phosphorylation however produces a form of a harmful ROS. The effects of the produced harmful ROS are always remedied by an antioxidant defense system (Jiang, 2008). Aging begin to occur when the structures of the protein get modified. Oxidative damage can also substantially contribute to biological aging. The extent to which proteins get damaged by oxidative processes depend heavily on the position of the radical oxidant to the protein that is targeted, the nature of the protein and its location relative to source of the oxidant and the concentration of the available antioxidant. Oxidative damage to proteins makes them loose their ability to perform certain biochemical functions. The proteins that get oxidized because of age related issues may be protein specific rather than being a random process. The brain is quite often affected by damages occasioned oxidation because it has high concentration of peroxidizeable fatty acids. It also has iron that plays part in free radical production. The tissues of the brain are also not sufficient in protective antioxidant enzymes. The regions of brain that get affected by oxidation are the midbrain, hippocampus, and triatum. The regions around the cortex and cerebellum do show very limited evidences of effects of oxidation. The regions of the brain that get affected by the oxidative processes exhibit functional as well as morphological changes with aging. Mitochondrion ROS contribute to aging when they accumulate mutations of mitDNA. Mitochondrial DNA is major target of cellular oxidative damage. When the mitochondrion bioenergetic processes are jeopardized, lethal cell injury can occur. MitDNA is also prone to attack from ROS. The body mitochondrion DNA mutations that occur in ones life contribute to physiological decline characteristic with aging. These mutations lead to large-scale deletions and point mutations. These activities show that the mitochondrion is experiencing a decline in its functions. Damage of mitDNA is propagated at the time when the cell and the mitochondria divide. This makes the effects of such processes grave. Age related changes to mitochondrion functions could lead to alteration of lipid membrane environment surrounding proteins risk getting altered. Mitochondrial membrane fluidity alterations do affect the respiratory chain activities. Protein gradient also get generated. Phospholipids being the most abundant lipids in the membrane of the cell define membrane permeability barrier as well as modulating the functions of the membrane. The occurrence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in mitochondrial phospholipids renders them the primary target for reactions with oxidizing agents. A number of inner mitochondrion membrane proteins are capable of interacting with Cardiolipin. These membrane proteins comprise the complexes I-V of the electron transport chain. These complexes bind the proteins with a very high affinity (Ballas and Mendel, 2005). The CL plays a very central role in bioenergetic processes. Its ability to interact with proteins helps in formation and stabilization of the super complexes of the mitochondria. Because of the role CL plays in energy transduction process, its alteration in whatever nature can be so deleterious to mitochondrial physiopathology hence changes in mitochondrial bioenergetic parameters like its ability to act as the carrier of anion.

Amo et al., (2011) infer that recessive Parkinsons disease is necessitated by mutations in PINK1. They allude to the fact that cells that have been cultured get most of their energy from glycolysis. Cells that do not have stable source of energy are able to grow at a very slower rate in normal medium. Cells that grow in galactose medium do oxidize pyruvate through by mitochondrial energy transduction mechanism. Cells that manufacture their energy with the help of mitochondria exhibit growth impairment in media that is enriched with galactose. Growth impairment of human cells in galactose medium is often occasioned by mitochondrial respiratory chain inefficiency. Loss of PINK1 interferes with the functions of the mitochondrion. PINK1 MEF can be a potential PD model hence retarded growth occasioned by decrease in mitochondrion respiratory activity. They are therefore very important in evaluating the roles played by PINK1 and how it influences mitochondrial dysfunction. Fission of mitochondria followed by mitochondrial selective fusion contributes to segregation of mitochondria that has been damaged. These processes contribute decrease in membrane potential hence their autophagy. PINK1-parkin pathway contributes to mitochondrial elimination mechanism. Hence, mitochondrial removal is not required by proton leak but by respiratory chain defects.

Conclusion

Neurosis in mammalian brain occurs in sub-ventricular and sub-granular region. Aging is occasioned by impairment that the bioenergetic processes are subjected to. Oxidative stress is known to render respiratory chain dysfunctional. CL is pivotal in energy transduction process other than being very pivotal in apoptosis.

Reference List

Amo, T. et al., (2011). Mitochondrial membrane potential decrease caused by loss of PINK1 is not due to proton leak, but to respiratory chain defects. Neurobiology of Disease, 41, 111118.

Ballas, N., and Mandel, G. (2005). The many faces of REST oversee epigenetic programming of neuronal genes. Curr. Opin. Neurobiology. 15, 500506.

Gould, E. (2007). How widespread is adult neurogenesis in mammals? Nat. Rev. Neurosci., 8, 481488.

Jiang, Y. et al., (2008). Epigenetics in the Nervous System. The Journal of Neuroscience. 28(46):1175311759.

Paradies G. et al., (2011). Mitochondrial dysfunction in brain aging: Role of oxidative stress and Cardiolipin, Neurochemistry International, 58, 447457.

Introduction

The concept of addiction has disturbed me for a long time since I know how people struggle with breaking their harmful habits and stopping drinking, smoking, or doing drugs. I believe it is of utmost importance to understand how to help individuals who struggle with staying sober or stopping their destructive obsessions. Unfortunately, any type of addiction worsens a persons health and leads to quicker or unexpected death, meaning that curing this disorder is paramount to saving ones life.

Discussion

To begin with, addiction is a complex disease that may develop due to many different reasons related to the mental health of an individual. However, I was surprised to learn that addiction is, in a way brain disorder (HMA Institute on Addiction, 2018; Grisel, 2019). Yet having thought about it, it seems reasonable to relate the illness to how the human brain works, considering that desire for drugs, alcohol, or other things is in no way physical. Addiction is just a persons way of temporarily forgetting about life issues, negative emotions, and unpleasant feelings.

Furthermore, the treatment of this disease is not existent since every person can be cured in ones way. Having listened to and read much information about how it is challenging to help people with their addictions, I was prompted to contemplate the matter more (HMA Institute on Addiction, 2018). Naturally, taking away the drugs from a drug addict will do no good, considering that one will seek other ways of getting the substances that may endanger ones life. When addicts are forbidden from accessing the desired object, they cease to think rationally as their primary focus is on doing whatever is needed to get what they want.

Conclusion

Therefore, I realize how challenging it is to know how to help people who struggle with addictions. I now recognize the criticality of finding an approach for every individual and supporting them throughout the whole process of curing this harmful habit. Moreover, I have learned that it is not recommended to drastically remove what the addicts desire as they can become aggressive and irrational.

Reference

Grisel, J. (2019). Adaptation. In Never enough: The neuroscience and Experience of Addiction (1st ed., pp. 3549). Anchor.

HMA Institute on Addiction. (2018). Addiction neuroscience 101 [Video]. YouTube. Web.