Drug Addiction and Points Earned Essay

Submitted By Jennifer-Caruso
Words: 2601
Pages: 11
Open Document
Lets Be Blunt: Do Social Addictions Call the Shots?

By: Jennifer Caruso-Riordan
Com/155
June 11, 2014
Instructor: Sara Hinton
University of Phoenix

Lets Be Blunt: Do Social Addictions Call the Shots?

Russian roulette is the game of life and death, taking chances and beating the odds. Imagine placing a single bullet in the chamber of a pistol, putting that pistol to your head, and then pulling the trigger. In America, an average of 130 million people are current drinkers. How often do legal age adults go to dinner, to a bar, or over a friend’s house where they consume enough alcohol to put them over the legal limit? How many of those people attempt to drive home? Alcohol, hormones, and daily medications, could lead to a lethal night of legal drinking, driving, and generally enjoying company of those around you. Alcohol is a legal substance in the United States, yet it is responsible for the death of an unprecedented number or people. Americans chastise those who use marijuana as a social or recreational drug of choice. Marijuana has been labeled the gateway drug, an illegal drug; however, there is no record indicating a single loss of life attributed to marijuana. A non-addictive, non-life threatening, and medically valuable natural crop has been deemed illegal? Drinking is a gamble many take, and the probability of the evening ending in disaster has occurred far too many times with 28 Americans dying each day due to drunk driving. Everyday millions of Americans gamble on the chance of drinking, and using good judgment to know when enough is enough. So, why not play a round of Roulette, put your life in your own hands, and just pull the trigger? Alcohol in the United States is portrayed as the socially acceptable way to relax: take pleasure in an evening with friends, and have a good time making memories. Many typically consume alcohol to ease their mind: a stressful day at work, an argument with their partner, or received news that altered their mood. As a society we consume alcohol to celebrate as well: marriages, children, promotions, and birthdays. The truth is that what seems like a harmless night out; consequently, can quickly result in a devastating event that will forever change you, and your loved ones lives.

One of the most demoralizing effects of alcohol is the grasp on the addict’s soul. Alcohol is extremely addictive and has lasting physical effects on the brain and body. The addiction itself is more dangerous, deadly, and equally destructive as heroin and crack cocaine. Alcohol withdrawal is both mental and physical, torturing the addicts psyche with the fear of life without their only true ally. The addiction forces the addict to believe drinking makes them more social, friendly, and efficient in they’re work. Alcohol dependence will cause physical, and mental withdrawals. Dependence can cause depression, isolation, tremors, and ulcers. Long-term use will result in Cirrhosis of the liver, frontal lobe brain damage, and even death. The only benefits related to moderate consumption of alcohol are slight improvements to cardiovascular health, a reduction of stress, and decreased risk for type II diabetes? The definition of moderate is 1.5 ounces of spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer a day.

Do you think most Americans limit their consumption to a moderate level? How many Americans consume the moderate amount daily for the possible benefits to their health? Do you think other substances, such as Marijuana if made legal, could provide more efficient medicinal purposes, lower addiction risk, and fewer deaths attributed in comparison to alcohol?

Marijuana was made illegal 5 years after the prohibition on alcohol was lifted in 1932. The reasons marijuana became illegal are based on greed, propaganda, and fear of the unknown. In 1937 the ban on marijuana was created because large corporations convinced the people through propaganda, and false advertising, that marijuana
Show More

Related Documents: Drug Addiction and Points Earned Essay

Arguments Against Welfare Drug Testing

Controversies article “Welfare Drug Testing: Should the government require that welfare recipients take drug tests?” the two sides of the argument are given. Most people oppose to the recipients being drug tested. Issues & Controversies states, “Welfare drug-testing efforts have faced legal challenges from recipients who argue that such tests violate the Fourth Amendment to…

Words 572 - Pages 3

Adderall: Attention-deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and nowadays College Students Essay

Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) This drug behavior occurs most frequently in Americans aged eighteen to twenty two years old, it is twice as common among those attending college, who use the drug as a study-aid to enhance alertness and concentration.” (2010, Karim Tazin). Adderall is a drug given to children who suffer from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). This drug has different effects on children and adults. Nowadays college students use this drug to help them motivate themselves in…

Words 1384 - Pages 6

Essay on Recidivism: Prison and Correctional Education

ABSTRACT As a result of tough on crime policies and the subsequent war on drugs, the number of individuals involved with criminal justice system continues to rise at alarming rates. Since 1980, the incarceration rate has tripled. 1 in 20 Americans will spend time in prison during their lifespan. The numbers speaks for themselves. Currently there are an estimated 2 million people in U.S. federal and state prisons. Given the unprecedented rise of individuals now involved with the American criminal…

Words 1814 - Pages 8

Multiculturalism: Drug Addiction and Certain Drugs Essay

Drugs and Alcohol Addiction Drugs and alcohol are not something that you want to get involved with. You may think it will make you look "cool," the long terms effects of the drugs and alcohol will put a severe strain on you not only physically but mentally as well. It will cause you to become severely dependent on them, cause diseases like cancer, it will cause strained relationships, cost you tons of money, and cause bad decision making. When you start doing drugs and alcohol you never think…

Words 922 - Pages 4

Essay about Mackelmore and Youth Theology

is sound enough to explore Macklemore’s influence on popular culture, specifically youth culture. Lynch’s method will be especially helpful due to the heavy topics that Macklemore explores in his work. Themes like: Homosexuality, Consumerism, Drug Addiction, and Satire are explicitly addressed in Macklemore’s songs. These topics are extremely relevant and important in both popular culture but also youth culture. Macklemore’s opinion on these particular issues could be considered as controversial…

Words 2611 - Pages 11

Legalizing Medical Marijuana Essays

Legalizing Marijuana In 1969 a Gallup poll showed that only twelve percent of Americans favored legalizing marijuana, where as by stark contrast, a Gallup poll taken in October of 2013 shows that fifty eight percent of Americans now believe the drug should be legalized (Swift par. 1). In recent years there is a growing movement to decriminalize marijuana possession as well as legalize it for medicinal use in the United States. Proponents for both sides have made arguments about the risks and the…

Words 1727 - Pages 7

Medical Marijuana Case Study

Introduction The trade of drugs and trafficking is a considerable part of the black market economy around the world, which actually happened because of the relatively recent government bans and regulations regarding the preparation, distribution and also the consumption of drugs; especially the drugs that are mind altering in nature such as heroin, marijuana, and cocaine. Although the government and the supporters of such regulations and bans argue that drugs that have mind altering can cause worst…

Words 1920 - Pages 8

Cause And Effect Essay

Patrick Sullivan MLA Cause and Effect: The Revolution of Alcohol on the New America After the birth of our nation, many freedoms were welcomed, which were once an afterthought during colonial rule. With these freedoms came the opportunity for some to capitalize on the new horizon of social birth and change. In what was supposed to be a united and unilateral based government and…

Words 2176 - Pages 9

Marilyn Monroe Essay

acting with Lee Strasberg at the Actors’ Studio (Biography.com 1). She returned to the screen there on after in the dramatic comedy Bus Stop, which she received great praise for. In 1959, Monroe performed in a popular comedy, Some like It Hot which earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Comedy. Her most memorable and last performance was The Misfits (1961), adventure drama. Just a year later, Marilyn was offered a role in Something’s Got to Give but was dismissed for missing too many…

Words 1513 - Pages 7

Adhd in Children Essay

appropriate ways (Barkley 19)". The most important job for teachers and parents is to separate fact from fiction, to clarify what we know and don't know. Properly diagnosing ADHD, medication choices, and behavioral interventions are the key focal point. Is medication truly worth the side effects? Diagnosing ADHD As the name implies,…

Words 1943 - Pages 8