General Psych Research Paper

Submitted By mbechard20
Words: 2135
Pages: 9
Open Document
Prescription Pill Addiction 1
Understanding Prescription Pill Addiction
Prescription pill addiction is a chronic and progressive disease characterized by the inability to restrain from prescription drug use, even when the addict knows the negative and harmful consequences. Prescription drug use has become more wide spread than ever with thirty-four percent of American adults taking at least one prescription drug, and eleven and a half percent taking three or more prescribed medications. (http://www.rehabs.com) Initially, the behavior provides a sense of stability and pleasure that is not able to be achieved in other ways. After a while in order for the addict to even function and feel normal they will need to do the behavior. In both chemical and behavioral addictions there are four components present, compulsion/obsession, loss of control, negative consequences, and denial. Some people’s bodies may actually be wired to seek substances enhancing their pleasure or reducing discomfort, which is making them predisposed to addiction. In some bodies, the predisposition will happen because the body will naturally produce insufficient quantities of neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that send signals between nerve cells and bind to receptor sites on the receiving neuron. (Myers, 2011, pg. 36) They also are an important factor in the development and maintenance of addictions. Adrenalin, noradrenalin, dopamine, and GABA are all neurotransmitters that play a role in the process of addiction. Biological or disease influences, psychological factors, and environmental influences are all also factors in the development and maintenance of addictions. The abuse of prescription medication is at an all-time high in the United States. Individuals abuse these drugs because they are easily accessed by physicians, and an inexpensive way of altering the user’s mental and physical state. There are some individuals

Prescription Pill Addiction 2 who also believe that these drugs are a “safer high” but there is nothing safe about prescription drugs, in fact overdoses involving prescription drugs are now at epidemic levels.
Prescription drugs that most often lead to addiction include central nervous system depressants, opioid pain killers, and stimulant medications. Each of these drugs when used as prescribed can be beneficial and helpful to a person. Opioid pain killers are prescribed to treat pain in people that have pain due to slow healing injuries, chronic health conditions, and short-term but severe pain from surgical procedures. The nerve receptors in the body that cause a person to feel pain are blocked by the opioids. As well as blocking the nerve receptors in the body the opioids also affect the regions of the brain that become aware of pleasure, this then results in an initial feeling of intense excitement and happiness followed by a drowsy, calm feeling. Central nervous system depressants are prescribed to treat muscle tension, sleep disorders, anxiety disorders, and seizure disorders. They affect the body by slowing the brain function and produce a drowsy, calm effect. Lastly, stimulant medications are used for treating patients with ADHD or narcolepsy. This drug slowly increases the production of dopamine, and when it is taken as prescribed it increases energy, attention, and alertness. Unfortunately, a lot of the time these drugs are used in the wrong way such as the following: opioid pain killers and central nervous system depressants are both used to get high, relax in social situations, and relieve stress, while stimulant medications are also used to get high but also to decrease appetite.
Risks associated with prescription drug abuse depend on the type of drug it is. When a person abuses opioids, narcotics, and pain relievers it can result in life-threatening respiratory depression, which is reduced breathing. Depressant abusers put themselves at risk of seizures, decreased heart rate, and
Show More

Related Documents: General Psych Research Paper

Social Media Essay

Google The topic that I choose to do research on was the effects of social media sites on todays youth. I think that taking a look at something like this and how the addiction of sites like facebook, twitter, and istagram have both negative and positive effects on the development of our future leaders. While there are two sides to every coin I don’t believe that most users see the underlying effects of social media and the problems that it causes. In this paper I will take a look at the information…

Words 1378 - Pages 6

Examples Of Analysis Paper

Analysis Paper Choose a problem that's important to you, analyze the situation using social psychological concepts, then propose a solution (based on social psychological theory). To define your problem, you can draw on your personal life experiences, films, news events, etc. In the past, general paper topics have ranged from the environment, to racism on campus or in sports, to the media's portrayal of women. In developing ideas, keep a sharp eye on events in the world and your life as class progresses…

Words 1321 - Pages 6

Schizophrenia Paper

Schizophrenia because people have the mindset of thinking they’re crazy when that isn’t the case. Schizophrenia is a serious mental disorder that shouldn’t be taken lightly. “People with schizophrenia have a higher risk of medical illness than does the general population”(Connolly, Kelly, p.125). Many people suffering from Schizophrenia have learned to live their lives normally by taking slower steps. What people fail to realize is that living with this disorder isn’t an easy task. According to Champagne…

Words 694 - Pages 3

Phobias and addiction Essay

Ashely Winbush 9/5/2014 PSY/300 General Psychology Carlton Bowden Phobias and Addiction Paper In this paper you will find out about phobias and addictions and how the relate to operant and classical conditions. It will explain how phobias are related to classical conditions, and how addictions are related to operant conditions. When reading this paper you will be able to see the difference between operant and classical conditions. It will also…

Words 1022 - Pages 5

Multicultural Competency Paper

Multicultural Competency Paper Psych 535 June 24, 2013 Dr. Gretchen Brandhorst Multicultural Competency Paper Individuals, who have the ability of understanding and appreciating an adequate amount of another culture while having the ability to communicate and work with individuals from that culture, are socially capable. The American Psychological Association formed a group of culture detailed and multiethnic rules. These particular guidelines supply a platform for psychologists for…

Words 887 - Pages 4

Visual Information Processing Paper

Visual Information Processing Paper Laura Nancy Vargas PSYCH/64 December 2, 2013 Holly Berry Perception Paper Humans have a unique and wonderful device in how one sees. The eye and brain work together to turn the world into visual data one’s brain can understand and use. There are some eye conditions that inhibit the sight or the recognition of the shapes one sees. Research continues to overcome these conditions as well as to further understand the biochemical reaction that gives humans…

Words 1591 - Pages 7

Intelligence and Theory Essay

we deal with the environment around us. We often use the term “street smarts” as part of this component so we can gage how to deal with thing in our real worlds. I can identify with the Triarchic theory of intelligence. While doing the research for this paper and trying to figure out which one best fits me. I have always viewed myself as an analytical person that thinks and solves problems around me. Growing up I have always felt I saw my environment a little differently, and it is hard to explain…

Words 890 - Pages 4

Counselor: Citation and Sample Apa Essay

page, and show up on every page of the paper. The content of the upper header should contain a shortened version of your paper’s title in all caps, left justified and the page number right justified. NOTE: The phrase, “Running head,” should only be placed on the title page. The remaining pages will only include the shortened title in all caps and the page number. Sample APA Formatted Paper for the TWU School of Management Jane Pioneer (your name) This paper is submitted in partial fulfillment of…

Words 2495 - Pages 10

Reviewing The Psychological Effects Of Teenage Pregnancy, Through The Art Of Pablo Picasso

Reviewing the Psychological Effects of Teenage Pregnancy Through the Art of Pablo Picasso On my journey to find a piece of art for my term paper, I was excited because this was the first time I had gone to the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) and I felt it was going to be a experience to last a lifetime. I wanted to pick a painting that was attractive but rather in depth. As I walked through MOMA, I had seen several paintings that I can choose but I decided to check one more floor and came across…

Words 2394 - Pages 10

The Recruitment Process from an Organizational and Applicant Perspective Essay

Applying Organizational Psychology Joy Peoples PSYCH/570/Organizational Psychology June 11, 2012 Introduction The focus of this paper provides a brief examination of the recruiting process from both an organizational, and applicants perspective. This brief overview attempts to explain how organizations use various methods to recruit prospective employees. This paper also explains the methods prospective employees, or applicants use to determine the quality and appropriateness of…

Words 1572 - Pages 7