Addiction to drugs and alcohol is a social issue that affects many people around the world. Not only does it affect the addict themselves, but their families and friends as well. It is estimated that the annual value of the global illegal drugs trade is around $400 billion. ( www.alcoholism-and-drug-addiction-help.com) The addiction can be not only from illicit drugs but alcohol consumption as well. This indicates that the demand for these drugs is immense and a major concern to everyday society. The reasoning behind why people take illegal drugs is broad and so too is the way in which an individual responds to drugs – whether or not they become addicted and the severity of the addiction. I must admit that my original view on drug use and abuse was that these people were weak and had no self-control. I did not understand the severity of the issue both biologically and environmentally. I did not understand that some addicts are harbouring emotional trauma and use drugs and/or alcohol to numb the constant pain. I was ignorant to the fact that the brain can get so used to the drug of choice that the addict needs more and more of it to get the same effect as it once did. (www.drugabuse.gov) I have chosen Addiction as my topic for reflection as I have the disease of addiction in my family and have seen first hand the fall from grace that takes place as well as the complexity of the issue. Good introductio
My original opinion on addiction was somewhat ignorant and started from a very early age. I grew up in the United States of America and I witnessed addicts who had been homeless for some time. It was a major concern to the residents of San Diego, California. I knew no different. I thought they were lazy and had decided to make their lives easier by having fewer things, or virtually no things and letting others give them handouts to survive the elements. I saw many of them strung out on drugs and/or drinking alcohol in groups. They would use cardboard boxes for...