Hendricks 1About 570,000 people die annually due to drug use (National Drug Intelligence Center 2010). Unfortunately, people view addicts as lowlifes with no intentions other than taking drugs every day. However, I firmly believe that others should not unfairly judge people suffering from drug addiction.Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs can change the brain to foster compelling drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as physically and mentally weak. The drug is an addict's life, therefore they b ...view middle of the document...
It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain; they change its structure and how it works (McLellan 2000). Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. It is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary. Over time the changes in the brain caused by the constant repeat of the use of drugs can affect a person's self control and ability to make certain decisions.Hendricks 2Many of the major theories of addiction also identify an important role of stress in the addiction process. Stress is a well-known risk factor in the development of addiction relapse. Preclinical research shows that stress exposure enhances drug self-administration and reinstalls drug seeking (Sinha 2006). Mental health problems such as stress typically start during adolescence and if left untreated can lead to substance abuse (Associated Press 2014). In 2006, more than two million teens between the ages of 12 to 17 met symptomatic criteria for addiction on unauthorized drugs (Sinha 2006).As one can see, drugs are extremely dangerous. Many drugs are very harmful and can lead to deathly decisions. People affected by this disease did not choose to have it, but fight each and every day for their life. This is why I believe others should not unfairly judge those suffering from drug addiction.
