Abstract
The awareness of addictions is growing at an alarming rate in the United States. Many health care professionals are working overtime in treating people with disabling addictions. But within the mental health care profession, many are divided as to the arising issue and cause of addiction. This paper researches addictions and their causes and tries to answer questions regarding whether addictions are genetic or a learned behavior. The paper also takes a look at the environmental influences that can make people susceptible to addictions and what causes someone to develop an addictive personality.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Genetic Causes
Environment effects
How It Begins
Testing and Diagnosis
Treatment and Drugs
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The fact that it is now well known and accepted that addictions have the two primary contributing causes (genetic and environmental influences) may assist in the improvement of drug addiction treatment. And although there is no definitive physiological testing available to identify those genetically susceptible, mental health care professionals can identify an addiction probability using other methods. It is important to know that drug addiction, as well as any addiction, is not just a psychological disorder. Addiction is a disease that develops with the combination of genetic and environmental influences and this means it can be prevented."

Tags:drug abuse, neuroscience

Abstract
This paper examines how The threat of HIV/AIDS is, without much contest, one of the greatest human health crises in the modern world and how left unchecked, the virus threatens to consume much of the world's population, particularly among populations in Third World countries, which already suffer under less than adequate health care. It looks at how injection drug users (IDUs) account for an alarmingly large proportion of new cases, especially in Third World countries. It also discusses how the relationship between drug addiction and HIV/AIDS is an important one to understand, as well as the costs that the virus inflicts on societies worldwide.

Tags:hiv, aids, drugs

Abstract
The statement of the problem can be best summarized as follows: adolescents that attend treatment do so either by court appointment or voluntarily and whether they complete their treatment or drop out of the program may be related to whether they agree to attend the treatment or are forced to attend it. In light of this problem statement, there are three hypotheses presented in this study. The paper attempts to validate or invalidate them at the completion of the current study so that a deeper understanding of the issue can be obtained. The three hypotheses that are looked at are:
* Hypothesis One: Adolescents that enter treatment voluntarily are more committed to living clean and sober lives than those that are forced through the courts to attend treatment.
* Hypothesis Two: Adolescents that enter treatment voluntarily have lower drop out rates and higher completion rates for their treatment programs than those that enter court appointed treatment.
* Hypothesis Three: Adolescents that enter voluntary treatment have a lower relapse rate than those that attend court appointed treatment programs and they remain clean and sober for longer periods of time if they do relapse.
There are other issues that could be studied and hypothesized about when it comes to adolescents and their treatment for drugs and alcohol, but the three listed above are the ones that are the most significant. Validating or invalidating the three hypotheses presented here will provide many researchers and others that study and struggle with this issue more insight into the ways that they might want to work on the issue in the future. If adolescents really perform better when they enter treatment voluntarily, finding ways to show them the seriousness of their problems and getting them to want treatment may become a key issue in the future, as opposed to simply forcing them into a court appointed treatment program that they will suffer through and then return to their old lifestyle.
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Introduction
Background
Statement of the Problem
Purpose of the Study
Importance of the Study
Scope of the Study
Limitations of the Study
Rationale for the Study
Overview of the Study
Chapter Two
Review of Related Literature
Chapter Three
Methodology
Research Design and Approach
Population and Sample
Collection of Data
Data Analysis Procedures
Chapter Four
Analysis of the Data
Addiction Severity Index - Adjusted to Use as a Survey
Chapter Five
Summary, Recommendations, and Conclusion
Works Cited

From the Paper
"Addiction is something that has been around for many years, and there have been increasingly new ways of treating it that have been created over the course of much research and study. There are many different forms that addiction takes, and there are many different drugs and substances that someone can become addicted to, even if they are not of the age that most people would think of when they picture people that would start down that particular road. Most individuals think of addicts as primarily young, minority men in their 20s and 30s that rob, steal, and cause other problems in order to get their drugs or alcohol. However, there are also many women that are addicted to various substances, and although race is a factor when looking at addiction numbers, there are plenty of people of all races and ethnic backgrounds that struggle with addiction and many of the problems that it can cause."

Tags:substance, abuse, rehabilitation

Abstract
This paper takes a look at addictions such as drug usage and gambling. The author first defines the term addiction and takes a look at what makes a person an addict, be it to food, drugs or cigarettes. In particular, the paper looks at dependency on drugs and addiction to gambling and examines how these addictions prove to be a strong hindrance to people's chance of living a quality life.

Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Definitions of Addiction
DSM IV Substance Dependence
Drug Addiction
Gambling Addiction
Conclusion
References

From the Paper
"Nature has a way of making people addicted to some extent. There is that thing in people that hooks them with anything that will give pleasure and remove pain. Millions of people have habits or cravings not only to drugs, alcohol, food and cigarettes; but also to sleeping pills, tranquilizers, amphetamines, coffee, sugar, gambling, exercise, sex, love and many others. But that does not necessarily qualify them as addicts. It is normal for people to want some things because of the good feeling they get out of it. For others, it is the feeling of relief in avoiding the pain caused by stopping the habit that makes them keep on the habit. Fewer others are simply drowned and powerless to stop. What then makes a real addict different from everybody else who craves for things that bring pleasure and avoids pain? The answer to this has long been debated by scientists and researchers for decades with many different versions published."

Tags:addictive behaviors, substance abuse DSM

Abstract
This paper examines common behaviors associated across many different drugs of abuse. In particular, the paper discusses how dopamine transmission in the limbic pathway seems to be a "happy zone" target for the high associated with drugs (and sex and other addicting behaviors). The paper analyzes whether a "generic" treatment could suppress addiction across all abusive behavior or whether there would be unforeseen circumstances.

From the Paper
"Is there a common molecular pathway for addiction? All drugs despite targeting distinctly different areas of the brain and peripheries, nevertheless predictably result in shared symptomatic effects after acute or chronic use, and subsequent withdrawal. On the habit-forming side, pharmacologically rewarding response mechanisms encourage repeat use which inexorably leads vulnerable individuals to addiction. On the flip side, withdrawal awakens similarly negative behavioral and associative learning cues that contribute to the intense cravings that begin the cycle anew. The author proposes that these universal neural and molecular pathways be identified as a kind of generic..."

Tags:drug, addiction, psychology

Abstract
This paper attempts to develop a model or framework for a therapeutic approach to be used to assist in the treatment of clients in particular, those who struggle with addiction. People can be addicted to anything from alcohol, drugs or other substances to gambling, food and dysfunctional relationships. The model integrates three types of therapies: Feminist Therapy, Adlerian Therapy and Person centered and Behavioral Therapy. It examines how the choices to use these therapies was based in the fact that many addiction issues have to do with problems that are best served by behavior modifications, as well as holistic talk therapy. It discusses the implementation of the model into the therapy itself through individual sessions and the use of surveys, questionnaires and family to understand the issues.

From the Paper
"While addiction is a problem of the person who is addicted it affects the entire family. Children, parents and spouses of the addict often have to remember the things the addict said and did while the addict has the benefit of substance amnesia. The family often becomes so used to the enabling behavior they have followed that there are many resentment issues that surface during the addict's recovery process(Reilly, 1979). I know from my past experience that it is important to treat the entire family when it comes to substance abuse. There are also many issues at play including the enabling behaviors and the co-dependant roles that the family members have been playing, sometimes for many years as part of the addict family."

Tags:feminist, adlerian, prson, centered, beavioral, alcohol, drugs, food

Abstract
This paper examines a highly effective, behaviorally based program that works for the treatment of addiction. This is the Challenges Relapse Treatment and Prevention Program for Addictions located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The paper discusses this program and why it works. The philosophical views of its founder and program's negative aspects, despite its success, are also discussed.

From the Paper
"Judge Marion Edwards, a state judge in Louisiana, has noted that cognitive behavioral therapy programs in general and relapse prevention programs in particular have been found to be extremely effective for DWI offenders in the state, so much so that it is recommended, b yEdwards, that all DWI offenders be sentenced to it. What should be noted here is that Judge Edwards is far from the only person lauding cognitive behavioral programs for people who..."

Tags:relapse prevention, behavior therapy, addictions

Abstract
This paper briefly looks at what it means to be an addict and describes various forms of addiction. It looks at some sociological theories about addiction and quitting an addiction and applies these to cigarette and drug addictions.

From the Paper
"Addiction is a strong word, with huge meaning behind it. Saying a person is addicted to something can have very different meanings to everyone. Addiction is an overwhelming craving that makes a person feel out of control. The argument develops around the point of whether a person has control over their addiction or if the addiction controls the person."

Tags:cigarette, drug, addict, control, free, will, quit

Abstract
This paper examines addiction and addictive behaviors as a social issue in Canada. The paper discusses the scope and nature of the problem, possible solutions, and policy responses. It further discusses whether addictions are a cause or consequence of the social conditions associated with them.

From the Paper
"Addictions are a serious social problem in Canada as in other Western industrial countries and indeed in most, if not all, societies around the world. The prohibition of alcohol and other addictive substances and behaviors by several world religions attest that the problem of addiction is an ancient one. Addictions and the patterns of behavior associated with addiction cause enormous misery to addicts and those around them and on society as a whole."

Tags:addiction, compulsive, behavior, drugs, gambling, canada, policy

Abstract
This paper discusses a program of meditation introduced in Indian prisons, Vipassana, that enables inmates to overcome addiction and problems of mental health while gaining a new orientation of themselves and their situations. The paper examines the Vipassana experiment in New Delhi's Tihar Jail and discusses the benefits of implementing this program into Canadian prisons.

Outline:
Introduction
Addictions and Canadian Offenders
Recognizing Addiction in India
What is Vipassana?
Closing Gaps in Practice and Planning
Concluding Discussion

From the Paper
"Terry explained that Canadian recidivism often revolves around an offender's ability to cope with addiction, the ex-offender a person having overcome addiction, and the repeat offender a person not having achieved this. (2002) Canadian officials and institutions need to look further afield for programming, bearing in mind how Third World settings are keenly hampered by fiscal concerns. In short, a program affordable and effective in India is apt to prove effective given the extra supports available in the West. Moreover, what has been offered to Canadian federal offenders has not always served addicted offenders well -- the addict is frequently the 'repeat offender' with whom Federal prisons often deal."

Tags:substance, abuse, de-addiction, repeat, offenders, Tihar, jail