Exploratory Review Paper

Addiction: Mind, Body, & Drugs
An exploratory review of the psychological and physical effects of addiction through drug use

James Driggars
University of Phoenix

Everyday many people get pressured into trying drugs or simply decide to cross the line of the taboo of society due to curiosity or, often, just plain boredom. Many people who become addicted to drugs began taking them recreationally, but in many cases, this recreational 'flight of fantasy' or 'mental escape' comes with more than the user bargained for. Unfortunately for most people, they are either unaware or uncaring of their family or ethnic background that may be markers of their predisposition for addiction. Since many drugs are considered "ok” on a trial or "for fun"…show more content…
Drugs and forced addiction are also a large part of underground human trafficking. To add to the already wide distribution of subversive street drugs, many Americans have access to common NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) over-the-counter (OTC) pain medications, alcohol, tobacco, and other addictive substances in their households. These are considered "gateway" drugs (D.A.R.E. 2012). Oftentimes, consistent over-use of such gateway drugs eventually "numbs" one's internal chemical balance. In other words, your body builds a resistance to artificial alteration of its inherent natural chemistry. For the average individual, however, OTC drugs and addictive substances maintain their primary purpose as either pain killers or "social lubricants" owing to the fact that addiction not only stems from accessibility, but also relies largely on one's propensity for addiction either genetically or psychologically (Tam, 2012). There are many…show more content…
Nestler. "Molecular Neurobiology of Drug Addiction." Annual Review of Medicine 55 (2004): 113-32.ABI/INFORM Complete; ABI/INFORM Global; ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; Accounting & Tax; The Advocate (Stamford); Baltimore Sun; Banking Information Source; Greenwich Time; Hartford Courant; Los Angeles Times; Morning (TRUNCATED). Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
Camí, Jordi, and Magí Farré. "Drug Addiction." The New England journal of medicine 349.10 (2003): 975-86. ABI/INFORM Complete; ABI/INFORM Global; ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; Accounting & Tax; The Advocate (Stamford); Baltimore Sun; Banking Information Source; Greenwich Time; Hartford Courant; Los Angeles Times; Morning Call; Newsday; Orlando Sentin(TRUNCATED). Web. 17 Feb. 2013.
Robinson, Terry E., and Kent C. Berridge. "Addiction." Annual Review of Psychology 54 (2003): 25-53. ABI/INFORM Complete; ABI/INFORM Global; ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; ABI/INFORM Trade & Industry; Accounting & Tax; The Advocate (Stamford); Baltimore Sun; Banking Information Source; Greenwich Time; Hartford Courant; Los Angeles Times; Morning (TRUNCATED). Web. 17 Feb.