Theories of Addiction and Prevention

Theories of Addiction and Prevention
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Theories of Addiction and Prevention
1) Prevention programs in the United States
Substance abuse is considered a big problem in the United Nations. Theories have been done on drug addiction. However, in the field of drug abuse prevention amongst youth, programs are focused on peer education internally and externally. At the workplace, programs have been undertaken to decrease the use of tobacco and alcohol in companies (Correia, 2012). There have been numerous programs that address prevention of substance abuse in the United States, but peer education as mentioned above has proved to be the most influential.
2) Effectiveness of the United States substance abuse policies
There are enormous substance abuse policies in the United States, and most of them are effective. One of the policies is to emphasize prevention over incarceration. This involves preventing before the substance abuse begins (Fisher, 2009). Particularly among youths, this has been effective as it is a cost-effective approach and avoids consequences before anyone indulges into drugs. Second, is the policy of training health care experts to intervene before addiction engulfs an individual. When a problem is detected early, and treatment is offered, it becomes effective than dealing with the repercussions of addiction. The third policy is an expansion of treatment assessment. Addiction is a disease that can be treated. Therefore, the policy is effective as it assists the addicted substance abusers to recover. Lastly is on the policy of taking a wise crime approach concerning substance abusers. This implies more focus is towards treatment rather than prisons. The policies are many, and according to research their effectiveness is ranked high (Miller, 2005).
3) Differences between psychological and biological models of addiction
According to the biological model of addiction, each person’s distinctive physiology and genetics causes of addiction, whereas the psychological addiction is learned through acquisition, for example, smokers can learn the abuse of drugs through friends and by cognitive conditioning (West, 2013). Simply put, biological model is genetic, and this is seen through families where all members are drunkards. On the other hand, psychological is acquired, perhaps through the environment or the peers.
4) Donald’s post:
Addiction is a disease of choice. Once the addiction receptors have been enabled by the choice of using for the first time, the chemical reaction in the brain is impaired leading to non-stop craving over time.