Essay Sample on The Brain-Health Link: Addiction & Drug Abuse Treatment vs. Prison Time

Introduction

The two journals significantly reflect on the role that the brain plays in determining the health status of an individual. Despite previously correctional institutions condemned drug abuse as antisocial behavior, scientists and neurologists have confirmed that addiction and drug abuse are majorly psychological problems that require adequate treatment rather than locking an individual in a prison or a correctional institution. For instance, advocating for patients to understand their psychological health is vital in contemporary society characterized by massive stress and pressure. Kosten and George in their article, Neurobio of Opioid Dependence, confirms that patients who are well informed with their state of brain addiction to substances especially opioid can significantly benefit from comprehending that their addiction or illnesses have biological foundation that influences their behavior into doing bad things and making bad decisions, not that they are bad (Kosten & George, 2002).

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The authors add that feedback from the prefrontal cortex often help humans to overcome the urge to indulge in obtaining pleasure through involving in unsafe and harmful activities (Kosten & George, 2002). It adamantly happens when the cells in the ventral tegmental region manufacture dopamine and release into the Nuclear Accumbens to result in pleasure. However, when under the influence of drugs, the locus coeruleus is often compromised making an individual engage in deliquescent and antisocial behaviors. Similarly, in the journal Brain Disease Model of Addiction the author ascertains that the three stages of addiction, which entails Binge and intoxication, that encompasses increased emission of dopamine that eventually triggers the associative conditioning in the brain, which promoted the euphoric feeling, feeling good and escaping dysphoria (Volkow, Koob & McLellan, 2016). Moreover, the second stage, withdrawal and negative affect, involves subsequent withdrawal or release of the dopamine toxins in the drugs. As the brain strives to restore nomalsy from the lost healthful reward and motivational power, a drug use experiences extreme changes such as reduced energy, and exitements, and increased anxiety, restlessness and depression (Volkow, Koob & McLellan, 2016). Finally, the last stage of addiction include,preoccupation, and anticipation stage, which involves a reduced functionality of the brain's prefrontal cortex to actively balance between abstaining from the drug of embracing the drug. A great desire for drugs often develop and reinstates individuals adherence to addiction as they become more obsessed with attaining drugs (Volkow, Koob & McLellan, 2016).

Conclusion

Conclusively, the articles advocate for proper care for the drug abusers rather than sending them to correctional facilities that have minimal effects on their healing process. Through adequate psychological treatment, and eradication of substance addiction such as opioid dependence, most anti-social drug addicts can become reasonable and important members of the society.

References

Kosten, T. R., & George, T. P. (2002). The neurobiology of opioid dependence: implications for treatment. Science & practice perspectives, 1(1), 13.

Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.