Psychological Theories and Behavioral Change in Substance Abuse - Essay Example

Psychological theories and behavioral change in substance abuse Insert Name Insert Institution Introduction Generally, substance abuse is a character of using a particular substance everyday and without the substance, the particular individual cannot carry out the usual daily activities normally. When the person stops using the drug, he/she experiences symptoms of withdrawal such as body shaking, diarrhea, pain etc. substance abuse results to addiction which is an ailment that affects an individual’s behavior and mental status. The substance interrupts the usual mental functioning causing certain arouses in personal feelings and leads to long-term consequences on the mental biological and biochemical activities. This problem affects everyone in the society regardless of the gender, maturity, financial status, or background. Fortunately, the problem has many ways to its solution. Addiction to substance is gradual growing behavior and the same way it grows, is the way back. Addicts are faced with the desire to use always the substance at all times to feel comfortable. Self-driven withdrawal is not easy to the addicts and therefore they need to be assisted. This demanding character can therefore be treated through various ways such as rehabilitation and even counseling. Substance addicts who visit rehab center usually come out free of the ailment (Ravi, 2005). There are many arguments on the forces behind substance addiction. Scholars have come up with many theories to try to explain addiction. The theories include; psychological, neurobiological and sociocultural theories. The role of psychological theories in substance abuse The psychological view on substance abuse and addiction has for a long time referred to concepts similar to those of other chacteral syndromes constituting of different behavioral types like impulsiveness and compulsiveness. Some of the compulsive characters specifically include addictive habits such as gambling. Besides the addiction problem, specific concerns are made towards the fact that there exists abnormal regulation and continuity in usage (Miller, 1980). The psychological theories therefore major in describing addiction in four approaches: the learning and conditioning approach, cognitive approach, personality approach and the rational choosing approach. Cognitive approach This approach is very broad in that there are many theories trying to explain substance addiction from the cognitive point of view. Some of the theories include; the one that advocates for self-control as an essential factor in the submission to the problem of substance addiction. Self-control is explained as the act of making or designing a plan to change the unusual behavior of an individual. It is also explained as the voluntary action and guidelines to check regularly one’s character flexibility, in accordance to the changing conditions. The control consists of accountability on the social & physical factors, proper planning, and the individual’s life ambitions followed by an effective way of action. Characters involving addiction are related to complete dependence on external things. For instance, in the case of substance addiction, an individual relies on a particular substance for his/her psychological and physical maintenance. Learning and conditioning approach This approach bases on the actual character observation and monitoring. The approach explains behavior as a possession that can be maintained by the consequences of it’s enhance. The self-use of substances is a good example of instrumental individual character because the activities of the individual are instrumental in acquiring the effects of the substance. Studies using animals have shown that when substances are readily acquired, high self-administration is observed in the non-exposed animals. These studies have led to the establishment of the model of self-drug administration. Substances might act as enhancements in two various modes; by their impact on the enhancers or by their direct impact on the mental enhancement system or other characteral impacts like high levels of attention. Some of the enhancers are actual sexual and social. Most of the substance given to the animals in the studies was eventually self-consumed. These results have also been repeatedly noticed in other similar studies that have employed different routes of substance administration. The animals’ studies showed that it was possible to monitor the learning process and existing condition surrounding a particular substance abuse. These two factors have therefore revealed that they play an essential role in the continuous abuse of different substances (Institute of Medicine, 1996). The studies also present another approach under this one that is based on the classical situations. This type of learning has been identified to be a major contributor to the acquisition and maintenance of addictive character. The conditioning part focuses on the classical ways and insists that the conditions or situations are beneficial in this acquisition and maintenance. A situation that initially existed during the substance administration would probably produce condition reactivity. This actually shows the forces behind cravings and certainly explains why an individual who was once an addict experiences recurrent high craving of the same substance. The potentiality of these conditions has been proved very significant towards addictive behavior. Exteroceptive condiotning happen before the utilization of substance for instance, odour, and specific time of day or even the sight of a needle for those who previously used the same. The interceptive conditioning consist of things such as the impact of a substance on the mental receptors, mood determiners like depression or cognitions like believes on the substance. The reactions to these conditioning may be involuntary, characteral, or representative. Involuntary reactions that have been realized in the conditioning exposure experiments are alterations of the heart beat, salivation & temperature; representative expressions reactions that have been realized include self-revealed substance desire to use a particular substance; and the characteral reaction can include high possibility of the substance utilization. Personality theories There are theories that try to explain the main cause of addiction; some arguments are for the opinion that personalities are prone to addiction. Psychological resource model, where drug users use the drug to fulfill their purpose that is more or less related to the person’s personality. Such individuals take drugs just because they feel like in that it will help them without considering the negative effects of the same. Eyesenck gave three major personalities that include; Psychotism (P), Extraversion (E), and neuroticism (N).Psychotism dimension is more related to Psychotism functions that is schizophrenic and altruistic behaviors. The many characteristics of people in this category includes; egocentric, impulsive, cold, and impersonal. Neurocotism dimension focuses more on emotions and some of the many traits of people of this character are; irritable, anxiousness, and moody. Although some of the traits are genetically related with a high proportionality. Research has been done to determine whether there is relationship with the mentioned personalities and drug dependency. The study found out that people with E personality are not very related to drug dependency. The reason for the said text is that 10 of the respondents were negative 2 was positive. Although in a different study the people on alcohol,benzodiazepines,nicotine are more on the side of N than P. people of N personality are; more irritable, moody, and anxiety. The people who aggressive and impulsive are more of P category fellows and the likelihood are that they can be drug addicts. Correlation studies do not give much relationship between the personalities and drug abuse. The result in most case is that many people develop moodiness and irritability after drug and substance use. Genetic contributions in drug dependence are low and that rebellious nature of the adolescents is one of the major causes of drug use. Adolescent’s freedom and exposure to drugs is a major factor in drug addiction and substance abuse. The study eventually shows that people in drug rehabilitation centers more prone to abstinence due to the help and guidance of rehab officials. Worldwide it has been known that rehab centers play a crucial role in changing the behavior of addicts. Behavior Change The main problem faced by people in rehabilitation centers is how to ascertain the progress of the rehab patient. Recovery is a process that goes on for a while therefore monitoring is vital in the process.relapse,slip, and drop out are to be considered in any rehab centre as treatment is progressive and goes in a manner that is organized. Environmental and health support is needed as much as family relationship and bonding is important. Practise, family policies and discussions as well as drug and substance abuse is crucial to rehabilitation. (Ravi, 2005) criminal justice is effective when treatment service is top notch. Incentives can help provide a reinforcement that is missing in criminal and justice treatment. Positive treatment can provide individuals cope with a design to cope with drug and substance for offenders. The main point to know in dealing with rehab people and other population is to recognize their difference. Criminal justice department should be trusted by the public through a seamless approach ( Aos et al., 2001). Conclusion It is very relevant for all parties to recognize that the psychological theories and behavioral changes are important in the discussions around substance abuse and addiction. Therefore, all appropriate initiatives are beneficial to the addicts from all angles. References Aos S, Phipps P, Barnoski R & Lieb R. (2001). The comparative costs and Benefits of programs to Reduce Crime. Vol. 4 (1-05-1201) Olympia WA: Washington State Institute for Public Policy. Institute of Medicine. (1996). Psychological theories. In Theories of Addiction. Retrieved from http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/3140/!via/oucontent/course/428/addictionarticle1tee on.pdf on 31/8/2012 Ravi Priya. K, Singh. S, Dorabjee. J, Varma, S. & Samson, L. (2005). How effective are Harm Reduction Program for Drug Users? Some Insights from an Evaluation of the Program at Sharan in Delhi. Journal of Health Management; 7(2): 219-236 Niraula et.al.( 2006). Role of Rehabilitation centers in reducing Drug abuse problem in a town of Eastern Nepal. Kathmandu University Medical Journal. Vol. 4. No. 4. Issue 16. 448-454. Theories of Addiction: Causes and maintenance of Addiction. Retrieved from http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/3140/!via/oucontent/course/428/addictionarticle1tee on.pdf on 31/8/2012 Taxman, S. F. (February 20, 1998) Reducing Recidivism through a Seamless System of Care: Components of Effective Treatment, Supervision, and Transition Services in the Community. Retrieved from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/treat/consensus/taxman.pdf on 31/8/2012. Miller (1980 ).Psychological theories. In Theories of Addiction. Retrieved from http://openlearn.open.ac.uk/file.php/3140/!via/oucontent/course/428/addictionarticle1tee on.pdf on 31/8/201 Read More