Baker 1

Hailey Baker

Mrs. DeBock

English IV Honors

23 February 2017

Essential Question: How is treatment for addiction effective?

Working Thesis: When proper action is taken, treatment is exceptionally effective.

Refined Thesis: Although addiction is an issue due to the consequences and effects, treatment is

immensely effective when one is fully committed.

Annotated Bibliography

Cannon, Byron D. "Rehabilitation programs." Addictions & Substance Abuse. Ed. Robin

Kamienny Montilvo. Hackensack: Salem, 2012. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 22 Feb.

2017.

The first step in treatment for drug abuse is evaluating the characteristics of the drug

used. Frequently, early identification of the drug lessens the difficulty of overcoming addiction.

Those addicted will commit to rehabilitation in a separate manner, and goals will vary due to the

needs of each patient. One of the earliest and most commonly used treatments for drug addiction,

which has slowly been replaced by personal therapeutic approaches, includes treatment for the

drug methadone. Methadone was originally used as painkillers, but changed in 1947 when

doctors found it to help with those who are dependent on drugs. Cannons article supports my

position that treatments are effective even if they are not the same.

Ciulla-Bohling, Rose. "Heroin." Addictions & Substance Abuse. Ed. Robin Kamienny Montilvo.

Hackensack: Salem, 2012. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.

 Baker 2

Heroin is a highly addictive opioid that comes from the poppy plant. As of today, heroin

is illegal in the United States and worldwide. It is available in a black sticky like substance, an

impure brown powder, and a white powder. In the late 1800s, the drug was synthesized but the

effects were not known until the twentieth century. Although laws were put in place to restrict its

use, trafficking grew and heroin became a Schedule I Control Substance. One way to get heroin

into ones system is shooting up and the sharing of needles can transmit diseases. This means

that being addicted to specifically heroin can result in unnecessary health issues. The article

supports my position that addiction to not just heroin, but any drug, includes plenty of risks.

Crvecoeur-MacPhail, Desire A. "Addiction medications." Addictions & Substance Abuse. Ed.

Robin Kamienny Montilvo. Hackensack: Salem, 2012. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 22

Feb. 2017.

Medication can be used as treatment for addiction. In the article, Crevecoeur discusses

the types of medication available for opioid addiction, alcohol addiction, cocaine addiction, and

methamphetamine addiction. For instance, a medication used to treat opiate addiction is

methadone. Some of these medications are off the label, which means that even though the Food

and Drug Administration has approved it, it was mainly for a specific treatment but can also be

used for another. Medications are useful tools that aid in the treatment of both physical mental

illnesses and disorders. This article supports my position that various types of treatment can help

one stop using drugs.

Kellicker, Patricia Griffin. "Withdrawal." Addictions & Substance Abuse. Ed. Robin Kamienny

Montilvo. Hackensack: Salem, 2012. n. pag. Salem Online. Web. 22 Feb. 2017.
 Baker 3

Withdrawal is one of the consequences of drug use and addiction. Withdrawal is defined

as a reaction that occurs if a dependent user suddenly stops doing drugs. Symptoms of

withdrawal include loss of appetite, hallucinations, weight loss, and sleepiness. Factors that

increase chances of withdrawal are a history of drug use, a physical dependence on drugs, and

abruptly stop using drugs. Treatments of withdrawal includes rehabilitation and detoxification.

Detoxification is commonly the first step of treatment, and includes medication and monitoring

of the patients. Kellickers article will support my position that addiction can be effectively

treated in particular circumstances.

Leshner, Alan. "Addiction Is a Brain Disease." Chemical Dependency, edited by Laura K.

Egendorf, Greenhaven Press, 2003. Opposing Viewpoints. Opposing Viewpoints in

Context. 22 Feb 2017.

Drug addiction has severe consequences to the abusers health that are both physical and

mental. The use of drugs can cause the transmission of infectious diseases, like HIV/AIDS,

tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Another consequence to ones health due to drugs is that it is often

difficult to gain control over the drug abuse issue. Addiction can be considered a chronic illness,

and due to this classification, the illness is only managed, not cured. In most cases, addiction is a

relapsing disorder and has the possibility of positive treatment outcomes. Leshners article will

support my position that addiction includes numerous effects that allow acceptable outcomes.

Pham-Kanter, Genevieve, and Teresa G. Odle. "Substance abuse and dependence." Gale

Encyclopedia of Medicine. Ed. Jacqueline L. Longe. Vol. 7. 5th ed. Detroit: Gale, 2015.

Nursing Resource Center. Gale. Discus. 22 Feb. 2017

 Baker 4

Substance abuse and dependence affect all population groups, but the patterns vary based

on age, gender, culture and social or economic status. The causes of substance dependence are

mostly unknown, but some could possibly be social learning, genetic factors, and

psychopathology. Ones social environment can also affect his or her dependency on substances.

Overdose is one example of an outcome of substance abuse and most who overdose are

dependent on a drug. Death is the most serious of outcomes for substance abuse and less severe

consequences include seizures and change of heart rate. This article supports my position that

addiction is an issue that can lead to serious consequences if the abuse is continuous.