Addiction: difficult to define because it touches upon healthcare, politics, nationality
(immigrants) and wealth - it has continuously been molded over time, primarily influenced by politics & health care - 1920s definition by physicians=an action that opposes legal prohibition and thus elicits social disapproval - Other scientific definitions included=insatiably cravings FOR THE INTOXICATION ITSELF (i.e. drunkard), increased bodily tissue tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms - TODAY=A NEW BILLABLE DIAGNOSIS which allows addicts (often viewed as criminals for the acts they commit under influence) to be come PATIENTS. They receive healthcare coverage for their ailments paid for by other citizens because of their poor choices (smoking) Vice : immoral wicked behavior/ weakness of character itself/ sinfulness One can argue our medicalization is excusing addicts of their habits. It is becoming a cyclic process. Statistically, the same percentage of relapse exists based on who is forced and who willingly accepts treatment These addictions are CHOICE, followed by a voluntary action. Today, medical science and chemical research have proven that specific chemicals are addictive and pose side effects. If people are aware of genetic issues such as alcoholism, they should stay away from alcohol and not succumb to a low lifestyle, casting blame on relatives. They should be held responsible for their actions because they were aware of side effects before shooting up. Perhaps during the age of patent medicines, people could be held less accountable for the detrimental side effects, as many were iatrogenic addicts. Addictions/ vices are the same as habits, sins, amusements by way of PROCESS ADDICTIONS - internet addictions and sex addictions can be classified as such because they help to fill a void, such as loneliness or boredom. BUT, from a scientific outlook, they should not be classified as addiction because the levels of dopamine are not synthetically produced, beut produced in natural concentrations. Therefore, these should not present withdrawal symptoms. - If routine exercise and AA meetings can quell heroine addicts, as indicated in the TIME article, then mere process addictions are simple habits that should be able to be overcome Addiction affects society through criminalization and medicalization. - people who abuse substances and drive drunk are criminals and can hurt others - yet, medical attention should be available for people with genetic or psychological disorders, or iatrogenic addicts - EX: ASAM is making med students study addictions (1988 Am. Soc. Of Addic. Med) Until late 1900s, drug addicts were primarily treated as criminals 1/3 of US budget was allocated to medical treatments and recovery programs. We are just paying to send them to jail. But it wont matter cuz the relapse rate is the same - to term addiction until end of 19 th C./ Addictus=debt slave - the dope fiend chose that life, like Chinese to smoke, but addicts were advised by doctors and ads to help cure diesases - Dependency implies choice / abuse applies fault or blame Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders - correlation between mental disabilities and addiction - Determines criterion to get medical help - DSM 4 does not use addiction, just abuse - DSM 5 in May this year uses addiction and nonsubstances like gambling NIDA and Nora Volkow Dopamine theory (addictions are due to a insufficient production of dopamine or reception of dopamine in pleasure center of brain) Treatments: a. Prevention- taxes and laws b. Incarceration c. Treatment- AA meetings, Rehab, Keeley Cure? 3. Psychoactive Revolution 1492-1789 global production, trade, distribution of tea, spirits, coffee, sugar Sailors exploit natives - Age of discovery 1490s-1800 - Militant Expansionism 15 th -16 th C Portuguese 1490s - Africa in 1425: ivory, gold, and SLAVES/ WINE from Madeira Is. 1435 / Sugar cane the sweet drug medicine (China to India to Africa) / India spice trade 1498 / 1500s Sugar from Brazil / Coffee from Ethiopia in 1600s
Spain 1492 - Columbus exploration Oct. 12, 1492 / Route to Indies to find opium OPIUM: primarily produced in Afghanistan; Primary painkiller; narcotic (slow you down, like diarrhea); suppression of cough like in Mrs. Winslows syrum Distilled spirits originated in SPAIN 11 th c. BRANDY - alcohol-> Acetaldehyde in liver (Indians lack a few enzymes) Spanish Sailors had cards on them for gambling when they got lost, and threw them overboard. The next day, they found land. Spanish bring slaves to New World in 1503 1492-1600 Tobacco across globe! Tobacco: Ease hunger and pain and fatigue Heathens drinking smoke Perhaps the best advertising started with Dr. Nicholas Monardes Joyful News, which advertised all fo the new products of the new world, including tobacco - International prescription drug Dr. Jean Nicot 1559 Doctor to French Royal Family, who cured Catherine de Medicis migraines using tobacco Tobacco was advertised as Dry Drinking to prevent all the side effects of hangover, which is caused by a buildup of acetaldehyde
Significant Laws and Such: 1619 VA colony enacts law against dice, cards, drunkenness, or idleness, and requires drunkards be reproved by ministers 1785- First temperance movement in US 1785- Benjamin Rushs ardent spirit paper 1826- Rev. Lyman Beechers sermon Rush wants: higher taxes, fewer taverns, and denial of civil rights to control temperance 1886- John Gough compares drinking to being caught in rapids of Niagara River before the Falls