Read the following three examples of substance users: Siggy is a 45-year-old wom
ID: 3491835 • Letter: R
Question
Read the following three examples of substance users:
Siggy is a 45-year-old woman from Boston, MA. She is unemployed and her major pastime is drinking. She drinks five to six beers per day, but does not drink to the point of getting drunk.
Xavier has diabetes and takes insulin every day. If he does not, he would become very ill. He lives in Albuquerque, NM.
Fran is a survivor of child sexual abuse. She has flashbacks and panic attacks on occasion but uses Valium to help her deal with the pain. She lives in a rural area of Idaho.
For each example, answer the question—is this person addicted? Why or why not?
How do you define the word “addicted”?
Explanation / Answer
In the case of Siggy ,she is addicted to alcohol consumption, although she doesn't drinks to the point of getting drunk,she consumes alcohol every day.This shows her physiological and psychological dependence on alcohol.
Taking of insulin in diabetes is not an addiction it's the necessity of person suffering from the condition of diabetes to stay alive.Level of insulin should be maintained in the body for proper metabolism.In diabetes the body is unable to produce the required amount of insulin,hence, insulin in such conditions are taken externally in the form of tablets or injection.So taking insulin for Xavier is a necessity to sustain his life.
Prolonged use of Valium causes addiction.Valium is a good medication for various anxiety disorders under strict medical conditions.If Fran is using Valium under medical supervision for her conditions then it's not an addiction, it's the necessity for treating her condition .But if she uses Valium without medical consultation and supervision of her own,then she's getting addicted to it.
When a person is excessively dependent on alcohol or substances , physiologically and psychologically , knowing the adverse effects,then the person is addicted.
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