Drug Abuse Age, Gender and Addictive Susceptibility

Drug Abuse Age, Gender and Addictive Susceptibility How categorizing addiction as a biological disease affects the way it is treated Notably, addiction is a critical condition of the body’s systems. This is described by the biological theory and other relevant theories endeavoring to explain this phenomenon. Categorizing the condition as a biological disease dictates the remedial, counseling, and therapeutic measures that can be taken against the concerned addiction.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Drug Abuse: Age, Gender and Addictive Susceptibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The situation requires an elaborated understanding of the biological make-up and disparities of the concerned addict. This incorporates the aspects of gender where males and females possess varying biological constitutions that might affect the prescribed treatments in the realms of addiction. This is an important consideration when scrutinized critically in the contexts of drug abu se. Precisely, it is evident that a person’s biological constitution influences his or her receptivity, levels, and rates through which one can be addicted to a particular drug or substance (Peele Alexander, 2012). Additionally, it also influences one’s response towards the prescribed treatments in this regard. Since addicts tend to develop ‘tolerance’ to the effects of the drugs consumed, some changes occur in their nervous systems to counter the biological effects fronted by the drug/substance involved. The extent of this phenomenon can actually affect the way the victim can be treated. The biological withdrawal symptoms can be very severe hence demanding advanced treatment procedures. Therefore, categorizing addiction as a biological complication can actually influence the nature, level, and frequency of the proposed treatment prescription. The age of the first substance use and the development of addiction Accordingly, various sources indicate that th e age at which one starts taking drugs and the frequency of the intake can actually influence the development of addiction and the withdrawal possibilities. This is quite critical when considered in the addiction’s context. Individuals who start abusing drugs at tender ages can actually develop addiction faster compared to the aged individuals. Additionally, their susceptibility, metabolic rates/operations, and other relevant factors can actually promote the withdrawal efforts (Brady, Back Greenfield, 2009). Thus, it is evident that the age of the first substance’s use can actually influence the addiction development.Advertising Looking for essay on social sciences? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Concurrently, adults whose systems have started ‘deteriorating’ might find it helpful to use a particular drug in order to boost their biological and bodily demands. Evidently, since the body dev elops mechanisms to counter the effects fronted by a particular drug, upon withdrawal, the bodily response mechanisms will also demand the intake of the drug in order to stabilize the system. This indicates the biological, age, and withdrawal aspects of addiction. This phenomenon is substantially dependent on the age of the victim as indicated before. Gender and addictive susceptibility It is crucial to understand how gender differences influence susceptibility to addiction. Evidently, males and females are created differently in various contexts. Their body systems have distinctive disparities that contribute significantly to the mentioned additive susceptibility. Drug addiction as well as abuse influence males and females differently. At the initial stages of drug use, it is apparent that women start their intakes at minimal doses compared to males. This might be due to numerous factors including societal fears and feminine behavioral patterns. Nonetheless, their systems can pick up rapidly to the aspects of addiction than men. Consequently, they face substantial relapses in their attempt to withdraw from the concerned drug use. Precisely, addiction is more rapid in women compared to men following their genetic and biological make up, factors that assume critical roles in the context of addiction. Although the effects of addiction tend to be the same on both genders, their levels, magnitudes, and withdrawal symptoms tend to vary remarkable in the context of gender. Upon a continuous abuse of a certain drug, women are able to escalate swiftly into addiction compared to men. This is an important consideration in various contexts. Research findings indicate the contextual addiction provisions in the gender context. It is important to consider the rapidity and susceptibility of addiction in varying contexts. This is a considerable provision in diverse contexts. Concurrently, it is evident from varying sources that the research (with laboratory animals) demonstra tes similar gender disparities in the context of addiction (West Hardy, 2005). The differences in the types and levels of hormones (especially steroid hormones) in the body also contribute to the addictive differences noticed amidst men and women. As an addiction counselor, it is important to agree that the aspects of gender and their contribution to the addictive susceptibility can actually affect the prescriptions and treatments given to the concerned victims. Since the aspects of gender influences the susceptibility and response to the mentioned/preferred treatment, it is crucial to consider this factor both on individual and gender basis.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Drug Abuse: Age, Gender and Addictive Susceptibility specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Since it is noticeable that females are more susceptible to addiction compared to men, their treatment procedures and remedial measures might differ considerab ly in order to address their specific demands in the context of addiction. Concurrently, decisions (on which treatments to give) also depend on the gender factors in the context of addiction/drug use as indicated earlier. Understanding the gender disparities in this context is helpful to a counselor intending to provide the addiction victims with viable treatment solutions. References Brady, K., Back, S. Greenfield, S. (2009). Women and addiction: A comprehensive handbook. New York, NY: Guilford Press. Peele, S. Alexander, B. (2012).The Meaning of Addiction. Retrieved from https://www.peele.net/lib/moa3.html West, R. Hardy, A. (2005). Theory of addiction. Oxford: Blackwell Pub.