The statement that the serial killer is addicted t Essay Example For Students

The statement that the serial killer is addicted t Essay o what he does cannot be properly supported without a discussion of addiction. While the pharmacological examples such as alcoholism and heroin addiction are still the clearest examples of addiction, new models of addictive behavior including exercise addiction, compulsive gambling, and even sexual addiction have gained acceptance. Just as alcoholism was once thought to be a conscious choice, these latter examples have long been thought to be the result of such things as a defective moral character. Recently, however, it has been recognized that the sexual addict or the compulsive gambler can stop their compulsion no more easily than the alcoholic. An underlying statement, accepted by most in the world of addiction research, recognizes addiction as an integrated, bio-psycho-social illness (Johnson, 1993). We will write a custom essay on The statement that the serial killer is addicted t specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now In other words, an addiction is not an isolated physical or social illness. The addiction contains elements of society, biology and individual psychology (Johnson, 1993). The definition of the bio-psycho-social model states that an addiction is the repeated use of a substance or a compelling involvement in behavior that directly or indirectly modifies the internal milieu (as indicated by changes in neurochemical and neuronal activity) in such a way as to produce immediate reinforcement, but whose long-term effects are personally or medically harmful or highly disadvantageous to society (Pomerleau, 1988). This viewpoint manages to catch all addictions, including both substance and process, and define them in a learning context. A brief, yet encompassing view of addictions purpose is that of a coping device. The addiction becomes a method in which the addicted individual can manage and magically control multiple forms of anxiety (Keller, 1992, p. 224). Much like a security blanket, or favorite stuffed animal, the addiction is used to protect and comfort the addicted individual. Understanding the magical, and comforting, role played by the addictive substance is key to understanding addiction. By viewing an addiction as a coping device, much of the addictions allure becomes evident, as does the addicted individuals continued return to it. Addiction is invariably a progressive disease (Schaef, 1987; ). Simply put, it gets worse. Some addictions progress more slowly than others, while some addictions progress very quickly. Some of the progression speed would seem to be based in the individual. Not all alcoholics drink at the same speeds, or have problems with their drinking after a certain, predefined time. Some researchers argue that addiction is always fatal, but others view this as a questionable statement (Schaef, 1987). Not only does addiction build, it builds until the individual is destroyed. Eisenstein was one of the first to list hypersexuality (now called sexual addiction) as an addiction (Orford, 1985). Indeed, sexual addiction is like alcoholism in that the sex addict uses a mood-altering experience, just as the alcoholic uses a mood-altering drug (Carnes, 1983). Carnes (1983) goes further, recognizing the progressive cycle of sexual addiction, and describing how the addict becomes increasingly focused on sex. The only argument against labeling sexual addiction as an addiction, which has fallen rather short in the last decade, is the societal definition of excessive sexual behavior. That is, each society defines excessive behavior differently. What may be viewed as excessive in one locale and time may be viewed as quite acceptable in another. Thus, while the true sexual addict may be labeled as simply active, after a period of time, the level of activity will have grown to a point where the addiction is unmistakable. Gambling, meanwhile, is also a mood modifier, or psychotropic experience (Orford, 1985). Much like sexual behavior and alcohol, gambling has the power to alter moods and cognitive states in those who partake. Some have argued that gambling is so very powerful a mood modifier, that it is for all intents and purposes a drug (Orford, 1985). Gambling addiction, too, is a progressive disease. Virtually everyone has heard anecdotes of afflicted individuals gambling away careers, marriages, and homes. Gambling addiction has now been recognized to be as powerful an addiction as alcohol, and has even been compared in strength to heroin (Orford, 1985). .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .postImageUrl , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:hover , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:visited , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:active { border:0!important; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:active , .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478 .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .uc07706534dda4ed099e1547537b54478:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Alexander the Great Essay The importance and similarity among the addictions is their mood-modifying nature. Exercise, gambling, and sexual behavior are all psychotropic behaviors, just as alcohol, cocaine, and marijuana are psychotropic substances. Essentially, the addictive substance is psychotropic, and as such, is an understandable coping device. All of these behaviors can make an individual feel better for a while, and this brief respite from anxiety is what eventually leads the individual into addiction. Some researchers seek an addiction gene, convinced that when it is found, .