Ethics, Virtue and Moral Agency Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Ethics, Virtue and Moral Agency - Assignment Example Virtues are the good behavior and morals aimed at promoting good and peaceful coexistence between people and doing good both to oneself and others (David, 77). I prefer that ethics is a real requirement for living in life since without it, the human actions are random and useless. There would be no way to choose between a good goal and a wrong one if there will be none to choose upon. I personally view myself as believing in having virtues to be very important in life. This is because moral goodness is important for peaceful coexistence amongst people in the society. An example is the importance of the virtue of chastity especially among women in my community (David, 34). This will create peace in the community. Another example is the importance of the virtue of patience in society. Moral agency is also important to me very much. It is good to act properly in accordance to the community’s notion. Since everyone has the freedom of choosing what to do, I am always for the choice of doing the right just to avoid problems in

Principles of Political Liberalism Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Principles of Political Liberalism - Article Example In Political liberalism, all processes, the society revolves to further the ends of the individuals, who are considered as the center of all laws and institutions. Ranks imposed by the society and its institutions such as monarchy, government and businesses are held in less favor to the rights of the individuals to which the society and these institutions are based on. In Political Liberalism, it is the individuals who make the laws and norms of the society. Such characteristic is reminiscent although in a slightly different manner, of the previous ideas on social contract as thought of by Hobbes in his Leviathan and Rousseau in his treatise, The Social Contract. Basically, the social contract3 holds that it is the individuals who make the laws to which they agree to abide by, under the premise that individuals have the knowledge of what is best for them. In other words, while the individuals are the basis of the laws, the individuals who collectively agree to abide by the law are each under the rule of the said law and have equal rights regardless of age, sex, race, economic and social status. Whereas in classical liberalism, such as in Hobbes' Leviathan, social contract3 refers to the subordination of individuals to the sovereign, particularly the one who governs, to which they are bound to by the consent under the "contract", the modern Political liberalism's emphasis on individualism is in opposition to such stand. Rousseau, in his Social Contract, posits that each individual is a member of the collective and must submit not to the government but to the general will without regard to the individual interest, for the good of the society, thus, the term popular sovereignty. The principles of modern Political liberalism, however, are most commonly associated with the works and theories of John Rawl4. In general, the Political Liberalist theories of Rawl assume a position on justice as well as an idea of fairness that can be related to the economic game theory. It aims to provide answers to current issues on the political stability as a result of pluralism (Blunden 2003) by generating an ideal for a society founded on justice through concepts on citizenship and political education (Callan 1997). According to Larmore (1990), Political liberalism has been dealing with two main problems. One of which is the problem of defining the limits to the power of the government which by essence limits the freedom and respect accorded to each individual and thereby limiting the conditions in which each would be enabled with self-realization and fulfillment (Young 2002). Given the known plurality of ideas, which could almost always be contradicting, the problem lies in the difficulty in defining the limits to which the individuals can agree on (Young 2002). The second problem, according to Larmore (1990) is the identification of the ideas and values that would represent the general will or the common good. In other words, it is the presence and necessity of pluralism and diversity that makes the aims of Political liberalism difficult to achieve. The challenge to Political liberalism now is to create a set of principles that would target justice without impairing diversity. As it is, the principles of Political liberalism are set to avoid any threat to diversity and with consideration to such diversity that characterizes

Substance Abuse And Addiction Psychology Essay

Substance Abuse And Addiction Psychology Essay To gather information on substance abuse and addiction, a literature review was conducted of online informational sources, including federal agencies, and numerous electronic databases for scholarly articles including (CINAHL, PubMed, Medscape, and Medline) published between 1999 and 2012. Categorical search terms employed included addiction, substance abuse, opioids, alcohol, prescription drugs, impaired nurse, cost of drug use, treatment of drugs use, and others. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has selected substance abuse as one of the countries ten leading health indicator (Hutchison and Blakely, 2010). Reducing substance abuse is one of the Healthy People 2010 goals (Healthy People 2010, n.d.). Alcoholics Anonymous defines the chronic, relapsing brain disorder known as addiction as powerful, cunning, and baffling (ASBN, 2012). Society lacks the understanding that this disease is not a lack of willpower or morals but is an obsessive, compulsive, and complex disease that destroys the lives of families, friends, and individual users (NIDA, 2011). People are most likely to use when drugs and alcohol are easily accessible, convenient, and inexpensive leading to an impact on society that cost millions (Birckmayer et.al, 200; Goulding and Hudson, 2010). Overview Terminology Definition The use of certain terms when discussing addiction and substance abuse provides a means for all that are involved to understand. The DSM-IV is the current version of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders a set of standards for professional to make a formal diagnosis for dependence of substance abuse (DSM Library, n.d.). Substance abuse and addiction has been used interchangeable for persons addicted to drugs (Kranzler, H. Li, T., 2008; Maddux, J. Desmond, D., 2000; ASBN, 2012). Although addiction involves physical dependence and tolerance, the physical dependence and tolerance does not involve the drug seeing and compulsive behavior of addiction making it difficult for physicians to identify the real issue (Shurtleff, 201; Maddux, J. Desmond, D., 2000;). Substance abuse means using any type of illicit drug and intoxication, enhancement of the end result occurs with multiple drug use (Substance Abuse Prevention Curriculum Guide, n.d.). Substance The mind and mood altering drugs or chemicals of abuse are the substances that are referred to in a substance abuse or dependence (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; Mosbys Medical Dictionary, 2009). Tolerance Tolerance is the bodys need for larger quantities of drug for the same effect (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; Mosbys Medical Dictionary, 2009). Abuse vs. Dependence Substance abuse is when the improper use of substance is affecting a persons life in a negative manner, such as decrease job function, poor parenting skills, and problems with law enforcement (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2003). Substance dependence is the beyond abuse where a person relies or dependents on a drug including increased tolerance, withdrawal, in ability to stop, devotion to using, and neglecting responsibilities (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2003). Addiction Addiction is a compulsive and maladaptive dependence with resulting in psychological, physiological, sociological, and legal consequences (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 2003; Goulding and Hudson, 2010). Risk factors There is no individual risk factor that can predict whether a person will become an addict. That is based on the vulnerability of each individual in the area of genetics, demographics, family, social, and psychological (ASBN, 2012). The early age of initial use along with the combination of risk factors leads to a greater chance of addiction (ASBN, 2012; NIDA, 2011) Drugs of Abuse Alcohol Alcohol is legal, socially acceptable, and has the least stigma of all drugs in the United States and worldwide (Alcohol Answers, 2009; Bennett and McNeese, n.d.). It is addictive and depresses the central nervous system (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.). Alcohol is a legal, addictive drug that depresses the central nervous system (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.). One drink causes impairment and driving while intoxicated is illegal in the United States (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.). The social impact of the intoxicated person affects the drinker and all involved (Kelly, 2011; Chan, 2011; Harrington, et.al, 2010). Drinking alcohol is associated with child abuse and neglect, absenteeism from work, and violence (Kelly, 2011; Chan, 2011; Harrington, et.al, 2010). More than 30 conditions with alcohol as an underlying factor are listed in the World Health Organizations 10th Edition of International Classification of diseases (Rehm, 2011). Chronic alcohol use is a poisoning that weakens the immune system and results damage to the neurological and physical systems that are irreversible (Bennett and McNeese, n.d.; Kelly, 2011; Chan, 2011; Harrington, et.al, 2010; Rehm, 201; Dawson, 2011). Scheduled Drugs Depressants are the illicit drugs that depresses the central nervous system(CNS)causing decrease pulse, respiration, and blood pressure (UNODC, 2012). The CNS system effect relaxes the person and decreases anxiety and tension (UNODC, 2011; NIDA, 2011). The drugs include alcohol and narcotics (UNODC, 2012). Narcotics or opiates are derived from the opium poppy or may be synthetically manufactured includes codeine, oxycodone, heroin, fentanyl, and methadone (Goulding and Hudson, 2010; UNODC, 2012; Hall, 2009). The drugs are pain killers, anesthetics, and cough suppressants, used medically except heroin (UNODC, 2012; Hall, 2009). The route used is oral, nasal, intravenous, and transdermal (UNODC, 2003). Users experience constipation, dilation of blood vessels, constricted pupils, and decreased respiration that may lead to an overdose with produces shallow breathing, coma, clammy skin, respiratory failure, and possible death (UNODC, 2012;UNODC, 2003; Hall, 2009). Sedative- hypnotics, referred to as sedatives, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers, are another type of CNS depressants (UNODC, 2003; Goulding and Hudson, 2010). The purpose is to decrease anxiety, relax, or promote sleep. These drugs categories include barbiturates (Seconal and Nembutal) and benzodiazepines (Valium and Librium) (UNODC, 2003; Goulding and Hudson, 2010). Symptoms associated with withdrawal from these drugs are seizures, convulsion, heart attack, or death (UNODC, 2003; Goulding and Hudson, 2010). Overdose is common when used with alcohol (Goulding and Hudson, 2010). Heroin Heroin is a very addictive drug processed from morphine, a substance extracted from the seedpod of the Asian poppy plant. Heroin produces a feeling of euphoria (a rush) and often a warm flushing of the skin, dry mouth, and heavy feelings in the arms and legs. After the initial euphoria the user may go into an alternately wakeful and drowsy state. Heroin is the second most frequent cause of drug-related deaths. Prescription Drugs The abuse of prescription pain medications and sedative hypnotics, such as, Klonopin and Xanax, prevalence rate has increase in the United States for persons 12 and over higher than any other illicit drug, surpassing even marijuana (Holmes, 2011). The Centers for Disease Control and prevention has identified these drugs as an epidemic due to the rate of increase of use. United States is the epicenter for prescription drug use with 80% of Americans using drugs for the first time that were prescribed for someone else. The increase in these drugs has shown a decline in cocaine, cannabis, and heroin causing more persons to die from opioid overdose than motor vehicle accidents (UNODC, 2012; Holmes, 2012). Using a prescription drug in a manner other than the intended prescription constitutes drug abuse. Some of the more commonly abused prescription drugs are: Pain-relieving narcotics (Percodan, Codeine, Vicodin, Percocet) Tranquilizers and sedatives (Halcion, Xanax, Ativan, Valium, Phenobarbital) Muscle relaxants (Soma) Prescription amphetamines (Ritalin, Cylert, Adderall) OxyContin Cocaine Cocaine was considered a safe recreational drug in the 1980s and 1990s with declining use with the turn of the century (NIDA, 2006; SAMHSA, 2001; The Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1999). Cocaine is a powerful and addictive drug that approximately 21 percent of persons eventually become addicted after the first use (Prevention Handbook, n.d.; The Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1999; NHSDA, 2000. The route of use for cocaine is nasal, smoke, or intravenous. At small amount the drug can produce increased energy, alertness, and euphoria (Prevention Handbook, n.d.; The Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1999; NHSDA, 2000). The central nervous properties of dilates pupils, constricts blood vessels, increases blood pressure, body temperature, decrease appetite, loss of sleep, and increased pulse (Prevention Handbook, n.d.; The Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1999; NHSDA, 2000) . Although the use has declined, the drug is still the most frequently encountered illicit drug with the following medical complications: cardiac arrest, stroke, and respiratory failure (Prevention Handbook, n.d.; The Harvard Mental Health Letter, 1999; NHSDA, 2000). Cannabis Cannabis or marijuana is one of the most used drugs in the United States and considered a gateway drug (NIDA, 2012). Chronic use cause respiratory issues of cancer, asthma, or other lung diseases. The prevalence of marijuana use has increased among all populations from 13.7 percent in 2009 to 14.1 per cent in 2010 (36,37 ). Long term effects includes loss of ambition, apathy,, difficulty concentrating, and decrease in school and work performance. Marijuana (weed, or cannabis) is one of the most common drugs of abuse . Marijuana looks like a dry, shredded green/brown blend of flowers, stems, seeds, and leaves of a particular hemp plant. It usually is smoked as a cigarette, pipe, or in blunts, which are cigars that have been emptied of tobacco and refilled with marijuana. The main active chemical in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), which quickly passes from the lungs into the bloodstream, and on to organs throughout the body, including the brain. Some of the short-term effects of marijuana use include problems with memory and learning; bizarre or distorted perceptions; difficulty in problem solving; loss of coordination; and increased heart rate. A study has suggested that a users risk of heart attack more than quadruples in the first hour after smoking marijuana. Manufactured Drugs The amphetamine like drug, methamphetamine rate has doubled from 1990-2002; 71 percent of new users of inhalants in 2002 were under the age of 18; Club drugs MDMA and GHB have leveled off but are not just used in the club culture; Ecstasy use has risen and has been associated with brain damage , kidney failure, and elevated body temperature; Rohypnol association with sexual assault has led to legislature that has made it the least available club drug. From 1998 to 2000 the number of the easily overdosed drug GHB emergency room visits quadrupled to approximately 5000 (Brown University Health Education, n.d.). Methamphetamine Methamphetamine (meth)is made in illegal laboratories and has a high potential for abuse and dependence. It is often taken orally, snuffed, or injected. Methamphetamine hydrochloride, clear crystals resembling ice, can be inhaled by smoking, and is referred to as ice, crystal, and glass.Use of methamphetamine produces a fast euphoria, and often, fast addiction. Chronic, heavy use of methamphetamine can produce a psychotic disorder which is hard to tell apart from schizophrenia (methamphetamine induced psychosis). The drug also causes increased heart rate and irreversible damage to blood vessels. Ecstasy Ecstasy (MDMA)is the so-called party drug, It has both stimulant (like cocaine) and hallucinogenic (like LSD) effects. Ecstasy is neurotoxic (poisonous to brain cells), and in high doses it causes a steep increases in body temperature leading to muscle breakdown, and possible organ failure. Side effects may last for weeks after use, and including high blood pressure, faintness, confusion, depression, sleep problems, anxiety, Hallucinogens Hallucinogens have existed for years. the drugs includes LSD, PCP, ketamine, and amphetamine variants(MDA,MDMA, and ecstasy). The use of these drugs takes you on a trip leading to pleasurable or a terrifying experience. The drugs are not always distinguishable by their color, odor, or taste. The CNS effects increases heat rate, respiration, pulse, blood pressure , and temperature leading to possible stroke, convulsions, heart attack, respiratory failure, or coma. Ketamine has been used as a date rape drug due to the dissociative anesthetic properties. Hallucinogens may lead to insanity or mental health disorders. and paranoia. Acid Acid (LSD)LSD, also called acid, is sold in the street in tablets, capsules, or even liquid form. It is clear and odorless, and is usually takenby mouth. Often LSD is added to pieces of absorbent paper divided into small decorated squares, each containing one dose. LSD is a hallucinogen and a very powerful mood-altering chemical. Over the Counter Drugs Many different types of over-the-counter drugs and other substances can be abused. Just a few examples include: Inhalants (paint thinners, nitrous oxide, model glue, magic marker fluid, spray paints, propane, butane, etc.)Dramamine, Mouthwashes, Diet aids Cough and cold medications (especially those containing DXM, like Drixoral Cough Liquid Caps, Robitussin AC, Dectuss, Phenergan etc.) Inhalants Inhalants are common household products that are huffed or sniffed that give a high or head rush. Included in this category of drugs are insecticides, paints, and aerosols products that when consumed causes lightheadedness. The drunken high is usually not long but due to the nature of the vapors may cause headaches, unconsciousness, suffocation, violent behavior, and death. Replacing the oxygen with inhalants depresses the CNS and may lead to the user to stop breathing. Long term use of inhalants causes brain damage, weight loss, and fatigue. Adolescent believe inhalants are safer. Concepts of Substance Abuse Four Dimensions of Addiction Chronic A disorder that is chronic continues for a long time. The opposite of chronic is acute, which means relatively sudden and short. Lets look at other examples of chronic vs. acute disorders Chronic: diabetes, hypertension, epilepsy Acute: flu, food poisoning, concussion Notice that acute disorders are treated once and theyre gone. Chronic disorders are managed, not cured. Primary A disorder that is primary means that it is not the result of something else. It is a disorder in its own right, requiring specific treatment. For example, a man may start drinking to control the painful feelings of depression. However, when that man becomes an alcoholic (addicted to alcohol), he now has a separate and primary disorder that needs treatment. Treating the depression does not mean the alcoholism will also go away. Progressive A disorder that is progressive tends to get worse over time. With drug addiction, we see that the consequences of the addiction tend to worsen over time. One important mechanism of this progressive quality is tolerance, which weve discussed. The development of tolerance tends to ensure that a person has to get more, spend more, hide more, and use more over time. Later well look at some of the particular consequences of progression, including medical problems. Incurable We say that addiction is incurable because the biological changes involved in addiction tend to be permanent. As a result, an addict will never be able to safely use the drug of abuse (or any other drugs of abuse). An alcoholic will never be able to drink normally. Likewise, a cocaine addict will never be safe using stimulating drugs (for example, ephedra, which is an over-the-counter stimulant). A person addicted to one drug can easily switch over the another drug and still be an addict. This is called cross-addiction(more on this later). We said incurable not untreatable. Remember the comparison with diabetes? We dont cure diabetes, we manage it with proper diet, blood sugar monitoring, and other acts of discipline. Unfortunately, the addict rarely wants discipline. Thats what makes it so hard. By definition, an addict wants to keep using! Stages of Change In order to determine the proper intervention the stages of change model is a means of describing the process to overcome addiction (Hartney, 2013 ; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O., 2011), The stages suggest that a person will go through the changes in sequence, but realistically they jump between stages and the stages will be different for everyone (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O., 2011). Precontemplation This is the first phase of change where the persons has not had any negative consequences and does not see the addiction as problem (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O, 2011). The experience is still pleasurable and leaves the person close-minded to any conversation on any negative consequences (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O., 2011). During this stage the person needs encouragement to see the personal risk and self-awareness Contemplation Contemplation is the stage where the person thinks or contemplates changing the addictive behaviors by quitting, moderating use, or cutting down (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011),). A person in this stage requires being give encouragement on the analysis of the pros and cons of the addictive behavior to promote a new goal (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011),). Preparation After a person has contemplated a person makes preparation to follow through on the changes that were contemplated (Hartney, 2013Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011). At this phase a person is trying to make decisions on how to proceed forward (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011),). The stage is a time for encouraging the need for social support and taking small steps. Action The action stage is a time for following through on the preparations made by possible entering treatment for detox (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011),). Living without the drugs and the drama of addiction is a strange feeling with the change of lifestyle(Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011), ). This is a real change of addictive behaviors which needs reinforcement and support to handle feelings and self-efficacy. Maintenance The maintenance phase is the time to seeks changing addictive behaviors through abstinence and changing behaviors (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011), ). The person learns how to cope and not return to old behaviors when there is a resurfacing of addictive behavior (Hartney, 2013; Norcross, J. C., Krebs, P. M. and Prochaska, J. O. (2011),). Helping the person via support, encouragement, and internal reward reinforcement is required. Biological Bases of Addiction Addiction is associated with permanent changes in the brains neurochemistry. The addict is biologically programmed to need the drug in order to feel normal. This point that addicts just want to keep using brings us to an important point about addiction and its biological roots. Lets take a quick look at what happens in the brain of an addict (without getting too technical). Weve seen now how repeated drug use causes permanent biological changes in the brain. An important implication of these changes is this: An addict can never assume its safe to resume using addictive drugs. Using even once will get the addict back to Square One. 12-Step programs call this waking the tiger. In 12-step programs, a person commemorates the beginning of sobriety with a sobriety date. If a person relapses, he or she starts with a new sobriety date. This tradition emphasizes the fact that addiction never goes away. Reward Center First lets take a look at a part of the human brain which has been called the reward center deep in the brain. This area includes specialized neural pathways which process experience of pleasure. The reward center seems to process many experiences of pleasure, such as eating and sex. Experimental rats trained to stimulate their own reward centers with electric switches have been known to press on the switches thousands of times per hour! They neglect all other activities in order to keep stimulating themselves. (11) ). Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that causes the distribution of the chemical dopamine that is affects the brains pleasure center by causing constant signals of pleasure creating the intense cocaine high(The Science of Mental Health, 2003) Now, you may not be surprised to learn that many drugs of abuse stimulate the reward centers. As a result, using mind-altering drugs is pleasurable. The addict is almost like one of those experimental rats, stimulating itself again and again, neglecting anything else. Repeated use of certain drugs of abuse can result in depletion of brain chemicals that allow the experience of pleasure. What happens next is this: more and more of the drug becomes necessary to generate pleasure, and other sources of pleasure lose their effects. Eventually, the addict cant even feel just normal without the drug. As a result, the addict needs the drug to feel normal, and without it, they feel bad! Its no longer a matter of pleasureà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦its a matter of avoiding pain. This is the mechanism for tolerance. Dopamine The brain chemicals that help generate pleasure are called dopamine, a brain chemical belonging to a group called neurotransmitters. For example, both alcohol and heroin result in a build-up of dopamine, resulting in (temporary) pleasure. ). Cocaine is a central nervous system stimulant that causes the distribution of the chemical dopamine that is affects the brains pleasure center by causing constant signals of pleasure creating the intense cocaine high(The Science of Mental Health, 2003) As we discussed above, the brain adapts to this higher level of dopamine in the system. Its almost as if the body tries to normalize the new levels of pleasure by raising the bar to experience pleasure. These changes are referred to as neuroadaptation. In other words, neuroadaptation means that it gets harder and harder to experience pleasure as you use more drugs. Addicts get the point that only their drugà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.in ever-increasing amountsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦makes them feel good. Trap of addiction In a sense, addicts get trapped by their own drug. They started using it to feel good, but end up needing it just to avoid feeling bad. Addicts can learn to experience pleasure in ways other than using. Unfortunately, research and clinical experience shows that the biological changes are permanent. This is why addiction is considered incurable, as we discussed before. Cravings Giving up drugs isnt just a matter of giving up on the pleasure. It can be a very painful experience because of cravings. As weve discussed, the brain becomes used tothe drugs of abuse after repeated use. If an addict stops using, the brain (and the mind) will put pressure on the person to start againà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦to restore the balance. This pressure is experienced as cravings. Cravings can be very painful and difficult to resist. Managing and resisting cravings are an important aspect of treatment. Cravings are painful but manageable with training and discipline. A helpful thing to remember with cravings is that they come and go like a wave: they approach, get stronger, reach a crescendo, and then taper off. Knowing this, a person can ride outthe cravings by several means: Distract herself with something interesting (movie, game, etc) Contact someone else for support (sponsor, supportive friend) Go to a safe place where giving in is less likely Disease Model In many different treatment models, addiction is seen as a disease. It may be hard to appreciate why at first, because it seems different from other types of diseases like cancer or bronchitis. One of the reasons for defining addiction as a disease is in order to ensure that addiction is treated as a healthcare problem, thus allowing addicts access to the healthcare system. (13)Addiction is widely considered a disease, by such organizations as the World Health Organization (WHO), American Medical Association (AMA), and American Psychiatric Association (APA). Defining addiction as a disease carries several implications which tend to increase the healthcare available to addicts: it follows a predictable course of development, it causes disorder of bodily functions (affecting not only the brain but typically the liver, pancreas, and other organs), it causes significant mortality and morbidity (alcoholism is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S.),it can be tracked and measured by epidemiological research, it has a significant genetic loading . We wont settle the question of the Disease Model here. However, now you are familiar with the idea and some of the arguments on both sides. At any rate, the Disease Model is so prevalent today that most treatment programs you are likely to encounter in the State of Nebraska use the model. Whats more, the Disease Model is supported by the worlds largest organization devoted to helping people with addictionà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦Alcoholics Anonymous (and other 12-step programs such as Narcotics Anonymous). Psychology of Addiction Progression of addiction Weve already discussed how addiction is a progressive disorder (getting worse over time). As such, we can identify certain characteristics of early stageand late stageaddiction. However, its important to keep in mind that some people progress quickly to more serious problems, while others follow along progression. Early Stages A person uses drugs of abuse to achieve a feeling of euphoria or to relieve stress. Using is escapist, sociable, and fun. However, the person begins to need more and more. The fun begins to go out of the situation as the person realizes she cannot feel normal without her drug. The person begins to feel guilty and ashamed, and increasingly uses denial.There may be the first damaging consequences (problems at work, in the family, etc). (16) Late Stages Using drugs feels more like a necessity of survival than a form of recreation. The problems often begin tomount, and the person becomes increasingly unable to function. The addict loses interest in anything besides using. If the addict has been able to hide her using, this becomes more and more difficult as the addiction progresses.Typically, the later stages of addiction are characterized by increasing physical problems and illness. For example, an alcoholic may experience liver failure or hepatitis. Defense Mechanism Defense Mechanisms are psychological strategies for dealing with stress. These strategies are used by the mind (often unconsciously) to keep us from being overwhelmed with stress. Defense mechanisms are normal and necessary. We cant worry about everything at once, or we couldnt function! There has to be some filterfor keeping things from becoming too intense or too painful. However, sometimes defense mechanisms become so rigid that we lose our flexibility, and we find it hard to changeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦even when change would be good. (17) All defense mechanisms distort reality to some extent, because they tailorreality to feel a little more comfortable. The question becomes, just how much distortion is safe?In addiction, defense mechanisms often distort reality to a dangerous extent. It gets harder to cover up the truth when the consequences start to pile upà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦broken families, legal charges, ruined careers .Also, the defense mechanisms in addiction can harm the addicts loved onesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦some of them start to wonder if they are the crazy ones, because the addict is so adamant that they have no problems. Lets look at a list of some of the defense mechanisms that are commonly used to promote addictive behavior. Denial Denial is an example of a defense mechanism that is often seen with addiction. The defense of denial is to deny the truth. Denial is useful to an addict because it serves to cover up the extent of the problem, and allow the using to continue.Remember that in addiction, people become biologically programmedto need their drug at all costs. Denial is a powerful way of keeping the pressure offso the addict can continue to use. Rationalization is another example of a defense mechanism that is often seen with addiction. The purpose is to make the irrational sound rational through the uses of justification and excuses. Many addicts have a ready supply of rationalizations to use on themselves and others, such as:à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢Im not hurting anybody.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢I can stop anytime I want (I just dont want to yet).à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢I had a hard day today. I deserve a drink.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢It relaxes me. Isolating is a behavior that also serves to protect the addiction. Although drug use may start out as a social behavior, addiction ends up driving a wedge between the addict and others. Efforts to hide and maintain the addiction distances them from loved ones, and the company of non-addicts becomes too intrusive and painful. As a result, some addicts end up shooting themselves up in dark rooms, or drinking alone, far from others. Others sink into a drug subculture,in which there are no true friendships, but only alliances of convenience in the continuing drive for self-gratification. Blaming It can be very convenient to point the finger at someone else, when we want to avoid notice! Blaming takes the heat off by putting it on someone else. Naturally, this is painful and frustrating for others, and self-defeating to the addict.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢If my husband had fixed that tail-light, I wouldnt have gotten this DUI.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢If you lived here, youd drink too.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢If my wife/husband treated me right, I wouldnt have to do this. Minimizing involves watering downthe problem by acting cavalier about the consequences, or dismissive of the wreckage caused by addiction.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢All my DUIsare five years apart.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢I never drink before noon, I cant be an alcoholic.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢At least I dont use as much as X.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¢I may miss some work, but I still get more work done than all those other slobs. Relapse The disease model of addiction, discussed above, encourages us to think of relapsesin addictive behavior. A relapse is a return to a previously abusive level of using or drinking. The very idea of relapse suggests the idea of the disease model, because it describes addiction as a chronic condition that never goes away, but can only lay dormant. Relapse is a very important concept

Apple iPod :: Music MP3 Player

The iPod Technology has been on a vast increase since the beginning of time it seems, and it hasn?t been showing signs of slowing. One item that has been a huge symbol for technology has been the Apple iPod. Who knew anyone would be able to download, store and listen to thousands of songs on a thin, pocket-sized player. However, just like other technology the iPod has transformed in many ways and become better and more advanced in its functionality and numerous features. In January of 2001 Apple introduced iTunes for the Mac. ITunes is a program that allows someone to buy songs, convert audio CDs into compressed digital audio files, organizes music collections and plays the radio on the internet. It can play, burn and rip music from a CD. It can also transfer photos, videos, games and calendars to iPod models that support those features. In October of 2001, Apple launches the first iPod. Unlike many other digital audio players of that time, the iPod relied on using a hard disk for storage instead of flash memory. Its small size, power, and easy to use structure make it relatable to buyers and users. The first iPod had 5 GB storage capacity which holds 1,000 or more songs and worked only on Macs, using iTunes as a music addition tool. In November of 2001 developers began to work on different software that would allow the iPod to work with PCs. As of January of 2008 there have been over 141 million iPods sold worldwide, making it the best-selling di gital audio player series in history. The following graph shows the rapid increase of the number of iPods sold in millions from the time they were released to May of 2004. http://www.ilounge.com/index.php/articles/comments/instant-expert-a-brief-history-of-ipod/ The iPod is widely known for all of its features and capabilities. Some of the iPod?s more prominent features include audio (obviously) with a search function that allows you to type in keywords in order to locate a song. You can also listen to audio at various speeds and connect your iPod to your home stereo through a small jack. The iPod is also known for its video ability. You can play music videos, feature films, TV shows, and your own DVDs. The player can also hold photos. You can download your pictures from your Mac or Windows and connect the iPod to a home theater TV to watch slideshows or video on a larger screen.

Learning Team IRAC Brief Essay

Learning Team B was tasked to study the IRAC method of case study analysis, and select one legal case from a current event that has taken place within the past two years relevant to this week’s objectives. After selecting a current case, Learning Team B prepared a case brief using the IRAC method. Learning Team B selected the United States v. Jones case, which was decided January 23, 2012. Learning Team B was also tasked to provide an explanation of how the legal concepts in the United States v. Jones case could be applied within a business managerial setting. The government issued a warrant to place a Global Positioning System on the personal vehicle of Jones to track any unlawful behavior. For 28 days, the government monitored the vehicle and â€Å"it subsequently secured an indictment of Jones and others on drug trafficking conspiracy charges† (â€Å"United states v.,† 2012). The issue is that a violation of the Fourth Amendment may be in question. The questio n in this case is whether or not the vehicle that was fitted with the GPS is considered real or personal property. Also how is the vehicle subject to government surveillance only on public property? Could the vehicle be subject to the real or personal property laws protected under the Fourth Amendment? The question remains if the vehicle can be searched using the GPS only part of the time. The court’s ruling still does not clearly define what the fourth amendment covers as real or personal property. The definition of the Fourth Amendment is not completely clear on exactly what the real or personal property is defined as or if it is reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by society or a court of law. The law â€Å"protects reasonable expectations of privacy, but the Supreme Court has refused to provide a consistent explanation for what makes an expectation of privacy ‘reasonable’† (Kerr, 2007, p. 503). The Fourth Amendment can be applied to a business managerial setting by protecting workers rights to privacy somewhat. Any use of work property, including e-mail and Internet is subject to inspection by the company. There is a reasonable expectation of privacy in the workplace if an employee has an office. If the employee is in the  front of the work environment conversations or anything in plain view can be subject to police search. According to â€Å"Surveillance Self-Defense† (2013), â€Å"A big question in determining whether your expectation of privacy is ‘reasonable’ and protected by the Fourth Amendment arises when you have ‘knowingly exposed’ something to another person or to the public at large† (Reasonable Expectation of Privacy). If a person is exposes intended personal information or property to a third party that reasonable expectation of privacy is no longer valid. The â€Å"Fourth Amendment is part of the Bill of Rights,† and the â€Å"Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments of the United States Constitution.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment protects the rights of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures† (Gatewood, 2013, p. 1). The government can use â€Å"GPS to track an individual movement† if they believe a crime have been committed. If law enforcement wants to obtain a warrant for â€Å"a GPS device to be installed† on an individual car, he or she must be able to convince a judge that a crime has been committed. They must also provide the judge with information about the place that will â€Å"be searched, and the† individual â€Å"or thing to be seized† (Hughes & Burton, 2013, p. 1). In this court case, â€Å"the agents obtained a warrant, but they did not comply with two of the warrants restrictions. First, they did not install the GPS device within the 10-day period that was required by the provision of the warrant.† Second, the â€Å"GPS device supposed to be installed in the vehicle in the District of Columbia, as required by the condition of the warrant.† The â€Å"government installs the GPS device on the vehicle in a public parking space in Maryland† (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). According to McKenzie (2002), â€Å"the vehicle is an effect as the term is used in the Amendment, and this is a violation of the Fourth Amendment.† An organization that use any form of GPS device on an individual vehicle would be violating the Fourth Amendment.† The â€Å"Fourth Amendment† was implemented to safeguard the rights of citizens, and to make sure that his or her â€Å"privacy is not violated† in any way (McKenzie, 2002, p. 1). A public management can â€Å"conduct a mixed-motive search of an employer’s workplace, seeking to discover evidence of worker misconduct, as well as evidence the worker has committed a crime.† For example, a â€Å"search of a computer of a worker who has been downloading child pornography implicates both personnel misconduct and criminal concern.† â€Å"Courts assessing whether to apply the O’Connor reasonableness standard or the more traditional Fourth Amendment probable cause and warrant requirements of these mix-motive searches have applied O’Connor, reasonableness standard.† Certainly, â€Å"as explained by the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, O’Connor’s† objective of â€Å"ensuring that an efficient workplace should not be frustrated simply because the similar misconduct that violates a government management’s rule, and it is also illegal† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). A community employer can conduct searches related to the workplace â€Å"such as to find a missing file or to investigate workplace misconduct,† in compliance with the â€Å"Fourth Amendment without probable cause or a warrant.† A job-related search is â€Å"constitutionally† allowable â€Å"as long as they are reasonable expectation of privacy.† Furthermore, â€Å"even if the search does infringe on a worker’s reasonable expectation of privacy, the search will deemed reasonable in accordance with the Fourth Amendment it is justified as its inception and permissible in scope† (Koster, 2007, p. 1). In George Orwell’s 1984, the citizens of the dystopian, totalitarian country of Oceania are subjected to a grim reality of constant government surveillance. In difference, technology is necessary to fulfill Orwell’s nightmare is far closer to fact than fiction. For example, the smart phone while using its GPS function is an indispensable component for numerous road trips; this global device has many of the same capabilities as 1984 feared telescreen. In the United States v. Jones, the Supreme Court of the United States concluded that police violated the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution when they attached the GPS-enabled tracking device to the defendant’s vehicle and used it to monitor the car’s movements for 28 days (Maryland Law Review, pg. 998). Jones highlights two uniquely prescient  concerns: The impact of modern information-sharing technology on individual privacy, and what limits ought to be placed on Law enforcement from using such technology unrestricted by physical boundaries (Maryland Law Review, pg. 999). The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the lower court and held that without a warrant, the installation of the GPS tracking device constituted an unlawful search under the Fourth Amendment (â€Å"United states v.,† 2012). The government had argued a person did not have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets but the U.S. Supreme court rejected this argument. The U.S. Supreme court ruled a person does have a reasonable expectation of privacy on public streets regardless of how the GPS tracking device is placed on the person’s vehicle. The U.S. Supreme Court also ruled that today’s surveillance technology is very advanced but still creates a physical intrusion into a person’s reasonable expectation of privacy protected under the Fourth Amendment (â€Å"United states v.,† 2012). This ruling is very important in today’s business world as technology rapidly advances. The current generation of workers is very comfortable with advanced technology but still have the basic expectations of privacy that workers had 20 years ago. Companies can track email conversations, locate company smart phones using GPS technology, locate, and monitor routes of company vehicles, and even video tape activity at their locations. It is important that an organization brief and ensure each employee acknowledges the reasonable expectation of privacy policies. If a company issues a smart phone to an employee and employ GPS tracking on the phone, the employee must be informed his or her smart phone will be monitored. If a company installs GPS tracking devices on their vehicles the driver of that vehicle must be informed his or her route and movement is subject to company monitoring at all times. If a company video monitors its employees, employees must sign an acknowledgment under standing their movement with the organization is monitored and recorded during the business day. Advanced technology is a tool to reduce fraud in the workplace but cannot violate an employee’s right to privacy under the Fourth Amendment. References Gatewood, J. (2013). It’s raining Katz and Jones: The implications of United States v. Jones- A case of sound and fury. Pace Law Review, 33(2), 683-715. Retrieved from http://Web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com George Orwell Nineteen Eighty-Four, 1988, The Evolving Fourth Amendment United States vs. Jones, The information cloud, and the right to exclude, Ber An Pan, 1993 Hughes, T. & Burton, C. (2013). Police GPS surveillance on vehicles and the warrant Requirement: â€Å"For a while I’ve been watching you steady†. American Journal Of Criminal Justice, 38(4), 535-550.doi:10.1007/s12103-012-9185-z. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Kerr, O.S. (2007, November). Four Models of Fourth Amendment Protection. Stanford Law Review, 60(2), 503-551. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/224069628?accountid=35812 McKenzie, D. (2002). What were they smoking?: The Supreme Court’s latest step in a long Strange trip thro ugh the Fourth Amendment. Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology, 93(1), 153. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.apollolibrary.com Koster, P. R. (2007). Workplace searches by public employers and the Fourth Amendment. Urban Lawyer, 39(1). 75-84. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.comezproxy. Apollolibrary.com Surveillance Self-Defense. (2013). Retrieved from https://ssd.eff.org/your-computer/govt/privacy U.S. Supreme Court, (2012). United states v. jones (No. 10–1259). Retrieved from website: http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/10-1259.pdf

Mathematics and Linguistics Essay

How is Mathematics and Linguistics related with each other? Linguistics is the science of language. Linguists seek to understand the proper uses of natural human language. How languages are structured, how and why they vary and change, how they are acquired, and how people, in communicating use them. Mathematics on the other hand is the language of science. It is used to understand areas as diverse as the structure of DNA and the motions of planets. Mathematics abstracts the fundamental issue at the heart of an example, frequently  finding connections with other, initially contradictory problems. Language is a universal theory. Everyone uses language as a form of communication. This is the same in Mathematics. Math, like linguistics can be broken down into many different sub-categories such as geometry, trigonometry, algebra, etc. Algebra, being a great example of this because, instead of using words, it uses symbols to convey an idea. Forming sentences is like forming an equation. Once the pattern is understood, a person who speaks this type of language is able to understand. Once  one knows the pattern, it is easy to understand the overall meaning of a language without even knowing the vocabulary; therefore linguistics like mathematics is a universal concept. In my research and study of mathematics and linguistics I discovered how important and inter-related both subject areas are to each other. Mathematical linguistics is the study of statistical structure of texts and the construction of mathematical models of the phonological and grammatical structure of languages. Today, the fields of linguistics are used by computer scientists, engineers, and by  mathematicians who are interested in the nature of language processing. To summarize,math deals a lot with patterns, as does linguistics, so understanding patterns is very important. Noam Chomsky , a notable Linguist and Philosopher once stated â€Å" A linguist does not need to have deep understanding of the more complicated fields of mathematics; However a good linguist, is educated enough to see a pattern in language and from there, they are able to properly study and dissect the on going patterns and changes that occurs with languages everyday. †