Addiction: A Disease That Does Not Discriminate, Sort Of

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Addiction A Disease That Does Not Discriminate,
Sort Of
BLVD Treatment Center California
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• "I'm a Heroin Addict." Those were the words from
  Philip Seymour Hoffman at Sundance Film Festival,
  weeks before his death. Social media buzzed with
  conversations that range from netizens
  criticizing him to netizens expressing feelings
  of sadness and pity.
• A lot of people discussed the sudden media
  exposure on heroin addiction when its has long
  been devastating communities with minorities in
  Los Angeles, CA. Others lamented the manner in
  which the media portrayed drugs addict from
  inner-city regions as criminals and crackheads as
  opposed to individuals also in need of help.
  There was a heated conversation between netizens
  with different view, and this eventually led to a
  heated debate on drug addiction and equality.
• The most surprising part of the discussion was
  that it proved many people believe that drug
  addiction only affects minorities in inner-city
  communities in Los Angeles, CA and other areas.
  The truth is, addiction affects people from all
  walks of life. Sure, the media may portray some
  individuals negatively through stereotypes. Sure,
  racial and ethnic disparities may exist. However,
  one thing thats certain is that addiction does
  not play favorites.
• Addiction does not discriminate!

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Anyone Can Become Addicted to Drugs

• The phrase addiction does not discriminate,
  simple means that anyone can become addicted to
  drugs. Yes, not everyone who tries drug socially
  will become an addict. The phrase is simply meant
  to remind us that anyone who uses drugs, risks
  becoming an addict, whether hes an Oscar winner
  or someone from a poor background.
• For instance, say two teenagers attend the same
  party in Los Angeles, CA. One is from a wealthy
  family in Beverly Hills and the other from a
  lower class family in Anaheim. If both decide to
  try heroin, there is no guarantee that both will
  or will not become addicts. What is certain is
  that both risk becoming addicted to the
  substance. This is because the brain plays a
  greater role in determining how someone becomes
  addicted to drugs rather than their social or
  economic standing.

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The Brain's Role In Drug Addiction

• When a person takes heroin or any other type of
  drug, he or she will begin to experience
  unnatural feelings of happiness and joy. The drug
  activates the reward circuit in the brain that is
  involve with pleasure and motivation, releasing
  two times the amount of dopamine that natural
  rewards do.
• Of course some users may also experience other
  effects on the user. Some first-time users for
  instance get nauseated while those who smoke
  heroin and other drugs may experience some
  coughing. However, in most cases there will be
  some changes in the brain after repeated usage.
• To compensate for the unnatural levels of
  dopamine, neurons may release less dopamine. This
  in turn causes the reward circuit in the brain to
  be severely weakened. Life may begin to seem
  joyless without the drug. As a result many people
  continue usage in order to regain that feeling of
  happiness, taking larger amounts each time.

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Drug Addiction Spans All Races, Affecting The
Wealthy the Poor, And Everyone In Between

• Overall the reason behind addiction remains an
  open question. Although we know what effect drug
  has on the brain, there is no telling how often a
  person will need to take the substance in order
  to become an addict. One thing that has long been
  known is that addicts experience less feelings of
  pleasure because of their unnaturally low
  dopamine levels.
• Still, theres no race, gene, social environment
  or any predisposing physical elements that
  sentence a person to a life of substance abuse.
  Drug addiction knows no race or age. Drug
  addiction knows no religion. Drug addiction knows
  no social class. Drug addiction does not
  discriminate. Academy

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• Award winning actor, Phillip Seymour Hoffman was
  not only adored by millions worldwide but was
  also highly respected among his peers. Through
  the media we saw what appeared to be a happy and
  successful man who enjoyed being around his
  family when not working. However, Hoffman had
  been struggling with heroin addiction long before
  his death.
• The truth is, contrary to what the media may
  portray, drug addiction spans all races. It
  affects people in poor inner city communities
  and it also affects those living in affluent
  neighborhoods in Los Angeles, CA. What you should
  always try to remember is that, every addict
  needs and deserve access to proper treatment,
  regardless of their address, race or
  socioeconomic standing.

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Speak Up and Offer Your Support

• Understanding drug use addiction is important if
  you have an addict in your family. Addiction does
  cause behavioural changes, so its important that
  you try to separate the addict from who he or she
  once was. Remember that its not the person that
  lies, its the addict. Its not the person that
  tries to steal from you, its the addict that
  does. Its not the person that fights and screams
  insulting words at his/her family, its the
  addict. Still, sadly, it the person that youll
  lose to addiction, not the addict.
• As with most chronic disease, the earlier they
  receive treatment, the better their chances are
  at recovery. Dont be hesitate to voice your
  concerns to your love one and offer your
  assistance to help them get the help they need.

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• At BLVD drug rehab centers in Los Angeles, CA,
  we can assist you with giving your loved ones the
  support they need, from assisting you with the
  intervention to providing specialized care.
  During our many years of operation, weve provide
  drug addiction treatment to individuals of all
  races, from various social background in Los
  Angeles, CA, and will continue to do so. Weve
  learnt that addiction does not discriminate and
  thats why each of our patients receive the same
  level of attention and care when they enter our
  doors. Give us a call at [phone] to find
  out how we can help you.

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CONTACT US

• Phone
• [phone]
• Email
• info_at_blvdcenters.com
• Website
• https//www.blvdcenters.org
• Mailing Address
• BLVD Treatment Centers
• 448 South Hill Street
• Suite 303
• Los Angeles, CA 90013