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Running head: ABUSE VS. SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER 1
Abuse vs. Substance use Disorder
Shalonda Hopkins
Liberty University
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Abuse vs. Substance use Disorder
Addiction is a psychological and physical inability to stop consuming a chemical, drug,
activity, or substance, even though it is causing psychological and physical harm. Addiction is a
treatable, chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics,
the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. People with addiction use substances or
engage in behaviors that become compulsive and often continue despite harmful consequences.
The relationship between abuse of substances and Substance Use Disorders (SUD's), is
that substance us is a learned behavior and substance use disorder and when a person is using
drugs as recurrent use. One can discern abuse from a substance use disorder by use different
assessments or the DSM-5. According to Doweiko and Evans, the determining factors that
distinguish one from the other are “impaired or loss of control, social impairment, risky
behaviors associated with use, and prescription use outside of intended dose” (2019).
Society Views / Local News
Even after years of public statements that drug addiction is a disease, many continue to
subscribe to a moralistic view of addiction (Miller, 1991) and to see people that have an
addiction as immoral, weak-willed, or as having a character defect requiring punishment or
incarceration. This stigma may serve a useful function to the extent that it may discourage some
individuals from starting to use drugs. However, the stigmas prevent those who need help, from
seeking the help they need.
I believe that the most prevalent drugs in society right now is Alcohol, marijuana,
cocaine, heroin and many different opioids. Some prevalent addictive behaviors would be
stealing or exchanging their selves for different services. I believe that exploiting oneself is one
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of the most prevalent addictive behaviors in society today; I would say this creates the most
problems in society today.
An article that stood out to me was the article that focus on alcohol related deaths. This
article was titled Alcohol-related deaths on the rise in Minnesota. It states that “Alcohol is killing
more Minnesotans than opioids, meth and all other drugs combined”. Which was shocking and
saddening because alcohol is legal here in Minnesota. It's not because more people are drinking -
that number's been steady in recent years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. Yet per-capita consumption of alcohol has risen, meaning that those who are drinking
are drinking much more. Researchers say negative childhood experiences and a collapse of
economic opportunity and community structures are driving this century's increase in drug and
alcohol abuse. As more Minnesotans drink themselves to death, it also becomes the new normal.
Biblical Worldview and/or Biblical Insights
Alcohol abuse has rightly been called one of the most damaging of all social ills plaguing
mankind today. No wonder why God Exhorts:
Proverbs 23:20. “Do not come to be among heavy drinkers of wine”
In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul lists drunken bouts and revelries as “works of the flesh” in opposition
to the fruitage of God’s spirit. Overindulging in alcohol will damage one’s relationship with God.
Clearly, Christians should avoid any immoderate use of alcohol.
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Galatians 5:19-21 “No the works of the flesh are plainly seen, and they are sexual immortality,
uncleanness, brazen conduct, idolatry, spiritism hostility, strife, jealously, fits of anger,
dissensions, divisions, sects, envy, drunkenness, wild parties and things like these”.
.
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Reference
Clinton, T. & Scalise, E. (2013), The quick reference guide to: Additions and recovery
Counseling. BakerBooks Publishing Group.
Miller NS. 1991. Drug and alcohol addiction as a disease. In: Miller NS, ed. Comprehensive
Handbook of Drug and Alcohol Addiction. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc. Pp. 295-309.
Doweiko, E. H. (2019). Concepts of chemical dependency, LL, 10th Edition, Cengage Learning
Inc.
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/news/4487671-alcohol-related-deaths-rise-minnesota
