Heroin Addiction & Methadone Maintenance

Liberty University Disintermediation, aka: heroin, smack, horse, black tar, china white, and H, the slang names are as numerous as the places you can score this highly addictive narcotic. Heroin, a derivative of morphine, via opium, which comes from the resin of the Paper cuneiform plant has been in use for nearly 3500 years (Dowdies,2012, p. 137). To understand the fascination, addiction, and potential therapies of heroin, we must first understand its history.Before man knew anything about chemicals and rugs, they knew about the land the animals and plants that were used in relieving various ailments. Prehistoric man noticed that if they ingested the resin from the opium poppy there was pain relief. In the late sass's, a German merchant named Frederica Brayer invested in scientific research and with the help of a young German pharmacist call Frederica Serener purified the main active ingredient of opium (Dowdies, 2012). Serener named his new drug â€Å"morphine† after the Gre ek god of dreams â€Å"Morpheme†, which later would be renamed morphine.Heimlich Dresser joined Brayer in his hunger for producing chemical based medications, and ended up evildoing two of the most famous drugs in the world today. By adding two acetylene groups to the morphine molecule, they developed the drug the coined â€Å"Heroin†, and a year later, they developed a natural drug of salicylic acid, which they named â€Å"Aspirin. † Brayer would go on to bottle and distribute a pre-war version named â€Å"Heroin†, named after the common word â€Å"heroic† meaning heroic- known to German doctors to mean â€Å"power! The bottle labeled simply â€Å"Heroin† was available to the public, containing 5 grams of heroin substance and indications included alleviation of pain o the suffering. By the early sass's, an article entitled ‘The Heroin Habit Another Curse' was published in the Alabama Medical Journal, drawing attention to the severe w ithdraw symptoms of those using heroin, but this would not stop other physicians from abandoning the highly effective drug. Another physician C. D. Track), went on to write that â€Å"l feel that bringing charges against heroin is almost like questioning the fidelity off good friend.I have used it with good results† (History Today,Heroin: A Hundred-Year Habit). There was such a success in the reduction of pain in the offering community that even physicians were reluctant to give up such a successful drug. It seemed that there was evidence that morphine had a huge potential for addiction; so in response they had suggested heroin in its place. Ironically, this would be one of the medical community biggest mistakes. The United States became one of the first to notice the serious problem of addiction as other countries had already enacted controls of dangerous drugs.The U. S. Constitution however, allowed this to be monitored on a state-by-state level, making each state responsib le for the regulation of the drug. This would lead many states to putting the restrictions upon the people and giving the physicians the decision to prescribe it as necessary, leading to what would be a â€Å"black market† for the highly wanted drug. Even with the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, that demanded all drugs be labeled with the contents of their products, there was opium, cocaine, or even cannabis (U. S. Dept. Of Health and Human Services).This new addition of the labeling seemed to carry some weight, as many people began to worry about addiction; not before however there was an estimated quarter of a million Americans suffering from it. Jump ahead into the twenty-first century and the statistics may have changed somewhat, but not drastically. What has been a significant factor is the crime rate increase in order for those addicted to stay â€Å"well. † Communities faced with how to treat the opiate addicted; beyond the obvious by placing them in Jail or pri son. The behavior of crime may be rehabilitated, but not the addiction itself, which for most was the only driving factor.It's a vicious cycle, and for most the frustration is bigger than their habits. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom do have physicians who will prescribe iron (although rare) for the addict unable to reap the benefits of methadone maintenance, or the terminally ill suffering extreme pain. Specialized â€Å"injecting centers† are available to addicts trying to dodge the street heroin complexity, in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Holland, Australia and even Canada. There are still very strict laws enforced with the purchasing or smuggling of heroin in these countries, thus rigid program regulations must be followed.Methadone maintenance treatment (MAT) remains the preferred form of treating opiate addiction, and â€Å"has demonstrated strong efficacy in the outpatient treatment of opiate dependence (Hetman et al, 2009). For those familiar wi th MAT, usually those who suffer from opiate dependence, healthcare professionals, and the rehabilitation community, there are mixed feelings. The term MAT can be misunderstood, â€Å"perhaps micrometeorites when called a treatment for opiate (narcotic-analgesic) addiction, is simply systematic dispensation of a synthetic Podia† (Meyers & Salt, 2013) that curbs the withdrawal symptoms.For many, these programs have allowed the addicted to return to social stability, stop criminal activities, and enter back into he workforce or educational world. The HIVE/AIDS community has really shown significant advantages to the MAT programs, thus reducing the number of DID (intravenous drug users) contracting the virus via hypodermic needles and tainted â€Å"works. † MAT has shown to be effective because of its ease of administration of the synthetic Podia, which is generally liquid and taken once per day at a highly regulated center.The runny nose, chills, stomach cramps, nausea a nd vomiting, skin crawling that many heroin users suffer from while trying to â€Å"kick it† are absent when taking methadone. The program doses the client with a leveled amount of methadone, allowing the patient to attend to â€Å"normal activities† such as driving, studying, working, without the worries of sickness. These programs generally have very strict rules and are governed by the government, specifically the Drug Enforcement Agency.Psychotherapy along with MAT is the choice of most clinics, and people generally feel strongly one way or the other about such programs. In a 2013 research project, the behaviors concerning MAT were becoming more positive, as the research becomes more readily available to the general public. For the U. S. And other countries, MAT has remained â€Å"controversial for a long period of time† (You, L. , et al.. ). For many years, public viewed MAT as simply a trade out for the heroin user, and thus did not change their addictive behaviors, only their cravings. A combination of counseling and psycho-pharmaceutical support to methadone detoxification is most effective† (Milky, 1988 – via Myers & Salt, 2013), although many chronic long term heroin users may be in such a program on a maintenance level of treatment, Just as a diabetic takes his insulin, thus the heroin addict take his methadone. This is where many critics of MAT occupy its strongest argument. MAT has been called the â€Å"outcast stepsister in the addictions field† (Myers & Salt, 2013); with MM clients being stigmatize by everyone from peers to the entire healthcare system, even the addictions field itself.Today's communities seem to be changing, as a current 2013 Brown University research report indicates; â€Å"The choice of treatment has to be individualized to their risk factors and the overall conditions as they enter the MAT† (Psychopathology Update, 2013). For many heroin addicts, the addiction is the beginning of a long line of difficulties, thus the program often elapse with a great deal more than dosing and addiction counseling. Many addiction counselors find themselves being solicitors of social services such as housing, food stamps, medical care, and often many doors remain closed to the addict using MAT.Again, it is a misrepresentation of program that is making changes in the lives of those suffering from addiction, no matter the path leading to it. The percentage of â€Å"no use† clients within the MAT program show a 48% recovery rate during the first 90 days, however relapse commonly takes place within the first six months of treatment (Dept. Of Addictive Behavioral Medicine-Europe). This is considered a â€Å"bump in the road†, as relapse is part of the healing process when talking addictions. Despite the effectiveness and widespread use of MAT, and the demonstrated benefit of combining MAT with other more intensive forms of treatment, integration remains a controver sial topic† (Hetman, et al, 2009). Many traditional treatment centers such as those who utilize the 12 Step philosophies, assert that MAT is incompatible with recovery and the abstinence-based treatment models, thus creating a division among them. This kind of thinking is yet another pitfall that carries the heroin addict seeking MAT, into â€Å"secretive mode. In conclusion, heroin addiction and the steps it takes to reach recovery, is anything but uncomplicated.Heroin has the stigma of being the drug that carries names like â€Å"Junkie† and â€Å"channel swimmer† referring to the needle users of heroin, and the works of â€Å"chasing the dragon†, â€Å"kicking' it†, or â€Å"having a monkey on my back†. For years, it was considered the poor man's drug, and today, it's the middle class women and youth that favor its warm, soothing effects. No matter the hundreds of names it's called from china white, to black tar, it's a universal problem with America being one of its number one customers, consuming over 60% f the heroin hitting the streets worldwide (Meyers & Salt, 2013).

A Corner of the Universe Essay

â€Å"He was called lots of names. And that was one of the things that made it hard to be Adam. Hattie (pig. 177) Like I said sooner or lat r friendships will be made, and new memories will be made. All through the book Hatter's grandparents were always trying to live in this little â€Å"perfect life†, but as we know life isn't perfect, and with life comes challenge gees and their challenge was dealing with Adam. Dealing with Adam is tough because h e was mentally disabled, and also when others would pick on Adam or things would NT go his way he'd get upset, and this would somehow ruin the routine Of his parent's † perfect lives†. One quote that states this is, â€Å"Maybe Nana and Papa think he doesn't fit in there.Certainly, he is not part of the perfect world Nana has worked so hard to cream et. † Hattie (pig. 34) This quote means that even if Adam is their son he isn't â€Å"perfect t†. At first this does bother Adam, but then he realizes that h e has Hattie and Leila (Leila sis character met further on in the book) and he is fine with that. When you look back at all the things you have done with your friends all that is there is memories of your past that you have shared together. In the b ask â€Å"A Corner of the Universe†, Adam, Hattie, and Leila have an â€Å"adventure† with one another.The quote that states that is, â€Å"Oh, Oh, what an adventure, Hattie Owen! An ad Venture indeed. (pig. 127) Adam is overjoyed about the â€Å"adventure† he is going to have with Hattie and Leila, he can't wait. With our friends we share experiences that can never be replaced that is why friendships hold such a precious value. Overall friendships hold a value like no other, that even gold's value is nothing when compared to a long lasting closeness. With friendships people h eave experiences, just like Adam did with Hattie and Leila. Also with that pact you f arm a bond that can never be broken.

How do TV crime shows and authentic forensic analysis compare and contrast? Essay

What’s the first word that comes to mind when you think of a TV crime show? If I had to choose, it would be clue gathering, or even problem solving. TV crime shows are generally known for the murders and cases behind solving who committed the crime; because who would want to watch a show about a robbery. In these shows, the producers attempt to exaggerate and speed up the process of forensic analysis. As a result, this would contrast to the authentic, or real life process of crime scene investigations. Although I do believe that there are many great TV crime shows, I’d have to pick two specific episodes that would clearly identify a realistic and unrealistic visualization of what a forensic analysis looks like; an episode of CSI New York, as most realistic, and an episode of Bones, as the most unrealistic. First, I would like to identify a realistic visualization of forensic analysis by using the episode of CSI New York, Clue SI. To begin, the CSI’s collected evi dence and examined it in a way that exemplified how authentic forensic analyzers would collect/analyze evidence. For example, they placed some of the evidence in plastic bag in an effort to protect the evidence from possible damage, trace evidence was used, and they took pictures of evidence that was uncollectable, or easier to analyze with a photograph. This showed that they were taking into consideration the inherent problem with crime scene investigation; they knew that evidence would need to be carefully collected, to ensure the smallest amount of modification. Subsequently, the investigators used bits and pieces of forensic psychology to determine patterns in the crimes committed. To illustrate, they established connections, and reviewed potential motives of the killer. Specific to this episode, the board game â€Å"Clue† plays a part to the story; as investigators dig deeper into the crime, they notice that a specific drug was ingested by the two victims, Ellen White, the original victim, and Jane Doe, the later found victim in the series of crimes committed, and only some psychiat rists have access to this drug; the investigators find the psychiatrist, Carly and plot out the crime to find the killer. Second, I would like to establish an unrealistic visualization of a crime scene investigation, using the episode of Bones, The Memories in the Shallow Grave. Initially, I would group this episode in the unrealistic category because with the evidence they had, they came to conclusions almost instantaneously. To continue, when the investigators were  using missing persons reports to compare suspects, they came to a direct conclusion without further investigation; in other words, they knew they had the suspect without corroborating information. The team of CSI’s got the news of who the suspect was, and without deeper consideration, they just followed along. Additionally, evidence they had from the gum underneath the paintball splatter was easily identified with only one tooth impression. Bones, one of the investigators said, â€Å"That’s as good as a fingerprint!,† when one complete dental impression may not have been enough to establish who actually did the crime . With this in mind, they had evidence, but not enough to conclude the suspect as guilty of committing the crime. Finally, I would like to pose the question of â€Å"Do crime TV shows really influence jurors or legal professionals when it comes to the criminal justice system?† My answer to this question would be yes for two reasons. To start, in the article by Donald E. Shelton, The ‘CSI Effect’: Does It Really Exist, I found an interesting statement about expectations based off of TV crime shows. More specifically, â€Å"As one district attorney put it, â€Å"Jurors now expect us to have a DNA test for just about every case. They expect us to have the most advanced technology possible, and they expect it to look like it does on television.†Ã¢â‚¬  Jurors wanted more proof to guide them through the conviction process, but could there have been any other information the court could have given them? To continue, based off a survey taken from the same article mentioned above, jurors had specific apprehensions of what scientific evidence they wished to receive when certain cases were brought before them. To explain deeper, â€Å"a higher percentage wanted to see fingerprint evidence in breaking and entering cases (71 percent), any theft case (59 percent), and in crimes involving a gun (66 percent).† (Same article as credit given before.) From shows like Law & Order, and CSI, jurors thought evidence portrayed on TV crime shows, were taken into consideration in real crimes. Established from the findings, jurors overall expected evidence from TV crime shows to be used in authentic forensic analysis. Does the same word come to mind when you think of a TV crime show? Or has it changed? Depending on your original opinion, your side may have changed or it might have stayed the same. But I still believe that there are many great TV crime shows, and if I had to pick two specific episodes that would clearly identify a realistic and unrealistic  visualization of what a forensic analysis looks like, I’d choose these two episodes; CSI New York, as most realistic, and the episode of Bones, as the most unrealistic.

Homeless Symposium Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Homeless Symposium - Essay Example Poor people are not able to pay for housing, and the situation is caused by the increased lack of employment opportunities and a decline in public assistance. Inadequate housing facilities have led to homelessness, as the available housing is too expensive thereby becoming unaffordable to the low- income households. Most women have run away from domestic violence together with their children leading them to homeless housing. Many families have ended in homelessness because of lack of affordable health care. The elderly poor individuals have landed in homeless apartments as their health decline and lack of public assistance increases. Drug abuse especially among the youths has made it possible for them to run away to homelessness as the society acts against their behavior. Homelessness in Indiana has adversely affected families and children in substantial levels. The trends depicted in national levels are trickling down to the local levels. Indiana has been ranked 24th in the number of homeless children in the entire nation. Moreover, Indiana has the high rates on the child homelessness making it 29th in the national ranking according to the National Homeless data. According to the national homeless data, in Evansville and its surrounding areas, more than 400 people are homeless of who one third of them are children. In these locales, at least 120 families are homeless daily. During the census of 2000, Evansville and its environs recorded the highest percent of homeless individuals per capita as compared to the numbers in the Indian county. Access to care that provides financial assistance to the target group would prevent them from eviction and will bolster public assistance thus enabling people to live with others. Access to care will enable a person to afford a rent of $ 457 per month if his or her wage earnings are at 30% Area Meridian Income (AMI). In Evansville and its

Biomedical ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Biomedical ethics - Essay Example Joe fulfills the age requirement of Medicaid’s rationing scheme because he is below age 65 and unless he did not fulfill its other fundamental requirements, the Medicaid official could have denied him benefits unfairly (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). Dr. Adams fulfilled the requirements of the biomedical principle of beneficence when she went out of her way to attend to Joe while at the scene of the accident. She demonstrated the principle of respect for persons when she attempted to rescue Joe who was incapable of self-determination immediately after the accident. Both Dr. Adams and the emergency personnel in the ambulance demonstrated non-maleficence when they helped save Joe’s life because they did not harm him even when his condition exposed him to mistreatment and harm. Facts provide that Dr. Benson had performed substandard surgeries before Joe’s case. If indeed the Southwest Hospital knew about Benson’s quality of service, it was immoral to have allowed him to operate on Joe (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). The motorist who cut Joe off might have been reckless. The motorist should have been cautious when driving knowing that obstructing others on the traffic could cause an accident. Recklessness implies that the actor (the other motorist) foresaw the danger that could accrue from his action but did not take precautions to remove the danger. There was an element of negligence in the way that Southwest Hospital handled Joe’s case. Negligence embodies the issues of duty, breach, causation, and damages. Given Joe’s condition after the accident, the hospital had the duty to protect and rescue his life. Assigning Dr. Benson to Joe’s operation breached the hospital’s duty to protect their patient’s (Joe’s) life and wellbeing. It is possible that Dr. Benson’s lack of care during operation is what led to Joe’s hemorrhage and hospitalization thereafter. The hospital could therefore be charged for the

Evaluate the argument that global crime has grown significantly over Essay

Evaluate the argument that global crime has grown significantly over the last two decades, and outline any impact of globalisation process - Essay Example These include drugs such cocaine which is harvested in the jungles of Columbia before it makes its way to the cities of London, New York and Paris. In Afghanistan, the poppies of this country are harvested, sent to heroin processing plants in Eastern Europe before they find their home in the veins of Western Europeans and North Americans. In addition to the globalisation of drugs and the internationalisation of narcotics, globalisation has increased the incidents of piracy, counterfeit goods and organ trafficking. Perhaps most insidiously, globalisation has paved the way for an international traffic in people which involves the smuggling of refugees in addition to the international traffic of women. While some women are trafficked to work as domestic servants or as migrant laborers, the majority are sold into sexual slavery and exist as 21st century slaves. While international piracy, the spread of international counterfeit goods and organ trafficking are all interesting subjects the study from a sociological perspective in light of the internationalisation of crime, due to the limited scope of this analysis the following will focus upon the international traffic of women as well as the internationalization of drugs. Since the global traffic of women for sexual servitude is perhaps one of the most insidious byproducts of the globalisation movement, the following will begin with an overview of this exploitative trade. The transnationalisation of crime has increased in the 21st century. Complex economic interdependence has increased the avenues for criminals seeking to exploit the international economic system and create networks for their criminal endeavors. To say that the transnationalisation of crime exists today is not to say that it did not exist previously. Many of the crimes which are being carried out each and every day existed a century ago in Western Europe and the wealthy countries in

Easy A Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Easy A - Essay Example The next Monday, the two goes to the bathroom, and Rhiannon asks about Olive’s encounter with the college student. Olive lies that she lost her virginity with the fictitious boyfriend on the same weekend. Marianne (Amanda Bynes) overheard the conversation. She then proceeded to spread the rumor about Olive’s promiscuity (Devine, Easy A). Marianne, the religious fanatic, and the school’s chastity queen, blames Olive unexpectedly about her promiscuity. Olive wears a cloth of a notorious student. During the English class, she identifies herself as Hester Prynne, the woman condemned by her neighbors in the novel by Nathaniel Hawthorne (Devine, Easy A). Olive confides the truth to her bullied gay friend, Brandon, suggesting to her to lie that he had slept with a girl. Brandon asks for help from Olive, and the two pretends to have had sex in a party. Olive’s reputation degrades. Outcast boys offer to pay Olive so as to improve their image too (Devine, Easy A). Her new power even worked for adults. The teacher Mr. Griffith, and his estranged wife, the guidance counselor who ends up entangled in embarrassments. She finally lost control of the situation and had to take an attitude to revert it. The main female character is Olive Penderghast. The real name of the actor is Emma Stones. In the film, she makes an innocent lie to avoid camping with her best friend, Rhiannon, together with her weird parents. She claims she had gone on a date while she had spent the weekend doing tedious things like singing alone in the room, painting her nails and the nails of her dog (Devine, Easy A). Another female character is Marianne, Amanda Bynes. She is the righteous religious girl in the film. She lights the fuse on olive’s lie and goes ahead in spreading it. Rhiannon, Aly Michalka, is also a female character in the film. She sets peak in the play (Devine, Easy A). Olive Penderghast, the virgin high school girl, never wanted to