Substance Abuse And Addiction Health And Social Care Essay

â€Å" Tens of 1000000s of Americans use habit-forming substances. Twenty-five million have a history of intoxicant dependance and more than five million qualify as difficult nucleus chronic drug users † ( Bernhein and Rangel, 2004 ) . The alterations in the encephalon make it hard for people to halt mistreating drugs. Research shows that â€Å" uniting dependence intervention medicines with behavioural therapy is the best manner to guarantee success for most patients † ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . Treatment is tailored to the patient ‘s maltreatment or dependence job and any other jobs they may hold medically, socially, or psychologically. Statement of Problem The job of substance maltreatment and dependence is a turning job. Prevention is the key to assist control and halt this job. Intervention, parental influence, and the media can all impact a individual and their job. Substance dependence occurs when â€Å" after important exposure, users find themselves prosecuting in compulsive, repeated, and unwanted usage despite clearly harmful effects, and frequently despite a strong desire to discontinue unconditionally ( Bernhein and Rangel, 2004 ) . Peoples in the United States have spent over $ 150 billion on baccy merchandises, alcoholic drinks, cocaine, diacetylmorphine, marihuana, and Methedrines ( Bernhein and Rangel, 2004 ) . Social costs such as wellness attention, non-productivity, and offense sum more than $ 300 billion per twelvemonth ( Bernhein and Rangel, 2004 ) . Drugs are â€Å" chemicals that tap into the encephalon ‘s communicating system and interrupt the manner nervus cells usually send, receive, and procedure information † ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . The drugs can direct incorrect messages to the encephalon by directing big sums of Dopastat into the system. By over-stimulating the system, the euphoric consequence causes a individual to reiterate the behaviour of mistreating drugs ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . Through changeless usage, the euphoric consequence wears off and the individual must go on taking the drug, and perchance more of the drug, in order to capture that experiencing once more. â€Å" Brain imaging surveies of dependent persons shows alterations in countries of the encephalon that are critical to judgement, determination devising, acquisition, memory, and behavior control. These alterations drive an maltreater to seek out and take drugs obsessively despite inauspicious effects to go addicted to drugs † ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . Drug dependence is preventable. NIDA funded research show â€Å" that bar plans that involve the household, schools, communities, and the media are effectual in cut downing substance maltreatment. Although many events and cultural factors affect substance maltreatment tendencies, when young persons perceive substance maltreatment as harmful, they cut down their drug pickings. It is imperative that in order to assist the young person and the general populace to understand the hazard of substance maltreatment and for instructors, parents, and health care professionals to maintain directing the message that drug dependence can be prevented if a individual ne'er abuses drugs † ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . Discussion Substance dependence is a â€Å" chronic, frequently get worsing encephalon disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and utilize despite harmful effects to the person that is addicted and to those around them. It is a encephalon disease because the maltreatment of drugs can take to alterations in the construction and map of the encephalon † ( MedicineNet.com, 2008 ) . Substance maltreatment involves the â€Å" perennial and inordinate usage of chemical substances to accomplish a certain consequence † ( Segal and Cutter, 2009 ) . Substance dependence and maltreatment compels a individual to go haunted with obtaining and utilizing drugs despite the many inauspicious wellness and life jobs ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . The research indicates people abuse drugs because they think they feel better on drugs. It is besides stated in research they take drugs in order to get by with the many troubles they may be confronting in their life. â€Å" Drugs exert their effects mostly on the motive and pleasance tracts of the encephalon ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Drugs affect the encephalon chemicals because the â€Å" chemical construction of the drugs is similar to encephalon chemicals or neurotransmitters † ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . â€Å" Similarity in construction allows them to be recognized by nerve cells and to change normal encephalon messages † ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Addiction is a â€Å" developmental disease which normally beings in adolescence † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . â€Å" Sixty-seven per centum of adolescence will experiment with marihuana for the first clip between the ages of 12 and 17 † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Prevention would necessitate to get down at an early age in order to halt substance maltreatment before it starts. Causes There is no conclusive grounds why person can go addicted to a substance and another individual does non. In dependence there is a force which creates an inability to acquire control of a state of affairs. If a individual is in hurting, they may take a hurting pill. Once the hurting subsides any little feeling of hurting and the individual will take another pill. The individual becomes use to the feeling that the pill is giving them relief irrespective of how terrible or non the hurting still is. This is when people abuse prescribed medicines, nonprescription medicines or illegal pills. Substance maltreatment can besides be a trigger when a individual is experiencing down or lonely. Taking a pill can assist control that feeling. There are other triggers which can do dependence: household history, history of mental unwellness, untreated physical hurting, and peer force per unit area ( Segal and Cutter, 2009 ) . Vulnerability is a â€Å" merchandise of the interaction of a individual ‘s biological science, cistrons, environment, and age † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Studies show that along with environment, emphasis, and equal influence, genetic sciences attribute anyplace from 40 % to 60 % per centum toward sensitivity to dependence. Environmental factors besides contribute to a individual ‘s impulse to take drugs. Factors such as a history of physical or sexual maltreatment, witnessing a violent act, or emphasize all influence the individual ‘s pick ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Gender besides affects substance maltreatment and dependence. Abuse and dependence can impact a male otherwise from a female. Research on grownup substance maltreaters has â€Å" revealed a figure of societal and psychological differences between males and females that have of import deductions for intervention † ( Toray, Coughlin, Vuchinich and Patricelli, 1991 ) . A survey was done on 930 male and female striplings who were in intervention for substance maltreatment. They were analyzed to understand the difference between the genders ( Toray et. Al, 1991 ) . While category and ethnicity influence the logical thinking behind adolescent substance maltreatment, small research has been done to understand how gender affects maltreatment and dependence. Research showed that â€Å" gender differences may be in psychosocial factors such as depression and parental and equal influences which determine substance usage forms † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . Men are more likely to seek intervention so adult females are. â€Å" The survey showed that 20 % of all clients in publically funded intervention services were adult females † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . Because of societal stigma, adult females seem to be less unfastened about their jobs. Female substance maltreaters â€Å" tend to self-medicate to acquire off from emotional hurting † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . There are great differences in the figure of males and females who receive intervention. Females study higher rates of self-destruction, depression, and physical and sexual mal treatment so males do. Because of these differences, the success of intervention can be less successful for females ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . Data was collected from 1981 through 1988 from 930 striplings. Of these striplings, 90 % were from in-between category households and 10 % were from lower and upper category households. The age span was 16 old ages old for males and 15 old ages old for female. The striplings were chiefly of white beginning ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . The intent of this research was to garner information about the young person ‘s drug history and household history and to profile the young person sing their drug usage. The group was asked the particulars of their drug usage – what they used and how frequently. They were given a psychological profile sing depression, self-destruction efforts, physical and/or sexual maltreatment. They besides were asked about their parent ‘s history of drug usage and whether they used drugs, intoxicant, or both ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . The major differences found between males and females were in â€Å" suicide efforts, physical and/or sexual maltreatment and household drug history with female rates significantly higher so male rates † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . The female substance maltreater may be â€Å" confronted with psychological, household, and cultural barriers in recovery non found by males † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . Recovery is a long and difficult procedure and may be more hard for a female because resources available to females â€Å" lack sensitiveness to a figure of issues she may be confronting such as stigmatisation and sexual victimization † ( Toray, et Al, 1991 ) . It is critical that a female receive the appropriate support both during and after intervention. Rational Peoples have many grounds for remaining addicted to substances. They might believe â€Å" ingestion of the habit-forming good is non every bit harmful, that persons possess subjective beliefs refering this injury, and that beliefs are optimally updated information gained through ingestion † ( Orphanides and Zervos, 1995 ) . Parents, guidance, and equals can assist a individual get through this tough stage of their life. There is intervention out at that place where the dependence can be controlled and non take over person ‘s life. Peoples ‘s dependences are non merely to substances but to other things such as work, eating, and faith. Rational Choice Theory can explicate a assortment of habit-forming behaviours. The theory â€Å" derives conditions that determine whether steady province ingestion degrees are unstable or stable. Unstable steady provinces are important to the apprehension of rational dependence † ( Becker and Murphy, 1988 ) . The variables determine whether a individual can go addicted to a certain good and the effects that it causes. Consumption of a substance will demo how a individual responds to alterations sing the substance. It besides shows how a individual responds to stressful things that are go oning in their life and if it increases the demand for the substance ( Becker and Murphy, 1988 ) . â€Å" The Rational Choice Theory implies that â€Å" traveling cold Meleagris gallopavo is used to stop strong dependences, that nuts frequently go on orgies, that addicts respond more to permanent than to impermanent alterations in monetary values of habit-forming goods, and that anxiousness and tensenesss can precipitate and dependence ( Becker and Murphy, 1988 ) . A individual decides to stop his dependence if â€Å" events lower either his demand for the habit-forming good sufficiently or his stock of ingestion capital sufficiently † ( Becker and Murphy, 1988 ) . There needs to be an interaction between the individual and the good in order for the individual to halt the dependence. Rational individuals end stronger dependences more quickly than weaker 1s can. Media, Parents, and Peers The United States Office of National Drug Control Policy late â€Å" launched a media run intended to cut down illegal drug usage by the immature Americans † ( Lu, Zanutto, Hornik and Rosenbaum, 2001 ) . This survey was done with 521 teens and it compared teens that had been exposed to the media run and those that were non. The research was done based on three inquiries: â€Å" ( 1 ) In recent months, how frequently have you seen anti-drug commercials on telecasting or heard them on the wireless? ( 2 ) In recent months, how frequently have you seen anti-drug ads in newspapers or magazines? ( 3 ) In recent months, how frequently have you seen anti-drug ads in film theatres or on pictures? † ( Lu, et Al, 2001 ) . Older kids reported â€Å" less exposure to the media run than the younger kids, but gender and race showed small or no relationship to exposure † ( Lu, et Al, 2001 ) . Social larning theory sing emphasis and header were integrated to organize a ground for adolescent drug usage from informations obtained from 343 young persons. Parental rejection, aberrant equals, and low self-pride increased the stripling ‘s chance of drug usage. Findingss suggest that intervention should include single guidance and household therapy with an accent on rearing patterns ( Simons and Robertson, 1989 ) . This survey was done in a Midwestern metropolis with a population of 250,000. The stripling ‘s interviewed were between the ages of 13 to 17 old ages. They completed a two-hour interview and questionnaire. The questionnaire focused on demographic information, household state of affairs, peer relationships, psychological wellbeing, delinquent behaviour, and drug/alcohol usage ( Simon and Robertson, 1989 ) . 189 were male and 154 were female. They came from all different walks of life. Consequences found that substance maltreatment among young persons was â€Å" associated with weak bonds to household and strong bonds to a aberrant equal group † ( Simons and Robertson, 1989 ) . Parental rejection increased the usage of substance maltreatment amongst young person. Rejected kids tended to â€Å" mistrust and impute malevolent motivations to others, with the consequence being a defensive, if non aggressive, attack to equals interactions † ( Simons and Robertson, 1989 ) . Parental rejection is â€Å" positively related and self-esteem negatively related to avoidant get bying. There was no important coefficient between either parent ‘s imbibing form and avoidant header and parental rejection and aggressiveness are positively associated with engagement in a aberrant equal group † ( Simons and Robertson, 1989 ) . Prevention and Treatment Geting the message out sing substance maltreatment and dependence being harmful demands to get down at an early age. Most people become addicted can non halt without aid. In the addicted encephalon, â€Å" the control circuit becomes impaired because of drug usage and loses much of its repressive power over the circuits that drive responses to stimuli deemed salient † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Substance maltreatment intervention needs to handle the whole individual non merely the substance job. Behavior therapy can modify a individual ‘s attitude and behaviour as it relates to the substance maltreatment. There are medicines that a individual can take to handle the symptoms. Peoples that want to halt pickings can take a medical specialty that will assist control their desire to towards their dependence. Since substance maltreatment is really complex, there are many different types of intervention. Substance maltreatment intervention includes â€Å" detoxification, direction of drug dependance, and bar of backsliding † ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1996 ) . Treatment plans are varied and multifaceted. Treatment falls into two classs: â€Å" drugs that affect physiological procedures and therapies that aim to modify behaviour † ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1996 ) . Prescription medicines can supply a utility drug for the existent drug and barricade the physiological effects of the abused drug. They can besides assist the effects of backdown. Therapy and guidance can assist to alter a individual ‘s behaviour. â€Å" Peer support self-help groups modeled after Alcoholics Anonymous, behavioural conditioning to change one ‘s response to drug stimulations, accomplishment development, or long term intervention in a closed residential scene str essing substance abstention and acquisition of new attitudes and behaviour † ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1996 ) , are all apart of acquiring effectual intervention. A â€Å" loving, fostering relationship with household has shown to be an of import portion though which a individual can larn to care, to give, and to compromise in relationships with others † ( Simons and Robertson, 1989 ) . Backsliding Peoples do non acquire cured when they go through intervention. Peoples become clean and sober. Substance maltreatment requires womb-to-tomb intervention. Peoples need to be able to acquire where they can â€Å" pull off their recovery and recover their lives † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . If a individual relapses, it needs to function as a trigger that a different intervention or intercession demands to be used. The added support of a group, reding, household, and friends can assist a individual get through intervention. â€Å" The odds of staying abstentious rise if a patient has been abstinent for one to three old ages. After three old ages, the recovery odds remain high and stable. Addiction requires an on-going and active disease direction scheme † ( The National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2009 ) . Backsliding is common and frequently repeated interventions are required. Successful intervention relies in portion on how much clip is spent in a intervention plan. Those who remain in a plan for at least a twelvemonth are less likely to return to their substance maltreatment or dependence ( The National Institute on Drug Addiction, 1996 ) . Opportunities of backsliding are influenced by the same biological, psychological, behavioural, societal, and environmental factors that they originally faced. The longer person abstains from substance maltreatment, the better the opportunity of them remaining clean and sober in the hereafter ( The National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1996 ) . Decision This paper covers substance maltreatment and dependence and its affects. The research was based on intercession and bar and the influences around a individual including the media, parents, and equals. This subject was chosen because of the turning job with substance maltreatment and dependence in the United States. Merely in my town entirely, there are changeless reminders everyday of the job and how it affects the town, the schools, and the individual ‘s household. The paper was developed around why and how a individual abuses or becomes dependence to a substance. The paper besides discusses the different research done sing substance maltreatment and dependence particularly refering striplings. The paper besides discusses the bar of substance maltreatment and dependence and those around them that can assist such as household, friends, and support groups. Even though there are drugs which can assist a individual, there still is the job of going addicted. Because so many people have a substance maltreatment and dependence, dependence still remains a job in the United States. Reasons for dependence and maltreatment are eternal. Without the aid and support of household, friends, and intervention, the dependence will go on. Even with support, people may decline it. The addicted individual demands to desire to halt their dependence. Annotated Bibliography Becker, G.S. , and Murphy, K.M. ( 1988 ) . A theory of rational dependence. The Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 96, No. 4, pp. 675-700. The University of Chicago Press. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable.1830469.pdf This article discusses how a individual rationalizes their substance maltreatment or dependence and what they future may keep for them. Bernheim, B.D. , and Rangel, A. ( 2004 ) . Addiction and cue-triggered determination procedures. The American Economic Review, Vol. 94, No. 5 pp. 1558-1590. American Economic Association. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable/3592834.pdf This article discusses why users find themselves prosecuting in usage even if they might desire to halt. The user knows the effects of what they are making and might desire to halt but can non. It besides discusses the money that is spent on substance maltreatment in the United States. It besides talks about forms of habit-forming behaviour. Lu, B. , Zanutto, E. , Homik, R. , and Rosenbaum, P.R. ( 2001 ) . Matching with doses in an experimental survey of a media run against drug maltreatment. Journal of the American Statistical Association, Vol. 96, No. 456 pp. 1245- 1253. American Statistical Association. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable/3085887.pdf This article discusses how the media might act upon habit-forming behaviour and how the media could be used in a positive manner. MedicineNet, Inc. ( 2008 ) . Drug maltreatment and dependence. Retrieved on January 8, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp? articlekey=25825 This article discusses what drug dependence is and why some people might go addicted and some do non. Factors include biological science, environment, and development. Orphanides, A. , and Zervos, D. ( 1995 ) . Rational dependence with acquisition and sorrow. The Journal of Political Economy, Vol. 103, No. 4 pp. 739-758. The University of Chicago Press. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable/2138580.pdf This article discusses how people did non believe that they could go addicted and how they regret their past determinations. Saisan, J. , Segal, J. , and Cutter, D. , ( 2009 ) . Drug maltreatment and dependence. Signs, symptoms, and assist for drug jobs. Retrieved on January 8, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment This article discusses what to look for in a individual that you might believe has a substance maltreatment or dependence job. It discusses the causes of the maltreatment and the different types of maltreatment. St. simons, R.L. , and Robertson, J.F. ( 1989 ) . The impact of rearing factors, aberrant equals, and get bying manner upon adolescent drug usage. Family Relations, Vol. 38, No. 3, pp. 273-281. National Council on Family Relations. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable/585052.pdf This article deals with research on stripling substance usage and maltreatment. This information was obtained from research done on 343 young persons. The research dealt with parental interaction, their equals, and how the young persons felt about themselves. The National Institute on Drug Abuse ( 1996 ) . Drug usage. Retrieved on January 8, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.hq.nasa.gov/office/ospp/securityguide/Eap/Drugs.htm This article discusses the difference between drug usage, maltreatment, and dependance. It talks about drug dangers and their badness. It besides discusses the drug maltreatment intervention. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, ( 2008 ) . NIDA for teens: Facts on drugs – Anabolic steroids. Retrieved on January 8, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_ster1.php This article talks about steroid usage among jocks, how they are used, and the effects of the drug. It besides discusses the range of usage among teens. The National Institute on Drug Abuse, ( 2009 ) . Addiction scientific discipline: From molecules to pull off attention. National Institute of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved on January 8, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.drugabuse.gov/pubs/teaching/Teaching6/Teaching1.html This is a series of articles that discusses everything from wellness effects to the money spent of drugs. It touches on HIV/AIDS. It discusses what happens to the encephalon when a individual is on drugs. It talks about how and why people become addicted to drugs. It discusses what factors affect the interaction of drugs and how the environment affects the use. It besides touches on intervention and what can be done in the instance of a backsliding. Toray, T. , Coughlin, C. , Vuchinich, S. , and Patricelli, P. ( 1991 ) . Gender differences associated with adolescent substance maltreatment: Comparisions and deductions for intervention. Family Relations, Vol. 40, No. 3, pp. 338-344. National Council of Family Relations. Retrieved on January 9, 2010 from hypertext transfer protocol: //www.jstor.org/stable/585021.pdf This was research done on a group of 930 striplings, both male and female, who were in intervention for drug maltreatment. This research shows how substance maltreatment and dependence affects the male and female otherwise. It takes into affect the history of physical and or sexual maltreatment and household history of substance maltreatment. I. Introduction a. Substance maltreatment and dependence B. Problem today among people c. Reason of dependence II. Statement of Problem a. Relevant – large job in today ‘s society B. Way to understand job c. What causes people to go addicted? d. Why does it impact some and non others? e. Are at that place underlying jobs to the maltreatment? f. Are at that place underlying jobs to the dependence? g. How does it impact those around them? III. Discussion a. Substance maltreatment B. Substance dependence c. Social deductions d. Parental engagement e. Peer engagement IV. Causes a. What causes the maltreatment and dependence B. Statisticss c. Family history d. Peer force per unit area V. Rational behind abuse/addiction a. It ‘s all right, I can discontinue anytime b. I am non aching anyone c. It does non be that much VI. Media influence Exposure to anti drug messages Helping the cause VII. Prevention a. Parents B. Peers c. Programs d. Rehabilitation VIII.. Relapse a. Reason b. Abstinence VIIII. Decision a. Reason for dependence and/or maltreatment B. Affects of intervention c. Problem today in the United States Brooding Narrative

Kant philosophy Essay

For this case, I will be using Kantian ethics to pinpoint the rationally correct action to take. Before discussing Kantian ethics in relation to the case, we must first explore what Kantian ethics is. Kantian ethics comes from the deontological school of thought, which focuses on the moral correctness of the act in itself (Johnson, 2013). This means that the judgment on the act is done a priori. This is contrasted to the consequentialist school of thought, which focuses on the results of an act as the factor that would qualify the rightness or wrongness of an action (Sinnott-Armstrong, 2012). A consequentialist would make a judgment on an act a posteriori. Kant utilized a concept called the Categorical Imperative, which states that that which is moral is that which is rational (Johnson, 2013). Therefore, a moral act is one that follows from a rational agent. An immoral act, as it follows, is that which is irrational (Johnson, 2013). Another significant factor to consider in Kantian ethics is that the most important value that they seek to preserve is autonomy. Contrasted to a Utilitarian, a Kantian would promote autonomy rather than happiness. The Categorical Imperative contains three main elements. One element of the Categorical Imperative is the formula of universalizable maxims. The formula of universalizable maxims states that a right action is that which can be universalizable (Johnson, 2013). The question here would be: would an action be acceptable if everyone did it? To test this, a person would need to imagine a twin world wherein that action is the norm for everyone. Then that person would need to see if such a world is conceivable and rational. Another important factor for this experiment would be to see if the universalized act would inhibit other people’s freedom. If the universalized act or maxim doesn’t infringe on other’s freedom then this act is acceptable (Johnson, 2013). Another element under the Categorical Imperative is the Humanity Formula. This concept states that humanity is a means in itself and should never be treated merely as a means to an end (Johnson, 2013). This means that each human being must be respected because he or she has his or her own inherent autonomy and dignity (Johnson, 2013). This formula stipulates that a person may not be manipulated by another as a means to achieve a particular goal. Realistically, though, you cannot help but use people as means to an end (Johnson, 2013). This happens everyday, for example, when we use shop clerks to purchase food. In this example, we are using the shop clerks as a means to get the ends, which is food. The reason as to why this particular case of using a person as a means to an end is acceptable is because of the idea of consent. A shop clerk has freely chosen to pursue his or her own line of work and this entails being a means through which people can purchase food. Thus, the shop clerk consents to being a means to this particular end. The third element under the Categorical Imperative is the Kingdom of Ends Formula. This formulation states that an agent exists in a community that is made up of equally rational agents who have just as much say in the maxims that become universalized (Johnson, 2013). The universalized maxims become the law and every agent in this community agrees to conform his or her actions to the law. B. DISCUSSION OF CASE For this particular case, we are dealing with the maxim of taking cognitive enhancing drugs to increase productivity output. If we were to test this particular maxim using the formula of universalizability, we would have to imagine a world wherein every person would do this particular action. In this world, everyone would use cognitive enhancing drugs to meet deadlines or to finish their work faster. In the face of stress, instead of overcoming the obstacle through the person’s own hard work and will, he would only merely need to pop a pill. As mentioned in the case, this kind of accepted behavior could create a new kind of neuro-society. This new neuro-society would be filled with people popping pills like Adderall or Ritalin to focus on their work on hand. There is essentially nothing wrong with increasing the ability of a person to focus on a particular task. The downside of this kind of society would be that it would become a society of drug dependency. Designer drugs like the ones previously mentioned would act as a quick fix for people. Instead of relying on their own wills and capacities, people would be relying merely on the drug to be able to produce an output. This dependency goes against the value the Kantian holds above everything else: autonomy. By allowing a drug-dependent society to prosper, we would be limiting our own freedom by slowly becoming more dependent on drugs. In this world where using cognitive enhancing drugs is the norm, imagine if the drug would suddenly be taken away. People would not know how to focus or get their work done without the drug. In the face of stress, people wouldn’t know how to act since they have lost the drug that previously did all the work for them. This is because they supplemented their own shortcomings with the drug instead of developing themselves into becoming fully functioning and autonomous adults who could deal with their problems. This maxim being universalized would stunt our own development and would, in turn, create an infantilized society. This thought experiment aims to show that the maxim of using cognitive enhancing drugs does not pass the test of universalizability. Secondly, in this world with this universalized maxim, the using of cognitive enhancing drugs may become a norm not only for college students or adults, but also for children. Children are vulnerable in the sense that their autonomy is still limited. Because a Kantian would uphold autonomy as the most important value, he or she would feel an obligation to protect vulnerable parties who have limited autonomy. In this world, there may be over-achieving parents who want their children to be competitive in the world of academics. If the using of cognitive enhancing drugs becomes the norm, then these kinds of parents might try to get their children to take these kinds of drugs to get ahead in their studies. A Kantian would see that the children must be protected from these kinds of actions since they cannot utilize their autonomy in the full capacity. Another point for this argument is that if children are put on cognitive enhancing drugs from an early age, then they will grow up never knowing what it is like to function without these drugs. Furthermore, they will become extremely dependent and they will never be able to realize their own full potential and capacity. This means that their autonomies will always be somewhat limited. Therefore, a world wherein cognitive enhancing drugs are the norm, not just for adults but also for children, must be avoided. Therefore, based on the twin world test, the use of cognitive enhancing drugs should not become a norm since it creates a dependent society and it creates an opportunity for vulnerable parties to remain vulnerable and never reach their full autonomies. Thirdly, another reason as to why this particular maxim would not be acceptable for a Kantian is because it goes against another element of the Categorical Imperative: the Human Formula. As previously stated, this formulation asserts that humans should not be used merely as means to an end. This formulation includes disallowing agents in using themselves as a means to an end (Manninen, 2006). The act of taking cognitive enhancing drugs reduces the person to merely a means to an end. Instead of respecting one’s own capacity to achieve one’s full potential, a person merely reduces himself to something akin to a machine that will produce output in the quickest way possible. Instead of the person using his or her own capacity in facing the challenge, the act of using a cognitive enhancing drug will circumvent the process of self-development and will skip the opportunity for personal growth. In this manner, the person will accomplish the short-term goal of churning out an output without actually developing his or her own talents. As noted in a journal article by Manninen (2006), when drugs are treated as a miracle solution to the stressful emotions an agent is feeling, this stops the agent from growing and overcoming the stress by himself or herself. This sacrifices an important aspect of being human: the capacity to engage in personal development. This stunts personal growth and, in turn, society is left with people who do not know how to deal with problems by themselves. Instead, they turn to using drugs as an emotional crutch. In conclusion, we see how a Kantian would view the maxim of using cognitive enhancing pills in response to stress or a heavy workload. Since the most important value for the Kantian is autonomy and the development of this, he or she would see this maxim as something that limits and stunts autonomy. Therefore, to make this maxim into a universalized law would be irrational. In my opinion, I think that Kantian ethics did pinpoint the morally correct response in this case. This is because the using of cognitive enhancing drugs would reduce the agent to a mere means. This is not morally correct since human beings are not mere means nor machines but rather rational agents who deserve respect and the chance to grow. References: Johnson, R. (2013). Kant’s Moral Philosophy. In E. Zalta (Ed. ), The stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford. edu/entries/kant-moral/ Manninen, B. A. (2006). Medicating the mind: A kantian analysis of overprescribing psychoactive drugs. Journal of medical ethics, 32(2), 100-105. Sinnott-Armstrong, W. (2012). Consequentialism. In E. Zalta (Ed. ), The stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Retrieved from http://plato. stanford. edu/cgi-bin/encyclopedia/archinfo. cgi? entry=consequentialism.

Renting vs Owning a Home

Renting now can make things become easier later. Saving money is what everyone wants to do. Buying a home can not only hurt someone financially but it can put you in a bind that can have you paying a bill for the rest of your life. The economy is on a decline right now so making the decision to buy a home can be a little tricky. Buying a home it is not a one time transaction. Once you have the home you continue to pay bills like your mortgage fees and maintenance. Think about all the money you have to come out of pocket to take care of some of the fees that will come when making a ecision to buy a home. Renting can put things in someone else’s hands to where you can save more money from your monthly payments. When renting an apartment you will never have to worry about fixing the plumbing, sink or dishwasher because maintenance is paid by the landlord. Not having these fees leaves you with more money in your bank account expanding your option for your home when you get to that decision. The decision to rent now and buy later can give you enough time to wait on the economy to get stronger and much better than it is now. Buying a home will be a much smoother process. Rent now and buy later is the best way to go, at this time in our economy. The question whether to rent an apartment or buy a home is probably one of the biggest. There are many people who are on both sides of the fence, as well as many good arguments towards both. There many advantages of renting the price, upkeep, qualifying. People believe renting is better than buying. The first reason is the economy, consider how many people have lost their homes, or are being foreclosed upon right now. Whether it's because of losing a job, investing in the wrong company, or using some kind of lending service that went under after paying all that money into it. Why would you want to put yourself through any of that? The second reason for renting is why you would pay for expensive repairs, when someone else can. When buying a house and something breaks or is damaged, you are entitled to fix it on your own, but with apartments if something breaks down like the dishwasher, or stove or some other major appliance, the landlord must replace it. With renting you don't have to worry about yard upkeep, it is the landlord's job to keep and maintain the grounds. If there is a problem, the landlord has to deal with it, or your only responsibility is to maintain your personal space. Lastly the most important reason why you should rent an apartment is better than buying house. Having the ability to move when you want to especially if you’re single or get offered employment somewhere far, you wouldn’t have to worry about selling. If you get transferred, or lose your job, you’re not locked in to a monthly mortgage payment. In today's real estate market, trying to sell a home could prove very costly. Even if you have to break your lease, it's much better than defaulting on your mortgage. Renting gives great flexibility until you find a place you really want to stay at for a long time. If you’ve read all what I have written, you’ve learned a lot about housing choices! As you explore your own options for buying a home, you will need to learn more about the costs of home ownership, about how much you can afford, and about financing a home purchase.

Counseling Ethics Essay

Ethics are based on philosophical principles and these guidelines assist a practitioner in making the best possible decisions for the welfare of the clients and the practitioner himself. Ethics are normative or critical in nature and concern human conduct and moral decision. Morality describes decision making and judgement by an individual concerning an incident or human behaviour. This is greatly influenced by the values he or she has acquired or formed as a result of external influence or indoctrination. Value is an enduring belief that a specific that a specific end-state of conduct is desirable (McLeod, 1998). Terminal and instrumental values are two types of values where the former refer to the desired end-state of existence, for example wisdom and the later refer to the mode of conduct that leads to it, for example broad-mindedness .Values then influence and determine the decisions we choose to make in our daily lives. In providing an effective, therapeutic therapy, a practitioner helping a client encountering dilemma in decision- making may adopt the eight – step model approach to think through the ethical problems (Corey, Corey & Callanan, 2007). The steps of the model are described as follows: Step 1- Identify the problem or dilemma. In the first step the existence of the problem must be recognised. The nature of the problem has to be ascertained. Identify if it is an ethical, legal, moral, professional or clinical problem. The practitioner’s and the client’s insights regarding the problem must be examined. Consultation with the client can begin at this stage as problems are being identified. Looking at the problem from different perspectives is useful as most ethical dilemmas are complex. Step 2 – Identify the potential issues involved. From the collected information, irrelevant ones must be discarded. The critical issues must be noted and described. The welfare of those involved; their rights and responsibilities must be evaluated. Ethical principles relevant to the problem must be identified and examined with the client. In doing so the moral principles namely, autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence, justice and fidelity must be considered and applied to the  situation. The safety and welfare of the client and practitioner cannot be compromised while potential issues are being sorted out. Step 3- Review the relevant ethics codes. The practitioner must seek guidance that can be found from the professional codes of ethics. They provide a basis for accountability, and through their enforcement, provide protection for clients from unethical practices (Corey, 1997). Practitioner must also examine the agreeability of his values with the relevant codes. Should they be in conflict, he must have a rationale to support his stance. It is essential to consider congruency of these values and ethics with those of the client’s. The practitioner must ensure clarity of the ethical codes and if they are applicable with the state laws of the region. Step 4- Know the applicable laws and regulations. The practitioner should be up to date with the specific and relevant laws that apply to the ethical issue. This is particularly critical in situations which deal with keeping or breaching of confidentiality, reporting of child or elder abuse, record keeping, assessment, diagnosis, issues pertaining to dangers to self or others and the grounds of malpractice. Step 5- Obtain consultation. Consulting with colleagues to obtain different perspectives on the problems is generally considered to be helpful. Seeking legal counsel for legal questions is prudent along with consulting a person with an expertise in an unfamiliar culture to serve a client from that culture. In addition the practitioner must understand current rules and regulations of the agency or organization that he or she is working for. It is wise for the nature of the consultation and suggestions provided to be documented. These records would illustrate the practitioner’s attempt to adhere to the community’s standard practice. Step 6- Consider possible and probable courses of action. At this point a list of a variety of courses of action may be identified  through brainstorming. The practitioner could discuss with the client as well as other professionals the available options. The possibilities could be identified for probable courses of actions and these should be documented. Step 7- Enumerate the consequences of various decisions. From the various possible courses of actions, implications of each course must be examined. The questions of who will be affected and to what extent will the client’s decision to pursue the actions affect them must be carefully examined. Again using the fundamental moral principles as a framework, the client must collaborate with the practitioner to ascertain the probable outcomes and consequences. If new ethical issues arise from the selected course of action, a re-evaluation of the action must be pursued. Step 8- Decide on what appears to be the best course of action. Careful consideration of all information received from different sources deliberately and with sensitivity to cross cultural issues is critical before making the best decision. Once making the decision, informing the supervisor, implementing and documenting the decision follows. Reflecting on the experience considering any follow up action could result in finding a solution for the client. While the procedural steps may help in resolving ethical matters, some implications may be noted. Firstly, the client enters a collaborative relationship with the practitioner. The implication is that the client with the practitioner’s help must draw out the details of the problem. This implicates that the client should refrain from coveting relevant information to enable an accurate analysis of the issue. This is to ascertain the true nature of the problem whether it is an ethical, legal, moral, professional, or clinical one. The different perspectives of the problem must be explored. What are the insights the client and practitioner have regarding the problem? (Corey et al., 2007). Failing which the consequence is an unnecessary delay in resolving the problem as there will be an inaccurate analysis of the situation. Secondly, in identifying the potential issues, all the persons involved in the problem must be identified. The implication of failing to identify any one individual who may be affected by the decision of the client would be unethical. The welfare, rights and responsibilities of those affected by the decision might create a different set of problems. The decision would then have to be reversed and a new course of action would have to be pursued. It is to therefore necessary to explore to what extent the course of the action will affect the client and the others (Corey et al., 2007). Next the values and ethics of the client and the practitioner must be evaluated and the degree of congruency noted. This implicates that the relevant ethical principles that are identified to the problem should not be in conflict with those of the client and the practitioner. If there are disagreements, then they must be supported with a rationale. If necessary, guidance must be sought from the relevant organization to clarify the professional codes to the particular problem. Otherwise consequently, the client’s decision may violate the ethical codes relevant to the issue. The client must be informed of the relevant and most recent laws or regulations that apply to the situation. He must look out for any law or regulations that have a bearing on the situation. The implication of his ignorance is that he may run into problems with the law. The practitioner too must abide by the rules, regulations and policies of the workplace. When in doubt practitioner must seek professional advice. The client must be informed of legal issues related to confidentiality, abuse of the vulnerable, record keeping and grounds for malpractice. If the practitioner discovers a criminal act by a client for example, sex with an under-aged girl he has the moral responsibility to report him. The practitioner has the ethical responsibility to discuss with the client on the implications of his actions before reporting the incident. The client must understand the implications of his actions that violate the law. The fundamental moral principles may be considered as framework for evaluating the consequences of the given course of action. The client must  decide the principles that apply to the situation specifically and prioritise them. By thinking through these ethical principles, professional can better evaluate their options in such complex situations. Prioritising the principles can help the client and practitioner to work through the steps of the decision-making model (Elizabeth, 2010). There are implications however when prioritizing one over another. The practitioner encourages the client to exercise autonomy i.e. making a free choice. In doing so, the client must have the concept of doing no harm or non-maleficence and acting in justice (Elizabeth, 2010). Conflict can arise when subscribing to justice which may result in the necessity of treating an individual differently. Though not easy to apply equal weightage to all the principles, it will help to explore an ethical dilemma and resolve it with the least damage to the welfare of those affected. The model may be useful when clients seek help in making decisions in their life regarding relationship issues. A client may be caught in a loveless marriage and be involved in an extra-marital affair and seek advice to take the next step in his life. The dilemma of whether to dissolve his marriage and move on with his life or stay in the marriage to fulfil his duties towards his wife and children is one that needs careful consideration. A divorce would mean breaking up of his family and causing a disruption in the relationship with his children. Staying in the marriage would mean the sacrifice of his love life. Analysing his situation using the model can shed light to clarify the implications of his actions and weigh the consequences. The model may help clients to make decisions at their place of work regarding conflicting work practices. An office worker may be tormented by the wrong practices of her fellow colleagues. She may be facing a dilemma as to whether to report her colleagues to the management or turn a blind eye to the situation. The model can help the client to analyse the situation and evaluate her moral values. She would then be able to make an ethical decision that would do least harm to those involved in the situation. In conclusion, the eight – step model can be a useful tool in helping a practitioner to guide clients to make sound decisions that do not have  conflict with their ethics and are aligned with the laws and regulations of the region. In doing so the practitioner must ensure that he or she is operating in the best interest of the clients.

Assignment #3 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Assignment #3 - Research Paper Example For men of the medieval age, there were only two types of women, the blessed ideal and the woman of the world. While the Wife of Bath is worldly in the true sense of the word whichever way it is interpreted, the Knight’s Tale illustrates peripherally the ideal of womanhood as it is represented in the figure of the Amazonian princess Emily, sister to Hippolyta and sister-in-law to Theseus. The differences between the ways in which these women are portrayed are vast, not just in the types of women they represent, but also in the method through which their stories are related. An example of the change in voices can be seen in a comparison of the Knight’s Tale and the tale of the Wife of Bath. The knight, a man of great wealth, reputation and honor, fills his speech with the courtly manners and chivalric actions that are a central part of his world. His story is full of the importance of honor and oath-taking among men of the nobility. Theseus swears to hold the two nobles Arcite and Palamon prisoner forever, but changes his mind upon the pleading of a friend for the one and the noble escape of the other. Arcite and Palamon swear brotherhood forever, but quickly forget this oath when they each fall in love with Emily. In this sense, Chaucer exposes the hypocrisy of such oaths in the face of the chivalric conception of love, regardless of the knight’s conception of these actions as of the highest nobility. In the Knight’s Tale, Chaucer defends the ideal of womanhood in a courtly story of love endured, fought for and finally won. Throughout the story, the object of affections is the innocent Emily, sister to Hippolyta who is wife to Prince Theseus. Emily is described as a perfectly chaste maiden, going about the typical activities of a well-bred girl, collecting flowers, walking or simply moving about the house.

Film Critique Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Film Critique - Movie Review Example According to Buhler, et al (2009), full understanding of a drama or a movie calls for analysis of different aspect of the movie. Important analytical areas include a story set-up, use of different literature devices, character and characterization, and symbolic meaning of a story among others. This paper, in effect, analyzes the Wuthering Heights (1939) Film. Background Information Wuthering Heights is a film that reveals how individual’s choices and characters determine various happenings in a person’s life. The film is directed by William Wyler and produced by Samuel Goldwyn. The movie is romantic play that presents two confronting personalities, which are love and hatred. The film is based on an Emily Bronte’s novel, Wuthering Heights, which is also a romantic literature. It, however, depicts only 16 chapters out of 34 chapters of the novel. The romantic play revolves around two main characters, Catherine Earnshaw (Sarita Wooten) and Heathcliff (Laurence Olive r), whose love and affection for one another gradually increases since childhood (Hardy et al, scene 2 2009). The two characters, however, have a staggering relationship because of differences in their social status. Cathy is born in a wealthy family, whereas Heathcliff is a poor stable boy who is pessimistic about his acceptance in a society. Plot Summary and Storytelling The film unfolds in a flashback. The story is narrated by a housekeeper, Ellen Dean, to a stranger Lockwood (Miles Mander) (Sharma, 2010). The house-lady recounts the story to Mr. Lockwood, who takes a shelter at the Wuthering Heights estates. The curtains open by showing a comfortable life Mr. Earnshaw (Cecil Kellaway), a farmer, has with his children, Hindley (Douglas Scott) and Cathy a friendly farmer. The film producer portrays Mr. Earnshaw as a friendly farmer who interacts freely with his family and other people. Being a generous and congenial gentleman, the farmer rescues a street child, Heathcliff. The kid is loved by all members of the Earnshaw’s family except Hindley. The street boy and Cathy soon become intimate friends, a behavior that does not please Hindley. After the demise of Mr. Earnshaw, Hindley expresses his cruel enmity towards Heathcliff and stops him from marrying his sister. Heathcliff gets angry and leaves his â€Å"family.† When the street boy comes back, he finds that Cathy is married to Edgar Linton (David Niven), a rich neighbor (Sharma, 2010). Acting The drama involves many characters, each of whom contributes to plot development and theme illustration. Individual contributions, however, vary from one character to another depending on roles played in the film. According to Bloom (2000), characters in the movie are categorized as active and passive actors. Active actors, whom the story revolves around, are Heathcliff and Cathy. Heathcliff is portrayed as an important actor who, despite his poor background, significantly assists in plot development. B y incorporating the street boy in the Earnshaw’s family the theme of love and selfishness is revealed. The street kid also reveals how certain individual’s have good characters despite being in a society rotten with evil things. The actor, moreover, discloses the theme of revenge and several stylistic devices such as irony. Even though he has a low societal status, he is able to cause

Islam & clash of civilizations Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Islam & clash of civilizations - Term Paper Example If culture would be the main driving force, then what is culture? There could be hundreds of meanings just for a single world. Summarizing these meanings, it is defined as the collection of philosophies and concepts which are being shared by people. However, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) expounded on the meaning of the word as: â€Å"the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features of a society or a social group, and encompasses, in addition to art and literature, lifestyles, ways of living together with value systems, traditions, and beliefs† (Dilworth & Maital, 30). With these presented to the public, what is happening after the Cold War is a product of diverse beliefs of people who were ruled by leaders who influenced them in having such views. Huntington also puts in a higher cultural grouping of people which is the civilization. He divided human kind into several major civilizations. Amongst these civilizations, what is more prominent especially in the news is the Islamic civilization. They are not just fighting for their civilization to be the strongest but they are also fighting that their religion is more superior to what is dominating the other civilizations (Huntington, 25; Gogstad, 1). There have been published materials that are pointing to the Islamic civilization to be the most susceptible in clashes towards the other civilizations. It was more likely that the clashes began with the Islamic civilization going against the West. One conflict though is that a country who belongs to the Islamic civilization is an ally of the West. This country is Saudi Arabia. The West imports its oil from Saudi Arabia which makes the West one of the key importers of its economy (Brooks, A27; Barber, 4-5; Chomsky). Huntington’s thesis was written in 1993 where the emergence of wars in the Middle East began. It was the time when the West