Is our
perception of addiction correct?
Human beings
can become addicted to almost everything. We have drugs, alcohol, gambling and
many, many others things that often are not perceived as addictive in the first
place. However, what exactly makes us become addicted to them? What do we look
for when we become when we keep smoking or using same drugs again and again?
Here is an interesting theory presented by Johann Hari.
Questions:
1. What do you think about the theory
presented at the beginning of the video? What do you think causes us to become
addicts?
2. Do you think that current drug policy
in your country is correct? What would you change?
3. If you wanted to help someone who is
addicted to something, what would you do?
Comments
The presenters view on addiction is really interesting and has some sense. I agree with him that we are are more susceptible to addiction when we are in the 'cage'
2. Do you think that current drug policy in your country is correct? What would you change?
I don't know what is the drug policy in your country right now but the idea and policy in Portugal that was presented in video seems appealing to me.
3. If you wanted to help someone who is addicted to something, what would you do?
It's really hard question. You can do or propose everything that comes to your mind but if the person addicted in his own opinion and world does not consider this as a problem and he think he doesn't need any help then you cannot accomplish much.
2) I don't think our current drug policy is working properly. We treat addicted people as criminals instead of trying to help them. There is a problem with "dopalacze", where their creators modify chemical compounds used to create them, so they won't be illegal anymore, because that is how our law works: prohibited chemical compounds are added to illegal list and even small change in their composition suddenly makes them legal again. Problem connected with it, is that after these changes they can be more dangerous or even lethal to users. In my opinion this problem is real and troublesome.
3)Depends on situation and what this parson takes but first of all i'd try think about or find reasons why.
The theory is almost flawless, almost only because we can be sure of a thing in 100%. Addicts needs other people to step in and help them, give them option to do something different then use those things they are addicted to.
2. Do you think that current drug policy in your country is correct? What would you change?
I would legalise most of the stuff. In my opinion people have their own minds and if they want something and this thing isn't based on hurting other person they should be free to have it. In our time people get addicted to FB, TV and other media, if they aren't banned why some natural substances that where used by our ancestors to chill a bit during a holiday or so.
3. If you wanted to help someone who is addicted to something, what would you do?
I would try to find him something to do so he or she won't be thinking about addiction, but i realise this may be hard or even more addictive. This particular person has to feel the need of becoming free from the stuff that holds him or her.
2. No, I think that all drugs should be legal. The price would go down and illegal trading would become unprofitable. Drugs could be even taxed to give some profit to the country instead of spending money to fight them. Volenti non fit iniuria. If someone takes drugs, it is his problem. Moreover, if drugs introduced to the market were under control, we would get what we expect instead of some toxins from strange dealers. We are kidding ourselves – if someone wants to get access to drugs, he will get it one way or another, and the dealer would earn lots of money because of extremely low supply and dangerous conditions.
3. I wouldn’t do anything, because I don’t have such knowledge and it is better to say nothing than giving incorrect advises about something which is totally unknown. It would be only annoying to that person, because no one knows the perspective and feelings of someone else.
You wrote about a very clever idea of helping addicts. Everyone has or had some kind of passion. Fighting addiction with hobbies seems a good idea.
2. In my opinion, drug policy in Poland is correct. I believe that there is no need for change in this matter. Our government reacts quickly to changes and tragic events. Of course you can say that I am wrong, and there are cases of drug overdoses every day somewhere in Poland. But you can't completely ban drugs, some of them are medications. I am not convinced that the Portuguese treatment model would work in Poland.
3. In my opinion, there are many different forms of help for addicts. A lot depends on the type of addiction, different techniques can be used for each. However, the most important thing is for an addict to want to quit his addiction. A person struggling with addiction should have a strong will to end this toxic relationship.
Do you remember that story about Bob's cat?
I don't know actually what the matter with Poland's drug policy.
I'd try to understand why someone feels what she/he feels, what he is trying to replace with this addiction, maybe even make some tests.
1. I’ve always shared this opinion, that addiction arises in our minds. Of course, recurrence, creating specific habits and driving pleasure from certain activity is also crucial in creating the addiction itself. Nevertheless… I’ve seen few addicted people in my life and all of them were people that felt unwanted, unloved, lost in society in some way. They had problems with being social, with creating new, strong and loving bonds with friends, relatives and partners. That’s why I definitely agree with the presenter’s theory, that addiction is not created by chemical reaction but by loss of relations and meaning to our lives.
2. I don’t know how exactly current drug policy in Poland looks like, but I think that Portugal’s approach to this subject is quite clever. There is actually Kurzgezagt’s episode considering this topic and Switzerland’s way to deal with the problem. I recommend watching it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJUXLqNHCaI
3. As everyone is different, I think diversified approach would be required. I don’t think that prohibiting something or giving ultimatum is the best way to deal with the problem, but I understand that sometimes it’s the only way to deal with the problem. There are people that simply don’t feel the need to be “saved”, they want to plunge into their suffering rather than work together for a better future. In that cases, it’s better to take care of ourselves. It’s hard for me to say what I would, but I think I would try to talk about the problem and how to solve it. Try to be there for someone and help them with this, but only if they wanted it themselves.
2. It’s far away from being correct. People with serious problems are treated like criminals. I think that implementing Portugal policy might be a good idea and for sure better than current situation.
3. The most important is to have deep conversations and to find the reasons why the person is addicted. If I couldn’t handle it I would strongly recommend him or her a professional treatment.
Because of our beliefs that we need, what we want.
2. I think that drug policy is correct. There is no need to make changes.
3. Nothing. I just won’t to help.
I do not have an unequivocal opinion on this issue of drug policy. Despite the complete ban on drugs, I have the impression that they are very easily accessible. I am a total opponent of hard drugs, but otherwise I refer to marijuana, for example. I have never smoked anything in my life but, considering how common it is, I think it should become legal and taxed.
I do not know how I would help an addicted person, I hope that I will never encounter such a problem, because I think I am not mentally strong enough.