Summary of Section Two and Three; Helping the Addict You Love

In sections two and three of Helping the Addict You Love, Laurence M. Westreich MD presents the main concept: the addict himself has to realize there is an issue. Westrich commences by showing different tactics of convincing the addict treatment is necessary. He points out the legal issues surrounding the use of drugs and overuse of alcohol, as well as the emotional toll taken on the addict's own life, as well as on the lives of those around him. Once the addict realizes help is needed, Westreich analyzes the many different types of treatment facilities and programs an addict of the road to recovery can use. He highlights the pros and cons of inpatient programs versus out patient programs, and the steps in between, such as half-way houses.  Here, the addict's friends and family can take steps towards helping the him by determining the most appropriate facility to suit his needs. Westreich also examines the long-term treatment options of detoxification versus medication, and which kind of treatment would be most useful in a particular situation. Finally, Wesitrich praises the treatment option of Psychotherapy as an incredibly effective, long-term, treatment method. 

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Westreich, Laurence Michael. Helping the Addict You Love: The New Effective Program for Getting the Addict into Treatment. New York: Fireside, 2007. 100-200. Print.

Group Research Project

Essential Question: Should Marijuana (Cannabis)  be Nationally Legalized?

Claim: Marijuana should be nationally legalized.

Reason: Marijuana is a safer alternative to other more harmful drugs. No one in the United States has yet died from a Marijuana overdose. There was a study done in 2010 which weighed the harm of each addictive substance.  Marijuana was placed eighth, coming after heroin, cocaine, and other deadly drugs.  If marijuana became easy to access and legal, and the other more harmful drugs were still hard to access and illegal, people would choose the easier and less harmful option of marijuana.  People naturally try to achieve the greatest reward with the least amount of effort. 

Summary of Section One and Two "Helping the Addict You Love"

In sections one and two of Helping the addict You Love, Laurence M. Westreich MD expresses great concern for addicts and examines ways people can help their loved ones. Westreich begins with a scientific approach by introducing types of addiction and then diving deeper into the four categories of drugs: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens and other. He describes how each type affects the physical and mental capabilities of the user. Westreich emphasizes  the fact that addicts rational ability to make choices is severely lessened because of their addiction. Another point he stresses is  addiction is a disease that needs to be combated.  He then moves from the scientific side of addiction to the emotional side. He looks at the different forms addicts use to defend their addiction. There are over eight different forms of avoidance used by addicts, but the most common defense is pure denial over use. Next, Westreich provides strategies to show the addict that treatment is necessary.  Finally, Westreich highlights the pros and cons of a psychologist, psychiatrist and a general conselor, and points out which person of guidance would be best in a particular situation.

Westreich, Laurence Michael. Helping the Addict You Love: The New Effective Program for Getting the Addict into Treatment. New York: Fireside, 2007. 1-100. Print.

Survey results

According to our results, everyone agrees that addiction effects both your body and your mind. A few people have family members who struggle with addictin, but much of the class does not have addictions making an impact in their life. The class was fully split on what the most common form of addiction is, between prescription drugs, alcohol, and internet. Also, there was full agreement in that people who struggle with addiction are hurting the family and friends around them more then themselves. It was an eye opening experience

Tech Friday survey

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Tech Friday #3


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Discussion Question #3

Analyze the similarities and differences between Twelve, by Nick McDonnell and Gossip Girl, by  Cecily von Ziegesar.   In which story would you rather live?

Though both stories are situated in the exclusive Upper East Side of New York, the catty, drama- filled girls of Gossip Girl seem to be living much better lives than the attention-hungry drug users of Twelve. The girls in Gossip Girl and the girls in Twelve both seem to be striving for attention. Sara, a main character in Twelve, tries finding it by throwing an enormous New Year's party, while Serena, a main character in Gossip Girl gains attention from the media when she escapades around New York City with new boyfriends. Also, most of the kids in both cases are extremely privileged, wealthy city dwellers, who love to have "a bit of fun". The Gossip Girl scene starts to look more inviting as the differences take place. In Gossip Girl, there is a core group of four friends who have been friends their whole lives. They often get in petty fights and arguments, yet they always have each other to fall back on. "Three words, eight letters. Say it and I'm yours" (Season 2 "Summer kind of Wonderful”). The core group loves each other and does anything and everything to make sure their friends are alright. In Twelve, the kids are all lonely; true friendship and love is not shown to them by parents or friends. Another apparent difference is the prevalence of drugs and alcohol in Twelve. "On the sixth floor, a bunch of kids are standing around. Lots of beers- Corona Lights, Budweiser, all over the floor in various parts of the house" (25).  It seems in Twelve that all of the private school kids in New York partake in an assortment of drugs on a regular basis, yet in Gossip Girl they are barely even referenced, only once being mentioned as a thing of the past two characters used to try. Though private-schooled, snobby, stuck up kids abound in both books, the relative security and safety in Gossip Girl make it a more tempting scene in which to live.