Forging a new template : proposing a more effective way of working with drug users
Authors
Byrne, Declan
Loose, Rik
Issue Date
2007
Degree
Publisher
Kilbarrack Coast Community Programme (KCCP)
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
Addiction is characterised by a sense of urgency or immediacy and it concerns a need to feel good, to be without pain or even to acquire an ideal state of feeling. But are these needs not something that most people can identify with? Indeed, addiction is a very human phenomenon. However, what sets addicts apart from others is that they do not just want to feel a certain way, they also demand these feelings and, moreover, they have found something in the effect of alcohol and drugs that will give them these feelings (at least for a while). These chemical substances will provide addicts with the sought-after feeling because that is the effect they have on them. It is important not to forget the simple fact that drugs and alcohol do not affect everyone in the same way: for instance, addicts do not get the same effect from drugs as non-addicts do.