26. May 2009 by student.

One of many books on helping people get and stay sober is The Tao of Sobrity, by; David Gregson & Jay S. Efran, PH.D.   It is said by Tao, and Buddhist that addiction blocks the natural flow of the “watercourse way”. Watercourse/waterflow-metaphor for a Zen attitude. people who use alcohol or other drugs to control their feelings often believe the “illusion of control” they think they have the power to avoid unpleasant experiences or create a permanent “high” to mask the boredom of everyday life. From the perspective of Taoism, addiction on a psychological level blocks the ability to accept the fullness of the present moment. For the addict acceptance of the” here and now”is replaced by the “Next Fix”. The urges and craving for substances that promise to ease the suffering or change the boredom to fun. For those “frustrated mystics” who reject the Christian orientation Taoism and Buddhism provides a alternative pathway leading to personal awakening and spiritual  enlightenment. Buddhist speak of the eight fold path as a alternative to the 12steps. Both may provide optional routes to the same overall destination. Unlike the disease model, which defines addiction solely in biological or physiological terms (addiction a disease of the brain or alcoholism as a genetic disorder), Eastern spiritual define addiction as a disease of the mind”.  The Tao and Buddhism share the belief  that there can be balance found through meditation. One of the definitions of Taoism is the Middle Way, a position of balance. In reading The Tao of Pooh by; Benjamin Hoff they discuss the famous painting The Vinegar Tasters which explains the Buddhist, Tao, and Confucianism beliefs. Albert Einstein warned that “the illusion that we are separate from one another is a optical delusion of our consciousness”. He realized that the conventional Western order for success, emphasizes on often a formula for loneliness, isolation, and despair. The Eastern views will be talking about advise a more holistic, compassionate and relational perspective. So it is believed that there is help without God. As far as my opinion goes, No! If God created “All” then that would include Tao, Buddhist,and all other religions. So in my opinion there would be NO help without God.   R.Szy

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »

26. May 2009 by student.

Unfortunately, in our society today, we not only have to combat illegal street narcotics, but also prescription medications used as narcotics.  Studies by the CDC show that an average of 79% of physician, outpatient and emergency visits combined resulted in a drug therapy, typically 2-3 prescriptions each.   Of these prescriptions, the most frequent class of drug prescribed were analgesics, namely painkillers.  These prescription drugs are detrimental to our society as a whole because they are highly addictive, as most are opiates.  Due to the intensely addictive nature of these drugs, even the most straight laced individuals can become addicted to painkillers after surgery or dental procedures.  Another impact these drugs have are that on the street they are particularly expensive, which leads to either patients falsifying symptoms and/or physicians providing false prescription documents in order to obtain them and make a profit off of them.  Due to the combination of addictiveness and the cost, users are also often prone to steal or perform other illegal actions in order to obtain the drugs.  Prescription drugs can put physicians in a mess of trouble.  Physicians have the pharmaceutical companies forcing them to sell their product, often times enticing them with large bonuses or vacations; and drug users on the other hand willing to lie, cheat and blackmail in order to obtain them.  So, who pays the ultimate price for this situation?  Families of the addicted users, whose lives fall apart from their loved ones lives becoming entangled in pursuit and use of said drugs?  Taxpayers, whom in the end have to pay to imprison these people or, best case scenario, pay for their sobriety treatment?

Posted in Introduction to Sociology | 2 Comments »