Record and post a 2- to 3-minute video in which you respond to the mothers question about just stopping using opioids. In your video, be sure to:
Describe the impact of substance use/misuse on the brain.
Explain the implications in terms of the clients ability to just stop using.
Use professional and plain language to communicate.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Impact of Substance Use on the Brain and Why Just Stopping Is Challenging
[Video Transcript]
[Camera shows a person sitting in a professional setting]
Speaker: Hello, and thank you for reaching out with your question about stopping opioid use. I understand your concerns, and I’m here to provide some insights on why it’s not easy for individuals to just stop using opioids.
Let’s talk about the impact of substance use, particularly opioids, on the brain. When someone uses opioids, these substances interact with the brain’s neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which is responsible for feelings of pleasure and reward. Opioids can hijack this system, creating a sense of euphoria and relaxation.
Over time, continued opioid use can lead to changes in the brain’s chemistry and structure. The brain adapts to the presence of opioids, and individuals may develop tolerance, needing higher doses to achieve the same effects. Additionally, opioid use can disrupt the brain’s natural production of neurotransmitters, leading to imbalances that contribute to withdrawal symptoms when the drug is not present.
Now, in terms of just stopping opioid use, it’s essential to understand that addiction is a complex condition that affects both the brain and behavior. The physiological changes caused by opioids make it challenging for individuals to quit abruptly. Withdrawal symptoms, including intense cravings, anxiety, nausea, and muscle aches, can be overwhelming and drive continued drug use to alleviate discomfort.
Addiction is not simply a matter of willpower or choice; it’s a chronic medical condition that requires comprehensive treatment. Just telling someone to stop using opioids without addressing the underlying factors contributing to their substance use is often ineffective and can lead to relapse.
Seeking professional help and support is crucial for individuals struggling with opioid addiction. Treatment options, such as medication-assisted therapy, counseling, and behavioral interventions, can help individuals manage withdrawal symptoms, address underlying issues, and develop coping strategies for long-term recovery.
It’s important to approach addiction with compassion and understanding, recognizing that overcoming substance use challenges is a journey that may require ongoing support and resources. By acknowledging the complexities of addiction and providing appropriate care, we can empower individuals to take steps towards recovery and improved well-being.
Thank you for your question, and remember that there is help available for those in need. Reach out to healthcare professionals or addiction specialists for guidance and support on the path to recovery.
[Video ends]
This video provides a professional yet understandable explanation of the impact of substance use on the brain and why it’s challenging for individuals to simply stop using opioids. It emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help and support for effective treatment and recovery from addiction.
