Embraced by the Needle free essay sample

In his essay â€Å"Embraced by the Needle†, Gabor Mate sets out the stages of drug addiction and its consequences. At first he explains the physiological effects of using drugs. Then he suggests that emotionally fragile youth, who have experienced different degrees of stress, are more likely to become substance abusers. Mate is a physician who practices in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, often referred to as the drug capital of Canada. He estimates that the addict population in Vancouver is around 3,000 to 5,000 individuals. Mate uses scientific research to identify the biological essence of the â€Å"high†, which is a condition under the influence of drugs. He explains how the drugs interact with the brains chemistry to give the user pleasure. In particular, he confirms opiates can develop a â€Å"high† excitement, which can induce users to temporarily escape from depressions and to feel better (273). In its â€Å"normal† state, Mate explains that the human brain has opiate receptors that interact with endorphins, natural opiate-like substances that can reduce pain and regulate mood. Therefore, he informs that endorphins play a role as an important substance in promoting the development of children brains. In contrast, he also emphasizes on the fact that children who grow up with less parenting connections could not release sufficient endorphins for brain development; they tend to be more vulnerable to addiction (Mate 274). In addition, Mate share his patients’ stories that how environment led them to addiction. He assumes that drug addiction originated by younger years adversity in major cases; like many women who are addicted are victims f sexual assault in childhood years. Similar, he tells that males suffered â€Å"series of abandonment or severe physical and psychological abuse† (Mate 274) in childhood memory would easily be involved in addiction. According to Mate, drug addicts are usually in a state of unawareness; they can self-harm without feeling pain (274). Mate’s patient, Carl, thirty-six year-old native, angrily hurt himself with a knife as punishment for using cocaine (274). However, people misunderstand that addiction will not happen in families that raise children with a â€Å"secure nurturing home† (Mate 275). He argues that it still exists in those secure homes, even though they do not recognize it. In brief, Mate describes the mental factors such as stress, anxiety, and depression which are saddled â€Å"from family problem, or from outside circumstance† (274); this pressures can emotionally affect to the process of â€Å"endorphin-liberating interaction with their children† (Mate 275). He thinks children would rely on opiates to comfort their deepest emotions; it would be a best solution to escape their lonely world. For that reason, Mate confirms addicts usually blame themselves for â€Å"stupid decision† (Mate 275) after being suffered of drug starvation. In the last paragraph, Mate concludes his essay by stating â€Å"that is the great wound of all† (275), and it is not only the addicts that suffer. Works Cited Mate, Gabor. â€Å"Embraced by the Needle†. Essay Writing for Canadian Student with Readings. Ed. Roger, Laura, Kay and Chris. Toronto: Pearson, 2012. 273–275. Print