A drug use disorder is defined by a pattern of undesirable symptoms caused by persistent substance consumption. Some individuals are more susceptible to acquiring drug abuse problems than others. Major aspects might include genetics, family history, and home environment. The diagnosis of a substance use disorder is based on a pathological collection of behaviors associated with the substance’s usage, regardless of the substance in question. These behaviors include impaired control, social impairment, risky usage, and pharmacological markers (tolerance and withdrawal) (McNeely, 2020). Through George Jung’s drug-using actions in the film, it is possible to identify the signs a person may demonstrate sufficient to diagnose a substance use disorder (SUD).
George Jung, the man who developed the American cocaine trade in the 1970s, is the subject of the film Blow. Beginning with Jung as a child, the movie portrays his upbringing and parental connection. Jung grows older and goes to California with his boyhood friend Tuna. During his time there, he became involved in the marijuana culture and ultimately began selling it for profit. Jung grows his market and ultimately becomes quite prosperous. Jung tries marijuana for the first time and ultimately becomes a dealer, gradually gaining knowledge about the substance. While distributing the drug, he also consumes it and likes the high it produces. He is eventually arrested and taken to Danbury prison for smuggling marijuana. According to him, the prison was a crime school instead of a correctional facility. He says, “Danbury wasn’t a prison; it was a crime school; I went in with a bachelor in Marijuana, I came out with a doctorate in Cocaine” (Demme, 2001; 42:55- 43-02). It was at this point that he met his friend, who would introduce him to the world of cocaine.
Jung must consume cocaine many times each day, or he would get quite ill. There was vomiting, hand trembling, anxiety, headaches, and tremors. Jung had lost a great deal of weight and was quite pale. He only spoke with his parents when he required their assistance, particularly in times of difficulty. For instance, following the death of his girlfriend Barbara, he confesses to feeling lonely and needing to visit his parents since it had been about a year since he had seen them (Demme, 2001; 31:57- 32:01). Jung was very distrustful of everyone, even his wife; he had gone insane. Jung inhaled so much cocaine that his nose began to bleed profusely, and he then began injecting the drug into his arms and feet. Jung got HIV by using unclean needles and infected his wife with HIV. According to the DSM-5, Jung’s disrupted social life, increasing physical dependency, and dangerous cocaine use point to a substance use disorder diagnosis.
Jung began his drug use with a single substance and progressed to narcotics, pills, cigarettes, and alcohol. Jung was surrounded by individuals who abused drugs and drank excessively, and he gradually adopted their behaviors. Jung was introduced to nightlife at an early age by attending parties every night. His drug addiction was characterized by his association with friends who misused multiple substances, and he replicated what he had learned from those people.
Detoxification is the first essential step in a structured recovery program. Detoxification is the technique of removing dangerous drug poisons from the body so that the person may begin to operate without the need for these medications. Detoxification may be difficult since the person will likely suffer a variety of withdrawal symptoms that are so severe that they will be strongly tempted to relapse. Therefore, detoxification is best administered in a medical setting. The primary goal of detoxification is to minimize the physical damage caused by drug usage, as seen by Jung’s frequent vomiting and tremors.
Once a person has completed detoxification, they are typically prepared to begin counseling services. Counseling is how expert treatment facilities get to the root cause of an individual’s drug dependence. Individuals discover how to react to urges to use in a healthy manner and build the decision-making skills necessary to maintain a sober life throughout these sessions. The main goal of addiction counseling and treatment is to address the core causes of the condition to avoid recurrence. Aftercare is the last component of the therapeutic process. Aftercare services enable the client to sustain sobriety after treatment therapy. There are several sorts of aftercare, such as 12-step group meetings, sober living homes, and follow-up therapy at the rehabilitation center.
People with substance use disorders have a good prognosis if they are empowered and involved in their rehabilitation and get rigorous, early medical and psychosocial therapies. Also beneficial are support groups, family and group therapy, and lengthy rehabilitation programs. Inpatient or residential therapy programs may assist those with chronic or severe SUD. Substance use disorders are relapsing diseases; consequently, those in recovery are more likely to relapse. Recurrence might occur even years after the last dose of the drug. Since relapse is possible, it is essential that one need continued therapy.
References
Demme, T. Blow. Hollywood: New Line Cinema. Web.
McNeely, J. (2020). Table 3, DSM-5 Diagnostic Criteria for Diagnosing and Classifying Substance Use Disorders [abc]. Nih.gov; Johns Hopkins University. Web.