Introduction
Different theorists present powerful arguments to guide human beings to solve ethical dilemmas and pursue their goals in life. The application of moral concepts to the challenges of alcoholism and substance overuse remains a common practice today. Aristotle’s teleological virtue ethics supports the notion that is it impossible for addicts to exercise good reason and remain sober. Since substance abuse makes it impossible for individuals to engage in virtuous behaviors, they will be misguided to seek eudaimonia or wellbeing and happiness. This argument focuses on the ramifications of abusing various substances on recovering addicts. It goes further to determine whether sobriety is achievable and maintainable goal or not.
Background
Ethics is a field that guides people to engage in philosophical discussions and present convincing answers to the challenges they have to go through. Such an intellectual strategy can result in evidence-based evaluations of people’s actions, options, choices, and achievements (Aristotle 17). Members of the society will consider some of the primary ethical principles and theories to solve and debate about the issues affecting their lives. Personal convictions, backgrounds, norms, and religious practices will impact the moral decisions different individuals make.
In many communities, substance abuse is viewed differently due to the judgments, beliefs, and norms majority of the members promote. Some biases, misconceptions, and emotions tend to influence the nature and effectiveness of care available to those in need of mental support (Talbot). In the recent past, scholars have been keen to present ethical principles as essential guidelines that can guide human services professionals and behavioral therapists to meet the demands of those suffering from the challenge substance abuse (Proudfoot and Lacey 21). Additionally, they should ensure that the existing public opinions and ideas about addiction do not influence them. This requirement is essential since many addicts are known to lead unethical and questionable lives that undermine the established social norms.
Aristotle is one of the great philosophers whose ideas and teachings remain relevant and applicable in the fields of ethics, philosophy, and morality. He is associated with virtue ethical concepts that encourage individuals to develop the best characters and attitudes. His teleological version promotes the idea of morality whereby individuals are expected to have an intrinsic obligation and duty to do what is desirable and acceptable (Proudfoot and Lacey 22). People need to pursue such an action or way of life as the ultimate end that all individuals need to achieve. The application of this kind of understanding could explain whether it could be possible for addicts to ever achieve sobriety or not.
Sobriety as an Achievable and Maintainable Goal
Ethical principles guide people to promote soberness and apply their moral convictions that will result in an acceptable and meaningful life. Some of the existing philosophical thoughts guide human beings to make decisions that resonate with the established social norms. Within the realm of moral thinking, it is appropriate that people engage in actions that support the welfare of the wider society without focusing on the rewards or problems associated with consequentialism models (Proudfoot and Lacey 28). Aristotelian virtue ethics remains one of the guiding models in the fields of psychology and addiction treatment that can guide professionals to achieve their goals.
Most of the people affected by addiction will spend most of their time engaging in behaviors and decisions that are unethical. They might harm or abuse others without considering the possible ramifications or consequences of their actions. Some will lead dishonest lives, embezzle funds, or steal company’s items. Their crowded minds affect the decisions they make and eventually encourage them to continue leading questionable or immoral lives. These issues explain why professionals in this field need to be involved and provide powerful insights to encourage the beneficiaries to consider a superior or a new approach to life (Khoo 20). The introduction of virtue ethics to such individuals could become the best approach to understand and appreciate the meaning of immoral life and how it could result in additional challenges even before starting the treatment process. When this form of acceptance becomes a reality, the targeted individuals will consider new ways of changing their experiences and considering the available options that can eventually result in healing.
During recovery, all involved stakeholders will need to educate and guide beneficiaries to appreciate the idea that they can become sober again. Although this outcome might be hard to realize, it is appropriate for service providers to remain involved and offer the best support. This practice will ensure that those who want to live ethically during the treatment process will achieve their objectives (Proudfoot and Lacey 31). This kind of knowledge will allow the targeted addicts to consider some of the benefits they stand to gain from the behavioral therapy process. For example, the individuals will develop a new urge that will guide them to do what is right always. They will also become attractive members of the society who can be part of the challenges affecting the wider society. The process and emerging knowledge will convince them that an ethical way of life is the best gateway to better experiences in life.
The concept of progress is essential since it will allow beneficiaries to understand that perfection does not come that easily. They will appreciate the idea that some possible misbehavior might emerge and learn from them. The beneficiaries will consider virtue ethics as a powerful guideline for supporting the recovery process and seeking guidance whenever necessary from their human services professionals (Khoo 21). Those who have access to the right empowerment will achieve sobriety even if they will consider taking alcohol or other addictive substances periodically. These actions and developments will trigger personal growth, reduce negative judgments from other members of the population, and take more addicts closer to lives characterized by increased sobriety and ethical behaviors (Proudfoot and Lacey 22). The best issue to consider is how the identified individual could start to break away from addiction and focus on a new journey to total recovery and clear-headedness.
From this analysis, it is evident that human services professionals and patients receiving treatment for addiction could work together to achieve sobriety. Through the power virtue ethics, individuals could collaborate to ensure that the beneficiaries appreciate the fact that they can take control of their lives even if they are engaging in drinking or using various substances (Khoo 21). While the selected people might find it hard to practice abstinence, they might experience or enjoy specific moments of not being intoxicated and act in a manner that is acceptable. Additionally, they will consider and follow some of the established social norms, values, and expectations.
Throughout the treatment process, the ultimate aim should revolve around the idea of being “sober”. Such a goal could guide the participants and beneficiaries to convey the much needed seriousness that makes the process practical and capable of delivering positive results. The person getting the service or support needs to accept that he or she has a purpose to become sober. Professionals could combine such an objective with the notions of virtue ethics to make sobriety possible (van Hooft 28). Even if abstinence might be hard to achieve within a short period, experiences of soberness could support the entire process and allow the individual to be involved in actions that are acceptable and in accordance with the established norms and societal values.
The identified beneficiary could record positive outcomes if proper therapy is combined with personalized support and treatment. This outcome could overcome the challenges of addiction and substance abuse and allow the identified person to start exercising what is identified as good reason (Aristotle 61). The individual will start appreciating virtuous behavior and make it part of his or her philosophy of life. With the ongoing help and therapy, the identified person will start to focus on the power of happiness and wellbeing. The situation will trigger a positive experience and make it possible for the former addict to become sober and maintain it (van Hooft 53). Such an individual will start to relate positively with others, address emerging challenges, and consider new ways of making his society a better place for all people.
However, the process of overcoming addiction or providing treatment remains critical before the journey of applying teleological virtue ethics begin. When a sense of soberness emerges, the identified person will start to exercise good reason and focus on the best ways to improve his or her overall experience. Despite the fact that substance could be an unethical issue associated with moral questions and misbehavior, recovering individuals have the potential to achieve sobriety and maintain it if they continued to receive the much needed support and empowerment (Talbot). This kind of assertion would explain why behavioral therapists and psychologists remain keen to provide personalized support and guide the beneficiaries to start focusing on the best ways to improve their ethical scores and attributes.
When more people appreciate the idea that individuals fighting addiction or receiving treatment continue achieve significant levels of sobriety despite the challenges of substance abuse, societies would start to treat them positively and encourage them to seek help when necessary. Individuals who are going through such a process of recovery would be willing to pursue an acceptable and moral life that is in accordance with virtue ethics (Aristotle 29). An ethical life, therefore, becomes one of the best strategies for ensuring that more people achieve happiness, solve most of the challenges they experience, and eventually support their colleagues and family members.
Conclusion
Aristotle’s teleological ethics is an effective and practical philosophy that guides people to lead happier and contented lives. Unfortunately, the above discussion has identified substance abuse as key determinant of the moral scores of an individual. Affected persons will lead reckless lives and consider new ways of worsening their situations and experiences. However, the above discussion has outlined some of the key issues and ramifications of substance abuse on individuals who are recovering from addictions. The analysis has concluded that sobriety is possible, achievable, and maintainable when the involved participants make it the overall purpose and seriousness that can deliver personal happiness.
Works Cited
Aristotle. Nichomachean Ethics. Oxford University Press, 1925.
Khoo, Shaun. “Why Haven’t we Cured Addiction Yet?” Australasian Science, vol. 38, no. 5, 2017, pp. 20-22.
Proudfoot, Michael, and A. R. Lacey. The Routledge Dictionary of Philosophy. Taylor & Francis Group, 2009.
Talbot, Marianne. “A Romp Through Ethics for Complete Beginners (3/7).” YouTube, uploaded by University of Oxford, 2012, Web.
van Hooft, Stan. Understanding Virtue Ethics. Taylor & Francis Group, 2014.