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An essay on the effects of drug abuse
An essay on the effects of drug abuse
Effects of drug abuse essay u.s.a essay
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The Effects of Substance Abuse As reported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, our nation spends 700 billion dollars annually in relation to substance abuse. Substance abuse doesn’t just affect the individual involved, but as well as their family, and the society they live in. There is no single reason why a person chooses to abuse drugs and other substances. A person’s environment, like their socioeconomic status, and family can influence their abuse. Some factors in their environment include peer pressure, stress, sexual abuse, and parental involvement, which can all determine if someone is inclined to abuse any type of harmful substance. Substance abuse is not a subject to be taken lightly. It is classified as the overconsumption …show more content…
Addiction, also known as substance use disorder, is the dependence on any type of drug, legal or illegal; alcohol and nicotine being two examples. Addiction occurs because “Drugs contain chemicals that tap into the brains communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information” (Understanding Drug Abuse). This disruption teaches the brain and person to keep repeating the sensation they get when using drugs, causing the individual to develop addiction problems. The sensation occurs from a rise in dopamine levels in the brain; so when an individual consumes alcohol and drugs, their dopamine levels boost. When the addiction develops, the individual’s brain changes, restricting them from making logical decisions, leading to uncontrollable cravings for whatever drug they are …show more content…
“Alcohol and substance use are among the most common reasons given for a divorce—the third most common reason for women and eighth most common for men” (RIA Reaching Others). It is proven that in couples where one partner abuses drugs, the relationship is not a happy one. The use and abuse of drugs creates an emotional barrier between partners which is not easy to overcome. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy explains that these couples fight and argue constantly, and it sometimes becomes violent. “It is often the fighting itself that can create an environment or situation in which the partner with the drinking or drug problems uses these substances to reduce his or her stress” (Fals-Stewart). Sexual dysfunction is also a side effect if an individual abuses drugs and alcohol. The individual experience issues with their partner while trying to achieve physical intimacy. Research also shows that the sober partner in the marriage may help cover up their partners abuse problems so other friends and family don’t find out; and they also hide the other’s substance abuse from their children, which can cause damage to the child if they end up finding
As illustrated the model of drug abuse and the theories behind addiction are varied. There is no concrete reason for one person who drinks to become alcohol dependent versus the person who does not. Several factors contribute to why a person begins drinking and why they continue to do so despite reasons to stop. The case history exhibits a client with many risk factors associated with alcohol use and dependence.
Substance disorders affects all social, educational, cultural, and age groups. Substance abuse research often focusses on the abuser and the family as a whole but not how it affects their spouse. United States misuse is linked to approximately 590,000 deaths and is responsible for injury or illness to almost 40 million individuals every year. (Cox, R., Ketner, J. & Blow, A. 2013). The consequences resulted from this disorder, are not only related to the substance abusers, but also have a great influence on their behavior and other layers of their life, especially their wives (Salehyan, Bigdeli, & Hashemian 2011). When the husband or boyfriend has an addiction the wife takes on responsibilities of her spouse which causes an increase in stress. Marriage is generally described as a protective factor against substance use. The concept of codependency was developed to explain what happens to the spouse of a substance abuser.
Drugs are chemicals, and when you process these chemicals, they affect the brain’s communication system. When you are addicted to drugs and overuse them, they can have long-term effects on your brain. When a person takes a drug, the limbic system of the brain releases dopamine to make the user feel good. This is the feeling that becomes addictive. Our brains reward us with small amounts of dopamine when we do actions that are good for us. However, while using drugs, the brain is “tricked” into rewarding the user with high levels of dopamine when they are actually causing harm. When addicted to drugs, the user’s brain is unable to naturally produce normal levels of dopamine, so the user craves drugs to restore the dopamine levels to normal. Essentially, the user is unable to naturally feel good without the
George F. Koob defines addiction as a compulsion to take a drug without control over the intake and a chronic relapse disorder (1). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association defined "substance dependence" as a syndrome basically equivalent to addiction, and the diagnostic criteria used to describe the symptoms of substance dependence to a large extent define compulsion and loss of control of drug intake (1). Considering drug addiction as a disorder implies that there are some biological factors as well as social factors.
When the standard and moderate amounts recommended are exceeded we begin to run into abuse, dependency and addiction to alcohol. All three areas are unique to the individual. How much and how often plays a role in the level of abuse, as well as the duration of the amounts consumed. When alcohol is misused, the effects can be limitless and extremely damaging to a person’s life. It can stem out into areas not only that become harmful to one’s health, but family dynamics, as well as social, professional and legal aspects.
There are many forms of addiction. Substance abuse, which is also known as drug abuse, is the continuous use of a drug in which the user consumes in amounts or in different ways that are harmful to themselves or others (Wilson & Johnson, 2013, p. 16). In some cases, criminal behaviors occur when the person
Many environmental factors contribute to a person’s proneness to substance abuse. These factors include but are not limited to stress, early physical or sexual abuse, witnessing violence, peers who use drugs, and drug availability. (Addiction Science) The desire to be accepted within a particular group often creates an enormous amount of stress in teens. This stress and feeling of alienation is a driving force towards drug use. Research has shown that, “Another important environmental factor is the amount and quality of emotional and social support a person receives. Teens who reported having an adult they trusted and could talk to, for example, have a lower risk of addiction than those who don’t.”(Environmental Factors) An impoverished environment increases the likelihood of substance abuse and addiction as well. Those who are apart of a lifestyle of poverty often experience incarceration and dropping out of school. Those who drop out of school, are unemployed or live in unsafe areas are at “higher risk, especially if their home environment has already exposed them to dru...
Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Addiction is normally thought of as drug abuse and alcoholism but people can also be addicted to things such as gambling and sex as well. The controversy on if addiction is a disease or a choice is a continuous debate. Everyone has an opinion on this topic, one side believes it’s a disease, while the other believes it is a choice. Although addiction has been assumed to be a lack of willpower and a weakness, addiction is actually a complex disease that changes the wiring of the brain. Addiction is a brain disease expressed in the form of compulsive behavior (Leshner.) Both devolping
Alcohol Addiction is people who drink abused alcohol every day and they may not stop to drink because they feel that they need it. Alcohol addiction can lead to severe effects because they become worst with passage of time if person do not seek treatment. Many causes make effects of alcohol addiction that are not good for people. Many effects of alcohol addiction are not good for health and community. For example, alcohol is too expensive and cost a lot of money, so people whom alcohol addiction will lose their money for buying alcohol. Furthermore, when people drink a lot of alcohol and become addiction of alcohol, they will lose their mind because alcohol is not healthy and alcohol has a lot of brain damage. Moreover, alcohol causes several diseases and some of them may kill people whom addiction of alcohol. This essay shows what causes and effects of alcohol addiction and the causes are too expensive, unhealthy, and diseases so the effects are lose money, lose mind, and death.
“For every family that is impacted by drugs, there are another 10 to 15 families impacted by alcohol abuse. It's a pretty big deal. We have a tendency to only look at part of the puzzle.” (Kevin Lewis). As a society we tend to categorize the severity of addiction in a way that drugs are the most dangerous and alcohol being just a problem. Because alcohol addiction can be a slow progressive disease many people don’t see it in the same light as drug addiction. An addiction to drugs is seen as being a more deadly and dangerous issue then that of alcohol because a drug addiction can happen more quickly and can kill more quickly. Alcohol is something that is easy to obtain, something that is found at almost every restaurant. People with an alcohol addiction can not hide from alcohol as easy as a drug addict. Approximately 7 million Americans suffer from alcohol abuse and another 7 million suffer from alcoholism. (Haisong 6) The dangers of alcohol affect everyone from children with alcoholic parents, to teenagers who abuse alcohol, then to citizens who are terrorized by drunk drivers.
Many sources including: The World Health Organization’s (WHO) International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Edition (ICD-11), American Psychiatric Association’s (APA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5), and American Society of Addiction Medicine’s (ASAM), quote substance addiction to denote the word addiction. For instance, ASAM defines addiction as a chronic disease of brain reward, motivation and memory which cause dysfunction in biology, psychology, society and spirit (Smith 1). The characterized symptoms include inability to abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving for rewarding experiences, diminished recognition of substantial personal and interpersonal problems and a dysfunctional emotional response (Smith 3). The definition includes the chronic, relapsing features of the disease, symptoms of loss of inhibitor control, dependence, and compulsion and adverse impact on individuals and society. Therefore, substance addiction is included in the definition of addiction. Furthermore, drug and alcohol addiction have been recognized for a long time; they are continuously included in DSM since its first edition in 1952 (Baysinger 1). Since all the detailed definitions provided by these authoritative associations are supported by significant clinical data and research, mental disorder caused by
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain, which can be long lasting. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop. The path to drugs and addictions begin with the voluntary act of taking drugs. The only way you will get addicted is if you chose to yourself. No one else is entitled to you getting stuck on it. People get to the point where they search all over for the drug and have to have it to function. Addiction affects parts of the brain involved in reward and motivation, learning and memory, and control over behavior.
Perhaps most substance abuse starts in the teen years when young people are susceptible to pressure from their peers. One of the main concerns when dealing with substance abuse is the long term problems with substance such as addiction, dependency and tolerance. The physical state of an individual, who is addicted to a substance, will deteriorate over a long period of time. This is due to the chemicals that are being put into an individual body. One of the most important aspects of the effect of substance abuse on society includes ill health, disease, sickness, and in many cases death. The impact of substance abuse not only affects individuals who abuse substances but it affects our economy. Our government resources are negatively impacted by individual who abuse substances. According to (Lagliaro 2004) the implication of drug users extend far beyond the user, often damaging their relationships with their family, community, and health workers, volunteer and wider
... has fewer physical symptoms. However, one may experience more psychological and emotional symptoms. One is, therefore, expected to be patient, have self-care, relax, and carry on with the flow so as to finish the stage. In conclusion, drug addiction is caused by various factors such as family background, peer pressure, and mental illness among others. People take drugs to feel relaxed, and reduce stress among other reasons. However, excess taking of drugs can lead to drug addiction or drug addiction which causes body damage and maybe even lead to death. This paper has succeeded in looking at the various factors which cause drug addiction, some of which are family history of addiction, social environment, heredity, mental addiction, peer pressure, and escapism (Heymann and Brownsberger). The paper has also highlighted the physical addiction, symptoms and withdrawal.
There are many addictions in the world, and drug addiction is the biggest. People may experiment with the drug for many reasons. “If your drug use is causing problems in your life, then you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem”.(Lawrence Robinson pg.1) Many people start out using drugs by peer pressure or out of their own curiosity. Stress, anxiety, lows self-esteem and depression could be another factor to start using drugs. The drug takes over your body and gives you a good feeling that many people tend to enjoy. The urge to use the drug can keep increasing rapidly after the first use. The urge can become so severe that your mind can find many other ways to deny the factor of addiction. Very few drug addicts can feel and realize when they have crossed the line with drugs. A drug addicts mind can build up a very large tolerance for the drug that they start to abandon the activities they used to do on a daily basis like showering, hobbies, socializing and even being associated with family members. The person with the addiction will continue to use the drug knowing that it is harming there body, but they don’t have any remorse. A drug addict will often try to hide their problem, so they can continue to use without anyone’s input. Family and friends may try to use preaching methods or tell the user that they need to stop using the drug. This method is not ...