Effects Of Addiction On Society

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Addiction can affect anyone no matter what their race, nationality, religion, or gender is which is why it is so dangerous. Many people think that an addiction only applies to substances like alcohol or drugs, but that is not the case. Addictions also apply to activities such as eating, gambling, and internet use. Not only is the addict suffering, but the people around them are in pain as well. Many young children are being influenced by those around them who suffer from addiction, leading them down the wrong path. Police are trying to crack down on drugs and addiction centers are trying to help those in need but a lot of addicts aren’t reaching out to get the treatment. Addiction is a disease of the brain which means that there must be a cure …show more content…

A survey by the partnership of Drugfree.org and the Metlife Foundation in 2012 showed that 24% of teens surveyed had taken prescription drugs without permission. Factors that could increase your risk of addiction include academic failure, lack of parental supervision, poor social skills, mental health problems, poverty, drug availability, and exposure to addictive behavior. When someone is an addict, their behavior can affect those around them. Tobacco, alcohol, and other addictive drugs have caused about 40 million debilitating illnesses and injuries. Not only does addiction have an effect on society, it also has an effect on the economy. Sternberg stated that “Substance abuse and addiction costs Americans more than $484 billion annually in healthcare costs, lost earnings, accidents, and crime”. A Harvard study shows that 15.4 million Americans have a gambling addiction which greatly disrupts the flow of money and the economy (Sternberg). Gambling addictions could destroy your life. One day you could be living a happy life, but the next day, you could be ankle deep in …show more content…

According to Sternberg, 17.6 million people abuse or are addicted to alcohol and adults 18 - 29 have the highest alcohol addiction rates. Alcohol addictions are one of the most dangerous addictions for those around the addict. According to the CDC, “In 2015, 10,265 people died in alcohol-impaired driving crashes, accounting for nearly one-third (29%) of all traffic-related deaths in the

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