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An essay on the effects of drug abuse
Sociological effects of drug addiction
The effects of addiction
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Recommended: An essay on the effects of drug abuse
Drug addiction is one of the hardest things to overcome in life. Once a person becomes addicted to drugs, not only does it affect them, but it affects everyone around them. There are many options for addicts, but it is very hard to admit being an addict. Drug users should have the option of what method they would like to take in order to help them with their addiction. Options, like psychotherapy and education, can be positive for the addict and help change the attitude of the addict for the better. To non- addicts, another way would be serving jail time for your “crime”. Others believe that drugs should become decriminalized so that there would people doing “illegal” things. While some either disagree or agree with jail time, the real problem at hand is how society will change when given the resources or the punishment of abusing drugs. According to California State University, “There are many people and …show more content…
Learning about the side effects of the different typed of drugs can help people understand what can happen to their bodies. Education is one of the most powerful methods when trying to get a point across about something that affects many people, drug addicts and non-drug addicts. The education given to these people teaches them about the issues and consequences that come with taking drugs. In schools around the world, there are classes that students participate in and learn about the different types of drugs and how people can become addicted to them. The only problem with education is that some people might learn from it and some may not. It all depends on how a person is taught and who is teaching them from right and wrong. The people that might not learn anything from the programs are the ones that might get themselves into trouble. For example, if these people experiment with drugs, knowing that it is illegal, they might wind up in
Within our society, there is a gleaming stigma against the drug addicted. We have been taught to believe that if someone uses drugs and commits a crime they should be locked away and shunned for their lifetime. Their past continues to haunt them, even if they have changed their old addictive ways. Everyone deserves a second chance at life, so why do we outcast someone who struggles with this horrible disease? Drug addiction and crime can destroy lives and rip apart families. Drug courts give individuals an opportunity to repair the wreckage of their past and mend what was once lost. Throughout this paper, I will demonstrate why drug courts are more beneficial to an addict than lengthy prison sentences.
Now is not the time for the United States federal government to decriminalize or legalize illegal drugs, including marijuana. However, nor can the government continue to do nothing about the financially, economically, and socially expensive domestic drug policy it currently follows. The United States Congress should pass legislation to remove mandatory minimum penalties from drug offenses, and the Department of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons should add in-house rehabilitation programs for its incarcerated drug offenders. These policies would increase the cost-effectiveness of current drug policy and reduce crime and drug use, and do not face the political obstacles or have the uncertain consequences of decriminalizing or legalizing drugs.
The multi-causal model of drug abuse takes into account social and individual causes of addiction, both distant and immediate, that lead to a disposition to using drugs, drug use and the social and individual consequences. Why a person becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol is different for everyone. Some are genetically predisposed, some learn it from their environment (i.e. family or friends), and still others use it to avoid a trauma they have experienced. The case history describes a client that had both social and individual causes for her alcohol use and subsequent dependence.
The first step in ending the issue of drug use and abuse in our country is to cure the drug users from their addiction in a safe, controlled manner. As confirmed in an article from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, “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.” (“Treatment Approaches for Drug Addiction”) The addiction of drugs is an actual disease, and cannot be brushed off as something that can be stopped at any point in time. Drug addiction is just as serious as any other diagnosed disease and must be cured accordingly. Prison will not benefit those addicted to drugs because it is a disease that must be treated, just as any other illness is. In an attempt to end an addiction without help in a safe environment, dangerous consequences could result.
The harsh punishment for drug crimes in the United States of America is not working. “With roughly half a million people behind bars in the U.S. for nonviolent drug offenses, drugs are as plentiful and widely used as ever” (Grenier, 2013). Even with very harsh long sentences and many people imprisoned drug use is as common as ever in America. ‘We cannot close our eyes anymore’ to the cost in human lives destroyed and taxpayer dollars wasted” (Holcomb, 2015). Harsh drug penalties are destroying American citizens lives and is costing a lot of money from taxpayers. “Yet, people who want treatment can often expect to endure an obstacle course just to get help” (Grenier, 2013). The Unites States government is spending a large amount of money on arresting and imprisoning drug users, yet are putting little to no focus on funding drug medical help for
The consequences that follow the use of any drug are unfavorable. Although many individuals may see drug addiction as a mere lifestyle choice, it is a problem that many individuals suffer from and inevitably a growing issue that leaves major social and economic impacts.
People argue whether drug addiction is a disease or a choice. Today, I will be discussing this argument in hopes to have a better understanding as to why this topic is so controversial. Throughout my research, I easily found information on this topic and I am still not sure I have found any answers.
I recently took a sociology class last winter where we discussed this question. This is a very tough and controversial question to answer, however through knowledge and experience from close friends, I will definitely say that it is probable to develop feelings, therefore it is hard to maintain a no strings attached relationship.
Drug abuse and addiction are issues that affect people everywhere. However, these issues are usually treated as criminal activity rather than issues of public health. There is a conflict over whether addiction related to drug abuse is a disease or a choice. Addiction as a choice suggests that drug abusers are completely responsible for their actions, while addiction as a disease suggests that drug abusers need help in order to break their cycle of addiction. There is a lot of evidence that suggests that addiction is a disease, and should be treated rather than punished. Drug addiction is a disease because: some people are more likely to suffer from addiction due to their genes, drug abuse brought on by addictive behavior changes the brain and worsens the addiction, and the environment a person lives in can cause the person to relapse because addiction can so strongly affect a person.
Why can addicts not quit? This is a big question on every person’s mind who has ever had to deal with a family member, friend or even spouse who has had an addiction to drugs, alcohol and even something such as video games or pornography. Most say that addiction is a disease, and some say that it is a choice. Addiction in any way shape or form has the power to ruin the life of the person that has the addiction and anyone that loves that person because one must watch that person slowly spiral out of control. They are no longer their own person, they are overcome by the want and need of the addiction. One could say that addiction is a disease that cannot be helped but some do not agree because they have offered help and rehabs and everything for their loved one struggling and nothing seems to help. So, if one does not accept the help, do they simply not want to get better?
Drug legalization is an end to government-enforced prohibition of certain substances. It has sparked a great debate in the U.S. over the past couple of years. With two states, Colorado and Washington, already completely eliminating the illegalization of marijuana, should the rest of the country legalize the use of marijuana and other drugs too? There are many advantages and disadvantages of legalizing marijuana, but other drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, ecstasy, etc., should they be legalized? Are the health issues too much of a risk? The question is; which will outweigh each other? In my own opinion, I think the only drug that should be legalized is marijuana. Although only legalizing it to an extent with boundaries and restrictions. Many people in this world have disorders that can be treated with the use of medicinal marijuana. Would the people using it for recreational purposes overthrow the opportunity for future medicinal marijuana users? Above all, the profit from legalizing it would help solve other problems far more important than arresting drug abusers.
Having an addiction can be hard—not only on yourself, but also on your family and friends. Once you have decided to get help, you will have to choose which recovery center or rehab is right for you. It might sound like an easy task, but each facility will offer a different approach and healing style. So it is important to know what you want before enrolling, as this will help your success. It might sound a bit intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. With these four tips, you'll be well on your road to recovery:
There is right from wrong and it is wrong for student to do drugs unless prescribed by a doctor. It will benefit students’ lives by making right and smart choices. The goal of high school is to educate and prepare students for a successful future, but how can a students future be successful if they are doing drugs? Research and statistics have shown that drug use and dropout rates go hand in hand. The annual dropout rate in the United States is extremely high. One in seven students will drop out of high school before receiving their diploma and over thirty percent of these dropouts use drugs illegally. Many high schools around the nation...
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
Drug addiction is a very big problem in today’s society. Many people have had their lives ruined due to drug addiction. The people that use the drugs don’t even realize that they have an addiction. They continue to use the drug not even realizing that their whole world is crashing down around them. Drug addicts normally lose their family and friends due to drug addiction.