To have known so many people that have struggled with drug addiction in their teenage years it has become very apparent what a vital time in one’s life it is to know the dangers of abusing drugs as a teenager. Even though not all teens abuse drugs, it is an epidemic in the United States because more teens are turning to drugs to escape or use out of boredom. Take my younger brother for instance; he has struggled with drug addiction from the time he was a teenager into his early twenties. My brother Matthew started off smoking pot and drinking socially out of boredom. Then he found the
Society as a whole is impacted greatly by substance abuse and addiction. Not only does it hurt the abuser directly, but it also becomes an enormous financial and social burden on society. Addiction wrecks families, and also highly correlates with poverty because the drug abuser ends up giving everything that they have to keep their addiction going. It also places extraordinarily high demands on the education, criminal justice, and social service systems. Children and babies both are dangerously impacted by the addiction of their parents and the same addiction is likely to even show up in their own lives later on. Drug babies are being born every day already addicted to the same substances their mothers have abused; they are the ones who truly suffer the greatest consequences of the effects of addiction. Teenagers are peer pressured by the alcohol and beer industries to drink; many alcoholics in our society are a result from binge drinking while in college and even in high school. People bound by these addictions who never get the help they truly need or lose their family and feel alone often commit suicide because they feel they are unimportant to society and that ending their own lives is their only means of escape.
Addiction is a disease that continues to fester and destroy individual’s lives. Once an individual is under the influence of drugs they no longer have control over their actions. Drug user’s brains are hijacked and taken on an explosive ride that begins with pleasure and ends in the damage of their brain. “Drug use is on the rise in this country and 23.5 million Americans are addicted to alcohol and drugs. That’s approximately one in every 10 Americans over the age of 12 – roughly equal to the entire population of Texas….” said Dr. Kima Joy Taylor, director of the Closing the Addiction Treatment Gap Initiative. Once a person is addicted to a drug or alcohol they will lose their willpower and become subject to the desire of needing that drug continuously.
There is no question about it – addiction is a problem. It’s talked about constantly on the news, social media, and even in our own homes. Considering the statistics, that’s not surprising; as of 2012, an estimated 22 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to drugs or alcohol (Friedman 387). The criminalization of the disease of addiction overloads our legal system, disrupts the lives of many families, and limits the success of those who could otherwise be productive members of society. The good news is that there are many different forms of treatment available, so recovery is possible for everyone. We need to
Modern society has failed bring the burgeoning problems of addiction under control. The word “addiction” was applied to drug use in the 20th century, but now it refers to a wider variety of non-drug hobbies, such as eating, gambling and sex. To treat the devastating flood of addiction problems, it is important to understand that addiction is not just a physical problem but more of a social and psychological problem. Dislocation caused by the free market society and the pressure from family can lead to addiction.
It is vital to look past the barriers and sterotypes on addiction, addiction knows no boundries and must be look at on all levels so we can fight it. Addiction is a serious condition and needs to be addressed as one because it affects many but its not until one experiences addiction that one can truely understand the power that sterotypes hold. Many are afriad to admit to their addiction because of the fear of being branded. Through education and an open mind we can all strip the negative stigma of addiction so addicts can step up and recieve needed help to fight against
The social problem of addiction is quite prevalent in our society. Many individuals from all different ethnic problems have turned to drugs at some point in their life. Substance use disorder can have compelling ramifications on the health of the abuser, their family and even the communities they live in. In 2012, around 23.1 million Americans aged 12 and older needed treatment for substance use (SAMHSA, 2014). The rate of people that have abused substances ranging from alcohol, pills, Marijuana, Heroin and cocaine etc. has escalated greatly over the years.Many teenagers or even adults aren 't aware of the treatment options and/or they don 't have the necessary funding to receive it. This problem can continue to grow and cause a huge strain on the countries economy
For some people, the use of alcohol and drugs can lead to a chronic disease or long-term illness that has serious medical and social consequences. Are you feeling down, left out, trying to fit in? Addiction begins, so easily and takes over without any warning. It can begin with a bad day, consequences, peer pressure, or a teen trying to find a way to fit in. According to results from the 2010 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), “an estimated 2.4 million Americans used prescription drugs non-medically for the first time within the past year, which averages to approximately 6,600 initiates per day”. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “In 2014, 47,055 people died from drug overdoses. Since 2000, opioid drug
Did you know that it is statistically proven that addiction is more common than diabetes? 10% of the human population is addicted to either a drug or alcohol. A person can be addicted to several substances, not just drugs and alcohol. By having more options of addiction, this will increase the percentage of addicts. There is so many scenarios to addiction that anyone around could be an addict without realizing it. Several people may believe addiction is something that can easily fixed or they may think it is rare. What people do not know is that addiction is a situation much more serious and goes in depth further than they may expect. It’s a desire that no one wants. It is a condition that is difficult to escape once you begin. Addicts can be so in depth with addiction that they can not get out of it. Addiction is an action that comes with negative yet impactful outcomes.
Many Americans suffer from addiction: In fact 8 to 10% of people above the age of 12 are addicted to either alcohol or some form of drug. However our efforts to reduce the amount of people suffering from addiction has proven to be inadequate. Research that views addiction as a brain disease has provided us with with more effective means
In recent years, there has been increasing concerns about the frequent and excessive misuse of alcohol by adolescents (Jones & Gregory, 2009), and younger adolescents are starting to consume greater amounts of alcohol (Smith & Foxcroft, 2009). This brings up the issue of addiction. Addiction is a condition whereby an individual is both mentally and physically dependent on a substance or activity to the extent of compulsivity and it negatively impacts various aspects of his life. As defined by the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health (DSM-5), substance use disorder is the problematic pattern of substance use that results in impairment or distress in an individual’s daily life.
Addictions are all around us, from celebrity tabloids, television shows and possibly an individuals family member or friend. According to Koob, “addiction can be defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder that has been characterized by (i) a compulsion to seek and take drugs, (ii) loss of control over drug intake, and (iii) emergence of a negative emotional state (e.g., dysphoria, anxiety, and irritability) that defines a motivational withdrawal syndrome when access to the drug is prevented” (Koob, 2013). Substance use disorders are among the largest sources of medical disability in the world and also represent a major public health concern globally (Mari, 2013). Substance abuse is associated with topics such as: poverty, low education, crime, social
“The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help, they have no hope.” This quote from Russel Brand shows how serious of an issue drug use and addiction is, and why there is a need for more discussion on this topic to decrease the use of drugs in our country. Drug use and addiction is a large problem in our country and although many people believe there is no help, there are ways we can help put an end to drug use.
Definition of Addiction and Societal Implications: A brief description of addiction, including an analysis of the varying subsects, levels, and intensity of the disorder. Also, a look at the societal perceptions of addiction as basis for explanation as to the addict’s willingness or apprehension for treatment.
Addiction is all around us. It may be that cup of coffee in the morning for the caffeine stimulation, the cigarette that is smoked for the nicotine, or an alcoholic drink used to relieve a stressful day or situation. For some, the addiction may not be to a substance, but to compulsive behaviors such as gambling, playing video games, or shopping. Consequences to addictions can impact an addict’s physical or mental state. Addiction can also have detrimental impact on the people that surround them. Watching a relationship fall apart because a person has an addiction to drugs, alcohol, or another addictive behavior is a sad thing to happen to anyone. Unfortunately, those with addictions usually won’t admit they even