Alcohol and drug addiction are two important topics in today’s society. Alcohol and drug addiction affects people of different ages with different backgrounds and ethnicities. There are many researches and studies regarding underlying reasons and roots of these issues. Just as many other addictions, these addictions have psychological, biological, and sociological roots to it. This paper will discuss research findings regarding the main points, roots and underlying reasons of alcohol and drug addiction mostly in adolescents, and it also provides prevention, solutions, and recommendations to these issues in the society.
Many different researches approve the fact that psychological, sociological, and biological factors are related to each other in many different ways. All these aspects are very sensitive to environmental and social factors; they also affect one another directly or indirectly. Perceptual concepts, thought processes, cultural beliefs, religious beliefs, and economic status are all very important aspects in human’s life and can influence a person in many different areas of life. Relationships and communication among people are other factors that can have either positive or negative affect on a person regarding his/her addiction or sobriety. In today’s society there are many factors, such as media and peers that affect people and mostly young adults and influence their thought processes and decision making. Adolescents are greatly influenced by their peers in
According to current statistics released by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, “In the United States in 2011, there were an estimated 25.1 million adolescents aged 12 to 17. In the past year, more than one quarter of adolescents drank alcohol, approximately one fifth used an illicit drug, and almost one eighth smoked cigarettes” ("A Day in the Life of American Adolescents," 2013, para. 1). Substance abuse is major problem amongst adolescents. Some are experimenting, but some adolescents may become dependent on a particular substance. If one becomes dependent on a substance as an adolescent it could be detrimental to their future health and success as an adult. Spear (2003) stated in an article titled Alcohol’s
Adolescent substance abuse is a phenomenon in our country that has been steadily inclining ever since the 2000’s. The effects of this incline are very straight forward and call for action. The facts are that alcohol and drugs are the leading causes of crime among youth and that alcohol and drugs are the leading factors in teenage suicide. (National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc., 2014) Because adolescence is such a crucial developmental age the effects of alcohol and drug use are catastrophic. To fully understand this phenomenon we must firs operationalize all of the factors we are trying to study. The DSM V classifies substance abuse as,
The issue of substance misuse and abuse among the elderly population is complex. The elderly rarely use alcohol or drugs to get high rather drug or alcohol use that begins after age 60 appears fundamentally different (Culberson & Ziska 2008). The elderly sometimes turn to alcohol and drugs to alleviate the physical and psychological pain from the onslaught of medical and psychiatric illness, the loss of loved ones or social isolation (Culberson & Ziska 2008). Elderly patients have a combination of and functional and social habits that support substance use. As adults age, they are often unable to do the social things they have been accustomed to. This is when many elderly persons begin to display problems doing the tasks of daily life. The option of taking a pill with the promise that it will aid in living independently is often a viable option for the elderly. This desire to remain independent is an important part in the complex treatment plan that is established when it comes to assisting an elderly patient who is abusing his or her medication.
Emerging young adulthood is defined as a new stage of life between adolescence and young adulthood. (Arnett, 2000). In this stage of life, children are no longer as dependent on their parents as they were before. College is seen as a way for students to learn dependence, as well as develop certain skills and characteristics that are needed.
As we read through this literature review, we will outline some of the findings from the most recent research from 2010-2015. The focus is on aging adults and substance abuse in the United States. The use of alcohol, and prescription medications among this population, also known as the “Baby Boomers” is a major concern. One focus will be on the prevalence of substance abuse (alcohol and prescription use) and the consequences both mentally and physically. Being apart of the aging population and substance abuse this can lead to misdiagnosing and treating substance abuse among the elderly.
Anyone can fall victim to substance abuse, but there are groups of special populations to which substance abuse is more prevalent. These groups include women, pregnant women, adolescents, and older adults (Fortinash & Worret, 2012). Many people do not think about older adults as being substance abusers, but it is very common among this age group (Fortinash & Worret, 2012).
Alcohol and prescription medication abuse among those aged 60 years and older is a growing epidemic (Alpert, 2014). Approximately 2.5 million older adults have a substance abuse disorder (Alpert, 2014). The numbers of those affected are rising and it is projected to double by 2020 (Alpert, 2014). Alcohol abuse among the older adult population is a heterogeneous problem that occurs over a broad socioeconomic spectrum. Moderate alcohol and drug consumption may have a profound impact because of the physiological and pharmacologic changes that are associated with aging (Alpert, 2014).
The levels of substance abuse among older adults can be conceptually define as individuals, between the ages of 50 and older, excessive misuse of a drug. The abuse of alcohol and other drugs in the older adult population, which includes the aging “baby boomers,” is escalating (Ligon, 2013). The use of drugs can result in medical and psychiatric diseases influenced by lifestyle choices and behaviors (Blow & Barry, 2014, p. 53). The abuse of medications are common among older adults because they have more chronic medical illnesses and are prescribed more medications. However, according to the National Survey on Drug use and Health (as cited in Blow & Barry, 2014), 1.8 percent of adults ages 50 and older used illicit drugs.
There is some blmjcam research that studies about alcohol addiction. Alcohol consumption will have played an important role in the injury, the approximately 7,900 people died due to alcohol drinking in the United state every year and 35% of deaths are among young people aged 12-20 years (Rhoades,Jernigan,&Ph.D,2013,p.116). There are several factors which influence to alcohol addiction as well as the social structure and the market factor. Alcohol is one of the products that are advertised all over the world, resulting in the under youth obtains the media increases (Fielder,Dondvan,&Ouschan,2009,p.1157). Stress is increasingly important in recent years. From the clinical studies found that stress is a major factor of drinking alcohol that increasing
In just a decade, according to a recent report by NHS digital, alcohol related admissions have risen by 22 per cent, with 39 thousand estimated admissions in the past few years.
Alcoholism is classified as a chronic illness, an addiction that affects the physical condition of a person as well as the mental. With one in every twelve adults living with alcohol abuse, it is a possibility that the children of these people will grow up and follow their parents. In this pattern there is a never ending cycle of alcohol abuse and dependence that has resulted in alcohol being ranked as the third leading cause of behavior related deaths in America (Facts About Alcohol. 2015, July). There is a higher risk for teenagers who consume alcohol because their brains are not fully developed. The alcohol that they drink suppresses the brain and causes deterioration in memory and learning (Impact of alcohol on the developing brain. 2014). In this paper I will examine the source and reason behind teenage alcoholism and determine the effects the destructive drug of alcohol has on teenagers in different aspects of their lives.
Alcohol is the leading drugs problems among the young adults. Several advertisement play a big role on making the alcohol the leading drug problem among the young adults. According to federal government's annual survey of drug use among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders, more young people drink alcohol than smoke cigarettes and also approximately 5,000 people under the age of 21 die from alcohol related injuries. This should be a big wake up call for the community about the alcohol advertisement effect on the young adults which involves underage drinking. Other study also shows that people who starts drinking at the age of 15 is more likely to become dependent on the alcohol. These facts should create awareness in the
This paper is designed to implement the ideology of substance misuse and addiction and how they are formed, specifically relying on integral matters from the external world, as well as the consciousness of one’s own mental health. In doing so, we unveil the framework of how substance dependency and addiction impact the daily lives of the individuals affected by this and the path that is initiated as a result. Therefore, when analyzing the structure of substance misuse, it is essential to seek the importance behind what facilitates the continuation of addiction, including alcoholism. Additionally, recognizing each key point for a broader understanding and sensible recollection on what it means to treat and prevent substance misuse and addiction. Moreover, we’ll be interpreting and understanding the analysis and research conducted in attaining a generalized definition and classification of various types of substance misuse and addiction.
child maltreatment or physical abuse may be a sensitive topic to discuss as a potential way
Drugs between teenagers is one of the most serious problems, because it causes a change in the behavior of any teenager and a physical change too. Most of the teenagers use alcoholic drinks as a way to escape