Drugs And Drug Abuse

To illustrate the magnitude of the research problem and provide a frame of reference, this section begins with a brief overview of the increased use of pharmaceuticals and prescription drug abuse in the US. The section continues with the relationship between illicit drugs and prescriptions, adolescents’ abuse, personal and social factors; then concludes with the theoretical approach. The Social-Ecological Theory, will be applied in researching prescription drug abuse, possible influences and protective factors in adolescents in relation to prescription drug abuse, to develop focused intervention strategies and educational programs for this population, similar to other substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and marijuana.

Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person 's body or mind works. Drugs are not good for health as they have many side effects and damage our brain, heart and other important organs. Drug is a depressant that slows down the functions of the central nervous system and makes us less aware of the events around us. It exaggerates communication, and destroys our physical and emotional pains. Drug use is illegal and is rarely prescribed by doctors. Some of the illegal drugs are marijuana, nicotine, cocaine, and heroin. Drugs are consumed in different ways, by inhaling, taking by mouth, injecting, applying on skin, and smoking. When a person is addicted to drug,

Prescription drug abuse can lead to addiction, over dose or even death. More and more people are dying each day from drug overdoses. The use of the prescription drugs in the wrong manner can result in several different life altering side affects. Between the three main types of prescription drugs used the side affect can range from repertory failure, seizures, brain damage, extreme weight loss or even death. Our bodies were not designed to take these drugs in such a way. The body becomes dependent on the drugs and withdraws cause serious and painful side affects. The brain creates certain chemicals to help us deal with pain whether it’s mental or physical, and the abuse of prescription drug throws everything out of whack. It’s ironic how something that is designed to help us can also destroy us. (Prescription)

Substance abuse accounts for a high number of deaths in the United States. Alcohol is the third leading cause of deaths in the country with approximately 88,000 deaths occurring annually (Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). In contrast, almost 40,400 annual deaths are related to the use of illicit drugs. As reported by The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration (2014), 24% of youths in the eighth grade, and 64% in the twelfth grade, have used alcohol in the past year. Of the adolescents ages 12-17, 11.6% have used alcohol in the past month, 6.2% have engaged in binge drinking, and 5.6% have smoked cigarettes (Fisher, G.L., & Harrison, T.C., 2013). Substance abuse is defined as the continuous use of alcohol and/or other drugs despite consequences in one or more areas of a person’s life (Fisher, G.L., & Harrison, T.C., 2013). Substance abuse relates to other problems, such as illegal behavior, family conflict, poor academic performance, lack of respect for authority, deficiencies in self-confidence, and psychiatric symptoms (Liddle, Rowe, Dakof, & Henderson, 2009). Although substance abuse is a prevalent issue, interventions have been implemented to assist these individuals in making a change.

In the United States there are 23.5 million people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol. Addiction affects a person spiritually ,emotionally and physically, it also causes chemical changes in the brain. Addiction I’m going to define by using the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR. The DSM defines substance dependence as a “maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress” It defines these as the symptoms of substance dependence “tolerance as defined by A.need for markedly increased amount of the substance to achieve desired effect. B. Markedly diminished effect with continued use of the same amount of substance 2.the substance is often taken in larger amounts or over a

Substance abuse and drug addiction affects people from all walks of life. Drugs are available to those who want to consume them. Even though there vast amounts of literature and other informative and preventive data, people still choose to abuse drugs. Unfortunately, most of them become addicts and find it very difficult to escape their addiction for the reason that underlying issues may be causing them to seek and use drugs. There exists a number of special populations that are identified and may use drugs to cope certain stress factors in their life.

In this generation many drugs are easily available to you. Some are legal; some are legal just for adult, and some are completely illegal under most conditions. You can have a prescription or a card that shows you are able to have it effects can range and be completely different, some can be highly addictive. They usually always have a negative effects on mostly everyone. Some people even though they see the negative effects become immune to the effects of others. People always get highly addictive and there dependency just gets worse. (Myers

Drug and alcohol abuse is a very serious conflict that could Drug abuse may start as a way to socially connect, it usually happens with be deadly or could seriously injure someone, maybe even ruin a relationship. Alcohol Abuse. {http://www.drugabuse/library/alcohol-abuse/.com,2012.)} friends or acquaintances. There are many dangers associated with this kind of abuse ,this could lead to inappropriate activities and not reasonable social behavior which is just the beginning of a stressed and sober life.

In an examination of drugs I will discuss causes of this disease/or social dilemma. I will also discuss the effect of drugs on individuals, families and society.

This paper examines how the abuse of drugs and alcohol can drastically alter the dynamics of the family as a whole. Addiction is a chronic disorder that tears families apart as it destroys the individuals themselves. There is a thin line that family members walk in order to function with an addict daily. The impact that family member have can either be a positive facilitator towards the addicts recovery or the family can become drawn into the addicts world of abuse and addiction. There are various assorted roles that family member take on when it comes to either interacting with an addicted family member or merely being an innocent bystander. Within the world of addiction there are tools that family members can utilize to gain a greater perspective on the disease as well as guard their lives from the insanity that sparks from addiction.

Many drug addicts go back and forth into the correctional system due to their drug and alcohol addiction. They are suffering from an addiction that they need help in overcoming, or else they will find themselves getting it the best way they know how. They will prey on the community by robbing and stealing to support their habit. The question is should they go to jail or should they get help for this habit? The answer is quite simple they should be offered help within the justice system to help deter crimes in the community. But in order to do this the offender must be willing to take the first step in gaining recovery from this addiction by admitting he or she has a problem. This will allow him or her help needed to overcome this addiction. Many offenders have been arrested over and over again to support a habit that they need to feed, and it seems like a waste of time and effort in trying to get help from a drug treatment program that they have to pay for, because they can’t afford it. Many drug treatment centers are too expensive, that it turns away the drug addicts that are in need of help and are crying out for the help. It seems like they would have to get arrested for the problem in order for it to be paid for, there is no way around it. Some drug programs ask for medical insurance, and many offenders do not have medical insurance let along afford to pay for it. Therefore, they continue to use drugs and alcohol due to no form of support or help unless they get arrested

A current ongoing problem in the United States is the continuous use of drugs and alcohol. There isn’t a day that goes by where we don’t see in the paper or on the internet that someone overdosed on drugs and passed away. Currently the United States is narrowing in on the legalization of one drug in particular, which is marijuana. Just over 130 years ago there were no laws against drug use, until the 20th century when the fight against drug use began. Harry Anslinger is man who began the probation of marijuana. Anslinger set the tone for the American attitudes towards drugs, specifically marijuana beginning in the 20th century.

Even though drug and alcohol addiction is the repeated and excessive use of drugs and alcohol to achieve a certain effect, which involves two components: physical and psychological dependency, they both can be treated. The cause of substance abuse is examined through several studies which showed drugs and alcohol are used to get relief from untreated mental or physical pain, through genetics, and low self-esteem. It is very important to know information about drug and alcohol addiction because not only is it a battle for the individual it impacts their family as well.

The history of stress, depression and mental illness resides in the person; no evidence shows it has past history unless family has a history of mental illness. Stress comes in many forms in life it can cause weight gain, depression, eating disorders, anxiety, and an overworked heart along with arising unexpected health issues. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the societal cost of drug and alcohol addiction, in terms of lost productivity, crime, and health-care associated costs, is more than $600 billion per year. Perhaps an even greater cost, but one that is far more difficult to calculate, is the harm of addiction to those addicted and the “collateral damage” that often occurs to the loved ones of the addicted individual. Most people can think of someone in their lives—a friend, partner, parent, or child—who is affected by addiction. Addiction is far too common, and its effects can be devastating. Researchers are making considerable progress in understanding the illness, and with greater understanding should come better treatment and more reason for hope. Tennison, L. P. (2015). Addiction. Salem Press Encyclopedia Of Health. Some ways you can prevent your friends feeling as in your lack of interest has changed or maybe life has gotten in the way which it does everyone gets busy. If you’re aware of your family members or close friends have been going through or struggling with any sort of depression or life changing event it is important you stay in

Drug use has it’s place in all parts of the culture that was built in the United States whether it may be in sports, music, medicine, social norms, and even recreational use. Everyday things like Coca Cola use to have cocaine inside of the product to make the soda more addicting to the consumer. Athletes adopted different drugs as a means of enhancing their performances in their prospective sports as well as using them as a means to stay healthy throughout their season and to recover quicker . Musicians sometimes used drugs as an inspiration to write new music as well as recreationally to have fun. This created the stereotype that all rockstars use some form of hard drugs. As well as the stereotype of the meathead jock who juices up everyday before a big game.