Negative Effects On Drug Abuse

In an attempt to demonstrate the absurdity of the drug abuse problems in the United States, it should be brought to light that the 2014 National Survey on Drug Use Health estimated that “27 million people aged 12 or older have used an illicit drug in the past 30 days” (Hedden, Kennet, Lipari, Medley, & Tice, 2015). As gun violence has become a popular topic in America over the past few years due to its’ related deaths, many Americans’ fail to realize that more people are dying from drug overdose than by weapon. In today’s society, controversy regarding drug abuse has taken a forefront due to various media outlets in our technologically possessed world. In order to grasp the underlying issue of drug abuse in the United States, it is imperative to observe the media’s effects on adolescents in a technologically and socially consumed digital age, how family and peers correlate with drug abuse, and whether or not drug abuse effects criminal activity.

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 669,000 Americans reported using heroin in the year of 2012. The number of people using heroin for the first time is dramatically high, with 156,000 people starting in 2012, doubling from the year 2009 (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2014) Those using heroin are typically adults aged between 18-25 years old. The impact of heroin is felt all over the United States affecting many people. Heroin is identified as one of the most important drug issues, therefore this is a social problem that is becoming typical, and more people are coming across negative health effects due to it.

Drug abuse is a problem that has been increasing immensely in the United States. The amount of people using drugs is increasing drastically with people starting or trying illegal substances as a younger age. Drug abuse is the over use of legal and illegal substances. The abuse of drugs is the number one health related problem. Types of drugs commonly abused include alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, painkillers, depressants, cocaine, stimulants, hallucinogens, heroin, and methamphetamine. However, marijuana and cocaine are the most abused drugs in the United States.

Over the year, methamphetamine has become one of the most popular drugs, despite the dangerous side effects and the destructions that it causes to people and families. While methamphetamine is popular across all ages, it is extremely popular in high school and college since it provides college students and teenagers that little extra focus for their studies. However, little did they know that methamphetamine is a super strong kind of speed drug that packs a punch and about four times more powerful than cocaine. Due to its potency, the long-range damage of methamphetamine can cause irreversible harm, including kidney damage, brain damage, stroke, and memory loss. Throughout the documentary, we could see the various effects that this drug

According to the national institute on Drug Abuse, Abuse of tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs is costly to our Nation, exacting more than $740 billion annually in costs related to crime, lost work productivity and health care (NIDA. 2017, April 24). The rising of illicit drug smuggling and abuse raised questions about legalizing all drug. Although some people think that drugs legalization is a way to control illicit drug use, it seems that it will do more damage to our society than it will help. This essay will help us understand all the implications regarding all drugs legalization in this country.

The consequences of alcohol include short-term and long-term effects. The short-terms effects include memory loss, recklessness, impaired judgement, drowsiness, and nausea. The long-term effects include decrease in brain size, liver disease, cancer, malnutrition, cardiovascular disease, alcohol poising, and death (American Addiction Centers, 2018).

Drug abuse is a major public health issue that impacts society both directly and indirectly; every person, every community is somehow affected by drug abuse and addiction and this economic burden is not exclusive to those who use substance, it inevitably impacts those who don't. Drugs impact our society in various ways including but not limited to lost earnings, health care expenditures, costs associated with crime, accidents, and deaths. The use of licit or illicit drugs long term, causes millions of deaths and costs billions for medical care and substance abuse rehabilitation and the effects of drug abuse extend beyond users, spilling over into the society at large, imposing increasing social and economic costs.

I didn’t know what they were doing was bad at the time, they would tell me to go away, to go play, to go get something, so they could get high. By the time i was 10, i understood what was going on. I didn’t want to be living that way, dirty all the time, untaken care of, and it seemed like our parents were more into drugs than to us.

According to medical guidelines, addiction is defined as “a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences” (Paola). Its symptoms consist of weakened control over the substance of choice, lack of ability to process proper thinking and an obsessive consideration for the substance (Wikipedia). When we do something pleasurable our brains are designed to reward us by releasing a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is released in high quantities when drugs are ingested, not only enticing the addict but encouraging him/her to seek after the source from which they obtained pleasure. This part of the brain is called the reward system (Shatterproof). In 1991, the American Medical

Even at this age of raised healthcare awareness there are people who still do not understand the real cause of addictions. A review of Lawrence and Melinda Smith’s article, “Drug Abuse and Addiction,” reveals that by now there is little and scanty information on why and how people get addicted to various types of drugs. There have been several misconceptions and beliefs as to why people actually use or abuse drugs, several explanations have been put forth for this course. A majority of people and writers across the globe simply think that drug abuse and consequent addiction originates from the lack of moral principles or the willpower. They simply think that drug abuse can just be stopped by a choice of behavior change (Saulsbury & Blakemore, 2007).

Substance abuse occurs when an individual continues using the substance regardless of the negative cognitive, physical, social, or behavioral, and commonly mood related symptoms. These may include trouble with decision making, a deteriorating physical condition, a compulsive control, social withdrawal, or irritability and anger outbursts (Fox, T. Oliver, G, & Ellis S, 2013). If the substance abuse is caught in time before it turns into an addiction, then the many physical complications that the substances have the potential of causing will be lessened or non-existent. Several drugs including marijuana are consumed by smoking, and put abusers at increased risk of bronchitis, lung and upper airway cancers and chronic cough

Substance abuse is a catastrophic illness. People put it upon themselves when they become addicted, but unfortunately, there is a lack of support when an addiction becomes a lifestyle. Awareness is the main attack for the battle of substance abuse and sadly, most people are blind to the fact of how serious addiction can be. Educating youth on the consequences of doing drugs and consuming alcohol is the most significant way to ensure they make smart choices. For the people who are already suffering the evil, a strong support system must be implemented in their lives. Obviously, 12 step programs are active all across America today, but is it enough? I watched my Dad almost die in front of me. The doctors said it was a miracle that he survived

Addiction is a persistent, deteriorate brain disease that triggers the center of the brain through neurotransmitters and affects personal behavioral changes. It can become more important than a persons’ need to sleep or eat. People of all ages suffer damaging and traumatic outcomes due to addiction. In order for an addiction to be determined and subjected to someone, the person must meet at least three or more of the based criteria of the American Psychiatric Association and World Health Organization. This can be based on a person’s tolerance, withdrawal, limited control of the substance or addiction, negative consequences because of these actions, neglected or postponed liveliness such as social or work activities, dedicated time or energy

The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.

“Drug abuse and addiction have negative consequences for individuals and for society” ("DrugFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction | National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)," n.d.). Whether it is illegal substances or it is prescription over use, drug addiction can affect the 18 year old college student or the 70 year old grandmother. Even though drug addiction is still a growing and constant problem each model is fighting to get this problem under control. In this paper we will discuss how each of the models address this issue. We will also discuss the strengths and weaknesses of how each model is addressing the problem. Directly following the above we will examine detoxification centers and Narcotics Anonymous and how they are helping to fight the battle against drug addiction. First let’s look at how the medical model address addiction.