Drug addiction in the United States is an increasing problem, totaling at about 65,000 deaths in 2016, but who is to blame for this? Do we blame the government for fueling the opioid epidemic? Or Is the victim at fault here? A chronic illness that is characterized by drug seeking, and use that is difficult to stop and control, despite its harmful consequences. Most people, as did I, believe that they are too in control to become addicted to opioids, but the truth is, anyone can become engulfed and trapped by drug addiction.With an increase in opioid deaths and drug addiction, also comes the discrimination of its victims. Drug addicts are often misrepresented, and often denied their rights and human compassion that are needed to overcome this disease, as seen in their demonizing portrayal through the public, the government, and the media. Drugs are often embellished to the public through movies, tv shows, and songs; as teenagers, our minds are easily manipulated by this, which is one of the reasons that many substance abusers fall into drug addiction. There are movies such as Scarface, Pulp Fiction, and American Gangster, just to name a few, that are at fault for glamorizing substance abuse. There are also artists and songs, such as: Mask Off, by Future, or Drug Dealer, by Macklemore, again, just to name a few. A person can also fall into drug addiction because of emotional distress, low-self esteem, job stress, and peer pressure. Someone can also become addicted by
The victims have a master inside of them who controls every inch of their mind, body, and soul. It only takes a few slip ups to fall deep into the hole of despair. He deceives them but also brings them happiness. The victims have a mental battle with themselves but he is ruthless and shows no mercy. As they continue to disregard the few careless encounters, their condition deteriorates and leads to an addicted relationship with him. Society nowadays has become corrupted with addiction. Drug abuse has become prevalent and is impossible to avoid. There is so much influence around substance abuse that people are usually sucked into it before they learn the dangers of it. Nowadays, people are proposing solutions for this spreading epidemic and suggesting ways to treat people who are already affected. Addiction should be treated as a learning disorder that exacerbates as people mature rather than as there is something wrong with their character. The best feasible solution for treating this epidemic is early intervention. By doing this, potential victims can be educated about the dangers of it and be on the path to a healthy lifestyle.
The use of methadone does not provide a solution for junkies to escape the chaotic life of addiction. Instead, it only feeds the addiction of the person that is being treated. In attempts to prevent withdrawal symptoms and eliminate the drug hunger,methadone treatment facilities offer a legal method for an addict to obtain their fix.
In 2015 more than 33,000 people were killed due to the current opioid epidemic. This was the first time in history where heroin deaths exceeded deaths caused by gun violence. Some may ask why opioid addiction is so common and that is because most doctors, dentists, and surgeons prescribe opioids as if it's candy, post surgery. Most of these professionals don't take into consideration that such medication can cause addiction after multiple uses. A reason for that can be is prescribing such pills can benefit the doctor financially just as much as the patient psychically. Many pharmaceutical companies hand out a lot of freebies such as free sample medication, free food, free pens and office equipment to doctors in order to bride them over. In addition, many of these physicians over look patient's history's, and some cases like smoking many of these positions may even overload patient history that may show any prior drug abuse issues within their family history or personal use. This may even show if the patient
Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, points out in an article about our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, “Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.” Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day. When you hear the words drug addict you think of desensitizing terms, like “junkie” or “crack head,” and when you see someone panhandling for money on the street, passed out, or swaying in a doorway you likely wonder, “why don’t they just get
Prescription drug abuse and overdose-related deaths have reached an epidemic level in the United States and are an urgent public health concern. To combat this opioid crisis, in 2016 Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) was signed into law. CARA authorizes grants to increase access to treatment services and opioid reversal drugs such as Naloxone, strengthen the Prescription Drug Monitoring Program (PDMP), expand prevention and educational efforts. In spite of the extensive range of activities authorized by CARA to control this epidemic, the US has experienced an increase in the number of the opioid overdose-related emergency visit from 2016 to September 2017. Therefore, after considering the policy options to reform this act, the most apropos solution would be the universal mandate of PDMP use. Mandating PDMPs can reduce prescription overdose and misuse of opioids. In order to ensure the impact of this program, PDMPs will have to be implemented on a Federal level. This will essentially make sure that all states taking part in the program are responsible for keeping track of registered physicians and dispensers under the Prescription
“In 2002, 404,000 people used heroin in the United States. By 2016, there were 948,000 people. This is a 135% increases in the past 14 years” (Kounang). I decided to research about heroin, because I want to know what heroin is and which celebrities have done it and survived or died. I knew it was an addictive drug that many people overdose on. There was a lot of misconceptions that I had about heroin. Originally I thought heroin users become addicted instantly. I still have some questions about heroin. Why is heroin so popular? Who has done it? Even though some people think heroin is not bad, people should not take heroin because it's a highly effective drug and tons of people are dying from overdosing.
Maia Szalavitz, author of Unbroken Brain, points out in an article about our finger-pointing mentality on drug abuse, “Addiction is one of the most serious health problems we face today, and as of 2010, more than 23 million people have an addiction to drugs, and according to the National Institutes of Health, these addictions contribute to more than 100,000 deaths per year.” Drug abuse is a major problem in the United States and throughout the world as more and more people become addicted every day. When you hear the words drug addict you think of desensitizing terms, like “junkie” or “crack head”, and when you see someone pan handling for money on the street, passed out, or swaying in a doorway you likely
When it comes to Stevie there are environmental factors that contributed to his circumstances. First, is the idea that Steve was socially isolated from other children growing up. This is because he lived in the country and the only neighbors that are around him was his family members and other adults. Next, is that Stevie had a stepfather in his life named Arvile. This is important because Arvile tried to quickly build a relationship with Stevie and be the father figure that he never had. Even though Arvile’s attempt with Stevie did not succeed, Stevie considered himself to be just raised by Bernice until he was left with Verna. This would be considered being raised by a single parent. Last, is the factor of a disability. It appears by his behavior and
In the United States of America, there is prescription drug abuse epidemic that continues to be a growing concern. Prescription drugs cause a large amount of overdoses and result in an abundant amount of deaths each year. A government study conducted shows this epidemic is scarily on the rise, “A recent government study found a 400% increase in prescription drug abuse between 1998 and 2008” (Schreiner 531). The excessive use of prescription drug abuse is leading to nonmedical use of the drugs, and creating addiction. Furthermore society is paying an extreme amount of money in this battle. With this drug abuse on the rise, legislators must create a law preventing doctors and pharmacists from over prescribing prescription medications as well a law to require they both participate in drug monitoring programs to prevent drug abuse. Now is the time that doctors and the pharmaceutical industry must be held accountable for their role in causing one of America’s worst addictions. The over medication of prescription drugs in the United States must be brought to an end by legislators creating laws to stop
In 2015, more than 400 people in New Hampshire died because of drug overdose (Nilsen 2016). The drug overdose numbers have increased 33% in the past five years (Casey 2016). The drug crisis in New Hampshire is a really big issue. New Hampshire has one of the highest rates of opioid related deaths. There is always something on the news about drugs, whether it be a drug bust, an overdose, or death. Something needs to be done on a state level and a national level to help educate and rehabilitate.
Although some people argue for the legalization of drugs, addiction to these substances has caused a huge increase in violent crimes in the home, at school, and on the street. Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to create compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. This is a false and uneducated belief. Drug abuse may start as a social problem or social escape but one the addiction has taken ahold of a person
“Prescription painkiller addiction has become one of the fastest growing addictions in the country.” You have to see a doctor and get a prescription for painkillers like Vicodin, Percocet, and OxyContin but doctors aren’t the only ones involved in the transaction. Addicts and dealers are demanding the pill and when they cannot get them from the doctor they go to the black market. So whose fault is it? The doctors? Drug companies pushing their product? Or is it the addicted patients’?
Drugs are a major influential force in our country today. The problem has gotten so out of hand that many people are even considering legalization of one of the most used drugs, marijuana. The legalization of marijuana is a controversial issue that has been fought for and against for several decades. Marijuana is defined as a preparation made from the dried flower clusters and leaves of the cannabis plant, which is usually smoked or eaten to induce euphoria and to heal and soothe. (dictionalr.com)
Drug addiction is a complex problem in society today. Addiction is a condition that extremely affects the person’s mind and body. Addiction also has wide sweeping effects on that person’s social connection and functioning. Unfortunately, many addicts don’t realize the social influence of their addiction until much of their functioning has greatly deteriorated.
Alcohol and illicit drug consumption are all too prevalent today in high schools, colleges, and all across the globe. Students seeking to fit in or forget about the repetitiveness of school and homework have a tendency to experiment. Drug addiction is known by the scientific community to be a psychological condition based on excessive, obsessive, and compulsive actions. Once that regular user crosses the line into addiction their only concern is their self and their life revolves around the getting, using, and finding ways and means to get and use more. Most people start using drugs and alcohol occasionally, which is a voluntary decision,