The Effects Of Alcohol And Drug Abuse On People, Families, Friends And Society

The definitions have progressed from tolerance or withdrawal symptoms from a specific drug to chronic intoxication, continued use with increased dosage, dependence, and damaging effects to user (Reinarman 2005). Both of these definitions proved to be too restrictive because all drugs do not have the same effects on every user. The current definition used by physicians and the criminal justice system is based on seven criteria (Reinarman 2005). The constant evolution of how the professional world views drug dependence mirrors society’s change in the understanding of addiction. Historically, “the drink” was viewed as the devil and drugs were often thought to be the cause of many criminal acts (Schneider 2003). After the medicalization of addiction and dawn of decriminalization of drug abuse, public opinion of deviant alcohol and drug use has changed. For the family unit, it is much simpler to accept and approach treatment for addiction if it is classified as a medical disease. In society, drug users can be framed as patients instead of criminals based on current standards. By looking at addiction as a treatable set of signs and symptoms instead of holding the individual accountable for actions they committed while intoxicated, the disease concept releases a lot of the stigma that goes along with

The consequences of drug and alcohol abuse in America are very costly. Boren, Onken, Carroll, write, “although the costs can be evaluated in dollars, they are more readily understood in human terms: family discord, neglect of children, personal misery, financial and medical problems, fetal alcohol syndrome, HIV infection legal problems…combating and reducing the source of these problems have proven to be difficult indeed…” (Boren, Onken, Carroll, 2000).

When an individual has a substance abuse problem it affects not only that person but everyone around them. The person who is abusing the drugs is causing physical harm to their bodies while causing emotional harm to family and friends. People using drugs are almost always associated with violent crime, robbery and burglary and other forms of crime. The social effect of drug abuse will be a higher crime rate, declining health, and depression for friends and family. It is evident that the need of a closer analysis of drug use in our society can no longer be ignored.

Substance abuse is the harmful or dangerous use of any psychoactive substances including drugs, alcohol and even tobacco. The term ‘Substance Abuse’, as understood today was first used in 1987’s DSM-IIIR, before that social & cultural factors were not considered. Even with that change, many Americans still today consider drug and alcohol abuse to be moral weakness or character defect.

Substance abuse including drugs, alcohol, or both is combined with an area of devastating social conditions, including family separation, financial problems, lost capacity, failing in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and crime. Furthermore, both social characters and legal responses to the use of alcohol and drugs make substance abuse one of the most complicated public health issues. Understanding these aspects is key to lowering the number of people who

Recreational drugs are a relevant part of modern culture and society. Alcohol is by far the most common in America. With majority of the country claiming to drink, alcohol abuse occurs often. The continual use of alcohol has led to the end of careers and personal relationships, domestic abuse, billions of dollars in healthcare and medical expenses, and the death of millions. Although the effects of alcohol are destructive, the causes such as social pressure and coping with pain are just as detrimental to the lives of many Americans.

The roots of addiction, drugs, alcohol and the policies and treatments that branch from them are important to study both chronologically and contextually; as one event influences the next. For the United States, the alcohol and drug problem began during the colonial period. During this time, it was normal for most all women, men, and children to drink alcohol. Chronic drunkenness was seen as criminal. In the wake of the Revolutionary War, alcohol consumption grew at a large rate, along with the problems associated with it; thus leading to the “discovery of addiction.” During this time, the public also grew concerned about the increased drug consumption in general. New technological innovations played a role in drug availability and new addiction

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

Globally, alcohol abuse disorders have become a problem for seventy-six million people (Orford, Natera, Copello, Atkinson, 2005). Addiction is a disease, not merely a social disorder. The disease not only affects the inflicted individuals, but can also be detrimental to family members and the greater community. Causes of addiction can be grouped into three categories: psychological traits, the family, and cultural beliefs. In order to remedy this problem, researchers have suggested psychosocial treatment, participation in Alcoholics Anonymous including abstinence from the drug completely, and having drug abuse education to

I am Mrs. Sherri Colvin Edwards I have been in the field of Substance Abuse for more than 22 years. I am License Chemical Dependence Counselor (LCDC). I have a Bachelor of Sciences in Human Services that I receive in 2014 from Springfield College. I am currently working on my Master of Sciences schedule to be completed in August 2016 from Springfield College my concentration is Mental Health Counseling. My passion has always been working with adolescents and their family and the community at large. Substance abuse effects the entire family and can cause on the family to have broken relationships.

A. Personally, I think that the biggest social issue in today’s society is substance abuse. Substance abuse is a dependence on an addictive substance, such as alcohol or drugs. These addictive substances can have very serious effects and come with risky consequences when using. Using and abusing substances can lead to both short and long term effects to your health. Short term effects can include increased heart rate, tremors, mood changes and dizziness. In high dosages the effects can be even greater and last long term, long term effects can be heart attacks, strokes and potential coma. I think that substance abuse is such a big issue today because the number of users is dramatically increasing as time goes on, we are unable to get control over this horrible social issue. I truly believe that almost every community in America is affected by substance abuse and/or addiction. Substance abuse can also lead to other major social problems, such as drunk driving, violence, stress and abuse. Substance abuse is such a major problem when it comes to public health and safety.

Substance abuse and drug addiction have been at an alarming rise in the past few decades, since the introduction of pharmaceuticals in the early to mid 20th century, all the way to the accessibility and wide acceptance of alcohol in society today. Additionally, families are also increasing in size, ranging anywhere from a single child to a dozen children, as well as extended family members, respectfully. However, living in a society where drugs and alcohol are becoming widely available to the public makes it difficult to effectively resolve the issue of substance abuse and drug addiction and how they impact the families involve—those of which are children, adolescents, spouses, grandparents, and friends, among others. We will be discussing the impact it has on such families, and how society can work toward the goal of rehabilitating those in

Substance abuse effects the entire family including extended family, and I understand now that my grandfather was ill and no one knew how to help him. Through this class, I reexamined my personal views on addiction, and now truly understand the pain and feelings of hopelessness that are experienced in this population and my own family system. As a psychotherapist, I can work with this population and provide them with structured therapy, create a therapeutic alliance, and explore their belief system in a nonjudgmental fashion.

Alcohol play a huge role is society. Alcohol is at family gatherings, celebrations, sporting events, weekend activities, and many more social gatherings. A moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages is usually fine but sometimes people turn to alcohol “numb their pain” or “forget their problems”. When alcohol becomes the main element of someone 's life, it is obvious that certain impacts

Alcohol abuse is the most common problem, nowadays. In fact, majority of people drink alcohol repeatedly to the point where they have difficulty to stop. Statistics show that, as much as, “40% of college students report drinking five or more drinks in one episode” (Walters & Baer, 2006). Alcohol has become more popular over the years as advertisements, simultaneously with commercials of it, filled the media. It also is easily accessible and cheap in comparison to other psychoactive substances. On the other hand, alcohol safety awareness programs are barely noticeable. My research will present how alcohol and its abuse gets into people’s lives and how it influences their physical and mental health, as well as, social existence.