The Problem Of Drugs And Drugs

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.

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

“Substance use disorders” or “substance-related disorders” are intended synonymously and are used interchangeably when referring to the broad category of addiction to psychoactive substances. Additionally, the word “drug” should be considered in the context in which it appears and can refer to alcohol specifically and/or other psychoactive substances such as cocaine or heroin etc. Again, this is because of the large overlap within the broader category of substance use and the high prevalence of polysubstance use. For the sake of clarity, “drug” as used in North America to generally refer to any illicit or controlled substance has been avoided. Instead, “medication” will be used to denote a prescribed substance used to treat physical symptoms. However, many legally prescribed medications (such as morphine) can and are abused and have addictive quality, making them just as devastating as “street drugs” or alcohol (Compton & Volkow, 2006).

Blanche’s reliance on alcohol is immediately evident when as soon as she arrives in New Orleans, she immediately begins searching for alcohol saying, “Well, now you talk while I look around for some liquor. I know you must have some liquor in the place. Where can it be, I wonder? Oh , I spy, I spy.” (Williams pdf.10). It clear that the sight of alcohol alone instantly relaxes her after frantically searching for it. Then, Blanche lies about her drinking problem to Stella when she is discussing her concern with Blanche’s drinking and Blanche responds, “Just water to chase it baby to chase it! Now don't get worried, your sister hasn't turned into a drunkard” (Williams pdf.9). Blanche lies to her sister about her drinking because she doesn’t want her to judge her. Not only does she not want her sister to judge her, but also everyone that surrounds her. She loves to drink to relieve pain and stress. Alcohol is her liquid version of an emotional band aid. An example of this is when Williams right that after being confronted, Stella “... rushes to the closet and removes the bottle: she is shaking all over and panting for breath as she tires to laugh. The bottle nearly slips from her gasp”(Williams pdf.9). She is a drunk and does not want her sister to know how much she relies on alcohol. This is a sign of her being an alcoholic and that drinking is a necessity in Blanche’s life. Blanche is trying to learn the

There is a great deal of alcoholism in the play. Blanche DuBois drinks often and drinks in excess. Alcohol abuse further distinguishes Blanche's character because in the 1940s, it was atypical for women to drink so much, and even more rare for women to be so publically alcoholic as Blanche. Those behaviors were stereotypically reserved for women. Blanche is very much aware of her problems and her social isolation. She uses her alcoholism as a way to escape from facing herself directly as well as to escape from other aspects of her reality that she perceives too difficult to bear or change.

In A Streetcar Named Desire, one of the first things Blanche does when arriving at Elysian Fields is "look around for some liquor" (Streetcar p.120), just as she looks for an escape from her own past. This symbolism puts new meaning in Blanche's line "[looking down at the glass, which shakes in her hand]: You're all I've got in the world, and your not glad to see me!" it leaves one wondering whether she is talking to Stella or to the liquor at this point.

Social conflicts and struggles are an inevitable part of any society in any country. These struggles can include an increased rate in crime, unemployment, domestic/general violence, and overall civilian depression. When governments cannot seem to find a means to an end, they often turn and look for something to blame for their struggles, and that thing is more often than not, drugs. For many years, several opiates and drugs were primarily used for medicinal purposes, were seen to have an abundance of health benefits and was widely accepted among communities. Although, with the increasing social conflicts and economic conditions, authorities turned to and targeted many different forms of once accepted drugs, and made them the scapegoat for the problems they were facing.

Alcohol in this setting is used as a means of escape. Wine is thought as higher class while beer is associated with the lower class. Yet, it doesn't matter whether wine or beer is consumed, they both have the same effect on the body and Blanche tries to justify her excessive drinking and hides it from her sister, “well, honey, a shot never does a coke any harm!” (92). If she truly didn’t think it was a poor decision, she wouldn't be hiding her addiction, but deep down she knows it is the wrong thing.

Another character in the play, "A Streetcar Named Desire" that is used to present disturbing behaviour is Blanche. The writer uses her to present disconcerting behaviour due to her susceptible alcohol problem. Blanche is presented by the writer to the audience to be a quite unstable character, that comes across to be strangley covert. At the early stage of her visit to her sister Stella, Blanche 'rushes to the closet and removes the bottle', Tennessee Williams then begins to show her unstableness when she starts 'shaking all over and panting for breath.' This clearly reveals that Blanche has an unconventional reliance on alcohol in order to calm her 'nerves'. Blanche obviously doesn't feel comfortable for some reason without drinking some sort of alcohol and its

In Streetcar Named Desire, drinking is a way to escape from the lonely void created by her young husband’s death for Blanche Dubois. Drinking is often a way for people to escape from their current circumstances and forget about everything. In Streetcar Named Desire, it also relates to Blanche’s illusional world in the way that she wants to escape her past by being delusional and setting in as if it were reality. Through the motif of drinking, Williams reveals that escaping your reality and living in a fantasy world will leave you blind to the the things around you.

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

One of the first things Blanche does once she’s settled in the apartment is search for alcohol and she drinks it. When Stella comes back, Blanche is still a little shaken up with her nerves and she acts as if she has not already drank anything saying, “I know you must have some liquor in this place!” (Williams p.9) When she starts drinking, she is already a little tipsy. So when she asks for more Stella becomes a little worried but Blanche shrugs it off with “Now don't get worried, your sister hasn't turned into a drunkard…” (Williams p.9)

About $800 Billion worth of drugs are sold every year. The drug industry has affected agriculture in various ways. While some may think that drug industry has done good for the agriculture industry. It has also had repercussions. Drugs not only affect our ecosystem, it also affects us human beings, animals, and plants. It’s similar to a cycle, we start off with the ecosystem, which then leads to plants, then the animals, to human beings.

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 and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All