Explaining Drug Use And Abuse

explaining Drug Useand Abuse

Chapter 2 Why Do People Use Drugs? What causes people to subject their bodies and minds to the harmful effects of nonmedical and/or recreational drug use that often leads to drug addiction? Why is drug use a more serious problem today than in the past? Why are some people attracted to recreational drug use? Ten Reasons Why Drug Use Is More Serious Today From 1960 to the present, drug use has become a widespread phenomenon.

Drugs are much more potent than they were years ago. Drug use remains extremely popular. Drugs sales are a multibillion-dollar-a-year business, with major influence on many national economies. More so today than years ago, both licit and illicit drugs are experimented with by youths at an increasingly younger age. These drugs are often supplied by older siblings, friends, and acquaintances.

Through the media (such as television, radio, magazine, and newspaper advertising), people in today’s society are more directly exposed to drug advertising. Greater availability and wider dissemination of drug information through emails, drug websites for purchasing prescription drugs without prescriptions, chat rooms, and methods and instructions on how to make drugs. Crack as well as crystal methamphetamine and other manufactured “newer” drugs offer potent effects at a low cost.

Drug use endangers the future of a society by harming its youth and potentially destroying the lives of many young men and women. Drug use and especially drug dealing are becoming major factors in the growth of crime rates among the young. Seven in ten drug users work full-time and this increases the possibility of serious accidents in the workplace. Basic Reasons People Take Drugs Searching for pleasure Relieve pain, stress, tension, or depression Peer pressure Enhance religious or mystical experiences Enhance social experiences Enhance work performance, (i.e. amphetamine-types of drugs and cocaine) Drugs (primarily performance-enhancing drugs) can be used to improve athletic performance Relieve pain or symptoms of illness Can you think of any additional reasons not listed above?

Nature of Addiction Should addiction be considered: A bad habit? A failure of healthy choices? A failure of morality? A symptom of other problems? A chronic disease? Costs of Addiction As a major social problem, the public’s view of drug abuse and addiction has been debatable over the past 20 years while the social costs of addiction have not. The total criminal justice, health insurance, and other costs in the United States are roughly estimated at $90 to $185 billion annually.

Major Factors Affecting Alcohol and Drug Use Body size: smaller or thinner persons experience the effects of drugs more intensely Gender: physical make-up of women have reduced tolerance to drugs in comparison to men Other drugs (poly drug use): taking multiple drugs can dramatically increase drug impairment Fatigue or illness: increases drug effects Empty stomach: increases drug effects Strength (alcohol proof) and how the amount of the drug affects one’s reaction Mindset: uncontrollable or impulse drinking and/or use of drugs dramatically increases drug effects

Defining Addiction The term addiction is derived from the Latin verb addicere, which refers to the process of binding to things. Today, the word largely refers to a chronic adherence (attachment) to drugs. Originally, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined it as “a state of periodic or chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and society, which is characterized by an overwhelming desire to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means” (1964, pp. 9–10). Addiction is a complex disease.

Another Definition of Addiction The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as “. . . a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is considered a brain disease because drugs change the brain—they change its structure and how it works. These brain changes can be long lasting and can lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who abuse drugs” (NIDA 2008a, p. 5). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fifth edition (DSM-5) (APA 2013) combines substance abuse and substance dependence into a single condition called substance use disorder. The diagnosis of substance use disorder includes pharmacological factors (taking the substance in larger doses, excessive time spent obtaining the substance, craving the drug), social impairment (failure to meet goals and obligations), risky use (despite physical and/or psychological problems encountered), tolerance (the individual needs increased amounts to achieve the diminishing effects of the drug), and withdrawal symptoms.

Addiction includes both physical and psychological dependence. Physical dependence refers to the body’s need to constantly have the drug or drugs. Psychological dependence refers to the mental inability to stop using the drug or drugs. Major models of addiction include the Moral Model (poor morals and lifestyle; a choice), Disease Model (a chronic and progressive disease over which the user has little control), and Characterological or Personality Predisposition Model (linked to personality disorders and impulse control issues).

Major risk factors for addiction include alcohol and drug use to reduce stress, availability of drugs, dysfunctional family patterns, misperception of peer norms, and feelings of alienation. Risk factors for adolescents include past or present abuse, peer norms, and developmental conflicts, while adults may face loss of meaningful roles, grief, health issues, and life disappointments. Biological explanations focus on genetics and neurophysiology, emphasizing the impact of drugs on brain structures, especially reward centers. Theories include that abused drugs serve as positive reinforcers by causing neurotransmitter release (such as dopamine), and genetic predispositions may influence vulnerability to addiction.

Psychological explanations center around emotional and mental states, such as escape, boredom, anxiety, and self-indulgence. Learning theories suggest drug behaviors are acquired through conditioning and habituation, reinforced by pleasurable effects. Sensation-seekers are particularly prone to drug experimentation due to their relentless pursuit of novel and stimulating experiences. Sociological explanations include social influence theories (drug use learned through interaction with peer groups) and structural influence theories (societal organization and social change). Labeling theory and subculture theory further explain how societal perceptions and peer norms influence drug use patterns. Recognizing danger signals, such as behavioral changes, secretive drug use, or reluctance to stop, can help identify risky behaviors.

Effective prevention and intervention emphasize controlling drug use through responsible attitudes—low-risk choices involve self-monitoring and moderation, whereas high-risk choices involve habitual and addictive behaviors. Addressing drug use requires understanding complex social, psychological, biological, and environmental factors that influence individual behaviors and societal trends.

Paper For Above instruction

Drug use and abuse represent significant social, psychological, biological, and environmental issues that continue to challenge societies worldwide. Despite centuries of awareness about the dangers of narcotics and recreational substances, the prevalence and potency of drug use have escalated, making it an increasingly serious concern today. This paper explores the reasons behind drug use, the nature of addiction, and the multifaceted factors contributing to drug abuse, including social influences, biological predispositions, psychological states, and societal structures.

Historically, drug use was largely viewed as a moral failing or lack of willpower. However, modern understanding recognizes addiction as a chronic brain disease characterized by compulsive seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) defines addiction as a relapsing brain disorder involving changes in brain structure and function. These changes affect the brain's reward pathways, primarily those involving neurotransmitters like dopamine, which reinforce drug-seeking behaviors. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) groups substance-related conditions under substance use disorder, emphasizing physiological tolerance, withdrawal, and social impairment as core features.

Several reasons motivate individuals to turn to drugs. Common motivations include seeking pleasure, relieving pain or stress, peer pressure, enhancing social or religious experiences, improving work performance, or even for athletic enhancement. Some individuals also use drugs to escape reality, cope with boredom, or alleviate mental health issues. The pursuit of altered states of consciousness or social acceptance fuels experimentation, particularly among youth, who are influenced by peer norms, media, and perceived social expectations.

The risk factors for drug use and addiction are diverse. Biological predispositions, such as genetic vulnerabilities and variations in brain chemistry, can enhance sensitivity to drugs and increase the likelihood of dependence. For example, individuals with a family history of addiction or certain neurobiological traits are at heightened risk. Psychologically, individuals experiencing emotional distress, low self-esteem, or mental health disorders often turn to substance use as a form of self-medication. Social factors, including peer pressure, societal norms, disorganization, and socioeconomic deprivation, significantly influence initiation and continuation of drug use. Adolescents are particularly susceptible due to developmental conflicts, peer influence, and perceptions of drug use as a rite of passage.

Media and technological advancements have amplified exposure to drugs through advertisements, online sources, and social media. These channels provide not only information on drug effects but also methods of drug synthesis, acquisition, and self-administration. The low cost and high potency of "newer" drugs, such as crystal methamphetamine or synthetic opioids, have further compounded the problem. These substances often produce intense effects at minimal financial cost, making them attractive, especially to marginalized populations.

Understanding the complex nature of addiction requires analysis of various models. The moral model attributes addiction to weak morals or personal failure, which has historically influenced punitive approaches. Conversely, the disease model views addiction as a chronic condition requiring medical treatment, emphasizing neurobiological changes. The personality or characterological model links addiction to individual personality traits and impulse control issues. These frameworks guide treatment and policy decisions, underscoring the necessity of a comprehensive approach that addresses biological, psychological, and social dimensions.

Preventative strategies focus on reducing exposure to risk factors. Education programs aim to correct misconceptions regarding peer norms, increase awareness of drug dangers, and promote healthy coping mechanisms. Family-based interventions and community efforts can mitigate environmental risk factors like dysfunctional family dynamics or neighborhood disorganization. Recognizing early warning signs—such as secretive behavior, mood swings, or attendance changes—can facilitate timely intervention and prevent escalation into dependence.

In conclusion, drug use and addiction are multifactorial phenomena influenced by biological vulnerabilities, psychological states, social environments, and cultural perceptions. The increasing potency and availability of drugs, combined with societal attitudes and media influence, have intensified the seriousness of the problem, particularly among youth. Addressing this complex issue necessitates an integrated approach encompassing education, treatment, policy reform, and community engagement to effectively prevent drug misuse and support recovery efforts.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.).
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2008). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (No. NIH Publication No. 08-4180).
• World Health Organization. (1964). International Classification of Diseases (ICD).
• Koob, G. F., & Volkow, N. D. (2010). Neurocircuitry of addiction. Neuropsychopharmacology, 35(1), 217-238.
• Marlatt, G. A., & Gordon, J. R. (1985). Relapse prevention: Maintenance strategies in the treatment of addictive behaviors. Guilford Press.
• Akers, R. L. (1992). Deviant behavior: An introduction to theories and research (4th ed.). Wadsworth Publishing.
• Hoffmann, J. P., & Cerbone, F. G. (2002). Substance use and delinquency. Journal of Drug Issues, 32(4), 969-986.
• Sussman, S., & Sussman, L. K. (2011). Considering the counterculture: Substance use by alternative culture groups. Substance Use & Misuse, 46(1), 1-11.
• Hall, W., & Carter, A. (2010). The globalization of drug markets. In G. R. Vickrey & K. E. Vickrey (Eds.), Drugs and society: Understanding the impacts of drug use (pp. 45-58). Routledge.
• Epstein, B. A. (2015). The neurobiology of addiction. Journal of Neuroscience Nursing, 47(4), 205-211.