Substance Abuse in America - 1916 Words

In and around most large cities in America, the rising substance abuse epidemic has brought about a renewed interested in determining the root cause of substance abuse, the effects of substance abuse on individuals and societies, and the substance abuse treatment modalities that achieve the best outcomes. In reviewing the current research on substance abuse there seems to be no one clear cause of substance abuse disorders, although there is strong evidence that a number of life circumstances may predispose an individual to a substance abuse disorder, as well as a number of protective factors that may reduce an individual’s risk of developing a substance abuse disorder. One important risk factor that is commonly associated with substance†¦show more content†¦There are many reasons, in America, that these perceptions about the poor continue to exist, however, researcher have little ability to gather valid data on poverty and its direct relationship to drug abuse. Many sociological studies fail to provide an accurate picture of substance abuse in a society for a number of reasons. In treatment or survey interviews, substance abusing individuals frequently misrepresent or misreport their frequency of use. Those living in poverty are often more transient in their housing than those of middle and upper classes and may, therefore, be excluded from many types of household surveys. Often, statistical information is gathered from treatment facilities; however facilities do not all report into a national database and a large number of addicts never seek services. One final problem with the validity of studies involving substance abuse and poverty is the isolation, in many studies, of one or more drugs. Many researchers have focused on drugs, such as crack-cocaine or heroin and not marijuana or powder cocaine (Jacobson and Ensminger, 2011). While it is difficult to obtain valid data on the actual rate and incidence of substance abuse in poverty r idden communities, researchers have been able to isolate some negative effects of substance abuse and correlate them to socio-economic status. Many studies regardingShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse In America Case Study780 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance abuse in America has gone to lengths such as reaching the rural Appalachian culture in West Virginia. Despite the Nationwide crisis and epidemic of 23 million individuals using, misusing and abusing substances West Virginia is currently unable to say that they are safe and that they have not been affected by this epidemic (Carpenter, Mcclellan, Rees, 2016). All types of drugs ranging from medication prescribed substances to street drugs have been reported in just about all areas ofRead MoreEssay about Drugs and Substance Abuse in America658 Words   |  3 PagesCHILD out of seven would have an alcohol or drug addiction. Substance abuse in America is widely spread, and is definitely getting out of control. The sadness about a sub stance abuser is that they probably never even dreamed of using any type of drug, but when doors are closing they would kill for a way out, even kill themselves. Most drug addictions initiates in the household, and more spikes in teens have been discovered. The main substances that are commonly abused are alcohol and marijuana. MarijuanaRead MoreSubstance Abuse - Social Pandemic1653 Words   |  7 Pagescontinues, substance abuse across America has become a very serious social problem. It is mental illness that has an effect on different races, classes and genders. The affects of substance abuse has caused countless of people to feel heartache and develop feelings of hopelessness. 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History SubstanceRead MoreAbstinence vs. Harm Reduction1733 Words   |  7 Pagestraditional illicit substances (opiates, cocaine, cannabis) is currently moving through upbeat times in almost all Western countries. Prohibition on the basis of repressive law enforcement not only seems to fail on a large scale, but also to create vast additional costs, problems, and harm for drug consumers, who often find themselves in extreme social, economic, and health conditions† (Fischer 1995: 389). Western countries struggle with the control of drug abuse. America, for example, has beenRead MoreDrug Policy And Funding Has Not Changed Much Over The Past Two Decades1505 Words   |  7 PagesDrug policy in America has not changed much over the past two decades, but according to Sacco (2014) â€Å"over the last decade, the United States has shifted its stated drug control policy toward a comprehensive approach; one that focuses on prevention, treatment and enforcement (p.1). One approach to this is allotting billions of dollars to the Federal Drug Control Budget. As of 2014, the majority of funding for this budget went into supply reduction (59.9%), demand reduction (40.1%), and domestic lawRead MoreDetrimental Social Problems: Substance Abuse Essays1197 Words   |  5 PagesSubstance abuse is one of the most detrimental social problems found in all societies. It has been the leading cause for generational breakdowns of families and communities, and is probably the most controve rsial social problem when developing corrective solutions. Substance abuse can be defined as the chemical dependence, or pattern of usage of both legal and illegal substances, that has adverse physical, psychological, and psychomotor effects on the human body. The use of substances does not alwaysRead MoreDrug Abuse and the FDA Essay793 Words   |  4 PagesDrug abuse is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency that the user has physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. Drugs are used as pain killers to avert physical and/or emotional pain by providing the user with a temporary escape from life’s realities. Even though, they cause different, more serious problems with only a short escape from life’s agonies. There are five different classifications (schedules) of drugs in the Controlled Substance Act of 1970.Read MoreDrug Abuse1279 Words   |  6 PagesThe use of and abuse of illegal and prescription drugs are a health, social, and law enforcement problem that is affecting Americans across the country. Drug abuse is destroying the lives of many teens and adults and is also destroying families in the United States. The use of drugs is a major problem in the United States among all Americans, but drug addiction is the main cause for America s troubled teens today. Exactly what is a drug? A drug is any chemical that produces a therapeutic or non-therapeuticRead MoreSubstance Abuse First Became A Big Problem996 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance Abuse Section A Substance abuse first became a big problem around the 1970’s throughout the 1980’s. America was discovering one drug after another to help manage their lives better (newsnarconon, 2009). Methaqualone was one of the first drugs that pharmacists were trying to use to take place of Barbiturate drugs (newsnarconon, 2009). The drug Methaqualone was first used to increase sexual activity, but later it was recognized that it did a great job at helping people sleep, which is why