Abstract
Substance abuse, also referred to as drug abuse, is a consumption of a certain type of substance in a patterned way which is very much harmful for oneself as well as the entire society. In the United States, alcohol is the most widely consumed substance by adolescents, followed by marijuana and tobacco. In the recent finding, alcohol was consumed by 40% of high school seniors, while nearly 15% and 13% of adolescents abused marijuana and tobacco respectively, Office of Adolescent Health (September 2013) reported.
Alcohol: According to official data of the United States, 51.5% of adults above 18 years of age are regular drinkers, while 13.6% are infrequent drinkers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 2013) reported. As mentioned earlier, the total number of adolescents who drink alcohol are more than the combined total of adolescents who smoke cigarettes or use marijuana. Drinking can result in engaging people in several dangerous situations, including motor vehicle crashes. Life stress is one of the leading causes that led people to indulge in drinking habits, but proper guidance and open communication can result in controlling this habit up to some extent.
Tobacco: The use of tobacco is believed to be the single largest source of preventable deaths in the United States, killing nearly 443,000 people annually as a result of smoking-related illnesses. Tobacco has several adverse effects on one’s health, including heart diseases, multiple types of cancer, pulmonary disease, adverse reproductive effects and the exacerbation of chronic health conditions, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 2013) reported. In such a scenario, several population-based prevention strategies are required to be adopted by the government with an aim of reducing cigarette smoking and lowering disease burden and economic impact, such as tobacco taxes, media campaigns and smoke-free policies.
Illicit and Non-illicit Drugs: The United States has the highest rate of people using illicit and non-illicit drugs despite the prevalence of disciplinary illegal drug policies. A study has shown that men are more likely to indulge in consuming legal and illegal drugs than women, and younger adults are more likely to consume all kinds of drugs than older adults. Marijuana and cocaine are the two majorly used illicit drugs, followed by hallucinogens, inhalants, heroin or illicitly manufactured methamphetamine. Meanwhile, the consumption of prescription-type drugs, including pain relievers, tranquilizers, stimulants and sedatives, is a very serious and threatening health problem in the United States, U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (January 2008) reported.
Although the government of the United States has made a progress in reducing the rate of substance abuse in the country, its existence is still affecting the health of individuals, families and communities, HealthyPeople (June 2013) has argued. The use of drugs leads to possible physical, social and psychological impact on the human body as well as attracts criminal charges, making it one of the most complex public health issues in the country. Additionally, the consumption of these substances also results in several destructive social conditions, such as family disturbances, economic issues, sharp reduction in productivity, domestic violence, pregnancy complications, homicide, sexually transmitted diseases, child abuse and crime.
Apart from these social and physical health issues, substance abuse is a huge burden on the economy as it cost hundreds of billions of dollars in increased health care costs, crime and lost productivity. In the United States, the annual economic burden due to alcohol stands at US$185 billion, while it stands at US$193 billion and US$181 billion for tobacco and illegal drugs respectively, putting the total cost at US$559 billion annually, National Institute on Drug Abuse (December 2012) reported.
The substance abuse treatment is critical not only in the United States but in every part of the world. A formal intervention is generally required to persuade the substance abuser to enrol in any form of the treatment. Meanwhile, behavioural interventions and medications are very effective ways that support people in lowering or completely stopping their substance abuse.
Social Causes
Peer Pressure: A person comes in contact with several layers of the society, including core family, school, work, friends and the community. While majority of these social components have a positive influence and impact on one’s life, they also add the risk factor. If you don’t have a healthy sense of self, you are more prone to engage in the addiction of drugs. Initially the consumption of drugs makes you feel good and help you in a great extent in filling a void caused by not having a good sense about yourself, but in the later stages causes lethal effects. Sometimes the drugs are also being taken just to look good and fit in the society, which later becomes a habit.
Genetic Causes: This factor play a significant role in the substance abuse, especially if an individual’s first experience comes early in life. The brain remains in development stage during adolescent years to judge situations and manage emotions. Exposure to drugs or alcohol in these development years can lead to poor decision-making and result in more risky behaviour.
Emotional Distress: People are more vulnerable to substance abuse if they are lonely, depressed or suffering from anxiety. The drug addiction is an attempt to lower the pain. The distress can be from death of a loved one, divorce, financial issues or unemployment.
Conclusion
It is very much important for sociologists and other social scientists to conduct a special study regarding the causes of substance abuse among young people in order to study related phenomena. Labelling is one of the sociological theories suggested by Howard Becker to explain why one becomes a substance abuser. As mentioned by Becker, there are three stages - novice, occasional and regular that one passes through in becoming a substance abuser.
The use of drug is first learned and later strengthened within a group setting. The ones who have good experience with drug use feel delighted in teaching those who are termed as novice the proper way to consume marijuana and drink alcohol. The novice would be given knowledge about how to use the drug, observe and enjoy its effect, access a supply, maintain secrecy and neutralize the stigma associated with the use of the drug.
Individual Resources
Office of Adolescent Health (September 4, 2013). Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://www.hhs.gov/ash/oah/adolescent-health-topics/substance-abuse/home.html#.UuGAQRvrbIU
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (June 21, 2013). Alcohol Use. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/alcohol.htm
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (January 2008). Screening for Illicit Drug Use. Retrieved from http://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf08/druguse/drugrs.htm
National Institute on Drug Abuse (December 2012). The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction. Retrieved from http://www.drugabuse.gov/related-topics/trends-statistics
HealthlyPeople.gov (June 6, 2013). Substance Abuse. Retrieved from http://healthypeople.gov/2020/lhi/substanceabuse.aspx
