The purpose of using a drug leads to the determination of whether it is being abused. Most drugs affect an individual’s mental state just for gratification. Drugs are chemicals that manage and treat an individual’s infection or disease. In the current world, various drugs are being abused by both old and young. Alcohol and other substances are also abused, leading to addiction and a threat to society.
The younger generation is the most vulnerable and significant victim of drug abuse. Drug abuse is a global issue that needs to be addressed, and its practical and permanent remedies seek to save energetic youths that globally have sunk into the pool of drug abuse. The effects of drug abuse are felt almost by every individual in society, even by the government, due to increasing rates of crime associated with drugs and substance abuse. This article discusses drug and substance abuse, its effects, management, and treatment.
Effects of Drug and Substance Abuse
Drugs and substance abuse in American society has caused a downfall in the overall health of most people. The effects of drug abuse on an individual’s life include health complications and social and societal issues. The impact depends on the frequency, duration, and type of drug abuse. Based on Individualism may affect an individual’s health status, which affects the person’s productivity in society.
Drug abuse affects the academic performances of students in schools at all levels. It leads to low concentration on academics, often resulting in learners’ declining grades. Moreover, students began to lose interest in studying, thus dropping out of school. Besides, drug abuse usually weakens cognitive development and memory problems, which disrupts academic progression. Similarly, it affects family cohesion which plays a part in enhancing performance. With interrupted family cohesion, the student lacks firm support.
Drug abuse affects the individual’s life. Individuals with addiction have numerous health issues within the body’s major organs, such as heart and lung diseases, mental health conditions, and even cancer. Studies show that long-term drug use has enormous damage, especially when the blood is being examined or any other imaging scans are evident to such effects. Moreover, problems with decision-making, memories, and attention often make daily living more difficult.
Moreover, drug and substance abuse severely affect the victims’ families. Exposure to a family divided by drug use causes physical neglect and affects children’s safety. Additionally, children might become more emotionally and mentally unstable, developing extreme guilt, which may result in self-blame caused by parents’ drug abuse. Besides, family conflicts arise due to mental abuse and physical neglect. Similarly, drug abuse leads to family separations and divorces, and in most cases, children are separated from their drug-abused parents by the health authorities.
Drug abuse is associated with risky behaviors such as sharing unhygienic sharp objects and engaging in unprotected sex. Risky behaviors may lead to exposure to conditions that could weaken the individual’s immune system, increasing the likelihood of being infected with infectious diseases. Most drugs contributing to abuse and dependence include cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and prescription drugs like opioids.
Furthermore, drug abuse can lead to a gradual decline in population nationwide. There are more deaths related to drug and substance abuse; several illnesses and disabilities result from drug and substance abuse. However, the number of men who abuse illicit drugs is higher than that of women; women may be prone to addiction which can affect their fertility. This implies a weakened reproductive system leading to more stillbirths and miscarriages than live births due to the impact and complications of drug abuse on pregnancies.
Drug abuse affects the country’s economy by creating low labor participation, especially among the youth. Difficulties in concentrating on various jobs lower the economy as most people do not have time to work responsibly. Instead, they opt to spend time only on drugs. In addition, more money is allocated to treating drug addicts, especially when admitted to rehabilitation centers, thereby other sectors of the economy and social development.
Drug and substance abuse are linked to crime and are threats to civil society. Illegal distribution, possession, or consumption of prohibited drugs constitute crimes in most countries. Drug takers tend to be involved in criminal activities to acquire the money required to purchase drugs. Besides, drug abuse increases the likelihood of numerous criminal activities. For instance, drug customers may want to finance their addictions through theft or prostitution.
Furthermore, drug abuse stimulates social problems. For example, drug users are often prone to violence with their family members and society. They also tend to have a life full of stress due to drug addiction. All these put a massive strain on essential aspects of society, such as health care, employment, and the working environment.
Management of Drug Abuse
The management of drug abuse is a communal responsibility. Various measures have been put in place to manage, cure, mitigate, and treat the challenge of drug abuse in society. Detoxification is usually used to clear substances from the body and limit withdrawal reactions. Governments, non-governmental organizations, and other agencies can significantly help curb drug abuse through designed programs. All these personnel can be used as a strategy to reduce the availability of illicit drugs. They can primarily concentrate on controlling the production and distribution of drugs to prevent diversion to recreational purposes.
In addition, restriction or regulation of the available substances will help reduce the rate at which drugs are consumed or distributed within society. This can be done through increased taxation on legal or illegal drugs. In addition, close all the stores that sell illicit drugs and arrest those engaged in unlawful businesses, whether legally or illegally.
Parental monitoring is very crucial for drug management and prevention. Various skills may be enhanced with training on rule settings, such as different techniques that monitors activities. Praising for appropriate behaviors and moderate and consistent discipline can be applied to define family rules and regulations.
Treatment of Drug Abuse
Treatment of drug abuse victims in most countries is procedural therapy and needs the commitment of the victim. The abuser must be ready and willing to be assisted through sequential therapies. In treatment programs, counseling is the backbone. The drug addicts are taken through an awareness program of counseling to create self-awareness.
Substance addiction is a chronic condition involving the compulsive use of drugs and alcohol. Individuals addicted to substances may use drugs despite the potentially serious problems. Treatment of addiction may be complex; however, addressing these issues has been helpful to many people in recovering from substance use illnesses. Besides, addiction is treatable despite being a complex and chronic condition. The treatment is most effective, especially when it is individualized, since it is tailored to address the individual’s specific psychological, emotional, and medical or related aspects. Moreover, addiction treatment involves a series of interventions to help people stop using drugs and improve their lives in the family, workplace, and community.
Rehabilitation centers provide treatments for substance addiction. The therapy may be short-term or long-term, inpatient or outpatient. However, it’s proven to be effective. It consists of a personalized merger of therapies for addiction recovery. Drug abusers often undergo processes intended to help individuals achieve increased function, independence, and improved quality of life. Additionally, rehabilitation treatment helps restore individuals’ optimal functioning, health, and general well-being, but it does not reverse the damage caused by drug and substance abuse complications.
Family therapy helps the family understand the problems and avoid further drug use. Besides, the family can help significantly in recovering a member struggling with addiction or any illnesses due to drug abuse. In addition, family therapy can support individuals within the family and boost their health and chances of recovery. With firm family support, this method of treatment is also proven effective.
In conclusion, the fight against drug and substance abuse should be declared a global war. Fighting against drug and substance abuse will help shape the future generation; promote people’s health in all aspects; socially, mentally, physically, and spiritually. Thus, managing and treating drug and substance abuse will lead to significant personal and national development.
