Abuse (2012) defines mental illness as a hazardous health condition that can alter someone’s emotion, thinking, or change of behavior, all of which are can have negative impacts on normal functioning or social coexistence. Besides, mental illness has the basis on cognitive functions of the victims, which end up interfering with their family activities and societal wellbeing. On the other hand, Link et al. (2007) note that drug or substance abuse is the hazardous use of psychoactive substances like marijuana, cocaine, or illicit drugs. On the same ground, WHO notes that high dependence or addictive use of illicit substances can lead to difficulties in controlling the victim’s mental functions.
Based on the above backdrop, it is right to conclude that the addictive use of psychoactive drugs can lead to mental illness. For instance, when someone is suffering from acute alcoholism, he or she cannot make sound judgments and usually attend to day to day activities (Abuse, 2012). With time, the time become used and fully indulged in the drug systems and eventually sink into the drug control. Substance abuse and mental illness are interrelated, and prolonged use of the later can lead to mental disorders. In this regard, it is right to conclude that the acute usage of psychoactive drugs is one of the DSM-5 disorders.
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It is disheartening to learn that many people are dying as a result of excessive drinking, but it would not be fair to ban alcohol for people who are enjoying and responsibly use it (Link et al., 2007). I think drinking should be regulated so that users have a well-defined boundary on how to responsibly use it. For example, the government should enact stiff laws to punish those who drink and drive, as many fatal accidents are a result of drunk and driving cases. The government has indeed been lenient on how alcohol should be used. Psychoactive drugs like cocaine or heroin are illegal, while laws are still silent or lenient on drug use.
Another reason why alcohol should be strongly regulated is that the use of alcohol is harmful to society. According to Abuse (2012), alcohol use is harmful and has caused millions of deaths, especially youths, as well as causing many diseases and even causing violence and erode peaceful coexistence. From the report, many governments are silent or lenient and have failed to enact stiffer rules that can help regulate the menace. Even though it is not right to ban the use of alcohol, it is right to develop policies that govern the use so that it cannot have dire damages to society.
In conclusion, alcohol use is both harmful to the user and society. A drunkard can endanger the people around them, either directly or indirectly. For example, an intoxicated person driving his family to a funfair even can end up getting an accident that might wipe the family (Mirin & Weis, 2001). On the other hand, drunkards can be problematic to people around them and fight their spouse, children, colleagues, and strangers or end up in stiff legal suits. In this view, the use of alcohol should be strongly regulated.
Conclusion
Based on the finding of the paper, prolonged and dependent use of psychoactive drugs can lead to mental illness by altering the emotions, thinking, and behavior of the users. Therefore, substance abuse is considered one of the DSM-5 disorders. Thus users should be warned and told of the prolonged impact of their use. On the other hand, alcohol use can cause many damages, including death, diseases, and family and society feuds. In this regard, alcohol use should be strongly regulated so that its use should not have acute adverse effects on society. Just like other acute psychoactive drugs, the government should enact laws to guide on alcohol consumption.
References
Abuse, S. (2012, November). Results from the 2011 national survey on drug use and health: mental health findings. In United States. Department of Health and Human Services; United States. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. United States. Department of Health and Human Services; United States. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
Link, B. G., Struening, E. L., Rahav, M., Phelan, J. C., & Nuttbrock, L. (2007). On stigma and its consequences: evidence from a longitudinal study of men with dual diagnoses of mental illness and substance abuse. Journal of health and social behavior, 38, 177-190.
Mirin, S. M., & Weiss, R. D. (2001). Substance abuse and mental illness.
