Alcohol and drug abuse (also called substance abuse), is a serious issue in the society today due to the adverse effects it has on the users and the society at large. Most deaths among teenagers and car crash in the US are alcohol-related. It, therefore, need to be addressed to find solutions to these concerns that gloom the society. In this context, alcohol and drug abuse refers to the persistent excessive use of drugs or alcohol consumption that is inconsistent with standard medical practice, or which is harmful to the users or others. Many scholars have researched causes, effects, and solutions to alcohol and drug abuse, with an attempt to discourse the society concern of substance abuse. Therefore, this paper focus to discuss drug and alcohol abuse as a social issue. The first part addresses alcohol and drug abuse as a problem or a social problem. The next section will discuss the causes and solutions, and finally, a concluding paragraph.
Is Alcohol and Drug Abuse a Problem?
Yes, alcohol and drug abuse is a problem because of the various health, physical and behavioral complications it has on the users, and even to the entire community as well. These difficulties range from diseases such as an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, depression, slowed breathing, damaging liver and nervous system. It can also cause changes in personality, blackouts, sexual problems financial problems, and addiction among other personal issues.
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Is Alcohol and Drug abuse a Social Problem?
Substance abuse is also a social problem because it not only affects families and individuals but also creates an enduring social impact on a national and community level. These effects include but not limited to users involving in violent crimes such as rape, assault, murder, and battery. It also contributes to the deterioration of families, social isolation, and issues at the workplace which can sometimes lead to job loss.
Causes of Substance Abuse
Though there are various reasons why people engage in substance abuse, the most common reasons include self-medicating, peer pressure, experimenting, to feel good, family history, personality issues among others. Self-medicating involves abusing drugs and alcohol to deal or cope up with personal problems such as anxiety, stress, severe depression, trauma, and loneliness. Also, research indicates that some people are likely to engage in substance abuse because of the inherited traits from parents or family members, and some peers abuse drugs and alcohol to experiment, feel good or due to peer pressure. Some abuse substance as a way of dealing with personality issues such as low self-esteem, for instance, abuse drugs to boost their confidence.
Solutions to Alcohol and Drug abuse Problem
There are various approaches to curb substance abuse. One of the methods includes diagnosis and treatment. This approach involves the substance abuse recognizing that he or she has a problem, go to a doctor who will examine the person and recommend treatment to help the person recover. The type of treatments given is detoxification of the body, rehabilitation, counseling to address emotional issues, forming anti-drug abuse groups, medical treatment for problems of health associated with substance abuse. Additionally, creating awareness through educating on the dangers of drug abuse may increase knowledge of recognizing the benefits of abstaining from alcohol and drug abuse.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it is evident how a substance can negatively impact our personal life as well as the life of other people around us in the community. It is therefore vital that the concerned bodies dealing alcohol and drug abuse to implement recommendations given to solve these personal and social issues.
