Nydia Gonzalez (FGCU) Drug Abuse

One main issue with society and drug abuse is defining exactly what drug abuse it. Society often views drug abuse as a choice that those who suffer from drug abuse lack the willpower to stop. However studies do show that drug abuse is a disease and that drugs alter the brain in many ways that make it virtually impossible to overcome drug abuse without outside help. Drug abuse is a major problem in society and has a massive impact on the economy. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug abuse is a major burden on society. The estimated total of costs of drug abuse in the United States surpasses half a trillion dollars annually. These expenses include heath, crime related costs, and loss in productivity. Other effects caused by drug abuse include family disintegration, unemployment, failure in school, domestic violence, child abuse, and many others.

                The definition of drug abuse According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse is, “Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual who is addicted and to those around them.” Although the initial choice to start taking the drug is voluntary, after some time the drugs alter the brain so that their self control and ability to make smart decisions withers. Drug addiction can be managed successfully similar to other “chronic, relapsing diseases” such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease.

This entry was posted on 28. April 2009 at 23:16 and is filed under Social Problems. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.