Essay on Substance Abuse A Nationwide Epidemic - 2215 Words

The consequences that follow the use of any drug are unfavorable. Although many individuals may see drug addiction as a mere lifestyle choice, it is a problem that many individuals suffer from and inevitably a growing issue that leaves major social and economic impacts. The most commonly abused substances are Nicotine, Inhalants, Alcohol, Cocaine, Amphetamines, Prescription medications, Heroin, Ecstasy and Marijuana. 1a(National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011) Initially, a person may find themselves using substances voluntarily and with confidence that they will be able to dictate their personal use. However, over the period of time that drug use is repeated, changes are taking place throughout the brain, whether it is functionally†¦show more content†¦Thus, being an addict. Substance abuse is a key component to the problems that we face today as a society. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (Alcohol-Impaired Driving, 2009) in 2009, 32% of all motor vehicle traffic fatalities in the United States were due to alcohol-impaired driving crashes. Surveys were also conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Compton, Berning, 2009) so researchers were able to estimate not only the prevalence of drinking and driving, but for the first time they were also able to collect data on the number of drivers who were under the influence of drugs that impaired their abilities. In this data, it was found that 16% of weekend night time drivers tested positive for impairing drugs, in contrast to the 2% of drivers who were at the legal alcohol limit; making drugs 7 times more prevalent. These statistics show that â€Å"drugged† driving is a concern for not only law enfor cement but also puts other drivers at risk of becoming a part of future statistics. Some of the health concerns that we deal with as a society are also linked to substance abuse. The Center for Disease Control (Center for Disease Control, 2011) had estimated that about 1.1 million Americans were living with HIV, and approximately 21% did not know they were infected. In correlation toShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse In America Case Study780 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance abuse in America has gone to lengths such as reaching the rural Appalachian culture in West Virginia. Despite the Nationwide crisis and epidemic of 23 million individuals using, misusing and abusing substances West Virginia is currently unable to say that they are safe and that they have not been affected by this epidemic (Carpenter, Mcclellan, Rees, 2016). All types of drugs ranging from medication prescribed substances to street drugs have been reported in just about all areas ofRead MoreThe Epidemic Of Opioid Addiction1678 Words   |  7 Pages The United States currently faces an unpr ecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in thatRead MoreThe Ironical History Of Substance Abuse1218 Words   |  5 PagesThe Ironical History of Substance Abuse in America The history of substance abuse is full of irony. The poppy, a beautiful flower, is the source of opium, a raw pain-killing substance regularly cultivated and harvested in the East, where it was widely used. Tragically, Europe and America imported the drug and adopted its unregulated use. Though legal, the opium dens of the early 19th century certainly oppressed the lives of the poor, taking what little money they had and offering a dangerous environmentRead MoreAddiction Changes The Way The Brain Processes Information964 Words   |  4 Pages(but not all) users of opioids develop addiction, describe the many dangers associated with addiction, and explain why addicts are often resistant to treatment. So let’s start our journey. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.â€Æ' Chapter 3 Our National Epidemic of Opioid Addiction â€Å"Funny thing about the monster. The worse he treats you, the more you love him.† ─Ellen Hopkins â€Å"However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light† ─Stanley Kubrick â€Å"It is during our darkest moments that we must focusRead MoreAddiction : Addiction And Addiction985 Words   |  4 Pages(but not all) users of opioids develop addiction, describe the many dangers associated with addiction, and explain why addicts are often resistant to treatment. So let’s start our journey. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.â€Æ' Chapter 3 Our National Epidemic of Opioid Addiction â€Å"Funny thing about the monster. The worse he treats you, the more you love him.† ─Ellen Hopkins â€Å"However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light† ─Stanley Kubrick â€Å"It is during our darkest moments that we must focusRead MoreIncentive Based Drug Policy Solution1317 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent approaches the recovery rates are low. The policies in place to address the epidemic will have to be adapted if we want to prevent addiction and help decrease overdose hospitalizations and deaths. Incentive based treatment is a policy measure that has been in place but is less well known. The voucher based treatment has not been as systematically implemented as other policies due in part to skepticism about abuse deterrents. Behavioral economics are somewhat controversial but have shown to beRead MoreOpioid Abuse : A Statewide Epidemic Affecting The Rural And Urban Cities Essay1427 Words   |  6 PagesAdvocacy Role Paper Opioid abuse in Tennessee is a statewide epidemic affecting both rural and urban cities. One thousand two hundred sixty-three deaths related to opioid overdose occurred in the state of Tennessee in 2014. More people died from opioid overdose than the number of gunshot and motor vehicle accident deaths combined. Known as â€Å"Hillbilly Heroin,† the opioid of choice are Hydrocodone, Percocet, Oxycodone IR, and Oxycontin with street values ranging from $5 to $80 dollars per pill.Read MoreAddiction Changes The Way The Brain Processes Information Essay896 Words   |  4 Pagesnot all) users of opioids develop an addiction, describe the many dangers associated with addiction, and explain why addicts are often resistant to treatment. So let’s start our journey. I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.â€Æ' Chapter 3 Our National Epidemic of Opioid Addiction â€Å"Funny thing about the monster. The worse he treats you, the more you love him.† ─Ellen Hopkins â€Å"However vast the darkness, we must supply our own light† ─Stanley Kubrick â€Å"It is during our darkest moments that we must focusRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Use And Incarceration894 Words   |  4 Pagesdenying the United State s long and complex history of substance use and incarceration. Some could make a strong argument that our country s battle against substance use has been a misguided, ill conceived, expensive, and discriminatory attempt which produced inauspicious results. The War on Drugs and Deinstitutionalization are two such attempts. This paper will analyze how these policy blunders have formed a strong association between substance use and incarceration, how current practice and researchRead MoreDrug Abuse And Its Effects On The Increase Of The Drug Epidemic Essay945 Words   |  4 PagesHeroin abuse in America has become an overwhelming issue considering the numbers of people who abuse it today compared to just two years ago. America has become a drug culture, the marketplace of an international flow of drugs on an unprecedented scale (Biernacki, 1986). There are many foundation s of this social problem; the intense availability of drugs in neighborhoods where crime is prevalent, as well as basic economics. Prescription pain killers have become much more expensive and more difficult