Major Drugs of Abuse

Major Drugs of Abuse

Introduction

Drug abuse is a severe problem faced by various countries. Researches and surveys show that drug abuse results approximately 40 million serious injuries and illness among people in United Sates. Drug addiction has negative impacts on society as well as on the life of an individual. It may harm unborn babies due to drug addicted parents and may also destroy the entire family. It is commonly assumed that drug abusers do not quit drug in take because of less will power. In reality, drug addiction is a complicated disease and quitting takes more than a strong will or good intentions. Drugs change the brain in ways that foster compulsive abuse, giving up is difficult, even for those people who really want to quit it.

Discussion

Statistics on Illicit Drug and Alcohol Use from NIDA December 2012 Data

Drug addiction is increasing day by day causing severe diseases which may lead an addicted person to death. Number of people including children, teenagers, men and women are involved in drug addiction and substance abuse. Every year, the Monitoring the Future (MFT) survey analyzes the use of alcohol, drug and tobacco among people. Illicit drug use has been increased in the past few years. High rates of illicit drugs usage have been observed in teenagers and high school students. The main reason behind the high rates of illicit drug usage is the popularity of marijuana. Marijuana was used by young people and teenagers from late 1990s until the late 2000s. According to the survey of 2012 it is observed that usage of marijuana has been increased by 5.1% as compared to year 2007. Additionally alcohol usage among young people has dropped to low levels. Alcohol usage has dropped to one-quarter since late 1990s (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2012)

Risk Factors for Addiction and the Effect of Drugs on Brain

It is not predictable that which factor leads a person to drug addiction. There are various risk factors involved in the addiction of any person. These risk factors include the person's biology, development and social environment (like, conditions at home etc.) (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2011). The risk factors for addiction are described below:

Biology

It is the most significant and an important risk factor involved in ones drug addiction. Person's capability to involve in drug addiction is highly dependent on the genes of that person. It also depends on environmental influences. Additionally ethnicity, mental disorder and gender may also influence risk for addiction and drug abuse (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011)

Environment

Environment is one of the important factors involved in ones addiction. Environment of a person includes many different influences- from friends and family to socioeconomic status. Factors like sexual and physical abuse, peer pressure, stress and parental separation can highly influence the course of addiction and drug abuse in one's life (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2011)

Development

Environmental and genetic factors related with critical development stages in one's life to affect addiction vulnerability- with adolescents experiencing a double threat. It is a fact ...