Alcohol and substance abuse and its consequences is a problem not only experienced in the United States but also in the entire world. The concept is no longer new to individuals since there have been laws made to regulate the usage and non-governmental societies formed to curb use and addiction. Drug abuse and its consequences are taught in school and even in public forums; therefore, people are informed of its consequences, but they choose to ignore them. People choose to abuse alcohol and drugs for various reasons; youths abuse them for pleasure and claim to relieve stress to the point of addiction. Drugs can be defined as substances that, when ingested, alter the normal physiology of the body. Addiction and alcoholism threats affect individual health, mental stability, judgment, employment, public relations, and the country’s economy. This essay will shed light on alcohol use and drug addiction threats and explore rehabilitation options to curb the addiction problem.
Firstly, it is important to note that alcoholism and drug addiction consequences go beyond individual health and mental health to the community and the entire country. On physical health, alcohol is known to cause liver cirrhosis, a condition where the liver texture is destroyed, and its function is greatly depreciated, leading to reduced quality of life. Chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol causes a fatty liver, progressing to hepatitis and eventually liver cirrhosis, which is very fatal. When alcohol is ingested, it is metabolized by the liver, and excessive consumption overpowers the liver’s capacity to function normally, leading to scarring and destruction of hepatocytes. Other substances affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and immunity. Substances such as nicotine increase the heart rate and blood pressure, therefore destroying heart function. Lowered immunity increases the chances of getting the infection, and the body’s immune mechanism is decreased, thus unable to fight against the infections.
Moreover, drug addiction has been linked with mental disorders, according to DSM 5, such as substance-induced psychosis, anxiety, bipolar mood disorder, and depression. Substances alter the brain’s neurotransmitters and the impulse pathway, causing the imbalance of neurochemistry. An imbalance of neurotransmitters exacerbates or leads to the development of depressive disorder, leading to mental conditions. Some substances cause hallucinations and are stimulants leading to psychosis in vulnerable individuals, and the person displays delusional thoughts. Individuals present with cognitive impairment as they are unable to pay attention, make sound decisions, and experience memory loss. Some withdrawal from some drugs causes psychological symptoms such as depression and irritability, and such individuals need professional attention to tackle the situation. People experiencing mental disorders, especially depressive mood and irritability, have an increased chance of having suicidal thoughts and completed suicide cases. It is important to understand the interconnection between addiction and mental health to attain treatment holistically to attain a long-lasting solution.
In addition, substance abuse is associated with legal issues associated with acquisition, use, and the consequences caused by the influence of the substances. Drug possession and trafficking of illegal drugs leads to arrest and court proceedings since the is a breach of the law of the state. Arrangements to the court and prosecution to charges are expensive, and they vary depending on the quantity and the type of drug in possession. Individuals with addiction issues engage in criminal activities such as robbery and theft to keep up with substance abuse habits. Also, they have impaired judgment, therefore indulging in assault and violent offenses due to their aggressive behaviors. Getting drunk in public is an offense resulting in charges of public intoxication that may lead to legal consequences and fines. Parents engaging in substance abuse may face charges of child endangerment and may lose custody of the child and supervision.
In addition, alcohol and drug addiction is a threat to the nation as it affects individuals in the community who play a great role in the economy of a nation. Substance abuse and addiction are a burden to the government economy since money will be invested in rehabilitation, law-keeping, and the health sector to treat the side effects of drugs. Also, productivity decreases in all sectors as there will be absenteeism, low performance, and unsound minds. Law enforcement and curing drug trafficking require a large amount of finances, contributing significantly to the economic burden. Funding rehabilitation programs and maintaining them is costly but are crucial to finding a permanent solution to the addiction. Since the economy depends on individuals’ productivity, addiction, and substance abuse lead to decreased production and job performance, thus, economic constraints. People struggling with addiction challenges lose their employment, causing people to depend on social welfare programs.
More so, the education sector is affected and has significant long-term consequences for both individuals and the nation. The impact is experienced in the academic performance, class attendance, and education level achieved. Drugs impair the brain’s cognitive function, affecting memory, attention span, inability to complete tasks, and absenteeism, leading to a drop in academic achievements. Students who abuse drugs have poor decision-making, therefore making irresponsible choices by prioritizing entertainment and abuse of substances, leaving behind the main goal of studies. Poor decision-making makes students lose focus and lack motivation to achieve higher. Substance abuse leads to increased rates of school dropouts due to the inability to maintain consistent attendance and meet the minimum requirement for the fulfillment of the course. Poor academic performance has dire consequences for the future workforce and, eventually, the leadership and economy of the nation. There will be unskilled laborers, limited employment opportunities, and low productivity.
However, rehabilitation is a comprehensive way to help individuals struggling with addiction problems overcome them. It focuses on addressing the effects of addiction on physical health, mental health, and social well-being and improving the community at large. Rehabilitation entails detoxification, medical treatment, counseling, support groups, holistic processes, and aftercare services. Detoxification is a procedure that involves initial treatment to withdraw from drug abuse, and medical attention is given to manage accompanying withdrawal symptoms. Behavioral modification is done through counseling and therapy sessions through group sessions. Aftercare services are offered to offer smooth and continuous recovery. It also prevents relapse and helps individuals endure the challenges of the urge to return to substance abuse. Non-governmental groups have formed rehabilitation programs, and the government has funded some to help individuals who wish to quit alcoholism. They come in a setup such as outpatient clinics, residential treatment, and community programs. Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary team consisting of a medical doctor, counselor, psychotherapist, and support staff.
In conclusion, alcohol use and substance abuse, when used occasionally, lead to addiction, a medical problem that needs to be adhered to promptly. Drugs, when used for the wrong purpose, lead to drug abuse. Substance abuse is seen to affect individuals, families, societies, and the nation at large. A drunk nation is suffering from poor governance, lack of security, fear of investment, and poor economic status. It is important to note that with poor productivity, the government has low returns, therefore lacking revenue to budget for the country. People are encouraged to abstain from alcoholism or drink responsibly, and there are regulations for legalized drugs. Addiction is a threat to the nation, and therefore, rehabilitation services should be enforced to salvage the problem and help those willing to quit substance abuse.
References
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