Substance Use and Society

This essay explores the reasons why people take drugs, including to feel good, to feel better, to do better, curiosity and social pressure, genetic vulnerability, cultural attitude, financial problems, self-medication, and loneliness. It also discusses the prevalence rates of drug use in the UK and various theories of addiction. The essay concludes by highlighting the negative impact of drug use on society.

Substance use and society
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6
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INTRODUCTION
In recent times, the lifestyle of people has changed completely. It is because of change in
their needs and desires. This has highly impacted on their mental and physical health to a great
extent (Ackley, 2017). However, intake of drugs has become common in people. It is analysed
that every age group that is from 18 years to old age people are taking drugs to a high level. It
has become a common part of their social life and basic need as well. Due to it, there are various
changes which has occurred in society. This has shifted in attitude, perception, etc. of people.
In this essay it will be described about the various reasons why people take drugs. Also, it
will be examined about prevalence rates and different theories of addiction. Besides that, attitude
of people in public and government area will explained as well (Allen, White and Sherman,
2019)
MAIN BODY
Critically analyse the reason why people take drugs
It has been analysed that many people are highly involved in taking of drugs in 21st
century. There is rapid increase in crimes as well due to taking of drugs. Also, people are
engaged in drug business. Besides strict rules and regulations on it drug is easily available in the
market. Moreover, it is stated those people who are taking drugs are involving others in it. They
have become addicted towards it. It has negatively impacted on their mental health to a great
extent. Furthermore, use of drug has given freedom and independence to people. Now a days
those youngster who are Not taking Drugs are not considered as adults. Besides, for getting relax
and enjoy people are taking drugs instead of going of Trip, travelling, etc they have considered
drug as psychological need. So, this is highly influencing the entire society. Now, as people are
getting aware about how use of drugs helps in feeling relax, satisfaction, etc more and more
people are using it. Hence, it has changes the attitude and perception of people as well as society
towards it (Bjarnason, Scarpignato, and Lanas, 2018) For most people, using drugs is just
another way of altering consciousness that is not so different from many other recreational
activities. However, for the relatively small number of people who develop more compulsive
drug-using patterns, drug use is not just about having fun, relaxing or for . It usually serves a
deeper purpose (such as helping enhance identity, acceptance, and reducing psychological
distress)
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It is evaluated that in every age group that is either youngsters or old age people they are all
taking drugs. Even those who belong to several profession are also consuming drugs. However,
it is important to find out the reason of why people take drugs. This is because it gives insight
and information about what make people such as addiction towards drugs. The reason may vary
from people to people but it is common within society. So, there are many reasons of taking
drugs which is specified as below : (Reasons why people take drugs, 2018)
to feel good- this is most common and basic reason of taking drugs. In this drugs produce a
feeling of pleasure (Brahams, 2016). It leads to happiness within person. Moreover, initial
euphoria is followed with other effects. Here, an example can be taken of Weed that high is
followed by feelings of power, self confidence, increase in energy, etc. apart from it, the intake
of heroine results in creating a feeling of relax and satisfaction. So, for feeling good people take
drug and do parties.
To feel better- it is also a reason of taking drugs. Here, people who suffer from stress,
depression, lack of confidence, nervousness, anxiety, etc. start consuming drugs. So, these all
factors play a vital role in allowing a person to take drugs. Thus, by taking this they feel relax
and satisfied. Hence, whenever they suffer from such type of situation they take drugs. Besides,
consulting doctor people are see that taking Drugs will help them to feel better. Usually,
youngster and adults take this to get relax and feel better. Sometimes, people want to feel better
so they do not get anything for doing so. Thus they take drugs which provide them a feeling of
pleasure and happiness (Hughes and Bartold, 2018 ).
to do better- this is also a reason of taking drugs in people. Usually, working professionals or
students who are not able to perform better or want to do well in their take drugs. Besides that,
they might want to enhance focus on goals or achieve them to any extent. In this drugs play
crucial role as continuous taking of it changes perception stimulants. Cocaine and heroine are
common drugs used in it. Sometimes, athletes and professional player also take drugs to perform
well (Ivsins and Yake, 2020).
Curiosity and social pressure- this is the main reason for taking of drugs in youngsters and
adults. Basically, they suffer from high pressure and stress from society. Along with it, they are
at high risk or want to impress others and friends. In this there are some other people as well who
want freedom or independence from social rules or family. The pressure might be from family,
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society, etc which led to taking of drug. Moreover, some adults gets curious about that what is
felt by taking of drugs so they try it and become addictive.
However, there are some other reason as well which is related to person itself. Due to them, as
well people take drugs. They are not related to stress, depression, or some other things. They are
as follows (Kusturica, Tomas and Sabo, 2016).
Genetic vulnerability – it is a genetic problem among which may be reason of taking of drugs.
The behaviour of individual is shaped by other and with their genetic endowment in interaction.
Also, interaction between genetic and social environment allow people to take drugs. It means
that children of alcoholic parents are at high risk to consume drugs in future. Here, there is no
role of stress, depression, but with transfer of genes it become reason for it.
Cultural attitude – it plays an important role in people to consume drugs. A person values and
community in which he lives highly influence on his life. Alongside, there are some social norms
and ethics as well which is prescribed in society that state when it is right to drink and not
(Russo, Gallelli and De Sarro, 2016).
Financial problem- some people face financial problems in their family. They are not able to earn
and fulfil needs of family. Thus, due to family pressure and stress they take drugs. Here, on
contrary in order to earn more as well some people take drugs and get involved in illegal
activities. So, they become habitual of taking drugs.
Self medication – it is a reason for taking drugs where people just do self medication. Generally,
when they are suffering from stress, anxiety, depression, etc. so drug usage become a way of
them to self medicate. With continuous taking of drugs they become addictive.
Loneliness – basically, when people feel lonely or suffer from loneliness they start consuming
drugs. It becomes a basic need of them and they get relief from this. Some of them feel happy as
well by taking drugs. The people are not able to feel pain of loneliness and to overcome it they
take drugs.
Thus, it is stated that due to these reasons people take Drugs. It allows them ot fulfil
their needs and they feel pleasure. Also, they feel relaxed and do parties with friends and family.
The regular consumption of drugs has resulted in making them addict. So, it has changed social
as well as personal life of people. It is slowly bringing shift in change in genetic of people. Due
to it their children are also involved in taking of drugs. This has led to affecting on their mental
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and physical health (Sammut and Craig, 2019). However, the consequences of taking Drugs are
adverse than been addicted in it. It highly impact on mind of people.
It is stated that apart from above there are some other reason as well due to which a
person take drugs like mental illness, personal problem, etc but these are some basic reason for
it. In addition, there is some prevalence rate of certain individuals who are addicted towards
taking of drugs in UK for a particular period of time. It is identified that in UK every 1 out of 10
individual between age 16- 59 is taking drugs. Along with it, the use cannabis is most common
in students of UK. Moreover, in 2018 there were about 8.9% female and 12.3% male of age
between 18- 34 consumed drug. Furthermore, use of cocaine in them was 2.9% in female and
6.6% in male. Also, use of MDMA was 2.2% in female and 4.4% in Male. Similarly, use of
amphetamine in female was 0.7% and in male was 1.2% . However, cocaine is second common
drug used by adults in UK after cannabis. There is 23% rise in it use among people of age 16-59.
Therefore, there is high rise in use of drugs among people in UK (Suzuki, Johnson and Price,
2018). With every year there is rise in adults in who are taking drugs. But the main concern is
that among those people there is rise is youngster of age between 18- 35 years. Apart from it,
cannab are been taken more by those people.
Besides that, there are various theories of addiction which is related to taking of drugs. They are
applied in various ways and in different situations. These theories are as follows
Genetic theory- this theory separate genetic and environmental factors of addictive behavior. In
this if there is change in environmental factors than genetic play vital role. Here, if children
whose parents are alcoholic and if they are grown in some other family than there is high rise in
rate of alcoholism as compared to other population. Besides, those who are born in alcoholism
family possess high chances of addiction of alcohol. Thus, this state that genetic play crucial role
in addiction. From theory it is examined that American Indian, Asian and Eskimos they are
having deficiency is acetaldehyde. This enzymes is needed for alcohol degradation. So, they
quickly accept use of alcohol in their system. So, there behavior is quite different from other.
Moreover, in Eskimos and American rate alcohol addiction is high as compared to Asian
(Winship, 2018).
Exposure theory- it state that consumption of particular substance within body will result in
leading to addiction. This js because of biological substance present in body. introduction of a
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narcotic into the body causes metabolic adjustments requiring continued and increasing dosages
of the drug in order to avoid withdrawal. Furthermore, it is said that use of drug which releases
mimic endorphins on constant basis in body decrease normal body endorphin and bring about
reliance om external chemical for relief of pain. Thus, endorphin play vital role in addiction.
Conditioning model- the model state that addiction is result of reinforcement of drug
administration. It means that if there is more powerful substance then it will gain control on
behavior. Therefore, it defines addiction as behavior due to pleasure associated with its
reinforcement (Allen, White and Sherman, 2019).
Adaption theory- in this social, environment and psychological factor are included. It means that
these all result in addictive behavior. Also, addiction involve cognitive as well ss emotional
regulation where there is high contribution of past condition. The people who take drug are able
to fulfil their needs and get pleasure from it.
It has been identified that there is different attitude of drug taking in media, government and
public. In media it is shown in negative way. Here, it means that involving in illegal activity
within society. Also, they show that society do not accept those who take drugs. Thus, media
attitude towards it is negative. However, the attitude of government towards it is negative. It has
been analyse that drug taking highly affect on social life of people. Besides, it creates a negative
perception and leads to crime. Along with it, if government do not allow people to take drugs
than it result in negative image on them. The attitude of them towards this remain negative even
if there is positive opinions of society and people.
From above theories it is stated that addiction occurs due to certain factor it might be social
or other. Moreover, genetic and biological factors also lead to addiction. The people are able to
get addicted and when there is change in their other factors. So, this is highly influencing the
entire society. Now, as people are getting aware about how use of drugs helps in feeling relax,
satisfaction, etc more and more people are using it. Hence, it has changes the attitude and
perception of people as well as society towards it (Bjarnason, Scarpignato, and Lanas, 2018).
Also, it is necessary to understand the human behavior of people that why people take drugs.
This is because it helps finding out various reasons of them and it can make things easy. In
addition, there is need to make analyse the other factors related to society. Apart from it, if there
is environment factor then it can be identified. There will make it easy to allow them to study in
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depth as well. The data and info can be find out difference in those factors and making things
easy to understand behavior.
CONCLUSION
Hereby, from essay it is summarised that drug intake has become a basic need of people.
It has highly affected on their mental and physical health. However, there are various reasons of
taking drugs such as to do better, to feel good, social pressure, etc. it varies from person to
person. The prevalence data state there is every 1 out of 10 individual between age 16- 59 is
taking drugs. So, there is rapid increase in addiction of drugs. Moreover, there are various types
of addiction theories as well such as genetic, exposure and adaption theory. It all applies in
different conditions and social Factor.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Ackley, M., 2017. Let's Talk About Drugs: Teacher's Guide & Student's Manual. Routledge.
Allen, S.T., White, R.H.. and Sherman, S.G., 2019. Take-home naloxone possession among
people who inject drugs in rural West Virginia. Drug and alcohol dependence, 204,
p.107581.
Bjarnason, I., Scarpignato, C. and Lanas, A., 2018. Mechanisms of damage to the
gastrointestinal tract from nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs. Gastroenterology, 154(3), pp.500-514.
Brahams, D., 2016. Young People and Drugs: a Better Long Term Strategy is Needed.
Hughes, F.J. and Bartold, P.M., 2018. Periodontal complications of prescription and recreational
drugs. Periodontology 2000, 78(1), pp.47-58.
Ivsins, A. and Yake, K., 2020. Looking beyond harm: meaning and purpose of substance use in
the lives of marginalized people who use drugs. Drugs: Education, Prevention and
Policy, 27(1), pp.27-36.
Kusturica, M.P., Tomas, A. and Sabo, A., 2016. Disposal of unused drugs: Knowledge and
behavior among people around the world. In Reviews of Environmental Contamination
and Toxicology Volume 240 (pp. 71-104). Springer, Cham.
Russo, R., Gallelli, L.. and De Sarro, G., 2016. When nutraceuticals reinforce drugs side effects:
a case report. Current drug safety, 11(3), pp.264-266.
Sammut, D. and Craig, C., 2019. Bitter pill: Testing times for party drugs. Chemistry in
Australia, (Sep/Oct 2019), p.20.
Suzuki, J., Johnson, J. and Price, C., 2018, September. Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial
therapy among people who inject drugs: a review of the literature. In Open forum
infectious diseases (Vol. 5, No. 9, p. ofy194). US: Oxford University Press.
Winship, G., 2018. Addictive personalities and why people take drugs: The spike and the moon.
Routledge.
Online
Reasons why people take drugs, 2018. [online] Available through :
<https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-
misuse-addiction >
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