Drug Addiction: Understanding the Health Problem, Youth Vulnerability

This essay addresses drug addiction as a significant health problem, particularly among youth, and explores its multifaceted nature. It defines drug addiction as a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, even with harmful consequences. The essay emphasizes the impact on brain function and the potential for long-lasting behavioral effects, comparing it to other chronic diseases. It examines the vulnerability of young people to drug abuse, highlighting the influence of peer pressure, social factors, and the availability of drugs, especially in schools. The essay discusses various harmful drugs, their effects, and the short-term and long-term consequences of drug abuse, including emotional problems, addiction, memory impairment, diseases like AIDS and Hepatitis, brain damage, accidents, and increased healthcare costs. Furthermore, the essay explores the social determinants of drug use among youths, such as socio-economic status, cultural factors, physical environment, and lack of parental supervision, emphasizing how these factors contribute to the risk of substance abuse and addiction. The essay concludes by highlighting the burden drug addiction places on society, emphasizing the importance of understanding the complex interplay of factors that contribute to this critical health issue.

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Is drug addiction a health problem? What is drug addiction or substance abuse? This
refers to a disease that is chronic and cause relapse of the brain that is characterized by seeking
drugs and compulsive use even though it causes harmful concerns. Drug use is seen as a health
issue because it affects the usual brain function hence it is considered a brain disease.
consequently this can cause a long-lasting effect which can lead to behaviors that are harmful to
individuals who abuse drugs. Drug addiction is comparable to other diseases such as heart
diseases or even kidney diseases. Since they all disrupt the healthy and normal function of
essential organs. Additionally, they serve consequences that are harmful, which are considered
harmful however, some are curable and avoidable but in case treatment is assumed for a long
time it lasts for lifetime (World Health Organization).
Addiction of drugs is a serious problem which is considered a disease, as a result, it
requires objectives that are moral and a strong will to enable an individual quit drug use. Most
people take drugs out of their own free will, but if it is used continuously it initiates brain change
activities to the addicted person. Therefore it becomes difficult to control herself or himself
hence affecting their ability to resist urges to take drugs. That is, people that recovering from
addiction of drugs are at huge risk of going back to drug use even after a long period of not using
it. For Examples of drug abused include painkillers, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol and
much other harmful substance (Leonard, 2018).
Drug addiction comes in after abuse of drugs since the brain makes individual repeat
experiences that make him or herself feel good. Therefore one is motivated to do it over and over
again. Addictive drugs target the brain system by feeling the brain with a chemical substance
known as dopamine. This generates a feeling of pleasure that is intense. Consequently, the
individual takes a drug to chase that high. After a matter of time, the brain will get used to
dopamine, this is way drug addicts keep on taking drugs to obtain the same good feeling all the
time and in the end, this becomes uncontrollable to an individual (Mukherjee, 2017).
Drug Addiction among Youths

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Drug addiction can be experienced by any population be it men, women, children and
even the refugees. However drug abuse mainly affects the young generation, this because at this
stage (adolescent stage) youths experience new changes hence trying new things and taking the
risk to explore new identities (ESME, 2016). Young adults are vulnerable to influence compared
to the adults. The developments that occur during adolescent stage can lead to a direction that is
positive and a negative direction at the same time. That is a youth might start using drugs if he or
she comes “in contact” with the wrong crowd. Abuse of substances among youths is seen
consequently as trauma, influence and personal problems like difficult home life (J.J, 2013).
` In today's world, many young adults have essay access to the drug, because selling and
buying of drugs are mainly done at schools for example in high school seniors. This is a serious
problem that needs to be addressed by parents, guardians and other influential adults that can
help control drug problems. Some of the harmful drugs used by young adults include cocaine,
bhang, steroids, heroin and many more. Youths have become dependent on certain mind-altering,
illegal and stimulating medicines (Leonard, 2018). This poses a great threat to the survival of
young generation in the universe. Young generations are the core and roots of every society,
additionally, they are the main working-class group in the nation. Drug abuse among youths,
therefore, poses a great risk to the society at large and not just individual health.
As stated above young adults are predominantly susceptible to different kinds of things
that are illegal and it commonly begins in schools. Young people that face problems usually first
go into alcohol and then later into drugs, psychological addiction come first followed by the
physical addiction that is, you ‘want' and you ‘need', this destroys an individual life (J.J, 2013).
Students are the most affected as they get from their families and there is no one to control them.
Additionally, the spirit of freedom regularly blinds students, therefore getting out of addiction
becomes hard (Vilela, Brito & Vilela, 2018). An addict life is a complicated life, for example,
their social life is affected, since they lose touch with families and friends, economically, they
spend all their cash in purchasing this drugs putting them in the habit of stealing in case they lack
capital.
Drug addiction affects the health of youths since it tampers with how the body functions
normally especially the brain. The brain is an vital body part since it controls all the other part of
the body, tampering with it is the same as interfering with the whole body (Middleton et al.,

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2018). For example, opiates like heroin are very dangerous drugs which can cause the death of
an individual. They affect and waste the physical resources and at the end suppress the work of
the heart. In most cases it is injected into the body to achieve the narcotic effect, sharing of
injections among youths can lead to transmission of diseases like HIV/AIDS which has no
treatment and cure. Therefore it is observed that addiction to drugs and substances among
youths alters the normal survival as outlined in (National Institute on Drug Abuse, n.d.).
Effects of Drug Abuse
Use of drugs consists of a widespread range of resilient and short-range effects either
directly or indirectly among youth. However, these effects depend on the type of substance used,
its amount in the body and many other factors. Effects that are short-termed ranges from the
change in wakefulness, blood pressure, stroke, psychosis, mood to heart attack and even death.
There does not have to occur after a long use (Middleton et al., 2018).
Effects that are long-termed include diseases such as AIDS since the symptoms take long
before appearing, long-term use of drugs lead to addiction, however it does not mean that
everyone that uses drugs becomes an addict, but for some drugs, they alter how the brain circuits
work. This affects how people behave in their daily lives especially young children (Staff, 2018).
Drug abuse is a major problem that is growing among youths causing serious health
effects among them. The effects include; emotional problems, drug use covers or causes
emotional problems to youths such as depression which is dangerous to them, anxiety, swings in
moods and even suicidal thoughts. All this affect the normal health of an individual (Marmot,
Allen, Bell, & Goldblatt, 2011). Dependence and addiction, young individuals that engaged in
drugs use are probable to enhance the substance abuse problem and deterioration later in life,
therefore, it is essential and necessary to avoiding drug use at the young age. Drug abuse alters
with the memories of individuals since it affects the brain, for example, long-term and short-term
memory (Staff, 2018).
Drug abuse contributes to contraction of diseases such as AIDS and Hepatitis B and C,
this is led by use of injections causing an increase in blood transmission diseases. These diseases
are deadly since some are not curable or treatable, therefore it stays in the body forever. Abuse of
drugs causes brain damage either permanently or temporary. It results into serious mental

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disorders, for example, shrinkage of the brain abilities in learning, problems of the memory and
memory loss, awareness, perception and reasoning damage, change in socialization process and
lastly change in desires of sex. Substance abuse promotes accidents such as fights and car
accidents that can lead to death. Substance abuse also promote the increase in healthcare cost and
loss of future productivity.
Drug use also causes indirect effects to both the youths taking the drug and people around
them. For instance affecting an individual sleep, nutrition of an individual, violence, injuries,
trauma, impulsivity and communicable diseases. It affects the foetus during pregnancy,
additionally, it affects relationships and level of education (Staff, 2018). For example decline in
grades, being absent in school and participation in important activities, increase in school
dropout are associated with substance abuse among the adolescent. In addition, they might
disrupt learning environment causing tension to others in school. Abuse of substances places a
burden on the society. Youths experiencing addiction are usually isolated from and slurred by
their peers. Since they extricate from school and activities of the community, grudging their
peers and communities of positive aids they might have made otherwise (Treatment, 2015).
Social Determinants of health resulting to Drug Use among Youths
Understanding social determinants of drug addiction or substance abuse display
appreciation not only to the universal mental health that is associated with addiction but specified
social factors that contribute to the risk of an individual sustaining and developing a substance
abuse disorder and the suffering from the harm related to heavy and chronic substance abuse.
Several social factors contribute to youths abusing substances, for example, socio-economic
status, cultural factors, oppression, unemployment, individual behavior, physical environment
and discrimination. Cultural structures include values, and perception of drug use (Frimpong,
2014).
Socio-economic status is known to contribute greatly to substance abuse among youths.
Social conditions related to poverty has a great impact on the vulnerability of an individual to
drug use. High level of social exclusion and low socio-economic status are as a result of poor
education quality (Frimpong, 2014). Low achievement of education has increased the likelihood
of risky behaviors associated with youth abuse of drugs. Several youths have dropped out of
school contributing to increase in risky behaviors such as illicit drug use.

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Adolescent experiencing low levels of socioeconomic status have reduced chances of
being active with fewer frivolous resources near their home. This promotes substance abuse
which leads to drug addiction. Our physical behavior is influenced by our environment, an
environment where young adults are will not be the same as where children or adults are. The
physical environment is one of the social determinants of drug abuse among the youths. Youths
might be living in an environment that is not friendly influencing them to abuse of substances.
For example, if an individual lives in a place where neighbor and friend's abuse and access drug,
one might be tempted to join their ways. An adolescent is easily influenced because they are
highly vulnerable, therefore abusing substances won't be difficult for them. The environment in
which an individual life has a great influence on someone's life. Our physical environment is
significant to our psychological and bodily health. The composition and stability of our
environment affects our behaviors since society create an individual (Goldberg, 2017).
Children living in poverty or near poverty families, and young adults whose parents are
working long hours lack frequent supervision and adult bonding which may lead to new
discoveries hence substance abuse. Lack of supervision among youths encourage drug use
because they are able to access little freedom which they end up misusing. Additionally, children
whose parents are away experiencing domestic abuse which contributes strongly to substance
abuse among the adolescent (Pry, 2014).
Moreover, youths born in a low socio-economic level have a less chance of increasing
their overall socio-economic level within their lifetime. Social exclusion of unlawful drug user
point to regulated access to many services of social and health designed to essentially develop
their day-to-day living situations. The social exclusion of drug users that are young limits the
effectiveness of current primary health care initiatives and increase the potential spread of
harmful diseases associated with the illicit drug use (Gauffin et al., 2013).
The behavior of an individual determines a person use drugs especially among youths for
example. Someone with a good and strong personality is not easily influenced by harmful
behaviors that can destroy someone's health. Most individual behavior focuses on self-
confidence for example characters with low self-confidence is at a risk of abusing substances to
improve his or her self-esteem. Low esteem adolescent is easily swiped away by crowds hence
changing or making harmful decision. Example of this behavior include partying, most drugs use

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are done during parties because it is easy to access without any restrictions. An individual
behavior is influenced by physical and social characteristics of the environment. Most youths
tend to stay at home with friends and family engaging in different activities compared to adults
or children. Therefore different individuals activities are influenced by the ‘surrounding' (Staff,
2018).
Consequently, social environment has such as discrimination, income and gender
influence drug use among youths. For example, in schools, most adolescents are discriminated
because of their, race religion and age (LidiaRodriguez-Cerda & J, 2014). This leads to
depression among individuals and the only way an adolescent seeks is drug use, for instance,
cocaine which influences how an individual thinks. It affects the brain functions causing
hallucinations to an individual. However, they are not aware of the consequences of using this
substance. Discrimination promotes social inequality which causes psychological distress and
drug use which might result in health problems and disparities among the adolescent.
Discrimination is associated with alcohol and marijuana use.
Stakeholders Appropriate to Address Drug use
Several stakeholders play an important role in addressing social determinants of drug
addiction for example teachers, parents and the family. Many concerns are faced by teachers,
parents and families in working with youths in substance abuse. Abuse of drugs and substances
serve a significant negative effect on the life of a youth. Parents play an important role in
controlling social determinant that results in abuse of substances among the generation that is yet
to mature. Most guardians and parents assume that, their children are safe and do not engage in
drug use activities. However, it is shocking to parent to find out that just how young people in
schools engage in abuse of substances that lead to drug addiction among them. The location of
an adolescent does not matter since drugs are found (Reed, Prunty & Strang, 2011).
Parents have to set an example for their children to decrease determinants that promote
drug addiction among the youths. It is very difficult to confront children behavior and the parent
is doing the opposite. For example, if an adolescent father is an addict it will be difficult to teach
or talk about to the young one about drug use. This will act as an obstacle to him or her. Parents
should be very careful in setting a good or positive example to children. It is also essential to
discuss substance abuse use and addiction significance among youths, so that they can acquire

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primary knowledge about it. In case they are faced with the challenge they will have knowledge
of how to deal with it (Ghadirian, 2011).
Most parents assume that it is a teacher’s responsibility to educate students on various
issues in life like drug abuse. It is necessary for individuals to take care of their children and not
assume the responsibilities to someone else. Guardians should ask open-minded questions since
most adolescents hide their feelings. This will help communication flow and discuss the issues
affecting him or her in his or her daily activity. In most cases, hiding feelings lead to depression
which most young ones are unable to handle therefore considering drug use as the only possible
solution (Collabolletta et al, 2016).
It is also important to practice open communication daily, this helps to prevent drug use
among teens because of positive influence. Creating an environment that promotes open
communication without judgment, teens will be more receptive towards your opinion and
insights. The parent should take time to communicate to their kids' every day even if they are not
open enough to display what they feel. Communication leads to strong connection bond amongst
offspring and parentages thus, the young adults will be able to alert you in case of any problem
(Sloboda, n.d.).
Most parents do not have enough knowledge concerning drugs, sufficient ideas concering
use of drugs among youths is important to fight against addiction in schools. This is because this
awareness can be shared with the children, for example, different drugs accessible, and emblems
of drug abuse. Therefore it is central for them to educate themselves about drugs since they are
the most important stakeholders in fighting drug abuse. Parents should set rules and standards for
their kids, you should have an appositive relationship with the kids but have boundaries since
parents are responsible for the safety of their kids. The part of safety includes setting rules and
not allowing them to break the rule without consequence (Winters, 2015).
Additionally, teacher to pursue a significant character in lecturing social determinants of
drug addiction. In most time teacher choose to be involved with students who abuse drugs and
substance, therefore they are required to consider payoffs to them professionally and potential
consequence (Collabolletta et al, 2016). For a teacher drug or substance abuse may be noticeable
in several ways such as academic performance that is poor and developmental problems.

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Teachers have numerous actions to help their students, for example, educating them on drug
addiction and health and social consequences.
Teachers help in nurturing ideas in school, this promotes a safe environment among
students and a sense of belonging and protection among students. This helps in counteracting
propensities towards substance and drug abuse (LidiaRodriguez-Cerda & J 2014). Teachers take
action in elucidating how to prevent substance abuse on teens. Teachers should create
campaigning awareness in their organizations to teach students on drug use. Social determinants
of discrimination should be addressed in schools to avoid conflicts among student which might
lead to substance abuse to improve self-esteem since discrimination promotes low self-esteem
among individuals
The family plays an important role in addressing social determinants that contribute to
drug use by acting as a supporting pillar to drug addicts. A family plays a significant personality
in the survival of youths, therefore, friends and families are important tools. Family action can
affect the decision of young adults, therefore, it is necessary to consider family actions,
especially near young adults. Social determinants such as individual’s behavior are impacted by
family. Consequently, they have to impact right moral behavior into adolescent to avoid them
getting involved in harmful practices like drug abuse (LidiaRodriguez-Cerda & J 2014).
In conclusion, addiction to drugs is a very serious health problem among the youths
causing server permanent or temporary effects to them. Therefore it is an issue to be addressed
and looked upon carefully to avoid the negative effects associated with it. For example by
providing extra education to the young inhabitants on use of drugs and rehabilitating those who
have already become addicts. Even though it is a difficult process.

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