Assessment-1: Substance Use, Societal Impact, and Theories

This essay provides a comprehensive overview of substance use and its intricate relationship with society. It begins by tracing the historical use of drugs, emphasizing how social, cultural, political, and economic conditions have shaped drug trends over time. The essay delves into the reasons behind drug consumption, explores prevalence rates, and evaluates various theories of addiction, offering insights into the complexities of substance use disorders. Furthermore, it examines societal attitudes towards drug usage across different arenas, including government, public, and media, highlighting the evolving challenges posed by new psychoactive substances. The analysis underscores the adverse health and social outcomes associated with drug use, discussing the impact on individuals, healthcare systems, and legal frameworks. Overall, the essay aims to provide a nuanced understanding of substance use within its broader societal context, emphasizing the need for effective strategies to address its multifaceted challenges.

Assessment-1 Substance Use and Society
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Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Drugs have been used for centuries.............................................................................................3
Social, cultural, political and economic conditions have prevailed and changed related to drugs
.....................................................................................................................................................7
Prevalence rate and evaluation of theories..................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14
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INTRODUCTION
A drug is a type of psychoactive substance that can alter the way in which entire body
works, regardless of legal status and other medical approval. It is defined as synthetic or
produced from multiple natural sources and used for medicinal, recreational as well as spiritual
purpose. With the use of Drugs being such as controversial issue in today’s society, felt as a
group that was important to further explore this things. As possess a high interest in how will use
drugs for centuries. This documentation will discuss about the social, political and economic that
will be changing and prevailing drugs within communities. Furthermore, this essay will explore
the reason why people take drugs, identifying prevalence rate, evaluate the different theories of
addiction. However, it will describe about the attitudes of society towards usage of drugs, within
different arenas such as government, public and media.
MAIN BODY
Drugs have been used for centuries
Drug use is basically related to adverse social and health result or outcome. Cigarette smoking is
consider as causes of preventable disability. In order to increase the death rate among different
nations. Afterwards, it will be increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other
respiratory problem (Merk, 2019). Majorly use of psychoactive substance, which become
consider as most of illicit drugs and associated with massive social price which beyond to
damage individuals users, affecting healthcare, legal system and other legislation enforcement.
There is high individual and social of drugs that can highlighting the need or requirement. Even
if personality differences between non-users and other drug users which are generally smaller.
This type of effects have considered as important aspects of clinical implications because of
large number of individual involved. It correlated to the drug addiction which provide insight for
understanding etiology and prevention through effective strategies.
Attempts to understand the specific nature of drugs and addiction that can be traced back
of centuries. However, Search has always been limited by scientific theories and social attitudes
that are available or dominant at single time. Basically drugs have been made by different natural
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products such as Ayurveda, traditional Korean medicine, Kampo and their natural products. It
have been practiced all over the world, thousands of years. At the beginning of 19th century, It
has been evolved the concept of Modern Drugs began.
In 1805, first pharmacologically active compound like Morphine, which was isolated by young
German Pharmacist. There are large number of active compounds that have been separated from
natural items. In this way, it can be identified the traditional uses of drugs and later development
of synthetic technique (Albertson, Chenoweth and Sutter, 2016). It led to significant reduction in
the significance of natural items. However, Traditional product are essential part for developing
a new drugs, different type of item have been constantly use. The most of medicine is usually
made by natural items such as Antimigraine medication, anticancer and antihypertensive. These
are provided the greatly benefits or advantage of individual’s one.
The development of new drugs relying purely on modern technology, which appears to be
reaching something out of the world. Basically, use of drugs are running past centuries but
difference are that individual use natural item to develop a product. Nowadays, it can use modern
technologies to develop a new drugs. Pharmaceutical industry has tended to adopt high quality of
synthesis and other combinatorial chemistry based drug development process. This type of
process was applicable since 1980s. However, Considerable efforts which made in right
direction. But have not being resulted in the expected use of drugs. Some of large
Pharmaceutical enterprises are facing a lot of challenges in developing a new products. Over past
dozen years, it has been rapidly increasing the more attention towards natural item in search for
Novel drugs. Afterwards, it will use new technology as combination such as high throughput
selection.
The 20th century produced such as plethora of discoveries, advances that in some different
ways the face of medicine change out of all recognition. In 1901 UK, it has rapidly increasing
the life expectancy at birth, which may indicate as primary indicator in context of healthcare
effects on mortality. In current era, the rapid progress of medicine was reinforced by various
improvements in communication between scientists throughout world.
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Drugs trends and meaning with a socio-cultural context
Trends in drug use is reflected in official reports from a variety of different sources. In
1961, it has been parted into single convention which have an obligation to United Kingdom,
although as analysis of process over past decade reveals its disappointing result or outcome.
Drug use is often much more than ingestion of preparation in order to experience a both
psychological as well as physical reaction (Mandal, Khan and Shah, 2017). There are various
social activities performed, use by popular images, references in availability, potential legal
consequences and other rebellion can impart of greater significance to their behaviour. In this
way, Drugs is basically occurred with social cultural context. It applicable theory of subcultural
evolution, uses of drugs which seeks to explicate central aspects to nature of its current
relationships.
Different groups across various culture and disciplines, over time have operationalized
culture in order to organise the behaviour of human. Sometimes, it is depending on the
conceptualizations in wide range of healthcare services. According to this perspectives idea,
behaviour and person which are intimately bound together within particular of single social
culture.
A theory of subcultural evolution and drug use
It may use sufficient amount of drugs and emergence with dialectic of prevailing culture
or environment with perform individual identity growth and development. The primary use of
drug is clearly defined the individual’s decision but it help for prevailing drug subcultures, where
each and every person relates to its current health care treatment services. In order to impart as
greater significance of different activities. Conversely, it will be adopting the individual decision,
rejected aspects of prevailing drug subcultures causes. Afterwards, it will evolve as increasing
the emergence of new ones (Gerra and Et.al., 2020). For purpose of drug Subcultures, It can
identify the culture as simultaneously encompassing their multiple subcultures. Sometimes, it
includes constellation of different connected values, norms, symbols and behavioural patterns.
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Each and every subcultures can be classified around use of drugs on the basis of religions,
ethnicity and other affiliations.
Drugs related subculture associated with consumption of different illicit drugs in term of
social settings. For Example- Young generation people may insist on smoking, drinks 40-ounce
bottles of liquor. In this way, it cannot conceptualise drug subcultures as essentially dominating
individual’s lifestyle of people. Drugs sub culture may different regarding extent to which they
are representing as occasional leisure (Turner, Daneback and Skårner, 2020). It has been
observed that subcultural and multiple affiliations that tends to organise themselves. In future, it
is basically representing the drug as subculture which is mainly depending on the extent that
individual continually adopting the drugs. Afterwards, Drug subculture can die out with rejection
of people themselves. At certain level, subcultures emerge with process of individuals adapting
its current cultural element in their specific circumstances.
New Psychoactive substances continue to challenge public health
Excessive use of drugs which become create as new challenges which highlighted by
success of early warning system for new psychoactive substances. It has been recognised the
way in which providing the better capacity to determine and response to the emergence of drugs.
in order to enhance the legislation in different areas, which has been recently adopted, increasing
the speed of reporting (Edet, Bello and Babajide, 2019). Furthermore, a new information
provider will continue to join current system, psychoactive substances represent as evolving
challenge to drug policy. Overall 600 substances are monitored by system.
Although data on availability of new psychoactive substances are improving, it remains
difficult to estimate the specific demand of different substances. The difficulties are become
amplified when increasing misuse of diverted, unlicensed and fake medicine. In this way, it may
influence social culture and environment among different communities. The most important
observation is that when identifying the monitored tool or platform which may consider as
insensitive to change occurring with drug consumption patterns.
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Social, cultural, political and economic conditions have prevailed and changed related to drugs
Substance use disorders can be caused to those people who are highly involved in
consuming and taking drugs. It can lead to various health related issues and also, they can face
problems at work because of this. Often it has been evaluated that individuals who are engaged
in taking drugs are also being involved in doing crimes. There is various reason behind why
people consume drugs. It includes the following:
Why people consume drugs: People take drugs because they want to change something
in their lives. Most often young people consume it because it gives feeling of relief and
happiness. They enjoy getting these temporary feelings. They also do it because they think that
drugs are solutions to their problems. Even they don’t have an idea about that consuming drugs
can make them face consequences related to serious disease which can lay impact on their well-
being and also on their quality of life (Ramirez and et.al., 2016). They are being involved in
consuming drugs to escape from something or fit in something. They also do this to get free from
their boredom. Also, some of the young people consume drugs because of peer pressure. Drugs
are essentially poisonous; the amount determines its effects. It has been analysed that small
number of drugs can act as stimulants while the large amount can slow anyone down. The impact
of taking drugs can be adverse. People can have problems related to loss in memory and they can
distort the user’s perception of what is happening around him or her. After consuming drugs
people actions can be odd and irrational and half of the time, they may feel irritated and agitated
all the time.
Often drugs are consumed by children or young people by seeing their family members
and friends doing it. This can motivate them to consume drugs and the results related to it can
devastating. It can lower and reduce down quality of life and well-being of an individual. Drugs
also blocks down sensations and the desire one in unwanted (Ch’Ng and Lawrence, 2018). They
can provide short term and temporary pain relief because of which so many people consume it.
Drugs wipe out the ability to think and act reasonably. People who are involved in regular
consumption of drugs can also become addictive to it. Once the addiction is being developed it is
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really not easy to get rid of it. For this then the people may have to join rehab centres. Drugs
causes huge impact on mind. Normally mind works really fast and the person is also able to
recognise better. After consuming down the drugs mind stops working and it usually slows down
because of which the person can feel stupid at some times and also, they are unable to remember
things. Drugs can also be consumed by people when they can not control their feelings of failure.
If they fail in something, they want pain to go easily and it is one of the most common reason for
people consuming drugs. Often people who consume drugs are also engaged in acts of substance
abuse. They can also be involved in any type of criminal activities and also, they can be engaged
in doing domestic violence. This can lead them to increase in feeling of regrates and they might
take certain bitter steps in life. Most of the people take drugs in order to reduce down the feeling
of sadness, depression and anxiety (Heldal and et.al., 2018). For temporary relief they consume
drugs in order to overcome feelings of stress but all these are temporary and their health outcome
can also be reduced if they are engaged in consuming drugs on regular basis. It has also been
analysed that drugs destroys creativity of an individual. Someone who is sad can consume drugs
for temporary happiness, but the truth is different, they only have feeling of relief for some time
and this feeling can vanish with the span of time. The ability to think and act reasonably could
also be reduced down while consuming drug. It has also been analysed that some people are also
involved in consuming drugs if they have lost their jobs and have work or family related stress. It
has been analysed that people are involved in consuming drugs because they think that drugs are
solutions to their problems. Even they don’t have an idea about that consuming drugs can make
them face consequences related to serious disease which can lay impact on their well-being and
also on their quality of life. Usage of drugs are dynamic issue and there is countless reason of
taking illicit drugs. They are various emotional psychological and physical factors which can be
related to usage of drugs (Drabwell and et.al., 2020). For feeling up a void in their life people are
being involved in consuming drugs. Or the people can also have negative feeling towards
themselves which can trigger them to consume drugs. Some of the people also consume drugs
because of mental illness. It is one of the possible reasons to consume illicit drugs. They also
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consume these in order to overcome from the feeling of grief or might their relationship with
someone is ending. The end of a relationship is one of the most emotionally destructive events in
a person’s life. It can also lay negative impact on their career and lives which can possibly the
reason for consuming drugs.
Prevalence rate and evaluation of theories
The prevalence rate of usage of drugs in England and Wales is that out of 1 in 10 adults
aged between 15-45 is being involved in consuming drugs. There can be various emotional and
psychological reasons behind taking of drugs. The prevalence rate in 2017-2018 are highest and
there were also a greater number of admissions in hospitals related to drug and substance abuse
case (Manzanares and et.al., 2018). Most of the people in this drink traditional and re-creational
drugs which lays negative impact on health outcome of an individual. It can also affect their
quality of life and well-being.
Theories of addiction: There are various theories which are being linked to addiction of drugs.
Personality theory is one of the most use theory that can explain why people are addicted to
making use of drugs. Often drugs are consumed by children or young people by seeing their
family members and friends doing it. This can motivate them to consume drugs and the results
related to it can devastating (Zilverstand and et.al., 2018). It can lower and reduce down quality
of life and well-being of an individual. Drugs also blocks down sensations and the desire one in
unwanted. There are also some biological factors related to this. Some people are also seen
vulnerable towards drugs which increases their urge to take and consume it. This can have huge
impact on their lives and mostly people who have started taking drug at an early age are involved
in certain type of crimes.
It has consistently shown strong association between substance use disorders and
affective disorders. Especially when individual’s with mood disorder at increased risk of
substances. Affect and addiction that can be related to variety of different ways and play
important rile which influencing motivated behaviour or attitude. For instances, affect facilities
action, preparing an individual for physical response. In this way, it provide the direction of
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behaviour to meet expectation level of people. This type of personality theory will support for
dividing the wide range of concept and relevant to addictions such as positive reinforcement,
regulation of mood and cognition, behaviour motivations and other type of decision-making. The
effective emotion-motivated reasoning has been considered as important aspects which always
influencing addictive behaviour and selecting better result or outcome. Afterwards, it will
minimise negative affective states in proper manner.
In context of negative affect of Personality theory, the relationship between the
substance use as drugs and its negative affects which has been represented as model of addiction.
Sometimes, it has proposed that individual person who have experienced about greatest level of
negative aspects. Excessive use of Drugs will increase greatest risk on the behaviour, attitude of
person (Shafiee, Razaghi and Vedadhir, 2019). Here, Drugs and behaviour are basically used to
improve current mood, distract from unpleasant feelings. Once physical dependence has been
developed, drug substance is primarily motivated or inspired by avoid negative affective states
relationship between negative effects, addiction is not become consider as unidirectional.
Negative affect has been considered as powerful predicator in context of vulnerability in
addiction of drugs among adolescent. There will be high risk of drugs which may directly
affecting on the emotional as well as physical health. At certain level, propensity to engage
within risk behaviour in response to distress which are highly predictive of certain aspect of
substance use in adults.
In context of positive affect of Personality theory, The positive affect is related to the
addiction in both low and high forms. when use of drugs or substance which completely changed
the personality of individual person. it is likely to engage with risky behaviour of people such as
drug use. Every person with high level positive affect in response to use of drugs for different
perspectives (Alvarez-Monjaras, Mayes and Rutherford, 2019). Another important aspect of this
factor which may consider as individual differences in experience of pleasurable effect through
use of drugs. this is the reason which help for changing the current states of addiction. For
Example- Over responsiveness to drugs affect and increase response to methylphenidate in brain
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functionality which directly associated with emotional reactivity as well as mood. Thus, it would
easily handle the strong emotional responses that addictive people show as presence to drugs and
behaviour which might be resulted of enhanced sensitive of their effects.
Neuroscientific theory can also be used in order to analyse effects of drugs on brain. Like for
example cocaine has reinforcing and psychomotor stimulating effect. This makes people cocaine
dependent. It also produces pain reliving effects and functioning of brain slower down. People
have temporarily pleasure when consuming it. After consuming them on regular basis addiction
related to usage of drugs can be created and people are not able to live without it. This also
reduces down their well-being and make them addictive to something.
In context of Neuroscientific theory, It is all about the search for relationships between
functionality of brain, behaviour. Especially when it has been occurred the position of current
neural system. it correlates to the behaviour of drugs and other Neuroscientist have contributed
to perform different actions (Bechara and et.al., 2019). This will help for understanding the
effects of drugs on nervous system and brand functionality. By using Neuroscientific theory, It is
included both neuroanatomical basis of virtually hypotheses and research on the addiction of
drugs. According to theory, It is basically identified the process which caused directly through
chronic admin of drugs abuse. As per identified the efforts in concentrated on change of
morphology or molecular biology. It is considered as important part of brain as function within
chronic drugs investigation. At certain level, behavioural approach can be defined as drug
addiction but assess validity of assumption regarding the brain changes, accompany
reinforcement different its stimulus as cocaine compare with other non-drug stimuli.
Neuroadaptation theory explain changes in working of brain which can be faced when a person
has developed an addiction towards certain drugs. This theory has explained that individuals are
being involved in consuming drugs because of depression, anxiety and stress. This led to changes
in their mind and also, this led to increase their urge to take more number of drugs. All this can
lead to an adverse impact on working of their brain and their brain might started working slow
and also there thinking ability can be reduced by this.
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According to Neuroadaptation theory, It may refer to the process whereby human body
compensates for presence of drugs substances, continually to perform function in proper manner.
But in case individual can use drugs where leads neuroadaptation which become difficult to
handle, tolerance and dependence on substances. This theory will applicable when person to find
its desirable effects on body. The significant changes have been occurred in the brain which
always support for constantly increase discomfort and increases as painful symptoms like
withdrawals. It will occur due to the adoption of excessive drugs which means to maintain
normal functionality. Withdrawals are most common symptoms of reversing neuroadaptation to
the drugs. It will be increasing physical discomfort the individual and also experience pain. At
that time, it automatically increasing the pain of fear and their effects which is always discourage
people from trying to escape their addiction. Neuroadaptation theory is affected by regulation of
dopamine in their brain functionality. It utilize to receptor which repeatedly stimulated through
excessive use of drugs. It became remain sensitive to the dopamine in process which is known as
desensitization. Drug users known about this process as tolerance drug when repeated the
procedures but same amount of drug causes less of response than prior use.
Psychological theories: This describes behavior of people towards taking drugs. In this people
tend to consume drugs when they see similar behavior done by their friends and family members.
The response to these cues may be autonomic, behavioral, or symbolic-expressive. The behavior
response can include an increase likelihood of consuming drugs. This means that there are
chances that people behavior towards consuming drugs is positive and because of which they are
taking it (Venniro and et.al., 2018).
The Psychological theory is applicable to find out the mental disorders as causes of
addiction. It might include cognitive difficulties, mental illness and other type of disturbances. In
fact, Addiction of drugs will directly affecting on the health condition of individual which
mainly occurred. The Psychological theory is one of the most important concept in term of
addictive personality. At certain point, it is underlying the different factors in all about addictive
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