Psychology Assignment: Substance Abuse, Addiction, and Social Impact

This psychology assignment report delves into the multifaceted issue of substance abuse and its associated consequences. The report begins by defining addiction as a complex disorder, referencing the American Psychiatric Association and highlights the increasing prevalence of substance abuse among teenagers, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It explores the link between substance use and criminal behavior, drawing on research by Håkansson and Jesionowska, who investigated the relationship between substance abuse and violent crimes. The report also references research on the physiological and psychological aspects of addiction, including Alomar's work on adverse drug reactions and the impact of drug use on hormonal and psychological states. Furthermore, the report examines the role of social isolation and loneliness as contributing factors to addiction, referencing the work of Yao & Zhong. The assignment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of substance abuse, its causes, and its impact on individuals and society.

Running head: PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

1PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
As per the American Psychiatric Association (2017), addiction is a complex brain
disorder which is evident after obsessive use of substances that are capable of exerting harmful
effects. People affected with this disorder are intensely associated to one of the substances such
as alcohol or drugs and several other types of sedatives and stimulants.
As per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2018), the number of teenagers
suffering from substance abuse is increasing gradually in teenagers, thereby affecting their
growth and development. This is a serious social complication as increased rate of impaired
growth and development is associated with higher amount of social isolation and criminal
activities by the teenagers intoxicated with drug abuse.
Håkansson and Jesionowska (2018), discusses about one such instances as the primary
aim of their study was to understand the link between the pattern of violence and crimes and type
of substance abuse associated with it. Researcher found that the type of drug or substance used
for addiction determined the type intensity and type of violence associated with it. Another
researcher studied the toxicology of the drug associated with the addicted individual and the
changes it brings to his/her body, hormonal status, agitation state and others so that their
associated with the addiction could be understood (Alomar, 2014).
Further, to understand the reason or driving factor associated to addiction, several
researches were looked for. It was mentioned in the process that isolation and loneliness is the
reason for which majority of then teenagers are suffering from social isolation however, drug
abuse could also lead to social isolation or loneliness (Yao & Zhong, 2014). Hence, it is a cycle
which occurs due to the harmful effects of social isolation.

2PSYCHOLOGY ASSIGNMENT
References
Alomar, M. J. (2014). Factors affecting the development of adverse drug reactions. Saudi
pharmaceutical journal, 22(2), 83-94.
American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Addiction and substance use disorder. Retrieved from
https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/addiction/what-is-addiction
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2018). Teen Substance Use & Risks. Retrieved
from https://www.cdc.gov/features/teen-substance-use/index.html
Håkansson, A., & Jesionowska, V. (2018). Associations between substance use and type of
crime in prisoners with substance use problems–a focus on violence and fatal
violence. Substance abuse and rehabilitation, 9, 1.
Yao, M. Z., & Zhong, Z. J. (2014). Loneliness, social contacts and Internet addiction: A cross-
lagged panel study. Computers in Human Behavior, 30, 164-170.