Drug Use: History, Prevalence, Theories, and Attitudes - Report

This report provides a comprehensive overview of drug use, encompassing its history, prevalence, and the various theories that attempt to explain it. The report begins with an introduction to the concept of drugs, defining them and discussing their physiological and psychological effects on the human body. It then delves into the historical context of drug use, tracing the origins and evolution of different substances like cocaine, marijuana, and hallucinogens. The report also examines the prevalence of drug use, particularly among young adults and teenagers, citing statistical data and exploring the factors contributing to substance abuse, such as peer pressure and stress. Furthermore, the report explores theoretical frameworks, including diffusion theory and self-esteem theory, to understand the motivations behind drug consumption. It emphasizes the impact of drug use on individuals and society, highlighting the associated health risks, social consequences, and the importance of addressing this complex issue through public health interventions and awareness campaigns. The report concludes with a discussion on the attitudes toward drug use.

DRUG USE

Table of Content
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. An understanding of drugs.......................................................................................................1
2. History of drug.........................................................................................................................2
3. Prevalence of Drug use............................................................................................................3
4. Theories of Drug use...............................................................................................................4
5. Attitude of Drug use................................................................................................................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Drug is a chemical when consumed, smoked, inhaled and put under the tongue causes
various changes like physiological and psychological in human body. Individuals who are
involved in consuming illegal drugs are also involved in substance abuse. It is also known as
drug abuse (Abuse and Administration, 2016). In which the person creates a situation after in-
taking of drug which is harmful to themselves or to others. Report discusses about the
description and understanding of drugs. It also highlights history of drugs and prevalence of
using it. Assignment lays emphasis on theory's of drug use and attitude of using it.
MAIN BODY
1. An understanding of drugs
Drugs are basically the chemicals which are consumed by some individuals in order to
have pleasant effect but are been defined illegal by law. These substances cause physiological
and psychological changes in the human body making people feel relaxed and calm. Drugs can
be natural or man made. Both causes scientific alterations in the working of an individual. Over-
doze of drugs can have harmful effect in the mind of person and they may also get involve in
different type of abuse. This can sometimes be life threatening too. Continuous use of drugs
make an individual addicted to it and hampers their growth of body.
There are various type of drugs which do the work of providing relaxation to people and
specially teens, but however is considered illegal. These drugs include cocaine, heroin,
marijuana, inhalants, cracks, hallucinogens, amphetamines and many more. Some of them are
created naturally like weed is been prepared from cannabis plant. It is often used by people for
recreational function(Saitz and et.al., 2014). Marijuana is a psychoactive drug which is also used
for spiritual purpose. The drug causes changes in mental and physical condition giving a high
and stoned feeling to individual possessing it.
Excessive consumption of drugs like cocaine, heroine, alcohol, tobacco and many more
causes many ill effects. The person in-taking it can suffer from various problems such as anxiety,
high blood pressure, nausea, anxiety and depression. These drugs are not natural, they are the
creation of human beings by mixing some chemical elements. Hallucinogens is also one of this
type of drug. Phencyciclidine (PCP) and lysergic acid diethylamide are hallucinogens which
makes an individual see or hear things that are not in real. Like for example A person might feel
some other people has spoken with them, which in reality does not even happen.
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Alcohol and tobacco are also considered as depressant drug which is one of the major
cause of breaking of relationship, marriages and even causes various social programs. It impacts
the working of brain in a human body. Excessive consumption of liquor can lead to diseases or
disorders that includes damage of liver, heart disorder, hypertension and many more. Tobacco
also leads to issues like cancer, kidney failure which makes an individuals body weak and
immune to more amount of risk. Also, users are seen with problems like memory loss, mental
and physical non-functioning(Abuse and Administration, 2016). They make individual live in a
hypothetical world, which is all nothing but creation of their own mind.
2. History of drug
Drugs are been in used by the individuals for more than a hundred years. They were
originated in the ancient times. Drugs such as cocaine is one of the most oldest and dangerous
form of natural substance which brings changes in mental and physical condition of people.
Ancient time individuals consumed coca leaves to bring there heart an enthusiasm to live in
between the mountains. It builds up there immune system temporarily and give them a feeling by
which they can not feel cold. Native Peruvians also consumed coca leaves during the time of any
religious ceremony performed by them.
Drug like cocaine was first extracted from the coca plant by the German chemist Albert
Niemann(Ttofi and et.al., 2016). After their discovery the drug started getting popularity in late
80's. In medical community also the drug has been popularised and they started using it
frequently. People started using the drugs such as cocaine for reducing the feeling of anxiety,
depression and fulfilling their sexual desires. Individuals started using it more in order to gain
pleasant feeling and live in a hypothetical world created by them. These type of drugs are
generally extracted from natural plants. Export of the drugs to various places are done illegally
by the dealers.
Drugs are been grown in United Kingdom and created in domestic labs. Also import is
been done from overseas. Other drugs like marijuana are been used since ancient times. People
were using it like an herb in order to cure diseases. Cannabis was been cultivated in the United
States of America, which were gone over there for the purpose of textile and rope. Political and
economical factors in the region leads to the criminalisation of marijuana. After getting
popularity in this region the illegal export was begin to start in other regions like Europe, Africa,
India and many more.
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After sometime the drug was been sale in most of the regions in pharmacy store for
curing stomach ache and other ailments. Scientist after some time discovered that the THC
content in the marijuana was one of the major elements that provide medical benefits to the
people (Edlund and et.al., 2015). It help in curing various type of disorders and diseases but
people start using it illegally and after consuming it they get high and stoned feeling. An ancient
Greek a large group of nomads started using cannabis plant to have a peaceful experience and
started smoking seed and flowers to be high. In this way marijuana was used as a recreational
weed. It affects the physical and mental condition of the human brain and individual can be seen
with problems like mood swings, anxiety and depression. Excessive consumption may lead to
memory loss.
Hallucinogens like LSD’s were first introduced by a renowned scientist in Switzerland. It
was created using various chemicals in the laboratory. Later in 1890’s it was been used as a drug
culture by the hippie community. High quality drugs were begun to get imported by the people.
They started using it to have a psychedelic feeling. In this individual or groups generally begin to
see things which are not been present in real. They began to get far away from the reality.
3. Prevalence of Drug use
Prevalence of using drugs is been measured by surveys based on representative
probabilistic study of the whole population majorly young adults and teenagers are been noticed
to have the most use of harmful substance in them. Through the article Prevalence and incidence
of drug use among college students: an 8-year longitudinal analysis, 2017 it was analysed that
Marijuana and alcohol was the most common drug used by the young adults and children. Out of
13,000 students 47% of population was involved in consuming harmful substances like cocaine,
weed, tobacco and alcohol (Saitz and et.al., 2014). It was been analysed that these substances
were mostly used by young adults because of many reasons. This includes peer pressure, low self
confidence, and status symbol, suffering through stress or due to family problems.
According to Hu and et.al., 2015 individuals are involved in consuming alcohol more
than tobacco or any other drug. As per analysed by the National survey on drug use and health
reveals that about 10.4 million young adults aged from 12-20 were involved in consuming liquor
on daily basis. They were been observed to have ill health in comparison to normal adults who
were not involved in taking any type of drug. It was also analysed that many of the teenagers
were engaged in binge drinking as well as heavy drinking. The prevalence rate is 54% in young
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adults and 32% in other population. This is also one of the major reason for death among these
young people. Hu and et.al., 2015 says that these teenagers after consuming excessive amount of
drug were inbvolved in various harmful activities like inappropriate behaviour, creating chaos,
abusing one another and many more.
As per the opinion of Edlund and et.al., 2015 illicit drugs like cocaine, marijuana, LSD
were less common in young adults and other individuals. Weed is one of the most popular illicit
drugs which is consumed by a whole lot of population. It was been observed that generally
young adults or teenagers were more involved in talking illicit substance such as marijuana also
popularly known as weed. It was been taken by people for various causes or reasons. They
revealed that it most often create a feeling of peace and relaxation. Also it was consumed in
order to remove depressive feelings and get diverted from stress. The prevalence was high
among young adults and teenagers.
National survey on drug use and health reveals that the individuals and group involved in
using illicit drugs like marijuana and other harmful substances such as alcohol and tobacco needs
to focus attention. These groups which mainly includes young adults because of excessive
consumption of this are also been involved in drug use. It is been known as substance abuse too.
Also, they revealed that pain killers are one of the most common used drugs among individuals.
The popular pain killers often consumed by group includes opioids and stimulants. The chemical
substances are also consumed to remove issues like attention deficit hyper-activity disorder.
These types of drugs create sensation in the central nervous system and often consumed to
reduce disorders such as depression and anxiety. Also, they are been in take to remove sleep
disorders which is the most common problem in the population. Excessive use of these pain
killers or drugs can be life threatening.
4. Theories of Drug use
Diffusion theory of drug
The theoretical approach is based on the formulation that often drugs like marijuana,
cocaine, alcohol, tobacco are consumed by the individuals when they face severe distress and
violence in the early childhood. This is one of the major causes behind the prominent use of
these harmful substances. Various theories like diffusion theory of drug are been described in
order to know the varied reasons behind the consumption of harmful substances and drug abuse.
Also pre clinical medical care been emphasised in order to know about the reason behind the
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addiction of drugs. Conditioned reinforcement and impulsitivity are the major element behind
these theories or models. Theories help scholars and researchers to find about the various
positive and negative reinforcement. It was analysed by them that many groups and individuals
consume drugs as they were highly motivated by their peer to use it (Edlund and et.al., 2015).
Family stress and influence of other individuals are one of the major reasons behind the
consuming of alcohol or liquor. It hampers the quality of life of people and often after having
addiction with it individuals are also involved in harsh behaviour. This also risks there life and
lays a negative impact on there relationship, marriages and family members.
Self esteem theory of drug use
This theory explains that for using harmful substances like alcohol, liquor, marijuana,
tobacco, cigars and LSD individuals are highly motivated through self. Often these are consumed
in order to develop self esteem in them. It can also be because of the factors such as inferiority-
superiority, social interest, goal orientation and life style factors(Ttofi and et.al., 2016). Young
adults are involved in using these substances in order to get a superior position in life. As from
childhood every individual is inferior so to get superior they start using materials like weed,
cocaine and LSD. They can also take this because of the life style factor.
Drugs like alcohol, tobacco are also taken for the social interest. People get influence
from their peer group, family members who consume liquor or cigars on daily basis. They have
belief that these substances support them in creating self esteem and diverts there mind from
stress. People or individual groups started using them in gatherings and ceremony to have a
feeling of peace and calmness. They are included in their life style. Excessive consumption of
them is often life threatening and hampers growth and well-being of people. It also affects’ the
mental and physical condition making them weak and exhausted.
5. Attitude of Drug use
Attitude of using drugs are different for varied people. Society will see it in different way
and individuals who are consuming substances like alcohol, cocaine, cigars have a different
perception towards it. There is high level of belief and thought of people that using any amount
of drugs can be problematic. People think that it creates chaos in family and breaks relationship.
It is one of the main reasons for abuse. Individual suffered from any type of abuse has a changed
behaviour and often emotionally driven. People believe that cocaine and weed impacts there
living and negatively affects their life style. It also hampers there growth.
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It was analysed that 88% of the population agreed that the majority of the crime which is
taking place is because of consumption of harmful substances like alcohol, liquor and cocaine.
People believe that the use of drugs and alcohol in the society causes more problem. It is one of
the major reason for the relationship break up in the family. After excessive consuming liquor
individuals are involved in harmful activities(Edlund and et.al., 2015).. This creates chaos in the
society and also hampers the well being of people. Society also creates negative view of people
who are involved in consuming any amount of drug.
It is a belief that rises in crimes is due to the excessive consumption of drugs. Parents who
are involved in drinking alcohol and liquor lay a negative impact on children. By this they get
influence and involves in these illegal activities. There mind is been diverted from the studies
and gets engaged in using drugs like marijuana and cocaine from early child hood. They can also
do this because of the peer pressure. Most of the domestic abuse done with children and women
are due to consumption of alcohol and tobacco. It hampers the growth of both female and kids.
People suffered from drug abuse are often seen with low self esteem, fear and guilt. They have
attitude that they cannot match up with the standards set up by the society. People have
perception like they use drugs so that their social status is been improved and they get accepted
in there society. Often they are involved in taking marijuana because of family stress,
unemployment, personal or professional problem, or poverty. It hampers their well-being and
health. Excessive consumption of it is often life threatening.
CONCLUSION
From the above report, it has been summarised that drugs have been created through ancient
times. Individuals were using drug like marijuana as a herb and after some time they started
exporting it illegally. They have used it in order to have a pleasant feeling or to get high or
stoned. Various theories like self esteem theory of drug use have explained that people are
involved in using it due to life style and social factor. It has been interpreted that using drugs
hampers the health and well-being of individual consuming it.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Abuse, S. and Administration, M.H.S., 2016. National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
Johnston, L.D. and et.al., 2018. Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-
2017: Overview, key findings on adolescent drug use.
Miech, R.A. and et.al., 2016. Monitoring the Future national survey results on drug use, 1975-
2015: Volume I, Secondary school students.
Ttofi, M.M. and et.al., 2016. School bullying and drug use later in life: A meta-analytic
investigation. School psychology quarterly. 31(1). p.8.
Saitz, R. And et.al., 2014. Screening and brief intervention for drug use in primary care: the
ASPIRE randomized clinical trial. Jama. 312(5).pp.502-513.
Hu, Y. and et.al., 2015. Impaired functional connectivity within and between frontostriatal
circuits and its association with compulsive drug use and trait impulsivity in cocaine
addiction. JAMA psychiatry. 72(6).pp.584-592.
Edlund, M.J. and et.al., 2015. Opioid abuse and depression in adolescents: results from the
National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Drug and alcohol dependence. 152. pp.131-138.
Online
Prevalence and incidence of drug use among college students: an 8-year longitudinal analysis.
2017. [ONLINE] Available through: < https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8407023>
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