Past and Current Trends

Past and Current Trends

PSY/425

Past and Current Trends

Substance abuse and its consequences threaten people of every background. No one is immune from these consequences. Although one tend to believe that drug abuse is not ones problem, people believe that drug abusers live in their own little world and are not a part of society. They are very much mistaken. Drug abusers reside in every neighborhood. Among these are family members, coworkers, friends, and well-known people. Users and abusers come from many professions. Although substance abuse has increased over time, nonmedical use of prescription drugs, obtained within the home, use continues to incorporate more users than any other type of drug abuse. Cocaine however shows a steady decline since 2007. Alcohol and tobacco are the two most widely used substances among users. Substance abuse has been an ongoing problem in the United States for many years. Substance abuse addiction can have a psychological and physical effect and may also lead to dependence. Psychological addictions result from feelings of stress, habit, satisfaction, or pleasure. A physical addiction causes the body to need a larger amount of drugs because of the tolerance that the body has built up.

Uses and abuses include prescription drugs as well and illegal drugs. A drug addiction habit is not easy to drop. One needs to enroll in a program that will help shake the habit. Educating children at a young age on substance abuse and its dangers is a must. Some parents are not aware that their child is on drugs. Signs to look for including changes in behavior, such as chronic lying, stealing, cheating, a change in friends, mood swings, lack of motivation, skipping school, declining grade point average. Positive actions of responsible adults help children make positive choices. One way to prevent drug and alcohol addiction is to never start using it. When children began following the wrong crowd, they tend to do what...