Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Alcoholism and drug abuse are two of America’s greatest health, and
social concerns. The devastation, and cost in lives caused by alcoholism
and drug abuse are immeasurable. Crime, bad health, broken marriages,
loss of income, even death, are all just a few of the misfortunes that
can be credited to the diseases of alcoholism and drug abuse.
The mystery of what makes us susceptible to addiction, and the cure for
alcoholism and drug abuse has been widely argued by every faction in the
medical and scientific community - from chemists and psychiatrists to
doctors and geneticists. This is due to the fact that addiction is
considered by some to be a mental illness, or compulsive behavior, as in
the case of gambling or sexual addiction. While others believe it to be
a physical illness, resulting from escalation in use due to repeated
exposure.
Is it a genetic, or inherited trait? A chemical reaction? A
mental illness? A combination of physical and mental factors? There is
no general agreement on what exactly an addiction is, but enough is
known to know alcoholism and drug abuse are a serious health priority.
On a societal level, alcoholism and drug abuse are widely associated
with criminal and deviant behavior. Even though the use of alcohol is
accepted to a certain degree, alcoholics, and alcoholism in general are
still considered unsavory by the majority of society. Drug use, sales
and possession are another story entirely. Aside from prescription and
over the counter pharmaceuticals, possession of any narcotic is illegal.
The open use of drugs in public is socially unacceptable, and illegal in
virtually any public place in the United States, and addicts or “junkies”
are looked upon with open disdain, or pity, by most. In some countries
the possession of, sale, or trafficking of drugs is punishable by
death.
Most people in this modern age of information are aware of the risks and
consequences of addiction, and use this information to help themselves
and others avoid the trap of alcoholism and drug abuse. Groups such as
AA/NA and private treatment or “rehabs” are involved in the study and
prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse, as well as the treatment, and
rehabilitation of those suffering from the sickness of addiction.
Alcoholism and drug abuse may never be fully eradicated, but with
continued study and diligence the number of new addictions and lost
lives will continue drop.
This entry was posted
on Thursday, July 26th, 2007 at 4:45 pm and is filed under Addiction, Alcohol Abuse, Alcohol Treatment, Drug Abuse, Group Therapy, Intervention.
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