Sunday, October 27th 2019
Recently we have witnessed much more attention given to legalisation and use of recreational marijuana. Alcohol, the archetypal drug, is often overlooked as it much associated with popular culture since time and memorial.
Alcoholism, the chronic and progressive illness associated with Alcohol consumption, along with alcohol abuse, binge drinking, and underage drinking, comprise a panoply of Alcohol problems in the USA as well as Europe. In the USA alone it is estimated that around 16.6 million Americans older than 18 years are suffering from alcohol related disorder. In 2013 only more than 5 million people between 12–20 years of age admitted to binge drinking as well as over a million young people in this age group are reported to being heavy drinkers. Alarmingly and despite the legal drinking age of 21 years it dose not limit the supply of alcohol to youngsters. In fact, many adolescents and young adults not only have access to alcohol but are imbibing at levels that put them at increased risk for physical injury and psychological problems. Indeed, those who begin drinking before the age of 15 are five times at risk of developing alcohol dependence or abuse later in life. Children of people who misuse alcohol are at even greater risk, with a higher likelihood of drinking earlier and developing alcohol problems sooner.
Drug abuse effects people from all walks of life who could experience associated problems. Regardless of age, race, background, or the reason once they started using drugs, these people are venturing into a risk group. Some people experiment with recreational drugs out of curiosity, to have a good time, because friends are doing it, or to ease problems such as stress, anxiety, or depression.
However, it’s not just illegal drugs, such as cocaine or heroin, that can lead to abuse and addiction. Prescription medications too such as painkillers, sleeping pills, and tranquilizers can cause similar problems. In fact, next to marijuana, prescription painkillers are the most abused drugs in the U.S. More people die from overdosing powerful opioid painkillers than from traffic accidents and gun deaths combined. The addiction to opioid painkillers can be so powerful it has become the major risk factor for heroin abuse.
Of course, drug use may it be illegal or prescription doesn’t automatically lead to abuse. Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without experiencing negative effects, while others find that substance use takes a serious toll on their health and well-being. Similarly, there is no specific point at which drug use moves from casual to problematic. Drug abuse and addiction is less about the type or amount of the substance consumed or the frequency of your drug use. Rather its more often about the consequences of that drug use. If your drug use is causing problems at your at work, school, home, or in your relationships? You likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem.
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Michael Sadeh
