Social Effects of Drug Abuse

Social Effects

Abusing alcohol or drugs can negatively affect people in a variety of ways. From health problems to relationship issues to harmful social effects, substance abuse can cause individual and societal problems. Most people are aware that addiction can cause individuals and their families a lot of pain.

However, despite knowing this, many people still become addicted to drugs. Of course, they’re not becoming addicted intentionally. Addiction is a sly disease and can incrementally creep up into one’s life and before they are aware of it, they become dependent or addicted to it.

Why Do People Begin Using Drugs?

People begin drinking or using drugs for many reasons. The youth may start using drugs for different reasons than adults. The following are some reasons why people begin using drugs:

Peer Pressure

It’s not uncommon for those in middle or high school to succumb to peer pressure when it comes to drinking or trying out a drug. Kids grow up watching shows where other kids and adults drink alcohol and it looks like it’s a lot of fun. Commercials abound portraying individuals who are laughing and enjoying each other’s company while drinking alcohol.

It’s easy for them to start experimenting with drinking and then pressure their peers into doing the same. It’s also easy for the youth to think that if the popular kids are drinking and partying, then they should too if they want to be accepted and fit in.

The problem with this is that some youth will be more susceptible to becoming addicted to substances. They may also begin abusing alcohol to cope with inner pain or old trauma. The same could be said about drugs, such as marijuana, cocaine, heroin, heroin, pain pills, and so on.

Stress Relief

Some people begin drinking or using drugs because they’re dealing with a lot of stress. It’s no secret that drinking alcohol or taking some drugs, such as benzodiazepine’s, relax the body. You’ve probably heard plenty of people comment that they’re so stressed out that they need a drink to relax. The problem with this is that some people will become addicted to the cycle of using chemicals to reduce anxiety or stress. Once they’re addicted, it can be challenging for them to stop.

Better Performance

Both youth and adults have been known to take drugs to enhance their performance either academically or athletically. High school or college students have been known to take stimulants such as Adderall to help them focus better or be a more alert when it comes to studying. While this drug may help someone struggling with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), those that abuse this drug may become addicted to it.

To Numb Pain

Some people use or abuse alcohol or drugs to numb inner pain. This is pain that they may have acquired as a child, teenager, or adult. It could come as a result of trauma, chronic stress, or something else. The mental anguish that they feel, they’re just not sure how to contend with. However, they notice when they drink or take certain drugs, that the pain is numbed or decreased. This can become a habitual cycle and it’s easy to become addicted to whatever substance they’re using. A problem with this is that the drug does not heal the underlying cause of that pain, and this can become a vicious cycle throughout life unless they reach out for help.

Social Implications Of Illegal Drug Abuse

Continued use of illegal drugs can certainly have social implications. Someone who is struggling with an addiction will not be able to be fully present at work, at home, with loved ones or friends. You’ve probably heard people talk about someone who’s addicted, and they mentioned that the person they knew isn’t even there anymore. Addiction can literally steal the personality of a person and turn them into someone they’re not. This not only hurts that person, but their family and friends.

Abusing drugs can also cause someone to lose a job, a relationship or marriage, it can strain relationships, can cause legal problems, health problems, and more.

When Someone Is Addicted To Drugs, What Option Is The Best Course Of Action?

If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to alcohol or a drug, the best course of action is to seek help from a professional substance abuse expert. It’s not uncommon for someone to not be able to quit drinking or using drugs on their own. Some try many times to quit, and they might be successful for a little while, but eventually they fall back into the addiction.

Therefore, it can be very helpful to get professional treatment. There are evidence-based modalities that can help you get to the root of the addiction, as well as contend with any underlying trauma that is causing emotional mayhem. It’s not enough to just put down the drink or drug. There are usually underlying root causes that need tended to, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, chronic stress, and more.

There are also inpatient and outpatient rehabs that can cater to the addiction and any mental health needs that you have. For severe addictions, inpatient or residential treatment is recommended, as there you’ll be able to receive care around the clock. For mild addictions, or for those who can’t pack up and leave for treatment, there are outpatient rehabs where you can attend a number of sessions during the week.

You can avert the negative effects of substance abuse. Your first step is to admit that you’re struggling and reach out for help. You deserve to live a life free from addiction. Make a call or reach out for help today, and take that first step.

57 comments
  1. I do really find this content useful and inspiring. It’s just better not be addicted to something from the onset.
    To a very large extent this has really opened my understanding.

  2. Abuse of drugs is harmful to the body and causes great havoc which slow downs alot of body cells. Thanks for the innovative write up.

  3. Abusive of drug is a bad feeling which enables the entire body been shut out and causes greater damage. Moreso it bad to take drugs in excess.

  4. The social effects of drug abuse are enormous. It should be noted by both adults and youths that no matter what they are going through, drug is not the option.

  5. Drug abuse has a very great effect on those abusing it. It ranges from family, friends and a lot more. People tend to abuse drugs cos of everyday life problem, emotional trauma etc.

  6. Been under the influence of drug abuse it causes a permanent risk which enables the effect to cause a greater damage. Thanks .

  7. There are so many reasons people engaged themselves in drug abuse, but no matter the reason, drug abuse is bad. Thank you Detox to rehab for sharing this.

  8. Peer pressure is the most powerful tool here. Someone who has never thought of getting involved in drug can be lured into it through the peer influence.

  9. These itemized social effects are the reasons why many people found themselves in addiction. They are so severe to the extent that if not put under control it it may take one’s life untimely.

  10. There are diverse reasons by which people takes drug the outstanding one for me is because of peer pressure and numbing of pains. it can be devastating at the end

  11. I agree with you, some people who know the consequences of substances abuse still go on to abuse substance and become addicted to it, due to the reasons stated above. Especially pear pressure, so, i think people should keep a keen eye on their ward and family members who they know are taking this medication, so that they dont get addicted to it.

  12. Some people around us believe in drug abuse. But we should try and take note of the side effects of taking drugs. It put one’s in darkness, and we should try and pursue light.

  13. The dangerous of them all especially in this pandemic period is the losing one’s job. Abstainance is the best option.

  14. People struggling with drugs abuse need to first accept that they are really into it and struggling with it. the next great line of action is to seek help

  15. Drug addicts most at times need to be shown the light. You can be of help to those in addictions around you. Let them know there is life outside darkness.

  16. Most of the time, not every drug and alcohol abuser which to be in it. The issues of life led many into it and they have forgotten that the only one who can help them out is GOD. Thanks for this piece of information.

  17. Honestly some drug addiction, don’t know when they have started abusing drugs, especially thosee taking it to relieve pain. I can remember an experience when I had just done an operation, I was given this medication,of which I anticipate remember now. But when ever I took it is felt all the pain gone, and when ever I was experiencing the pain again I would request for it but I was told that if I took more frequently I would get addicted to it. So people who have gotten addicted need help and not condemnation.

  18. Drug abuse is often accompanied by a devastating social impact upon community life. The present article focuses on the adverse effect of drug abuse on industry, education and training, and the family, as well as on its contribution to violence, crime, financial problems, housing problems, homelessness, and vagrancy.

  19. There’s life after darkness. Let those in addition around you be aware that they can recover to enjoy better life outside addictions.

  20. It’s not new that some people around us believe so much in drug abuse; that is, they so much enjoy taking drugs in excess. The excess of everything they say, it’s bad. The funniest thing about drug addicts is that, some are not having people around them to take them out of their darkness. Let try and be our brothers keeper.

  21. It’s good that there are so many resources available for those struggling with addiction. It’s interesting how some can beat their addiction and some cannot. Love and support as well as self awareness and spirituality are great tools for recovery. Sometimes addicts just need to get their addiction out of their system and then they can live on to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

  22. This article is helpful and will sensitize people on what they need to know about drug abuse.

  23. The article is pretty informative and it help educate about the effects of drugs and other hard substance which is great deal In our society.

  24. I agree with peer pressure. If one is weak they will surely give in from it for anything even addiction. Weird thing is we do this to belong but with drugs our world crumbles more.

  25. Drug abuse can be very dangerous. Our friends are also involved in this, I feel very bad. Thanks for sharing this blog.

  26. The peer group influence is one powerful way of luring one into drug addiction. One you are able to know that you won’t fall a victim.

  27. Your write up is one of the bests. Addiction to drugs is in stages and can sure be fixed if one sets his mind to it.

  28. Indeed, this article is highly informative and educative. What a great exposition from Detox about drug abuse! Detox is doing a great job.

  29. This is a very good and educative article. Many of the factors stated above can actually result into drug abuse for youths and adults. Finding a way to curb the effects of these factors is the solution.

  30. This article has really taught me a great lesson on the social effects of drugs on youths and adults. Abstinence is the key to avoid all these factors from causing a lot of harm for prospective youths and adults in the society.

  31. The article is an eye opener and elaborate masterpiece on the effects of drugs abuse on the society. The social influence causes the society to have many youths and adults going into addiction.

  32. To simply put, addiction to drugs cuts one off from everything called social life. It makes someone highly secretive and love being isolated.

  33. This is an interesting article which comprehensively examines the pros and cons of drug abuse. Detox is setting the place for others to follow.

  34. The effects of drug abuse are so much that it can be fully stated. You just have to stay away from it

  35. It’s just better not to be addicted to something from the onset.
    To a very large extent, this has really opened my understanding. You just have to stay away from it. Detox is setting the place for others to follow.

  36. Everyone should learn that they have a life after addiction. This is a very bad addiction. Thanks for sharing this blog.

  37. Thank you for sharing this comprehensive and detailed article, now I know the different reasons why people become addicted. Abstinence is the key factor here. Detox to rehab thanks for sharing.

  38. In my earlier youth, we used to smoke weed for fun. There are many reasons like you said which trigger the use of drugs.

  39. All the aforementioned effects are real but they are avoidable. The only way out of them is Jesus through the words of God.

  40. Drugs lead you detoriate you mental as well as social life. People degrade your social status of you are found doing this.

  41. People always want to be able to fit in with the cool crowd, the popular crowd, or be able to escape realities of a very troubled life, or just be able to party all day and all night long. Taking drugs is a dangerous way of coping with these problems. I do really hope that before people really take a first step towards this “easy way out”, they should consider other options, and seek help from people they trust before it’s too late.

  42. In my opinion, I believe peer pressure especially the need to have a sense of social belonginess is responsible for a greater number drug addicts. It’s however not worth the pain, loneliness and regrets that come thereafter.

  43. Drugs are commonly used as an acceptance thing. Because most of the drug addicts feel unaccepted, they try to use drugs in order for them to be accepted in a group. We need to understand that it all starts in our family.

  44. Many people could obviously see the effects of addiction on their social behaviour and notice the feelings of isolation they experience when they get addicted. Many people often use drugs and many other addictive substances to deal with these feelings of loneliness and this actually causes more harm than good.

  45. Thank you for sharing this informative article! It’s a really interesting topic. The social effects of drug abuse can really mess people up.

  46. I agree with you when you say that it’s simple for individuals to begin drinking recreationally before pressuring their friends to follow suit. Due to peer pressure, my friend became drug dependent. I will assist him in finding a rehabilitation center to help him overcome his addiction.

  47. I find it alarming that drug abuse is a serious illness that could affect a person’s train of thought just to scratch the itch. I saw online ads that offer substance abuse assessments and it piqued my interest. I think people who have been charged with DUI should consider taking one to prove their innocence.

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