Alcohol, Drug Addiction Threats, and Rehabilitation

Alcohol, Drug Addiction Threats, and Rehabilitation

Alcohol and substance abuse and its consequences is a problem not only experienced in the United States but also in the entire world. The concept is no longer new to individuals since there have been laws made to regulate the usage and non-governmental societies formed to curb use and addiction. Drug abuse and its consequences are taught in school and even in public forums; therefore, people are informed of its consequences, but they choose to ignore them. People choose to abuse alcohol and drugs for various reasons; youths abuse them for pleasure and claim to relieve stress to the point of addiction. Drugs can be defined as substances that, when ingested, alter the normal physiology of the body. Addiction and alcoholism threats affect individual health, mental stability, judgment, employment, public relations, and the country’s economy. This essay will shed light on alcohol use and drug addiction threats and explore rehabilitation options to curb the addiction problem.

Firstly, it is important to note that alcoholism and drug addiction consequences go beyond individual health and mental health to the community and the entire country. On physical health, alcohol is known to cause liver cirrhosis, a condition where the liver texture is destroyed, and its function is greatly depreciated, leading to reduced quality of life. Chronic and excessive consumption of alcohol causes a fatty liver, progressing to hepatitis and eventually liver cirrhosis, which is very fatal. When alcohol is ingested, it is metabolized by the liver, and excessive consumption overpowers the liver’s capacity to function normally, leading to scarring and destruction of hepatocytes. Other substances affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems and immunity. Substances such as nicotine increase the heart rate and blood pressure, therefore destroying heart function. Lowered immunity increases the chances of getting the infection, and the body’s immune mechanism is decreased, thus unable to fight against the infections.

Moreover, drug addiction has been linked with mental disorders, according to DSM 5, such as substance-induced psychosis, anxiety, bipolar mood disorder, and depression. Substances alter the brain’s neurotransmitters and the impulse pathway, causing the imbalance of neurochemistry. An imbalance of neurotransmitters exacerbates or leads to the development of depressive disorder, leading to mental conditions. Some substances cause hallucinations and are stimulants leading to psychosis in vulnerable individuals, and the person displays delusional thoughts. Individuals present with cognitive impairment as they are unable to pay attention, make sound decisions, and experience memory loss. Some withdrawal from some drugs causes psychological symptoms such as depression and irritability, and such individuals need professional attention to tackle the situation. People experiencing mental disorders, especially depressive mood and irritability, have an increased chance of having suicidal thoughts and completed suicide cases. It is important to understand the interconnection between addiction and mental health to attain treatment holistically to attain a long-lasting solution.

In addition, substance abuse is associated with legal issues associated with acquisition, use, and the consequences caused by the influence of the substances. Drug possession and trafficking of illegal drugs leads to arrest and court proceedings since the is a breach of the law of the state. Arrangements to the court and prosecution to charges are expensive, and they vary depending on the quantity and the type of drug in possession. Individuals with addiction issues engage in criminal activities such as robbery and theft to keep up with substance abuse habits. Also, they have impaired judgment, therefore indulging in assault and violent offenses due to their aggressive behaviors. Getting drunk in public is an offense resulting in charges of public intoxication that may lead to legal consequences and fines. Parents engaging in substance abuse may face charges of child endangerment and may lose custody of the child and supervision.

In addition, alcohol and drug addiction is a threat to the nation as it affects individuals in the community who play a great role in the economy of a nation. Substance abuse and addiction are a burden to the government economy since money will be invested in rehabilitation, law-keeping, and the health sector to treat the side effects of drugs. Also, productivity decreases in all sectors as there will be absenteeism, low performance, and unsound minds. Law enforcement and curing drug trafficking require a large amount of finances, contributing significantly to the economic burden. Funding rehabilitation programs and maintaining them is costly