Dealing with Abuse: Substance Issues in the Population

In looking at drugs of abuse, substance use is prevalent in today’s society and, in some cases, it has increased for some drugs. Marijuana abuse continues to be the drug abused the most, with 6.2 percent of all people over twelve years of age using it in the past month.  For all substances, the rate per month is 8.2 percent.  This translates into millions of individuals who are on an addictive or non-addictive (but still illegal) drug on a regular basis.  Marijuana use is made worse by the fact that it is cheap and can be grown in small quantities for an individual’s personal use.  Marijuana has some medical benefit as well and has a relatively low abuse potential.

Of all of the drugs of abuse, substance use of methamphetamine is on the rise and has proved to be one of the more difficult drugs to get off of.  Its addiction potential is very high and people can make it or buy it in almost any community or rural area in the US.  Communities are trying to pass legislation that posts makers of methamphetamine on the web and in newspapers in order to limit the use of homes for the making of meth.  What makes things worse is that it is relatively cheap to make and buy.

Another drug of abuse, substance abuse of narcotics is relatively high.  It often starts out with a person becoming legally prescribed with narcotics for a legitimate pain.  The individual becomes addicted and, if they can’t find a ready source of the drug on the street, they shop around at emergency rooms or other doctors, feigning pain in order to get more drug.  Often they need to take more and more of the drug to get the same effect.  This kind of abuse is also sometimes common among healthcare professionals who steal or illegally prescribe the drug for their own use.

A common drug of abuse, substance abuse of sleeping pills or benzodiazepines is another situation where a person is prescribed the drug legally but the patient eventually becomes addicted to it.  In many cases, the person is fighting a real case of anxiety or sleep problems but doesn’t take the medication properly.  The abuse potential is moderately high and the patient often will see multiple doctors to get enough medicine.  There is a correlation between alcohol addiction and addiction to benzodiazepines. 

The most common drug of abuse, substance use of alcohol is relatively sanctioned by society.  One can get alcohol anywhere and it is legal to purchase.  This means that it is by sheer willpower alone that an alcohol avoids getting a hold of the substance.  Alcohol related driving offenses are not uncommon, especially at night and around weekends or holidays.  Multiple driving offenses with alcohol will ultimately lead to a felony conviction in some jurisdictions.  Alcoholics Anonymous is available for those who are alcoholics and want to break their addiction with the support of others.