Alcohol and drug addiction are perplexing problems impacting individuals, families and society in growing prominence over the last three decades. The stigma of addiction remains problematic for society as a whole because of misunderstanding how addiction occurs in the first place. Alcohol and drug issues are complex, involving changes in brain functioning, personality and quality of life of individuals struggling with substance use. The answer, in part, lies with societal efforts at preventing youth from engaging in substance use in order to reduce the chance of developing later addictions. However, contradictory media messages, beliefs and cultural factors strongly impact trends in substance use.
Prescription Drug Abuse
Youth ages 12 to 17 are abusing prescription drugs at increasing rates, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP). Prescription drugs include painkillers, sleeping pills or psychiatric medications. Prescription drug abuse refers to individuals taking medications that are not prescribed to the user or exceeding dosage recommendations to achieve a level of intoxication. The ONDCP reports many teens feel pressured to abuse prescription drugs as a means for fitting in with peers and are misinformed about medications being safer to abuse than illicit drugs. Next to the illegal drug marijuana, teens report using prescription forms of opiates, amphetamines and sedatives more frequently nationwide than other drugs. Sources for obtaining prescription drugs generally include a relative, friend or by accessing the medicine cabinet in the family home.
Driving While Intoxicated
Driving while intoxicated is a serious problem with detrimental impact for the driver and those around him. The Mothers Against Drunk Driving campaign reports that of 2008, an individual is killed by a drunk driver every 45 minutes in the United States. An estimated 11,000 people die per year in drunk driving-related crashes. An issue of equal concern is drugged driving. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that although alcohol driving laws are more stringent today than historically, the laws for driving drugged still require addressing. The discrepancy occurs due to technology for distinguishing drug intoxication levels readily, since some drugs linger in the body for days or weeks after use. An estimated 10 million drivers were reportedly under the influence of illicit drugs in 2008, making driving while intoxicated an issue of imperative concern.
Drugs, Alcohol and the Brain
The brain is a complex network of systems that allows the body to function at normal capacity, when in a healthy state. Alcohol and drugs impair the brain upon immediate intoxication and over time. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, brain impairments from alcohol use begin with slowed reaction time, memory lapses and coordination imbalance. Chronic alcohol abuse results in permanent damage to the brain in the area of short and long-term memory storage, learning and mental clarity. Drug abuse has equal impact in depleting the brain of essential chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, which are needed for decision making, mood and movement regulation. The NIDA notes that depending on the drug used and duration, brain damage can have a lasting effect on quality of life.
References
- Office of National Drug Control Policy: Teens and Prescription Drugs
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drugged Driving
- Mothers Against Drunk Driving: Statistics
- National Institute on Drug Abuse: Drugs and the Brain
- National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism: Alcohol's Damaging Effects on the Brain
