Drug Addiction
Abstract
This article provides an overview of drug addiction, beginning with a definition, followed by an overview of its history and current statistics, and finally a brief summary of the challenges it poses to individuals, families, and society. References to relevant literature are provided throughout.
Introduction
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences. It is a multifaceted condition that affects a person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing. Drug addiction is associated with negative outcomes such as physical and psychological harm, family and social disruption, economic burden, and an increased risk of death.
Definition
Drug addiction is defined as a pattern of recurrent, compulsive drug seeking and use that is associated with functional, psychosocial, and neurobiological changes (American Psychiatric Association, 2013). Drug addiction is characterized by craving, loss of control, impaired judgement, and compulsive drug seeking and use, despite the harmful consequences. Drug addiction is a complex condition that affects the person’s physical, mental and social wellbeing.
History
The history of drug addiction is complex, with the earliest reported cases of drug abuse dating back to the 19th century. In the early 20th century, drug addiction was a major public health issue. By the late 19th century, opiate addiction was a major problem in the United States. In 1914, the Harrison Narcotic Act was passed which prohibited the non-medical use of opiates and cocaine (Gopal, 2018).
In the mid-20th century, the focus shifted to the psychological and social aspects of addiction. In the 1950s, Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded, which provided a support system for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction. In the late 1960s, the drug culture emerged, resulting in an increase in the prevalence of drug addiction. The 1970s saw the emergence of drug rehabilitation programs to help individuals struggling with drug addiction.
Current Statistics
According to the most recent National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an estimated 20.3 million Americans aged 12 and older had a substance use disorder in 2019 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2020). Of those, 15.9 million suffered from an alcohol use disorder and 8.2 million had a substance use disorder related to illicit drugs.
In addition, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are between 180 and 250 million people with drug use disorders globally (World Health Organization, 2020).
Challenges
Drug addiction is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the individual, family, and society. Individuals suffering from drug addiction are prone to a range of physical and mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and cardiovascular disease. Drug addiction also contributes to social disruption, including family breakdown, unemployment, and crime. Drug addiction also places an economic burden on society, with the estimated cost of addiction in the United States estimated at $740 billion annually (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020).
Conclusion
Drug addiction is a complex condition that affects the individual’s physical, mental, and social wellbeing. It is associated with a range of negative outcomes for the individual, family, and society. The history of drug addiction is complex and has changed over time. Current statistics suggest that drug addiction is a major public health issue, with an estimated 20.3 million Americans aged 12 and older suffering from a substance use disorder in 2019. Drug addiction poses a range of challenges to individuals, families, and society, and further research is needed to better understand its causes and consequences.
References
American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Publishing.
Gopal, S. (2018). The History of Drug Abuse. In K. Schmiedel (Ed.), Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior (3rd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 134-136). Detroit, MI: Macmillan Reference.
National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2020). The Economic Impact of Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/economic-impact-drug-abuse/economic-impact-drug-abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29393/2019NSDUHDetTabs/2019NSDUHDetTabs.htm
World Health Organization. (2020). Drug use disorders. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drug-use-disorders