Dealing with substance abuse is usually linked to additional challenges not only because of the lack of motivation in patients but also because of the stigma associated with the specified disorder. To build empathy toward people suffering from drug misuse, an insight into the causes and effects of drug dependency is strongly needed. The urgency of addressing the drug misuse concern is also justified by the high rates of people with drug addiction. In 2020, in the U.S. alone, the instances of marijuana vaping have grown from 19.1% to 22.1% in 2019-2020 (National Institute of Drug Abuse “Monitoring”). Remarkably, the victims of substance addiction, particularly, drug misuse, have also become significantly younger (National Institute of Drug Abuse “Monitoring”). Due to the changes in the functioning of neurological pathways in the human brain as a result of drug misuse, with the associated physical; and mental health deterioration, drug misuse must be prevented, which can be achieved by educating groups at risk.
To consider the causes of drug misuse, one must draw a distinct line between biological and social factors. The latter may include social influence and peer pressure, whereas the latter is restricted to the genetic predisposition to developing a drug dependency (National Institute of Drug Abuse “Introducing the Human Brain”). As a rule, social factors contribute to most cases of drug misuse (Rioux et al. 458). Therefore, it is crucial to develop critical thinking in young people belonging to groups at risk so that they could avoid the development of drug addiction. However, genetics and especially the propensity toward drug misuse among parents are likely to play an important role in the development of drug addiction as well.
In turn, the physical and mental health effects of drug misuse may vary to a certain extent depending on the type of drug, yet the changes in the functioning of the human body, particularly, the nervous system, are usually homogenous across all cases. Specifically, the disruption in the neurological pathways, specifically, in the transmission of neurons within the human brain, is observed in the instances of drug misuse (National Institute of Drug Abuse “Health Consequences”). As a result, the brain is incapable of processing information adequately, which leads to hallucinations, impairments of cognitive function, memory loss, development of early-onset dementia, and even the cases of schizophrenia and similar mental health disorders (Ham et al. 11). Similarly, drug misuse causes the rest of the systems within the human body to deteriorate rapidly, although they are not affected as quickly as the mental functions. Specifically, due to the changes to the brain, the threats of a stroke and seizures emerge (National Institute of Drug Abuse “Health Consequences”). Additionally, cardiovascular and respiratory issues may emerge due to the changes in blood pressure caused by the disruptions in the neurological processes within the brain. Lastly, the threat of HIV/AIDS remains very prominent in people with drug misuse issues (Jayant et al. 608). Therefore, the specified health issue entails a plethora of associated health problems.
Since drugs have a tremendously detrimental effect on the functioning of neurotransmitters in the human brain, causing inadequate responses and the resulting deterioration of physical and mental functioning, illegal drug consumption must be prevented at all costs. Possible measures may include educating vulnerable groups and populations at risk, as well as offering free counseling and support for the specified demographic. Additionally, legal repercussions for drug misuse should be reduced so that people could seek help more actively, and that the stigma of drug addiction could be removed. Thus, a healthier community without the threat of drug misuse can be built.
Works Cited
Ham, Suji, et al. “Drug Abuse and Psychosis: New Insights into Drug-Induced Psychosis.” Experimental Neurobiology, vol. 26, no. 1, 2017, p. 11. doi:10.5607/en.2017.26.1.11
Jayant, Rahul Dev, et al. “Novel Nanoformulation to Mitigate Co-Effects of Drugs of Abuse and HIV-1 Infection: Towards the Treatment of NeuroAIDS.” Journal of Neurovirology, vol. 23, no. 4, 2017, pp. 603-614. doi:10.1007/s13365-017-0538-8
National Institute of Drug Abuse. “Monitoring the Future 2020 Survey Results.” DrugAbuse.gov. Web.
National Institute of Drug Abuse “Health Consequences of Drug Misuse.” DrugAbuse.gov.
National Institute of Drug Abuse. “Introducing the Human Brain.” DrugAbuse.gov.
Rioux, Charlie, et al. “Age of Cannabis Use Onset and Adult Drug Abuse Symptoms: A Prospective Study of Common Risk Factors and Indirect Effects.” The Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, vol. 63, no. 7, 2018, pp. 457-464. doi:10.1177/0706743718760289