Introduction
The use and abuse of alcohol and other substances by teens have become a very common and dangerous trend. Alcohol alone leads to more than 88,000 deaths in the US annually (Compton et al., 2023). Statistics have shown that 50% of deaths of teens between 15 and 25 years, which include homicides, car accidents, and suicides, are due to alcoholism (Compton et al., 2023). Alcohol and drug abuse cause other physical and sexual aggressions, such as rape, and it is the fourth leading cause of preventable deaths in the states.
There are various stages of teenage experience with alcohol which are abstinence, experimentation, regular drinking, abuse, and dependency (Dai & Wang, 2023). When used repeatedly, alcohol can cause depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Therefore, it is essential to understand the dangers associated with the drug and the warning signs of addiction to help reduce the harm. This study explores the problems of alcohol and substance abuse and provides possible solutions.
Why This Cause Happens
The sociological explanation of alcohol and substance abuse focuses on the social environment, including social bonds to family, social structure, culture, and social interaction. Some drugs, such as heroin and crack, are mostly used in urban setups because of social inequality. The use of alcohol and substance is mainly by people of color and the poor, which contemplates racial inequality and poverty (Dai & Wang, 2023).
Addiction and dependency on drugs are not equally distributed in society; it is based on various distinct fault lines in the community. It is more concentrated in some communities than others, and this has been a trend that has gone on for almost a century now. Most youths find solace in buying alcohol and other drugs because of their psychological effects to help them forget about their poor living situation.
A study by Dai & Wang (2023) found that across 17 states, alcohol and opioid overuse was more in the zip codes of economically disadvantaged people. These included places with higher poverty rates, lower education levels, high unemployment, and median household incomes.
Social bonds with families and schools are other reasons for alcohol and substance abuse in the US. It was found that teens with weak bonds with their family members and teachers were likelier to abuse drugs than those with stronger bonds (Dai & Wang, 2023). Their weak relationships prompt them not to accept social norms and encourage them to engage in delinquent behavior, including alcohol and substance abuse. Feeling neglected by family can lead to people taking drugs to avoid loneliness because they give them solace.
Regarding socialization, sociologists have discovered that peer influences are likely to lead one to use drugs such as alcohol and tobacco. This is why most people start using drugs in adolescence when peer pressure is very evident. When teens engage with friends who use drugs at this age, they want to fit in, and therefore, they will use drugs (Compton et al., 2023). Society’s drug culture at this time has much influence because if a drug is morally accepted, many teens are likely to use it.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Are Becoming Worse
The issue of alcohol and drug abuse is worsening in society. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the US was experiencing the worst drug and substance abuse. People were increasing their alcohol and substance use to cope with the pandemic. Abramson’s (2021) study found that one in ten individuals admitted to increasing their drug intake during COVID-19, which is a worrying trend. In addition, there was an increase in the number of deaths related to drugs, especially opioids. In 2020 alone, there was a 30% increase in drug-related deaths to 93,000 compared to 2019 (Abramson, 2021).
Another essential aspect to note is that the spike in the number of deaths was not equally distributed, as it affected people of color more. Although the death rates increased for all ethnic groups, they were higher for American Indians and Alaska Natives at 29 per 100,000, Blacks at 27 per 100,000, and whites at 23 per 100,000 (Abramson, 2021). This shows that there has been an increase in drug intake in society.
How the Problem Is Affecting the Economy
Alcohol and drug intake across the US has significantly harmed the economy. Drug use is costly for society, and if it is not treated, it can burden workplaces, communities, and healthcare systems. Surveys have shown that drug abuse negatively affects business productivity and increases absenteeism and workplace injuries. In addition, it raises medical costs because alcohol takers are at risk of brain damage, liver damage, cancer, and other diseases (Compton et al., 2023). This has increased the healthcare costs in the US, generally making the country spend billions on drug-related diseases.
The crimes inflicted by people under the influence of alcohol and other drugs put a strain on the legal fees, criminal justice system, property repair, and costs for police officers. It is estimated that the US government spent $249 billion on alcohol-related issues alone. Healthcare catered for $28 billion, collision $13 billion, workplace productivity $179 billion, and $25 billion on criminal justice (Compton et al., 2023). This indicates that alcohol and substance abuse is very costly to the American economy.
Possible Solutions to Alcohol and Substance Abuse
One of the effective ways to solve the problem of alcohol and substance abuse is teaching prevention in schools. Schools and other social entities, such as family, play an important role in preventing alcohol and substance abuse. Teachers can detect the early signs of drug abuse, such as declining academic performance and poor attendance (Dai & Wang, 2023).
Schools can teach children how to resist drugs and the side effects of taking drugs. Teens in schools can learn decision-making skills, conflict resolution, stress management, social interaction, and assertiveness. Families should show concern for their children and take alarms raised by teachers and administrators seriously. This will significantly help save future generations from drug and substance abuse.
The other remedy which can help society to reduce the problem of alcohol and substance abuse is treatment. There is a need for readily accessible and affordable treatment for drug users. Introducing family-based treatment, rehabilitating criminal offenders, assessing and treating adolescents, and connecting with the community can significantly reduce drug abuse (Dai & Wang, 2023). To effectively roll out such programs in society, the government should set aside funds and incorporate other private corporations to fight against drug abuse.
Conclusion
Alcohol and drug abuse have been a major challenge for the US community. The detrimental effects of drug use have been evident in the healthcare sector, criminal justice sector, and the number of deaths related to alcohol. In addition, alcohol and drug abuse have negatively affected the US economy by leading to high absenteeism rates and reduced competitiveness. There has been an increasing trend in drug consumption since the COVID-19 pandemic; therefore, prevention and treatment of the problems are needed.
References
Abramson, A. (2021). Substance Use during the Pandemic. Web.
Compton, W. M., Flannagan, K. S. J., Silveira, M. L., Creamer, M. R., Kimmel, H. L., Kanel, M., … Volkow, N. D. (2023). Tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs used in the US before and during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open, 6(1). Web.
Dai, Z., & Wang, K. (2023). The association between early onset of alcohol, smokeless tobacco, and marijuana use with adult binge drinking in the United States. Scientific Reports, 13(1). Web.