The Causes of Substance Abuse Essay - 2376 Words

Substance abuse is an issue that has disseminated in the society and is often regarded as the relic of a thoughtless materialism. A false belief regarding addicted individuals seems to be ingrained in the minds of the majority of the population (Sadava, 1987). This belief is very often accompanied by appalling mental images of addicts and a highly judgmental attitude (Sadava, 1987). As a result, the causes of addiction are still wrapped in obscurity. This paper aims to outline the most basic reasons that lead to substance abuse and dependency, from the early developmental stage until late adolescence. First of all, when a child-bearing woman is using drugs, the substances are being transferred to the foetus through the umbilical†¦show more content†¦Parental substance use can be extended to â€Å"Mà ¼nchhausens syndrome†, as defined by Asher (1951). Individuals who suffer from this disorder, usually convince themselves that they are diseased and that they need medica tion (Asher, 1951). When this disorder is left untreated, the individual abuses over-the-counter medications or illegal drugs (Asher, 1951). Individuals who have this syndrome are usually characterized by poor parental strategies and they repeatedly abuse substances in front of their children (Haller Miles, 2004; Kent, 1994), who, later on, may be more likely to experiment with substances themselves (Mirlashari et al., 2012). What is more, research has shown that individuals who are addicted to substance use have experienced various forms of abuse in their childhood (Al-Kandari, Yacoub, Omu, 2001; Barnard, 2006; Brook et al., 2001; Dow Kelly, 2013; Sadava, 1987). More specifically, there appears to be a concordance of associations between early experiences of physical and sexual abuse and drug use (Harrier, Lambert, Ramos, 2001). In particular, individuals who have had abusive experiences in their past, are more likely than others to use drugs as a way to alleviate their emotion al trauma (Elster, 1999; Quinlivan Evans, 2005) and to escape a potentially painful reality (Elster, 1999; Mirlashari et al., 2012; Quinlivan Evans, 2005). However, physical or sexual abuse is not the only reason that leadsShow MoreRelatedThe Abuse Of Drugs And Alcohol1365 Words   |  6 PagesThe abuse of drugs and alcohol has been a known issue over past decades. The media paints the picture that alcohol and drug use is fun and the only way to have a good time. While alcohol in moderation is fine, many people find themselves going over board and abusing it. Elicit drugs like cocaine and heroin are highly addictive and have several adverse effects. 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