Alcohol and Other Drugs

Alcohol and Drugs have been known to cause a lot of issues for the person involved with it and their friends and family. For example, when a person misuses drugs they are taking themselves down a path that can lead to drug dependency where it is difficult to escape the physical and mental cravings for the substance. Both Alcohol and Drugs have many health issues from liver disease, cancer, loss of brain tissue and other life threatening issues. It also can affect a person in their everyday activities such as work. Many people are fired for being alcoholics and drug addicts because they have a tendency to be late, absent or produce poor work. Using these two dangerous products can really damage a person's life completely.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cure-alcoholism

In the home, drug and alcohol abuse can lead to many different problems that can be toxic to the family. "Chronic alcohol abuse makes it difficult for a person to maintain social relationships and have a stable family life." (Kendall) There is also a higher risk of domestic abuse in the home when alcohol and drugs are involved. Codependency is also a frequent occurrence in homes with one or more addicted family members. Codependency occurs when another family member takes on the responsibilities of the alcoholic or drug addict and keeps that person from experiencing the major consequences of their actions. 

http://relationshipsrecovery.blogspot.com/

A wonderful article that goes into great detail the sociological perspective of drug abuse is written by sociologist Erich Goode and can be found here. Drug abuse, similarly to alcohol greatly affects a person's social life, their physical health as well as mental and emotional health. These substances reek havok on people's lives but they are so reliant on it's affects on them that they cannot escape the cravings and desires to continue use and abusing it. Another article here entitled, Socially Constructing Drug Users, Dealers, and Convicts goes into detail about how criminals are related to drug and alcohol abuse and how people 'construct' these convicts. 

http://www.feinbergconsulting.com/10-signs-and-symptoms-of-drug-abuse-and-alcohol-addiction/

Alcoholism is something that is seen a lot in the media. There is always news coverage of a celebrity drunk driving or getting caught smoking illegal substances some who get off with a simple warning that is supposed to keep them away from those things the next time. In movies and TV shows they are shown to be a large factor in why families are torn apart, weather the abuse be from alcohol or drugs, parents or children, the use of these materials changes a person completely. Personalities shift, motivation depletes and the only thing they really want is the be free from their self induced prison.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse is a large social problem today and sadly it is a habit that can affect everything and everyone around that person. Today, there are programs designed to help these people to work through their addictions to stay sober and become healthy once again. The video below shows the reality of this sad disease called addiction while also promoting an organization that works to help these people overcome it. There are countless other programs out there and professionals that can assist those in need. Some being the NIH, NAADAC, and SAMHSA

Citation

"Socially Constructing Drug Users, Dealers, and Convicts." Sociology In Focus Socially Constructing Drug Users Dealers and Convicts Comment. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Weinberg, Darin. "Sociological Perspectives on Addiction." Sociological Perspectives on Addiction. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

"Drugs: Shatter the Myths." Drugs: Shatter the Myths. N.p., 01 Oct. 2010. Web. 20 Nov. 2015.

Inequality Based on Sexual Orientation

Inequality based on one's sexual orientation has been an issue for generations. Back in the 1930s with Nazi Germany,  Adolf Hitler did not only murder Jewish people, but many others like the elders, the disabled, the ill and even the homosexuals. However homosexuals were discriminated even further "At least 5,000 gay men were imprisoned, and many more were put in mental institutions. Several hundred other gay men were castrated, and up to 15,000 were placed in concentration camps, where most died of disease, starvation or murder." (Barken; 2011)

http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/kansas-house-approves-catholic-backed-bill-that-legalizes-anti-gay-discrimination/question-2549957/

The original attacks on homosexuals was eighty years ago but this idea that they are unequal to others is still around today. Sexual Orientation is defined as "a preference for emotional-sexual relationships with individuals of the same sex (homosexuality), the opposite sex (heterosexuality), or both (bisexuality)." (Kendall; 2013) With this basis, both men and women can be considered homosexual and they both see a large amount of discrimination on a daily basis.

Regarding a religious opinion, many people see homosexuality as a sin and that it goes against the words of the Bible. In both the book of Matthews and Genesis a passage talks about marriage but does not specify any alternatives to the marriage of a man and a woman. Due to this many religiously affiliated people view gays and lesbians as evil and have been seen to be greatly opposed to them. 

http://www.debate.org/opinions/archbishop-of-canterbury-christians-must-repent-for-their-homophobia-do-you-agree

In recent years a community of people have joined to help stop this discrimination. New stories of abuse and discrimination to homosexuals go viral constantly and new campaign ads work to encourage equality. Many well known celebrities like Morgan Freeman, Ellen Page, Ellen Degeneres and Kate Winslet have become advocates to people around the world to support people regardless of their sexual orientation. 

http://cristianaziraldo.altervista.org/taking-stand-against-homophobia-schools/

Websites and charitable organizations have been created to assist these people in their fight for equal rights for things like same-sex marriage. One very large campaign called "NOH8" has created an online resources for anyone interested in helping them and can be found here. Their mission statements is "The NOH8 Campaign is a charitable organization whose mission is to promote marriage, gender and human equality through education, advocacy, social media, and visual protest."

Another well known organization is the Human Rights Campaign. They fight for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Rights in all different circumstances. They have special organizations for athletes, parents, teens and many other specialized groups that struggle with discrimination because of sexual orientation. Similarly, the Advocates for Youth are specifically designed to assist young people looking for help and encouragement to live the life they choose for themselves.  

The World has truly evolved in the last few years and have been much more accepting to people regardless of sexual orientation. One video I found that truly captures the change that people have made today is a social experiment where a gay couple asks people to translate a message they received from someone helping them book a hotel. It is amazing to see how far society has come with being more open to others not only with the LGBT community but with other minorities as well. 

Citation:

"Combating Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity." Combating Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015.

"Sexual Orientation and Social Inequality." -My Sociologist.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 Nov. 2015

"Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Workplace Issues." Catalyst. N.p., 01 Nov. 2012. Web.19 Nov. 2015