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.