Drug Abuse

Who is likely to become a drug addict?  Many people in America use drugs but not all become drug addicts.  Richard A. Friedman published an article in the New York Times called “Who Falls to Addiction, and Who Is Unscathed?”  From Friedman’s work, we will learn who is at risk of becoming a drug addict.  Friedman’s purpose is to show what types of people are likely to become drugs addicts and what types of drugs are being abused.

Stress, depression, anxiety and mood disorders are key factors in cases of drug abuse.  People who are depressed or anxious about something turn to alcohol and drugs in order to feel better.  According to Friedman, scientists know that having a mental illness doesn’t just increase the chance of drug abuse, but it raises the risk of dependence and addiction.  He also explains that people with personality disorders, who struggle to control their impulses and anger, often resort to drugs and alcohol to soften their intolerable moods.

Friedman talks about Amy Winehouse as an example of a drug abuse case and cites some associations to support his position.  He briefly mentions that Ms. Winehouse’s death was caused by an alcohol and drug addiction.  Friedman gives us statistics and cites a 2008 National Survey of Drug Use and Health.  The National Institute of Mental Health’s Epidemiologic Catchment Area and the National Institute of Drug Abuse were also cited in Friedman’s article.  Some of the facts provided by these sources are: 46 percent of Americans have tried illicit drugs at some point in their lives, people with mental health issues are likely to have an addictive disorder than those without, and drugs that are being abused include cocaine, heroin and alcohol to name a few.  

Overall, this is a great article that discusses and presents facts about drug abuse.  It informs us why people with mental health issues are more likely to become drug addicts.  Drugs that according to Friedman are being abused are cocaine, heroin, and alcohol.  The National Institute on Drug Abuse also shows cocaine, heroin, and alcohol as drugs that tend to be abused. Also according to NIDA, people take drugs to either feel good or to feel better, for example, individuals take drugs in an attempt to cope with difficult problems or situations, including stress, trauma, and symptoms of mental disorders.     

 

References:

Drugs of Abuse

<http://www.nida.nih.gov/nidahome.html>

Who Falls to Addiction, and Who Is Unscathed?

<http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/02/health/02abuse.html>

           

Why Do People Abuse Drugs?

<http://drugabuse.gov/pubs/teaching/Teaching6/Teaching3.html>