Economic and social impacts of drug and alcohol addiction

Drug and Alcohol

The effects of drug and alcohol addicts on our society, specifically economically and socially

The effects of drug and alcohol addicts on our society

The effects of drug and alcohol addicts on our society

There is little doubt that drug and alcohol addiction has become a pervasive part of our modern society. The increasing number of especially younger people in society who are addicted to narcotics and alcohol has had a profound impact on modern culture and the community. The effect of these addictions are often difficult to determine definitively as it impacts a wide range of factors; including social aspects such as the family as well as economic facets, such as work and employment loss and the amount spent on rehabilitation annually.

This paper will focus on the effects of drug and alcohol addiction in terms of two central but interrelated facets; namely, the social and the economic impact of these forms of addiction. The general thesis that will be explored is that drug and alcohol addiction is slowly undermining the structure of society and is an increasing threat to the development and advancement of the society in general. This view includes the way that it has affected the economy and the often complex interrelationship between economic factors and drug and alcohol abuse.

3. The impact on society and the economy

As referred to above, one of the most disconcerting aspects of the trends in drug and alcohol addiction is the increasing number of young people who are becoming addicted. This does not bode well for the healthy and productive development of society in the future. An example of this is the increasing number of deaths that have been attributed to cocaine in the last few years in the United States. Research indicates that

…cocaine as well as alcohol abuse among adolescents in the United States is substantial and alarmingly high. This problem is also accompanied by the fact that drug users are also prone to other health problems and issues which can exacerbate the drug problem MACROBUTTON HtmlResAnchor (Mainous, Martin, Oler, Richardson & Haney, 1996. p.807)

Therefore, the first and most obvious problem that arises is the way that drug and alcohol addiction is undermining the health of young people and therefore also threatening the development of the society.

Another aspect that has been extensively researched in the literature is the effect of addiction on the family structure. One can refer to the theories of Anthony J. Guerra in this regard. He states that, "The American family has deteriorated during the second half of the twentieth century, and this has resulted in a variety of social problems such as a great increase in juvenile delinquency, drug addiction, and suicide" (Kando, 2004). What Guerra and other theorists suggest is that the family is a fundamental building block of culture and stability and drug addiction and alcoholism within the family in undermining this essential societal institution.

These views are bolstered by numerous studies of the way that drugs and alcohol abuse and addiction negatively affects the family. This includes the way that addiction affects the psychological unity and integrity of the family. One research study for example, found that a great deal of internal stress was caused when families attempted to deal with the addiction internally.

At the outset, families would try to solve the family member's drug problem alone, usually without recourse to agencies. The apparent intractability of the drug problem had a profoundly negative affect on the dynamics and functioning of most families (Drugs in the family: the impact on parents and siblings. 2005).

This would suggest that not only does addiction threaten the family unit but in most cases the addiction problem is referred to outside agencies for assistance, which in turn affects the economy.

This problem does not only apply to younger people but also includes addictions among parents and the older generation. A study in this regard notes that, "it was revealed that 40% of the addicts' fathers and 19% of their mothers were reported as having serious problems with alcohol abuse" (Nurco, Blatchley, Hanlon, O'Grady & Mccarren, 1998, p. 37). The social effects of drug and alcohol addiction are often very severe and detrimental and these addictions have also been associated with crime. For example, a 2006 report states that drug abuse can lead to sexual assault. "The study by researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago found that drugs were involved in 62% of reported sexual assaults" (Allen, 2006).

There are many case studies of the way that alcohol and drug abuse impacts on family members. In one example quoted by Schur (1965) a father loses contact and involvement with his family because of drug addiction. This continues until his addiction is the only matter of concern for him, with negative effects on the family.

….increasingly he must turn to the drug world for interpersonal support as well as for drug supplies. As the need to finance his habit occupies more and more of his time and energy, and as other worlds (such as those of work, family, and so on) recede into the background or fade away completely, addiction becomes a way of life (Schur, 1965, p. 145).

The effect on the economy is also linked to the impact of addiction on a social level. The most common affect of both drug and alcohol addiction is increased absenteeism and the consequent reduction in productivity. The impact on the economy of substance abuse has only been fully realized in the last decade. Research indicates that drug and alcohol abuse can seriously impact health and cause or exacerbate conditions like cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, HIV / AIDS, hepatitis, and lung disease (Medical Consequences of Drug Abuse). This also has a concomitant affect on the economy. Conversely, as Meitiner points out, a poor or declining economy can be a cause of increasing substance abuse. "When people lose their jobs, lose their homes, lose their savings, lose their pensions, they can often lose their self-respect, as well. And they can often escape into substance abuse and addiction" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn).

One of the most important ways in which an increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction affects the economy is the spiraling cost of healthcare and rehabilitation. The increase in addictions also creates a gap between the need for treatment and rehabilitation and available resources. This in turn places economic pressure on state and local government. This is especially difficult to maintain in a recessionary economic climate. "States, local governments, and non-profits are all facing tremendous budget shortfalls -- and they are cutting the resources to help this growing group of addicts in trouble, just when they need it the most" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn).

The following illustrations provide a clear indication of the amounts that have been spent on alcohol and drug addiction treatment and rehabilitation over a period of time.

Figure 3.

(Source: http://www.nida.nih.gov/EconomicCosts/Chapter1a.gif)

Figure 4.

( Source: http://www.ncjrs.gov/ondcppubs/publications/policy/ndcs00/chap2_10.html)

It is clear from the above graphs and charts that billions of dollars are lost every year because of absenteeism and lost earning from both drug and alcohol addiction.

4. Conclusion

It is true that as a result of the seriousness of the situation reflected in many articles and media reports the public is becoming more aware of the problem. As a consequence there have in fact been reports of declining drug rates in many areas of the country (Trends in Drug Abuse). A 2005 report by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) indicates that, "…there has been an approximately 17% decline over the last three years in any illicit drug use in the past month by students in the eighth, tenth, and twelfth grades combined" (Trends in Drug Abuse). However, at the same there are also many other research reports that indicate an increase in drug and alcohol usage among many young children; for example, it is estimated that, "Over half (51%) of America's teenagers have tried an illicit drug by the time they finish high school" (Trends in Drug Abuse). Furthermore, it has also been found that, "An estimated 19.5 million Americans aged 12 or older were current users of an illicit drug in 2003. This estimate represents 8.2% of the population" (Trends in Drug Abuse). A report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration states that alcohol abuse among 12 to 20-year-olds in California increased from 24.7% to 26.3% (SAMHSA Unveils State Substance Abuse Data from 2004 National Survey on Drug Use and Health).

The above findings are extremely worrying and do not bode well for the future. If children as young as twelve are becoming addicted to substances then this means that there is trend emerging that will possibly result in future social and economic problems and issues. In the light of these figures many experts agree that drug and alcohol addiction may in fact threaten the very fabric and structure of society and should be combated on all possible fronts.

One of the areas of concern that is also noted in contemporary literature on the subject is that there is an increasing trend towards the cultural acceptance of certain addictive drugs like alcohol and marijuana. A number of commentators blame the media and film for what has been termed the 'normalization' of drug taking. This is an aspect that adds to the concern about the increasing number of drug and alcohol addicts in our society. A culture cannot exist is its young and vibrant members are addicted to harmful substances and this leads to a fear expressed by many experts that various forms of addiction may sap the vitality of and drive of the society.