how to avoid drugs essay brainly

Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Drug Addiction — The Causes, Effects and Prevention of Drug Addiction

The Problem of Drug Addiction: Causes, Effects and Solutions

• Categories: Drug Addiction

About this sample

Words: 1196 |

Published: Jan 15, 2019

Words: 1196 | Pages: 3 | 6 min read

Table of contents

Causes of drug addiction, effects of drug addiction, how to prevent drug addiction (essay), works cited.

• Doan, H. (2007). Police dogs will sniff out drugs at city schools. The Roanoke Times.
• Mayo Clinic. (2019). Drug addiction (substance use disorder).
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Principles of drug addiction treatment: A research-based guide (third edition).
• New York Times. (2009). Drug-sniffing dogs are in demand.
• Psychological Studies and Support to Drug Users. (2014). Teenagers and drug use: Facts and figures.
• Smith, M. J., & Stevens, A. (Eds.). (2013). Drug Policy and the Public Good.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021). Treatment for substance use disorders.
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2021). World drug report 2021.
• Volkow, N. D., Koob, G. F., & McLellan, A. T. (2016). Neurobiologic advances from the brain disease model of addiction. New England Journal of Medicine, 374(4), 363-371.

Cite this Essay

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing style below:

Let us write you an essay from scratch

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Get high-quality help

Dr Jacklynne

Verified writer

• Expert in: Nursing & Health

+ 120 experts online

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

Related Essays

3 pages / 1306 words

6 pages / 3471 words

1 pages / 645 words

4 pages / 1890 words

Remember! This is just a sample.

You can get your custom paper by one of our expert writers.

121 writers online

Still can’t find what you need?

Browse our vast selection of original essay samples, each expertly formatted and styled

Related Essays on Drug Addiction

Drug addiction is a widely misunderstood condition. The timeless nature versus nurture debate is often brought up when discussing drug dependence. Is addiction a mental illness or a consequence of poor lifestyle choices? Are [...]

In "Sonny's Blues," Baldwin explores the impact of drugs on the users and their families. The abuse of heroin results in the destruction of artistic talent, lives, and relationships with the family members. Sonny uses drugs as a [...]

Imagine a scenario where a person starts experimenting with a seemingly harmless substance, only to find themselves spiraling into a world of addiction and dependency. This is the unfortunate reality for many individuals who [...]

Vaccines have been around for already a few centuries and they virtually have never caused harm to anybody, which is why I believe vaccines are essential to one’s health as it has been used for such an extensive amount of time, [...]

Childhood obesity is not a matter to take lightly. In fact, it has proven to be a very serious health problem not just within our state, but within the United States as a nation. Just as the size of our residents have, the issue [...]

Childhood obesity is becoming an ever-larger issue in today’s society, not just in the UK but many others such as the U.S and Canada one marvelling statistic that proves such a thing truly is an issue is that the obesity rate in [...]

Related Topics

By clicking “Send”, you agree to our Terms of service and Privacy statement . We will occasionally send you account related emails.

Where do you want us to send this sample?

By clicking “Continue”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy.

Be careful. This essay is not unique

This essay was donated by a student and is likely to have been used and submitted before

Download this Sample

Free samples may contain mistakes and not unique parts

Sorry, we could not paraphrase this essay. Our professional writers can rewrite it and get you a unique paper.

Please check your inbox.

We can write you a custom essay that will follow your exact instructions and meet the deadlines. Let's fix your grades together!

Get Your Personalized Essay in 3 Hours or Less!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

An official website of the United States government

Here’s how you know

Official websites use .gov A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock ( Lock Locked padlock icon ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Preventing Drug Misuse and Addiction: The Best Strategy

Why is adolescence a critical time for preventing drug addiction.

As noted previously, early use of drugs increases a person's chances of becoming addicted. Remember, drugs change the brain—and this can lead to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks.

Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult, a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use. For a teenager, risky times include moving, family divorce, or changing schools. 35  When children advance from elementary through middle school, they face new and challenging social, family, and academic situations. Often during this period, children are exposed to substances such as cigarettes and alcohol for the first time. When they enter high school, teens may encounter greater availability of drugs, drug use by older teens, and social activities where drugs are used. When individuals leave high school and live more independently, either in college or as an employed adult, they may find themselves exposed to drug use while separated from the protective structure provided by family and school.

A certain amount of risk-taking is a normal part of adolescent development. The desire to try new things and become more independent is healthy, but it may also increase teens’ tendencies to experiment with drugs. The parts of the brain that control judgment and decision-making do not fully develop until people are in their early or mid-20s. This limits a teen’s ability to accurately assess the risks of drug experimentation and makes young people more vulnerable to peer pressure. 36

Because the brain is still developing, using drugs at this age has more potential to disrupt brain function in areas critical to motivation, memory, learning, judgment, and behavior control. 12  

Can research-based programs prevent drug addiction in youth?

Yes.  The term research-based or evidence-based means that these programs have been designed based on current scientific evidence, thoroughly tested, and shown to produce positive results. Scientists have developed a broad range of programs that positively alter the balance between risk and protective factors for drug use in families, schools, and communities. Studies have shown that research-based programs, such as described in NIDA’s  Principles of Substance Abuse Prevention for Early Childhood: A Research-Based Guide   and  Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents: A Research-Based Guide for Parents, Educators, and Community Leaders , can significantly reduce early use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs. 37  Also, while many social and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people perceive drug use as harmful, they often reduce their level of use. 38

How do research-based prevention programs work?

These prevention programs work to boost protective factors and eliminate or reduce risk factors for drug use. The programs are designed for various ages and can be used in individual or group settings, such as the school and home. There are three types of programs:

• Universal programs address risk and protective factors common to all children in a given setting, such as a school or community.
• Selective programs are for groups of children and teens who have specific factors that put them at increased risk of drug use.
• Indicated programs are designed for youth who have already started using drugs.

Young Brains Under Study

Using cutting-edge imaging technology, scientists from the NIDA’s Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study will look at how childhood experiences, including use of any drugs, interact with each other and with a child’s changing biology to affect brain development and social, behavioral, academic, health, and other outcomes. As the only study of its kind, the ABCD study will yield critical insights into the foundational aspects of adolescence that shape a person’s future.

Economics of Prevention

Evidence-based interventions for substance use can save society money in medical costs and help individuals remain productive members of society. Such programs can return anywhere from very little to $65 per every dollar invested in prevention. 39

Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention

Students are often asked to write an essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention

Understanding drug abuse.

Drug abuse means using drugs in a harmful way. People, especially young ones, may use illegal drugs or misuse prescribed medicine. This can hurt their health, friendships, and future. It is a serious problem that affects many lives.

Reasons People Abuse Drugs

Some people start using drugs out of curiosity, to fit in, or to escape problems. Over time, their bodies crave these drugs. This can lead to addiction, which is when they can’t stop using the drug even if it causes harm.

Effects of Drug Abuse

Abusing drugs can damage the brain, heart, and other important organs. It can make a person act differently and lead to bad decisions. Sometimes, it can even cause death. Drug abuse also causes problems in families and communities.

Preventing Drug Abuse

Prevention is about education and support. Schools and families can teach about the dangers of drugs. Communities can provide activities to keep young people busy. If someone is struggling, counseling and treatment can help them stop using drugs.

250 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention

Drug abuse means using drugs in a way that harms a person’s health and life. When someone takes more medicine than their doctor says, or uses drugs like marijuana, cocaine, or heroin that are illegal, they are abusing drugs. This can lead to addiction, where a person can’t stop using the drug even when it’s hurting them.

Why People Abuse Drugs

People might start abusing drugs for many reasons. They might feel a lot of pressure, want to fit in with friends, or try to escape problems. Sometimes, they’re curious or just want to feel good. But using drugs can make things worse and cause more problems, like bad health, trouble with the law, and losing friends and family.

Stopping drug abuse starts with education. Schools and families should teach kids about the dangers of drugs. It’s also important to have activities that keep kids busy and happy without drugs, like sports or clubs. Parents and teachers should also pay attention to children’s behavior and help them with any problems they might have.

Getting Help

If someone is already using drugs, it’s important to get help quickly. There are many places that offer support, like counseling, support groups, and treatment programs. Friends and family can help by being understanding and encouraging the person to get help.

Drug abuse is a big problem, but it can be prevented and treated. By teaching kids about the risks, paying attention to their lives, and offering help to those who need it, we can fight against drug abuse and keep our communities safe and healthy.

500 Words Essay on Drug Abuse And Its Prevention

Drug abuse is when someone uses drugs in a way that harms their body or mind. It’s not just about illegal drugs like marijuana or cocaine. Sometimes, people misuse prescription drugs too, which are medicines a doctor gives for health problems. When someone takes more than they are supposed to or uses someone else’s medicine, that’s also drug abuse.

People may turn to drugs for many reasons. Some might feel a lot of pressure at school or home and use drugs to escape their problems. Others might think it makes them fit in with a certain group of friends. Some start out of curiosity or because they think it will make them feel good. But using drugs can lead to addiction, which means they can’t stop even if they want to and it starts to cause problems in their life.

Using drugs can hurt your health and change the way you act. It can make it hard to think clearly, make good choices, or even remember things. It can also damage your heart, liver, and other parts of your body. If you keep using drugs, it can lead to addiction and even death. It’s not just your body that gets hurt – drug abuse can ruin relationships with family and friends and make it hard to do well in school.

To stop drug abuse before it starts, it’s important to know the risks and make smart choices. Education is key. Schools and families should teach kids about the dangers of drugs. They should also provide love and support so kids don’t feel like they need drugs to be happy or accepted.

Role of Family and Friends

Your family and friends can help a lot. They can listen to your problems and help you find ways to deal with stress without turning to drugs. Having activities you enjoy, like sports or music, can also keep your mind off drugs. It’s important to have friends who don’t use drugs because they can help you stay on the right path.

If you or someone you know is struggling with drug abuse, it’s important to get help. There are counselors and rehab programs that can help you stop using drugs and learn how to live without them. It’s not easy, but with the right support, you can overcome addiction.

Drug abuse is a serious problem that can harm your health, relationships, and future. But it can be prevented. By understanding why people abuse drugs and the effects it can have, we can make better choices. With education, support from family and friends, and help from professionals when needed, we can fight against drug abuse and lead healthier, happier lives. Remember, it’s always okay to ask for help if you need it.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Drinking And Driving
• Essay on Dreams And Goals
• Essay on Dragon

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.