cause effect essay about drugs

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150 Good Cause and Effect Essay Topics

October 25, 2024

Way back in the 6th and 5th centuries BCE, Heraclitus was the first to tell us that the only constant in life is change. His words still ring true today. Every day, our world changes in infinite ways, and even the smallest decisions can end up making history. Cause and effect essays are explorations of exactly this concept. They’re all about examining the domino effect, and writing a cause and effect essay is a great chance to explore the origins and consequences of a historical, social, or natural event or any other type of change that fascinates you (Continue for Cause and Effect Essay Topics and Ideas).

What is a Cause and Effect Essay?

By definition, a cause and effect essay will contain two parts. One part will be the influence (cause) and the other will be the consequence (effect). Your job as a writer is to explore the chain of events that the influence causes to occur. Depending on what topic you choose, you might need to consider the consequences of cultural trends, social changes, historical events, medical and technological inventions, or personal decisions. Your goal will be to offer your reader a clear understanding of 1) what occurred and 2) the outcome of that event.

At first glance, it may seem like a cause and effect essay assignment is primarily asking you to summarize information. But take note: a cause and effect essay is, at its core, an argumentative essay in which you will need to make a solid case for your own unique take on the connection between influences and consequences. For a strong essay, plan to do research and offer your reader many examples to back up your argument.

150 Cause and Effect Essay Topic Ideas

The options are endless, but we’ve gathered 150 cause and effect essay topic ideas to get you started on the right path. Use these ideas to start your research process or take one and put your own unique spin on it.

Ready to start exploring ideas? We’ve divided topics into 11 categories that are sure to spark your interest. Below, explore options in:

• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Social Issues

Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Science Topics

• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Environmental Topics
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Technology
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Mental Health

Cause and Effect Essay Topics—School and Growing Up

Cause and effect essay topics—relationships and family.

• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Medicine
• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—History

Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Personal Topics

• Cause and Effect Essay Topics—Fun Topics

Social Issues – Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• How social media influences social norms
• The consequences of ageism on elderly well-being
• How fatphobia impacts medical care
• How gender impacts hiring practices
• The role religion plays in shaping social norms
• How economic class impacts medical access and care
• Urban planning’s relationship to city food deserts
• How educational disparities affect social mobility
• The effects of gentrification on city communities
• The effects of gender-based income inequality
• How immigration status impacts medical care
• Causes of homelessness
• The effects of LGBTQ+ media representation
• The consequences of high student debt
• What causes volcanic eruptions
• What causes tidal waves
• What causes earthquakes
• What causes aurorae borealis
• What causes tornadoes or hurricanes
• The consequences of pollution on ecosystems
• How overfishing impacts marine food chains
• How deforestation affects biodiversity
• What causes animals to become endangered
• How wildfires impact humans and the environment
• The benefits of controlled burns
• How GMO foods affect consumer health
• How immunizations affect human health
• The effects of conservation efforts

Environmental Topics

• How fast fashion impacts environmental sustainability
• How air pollution impacts health
• The effects of climate change on coastal regions
• The effects of climate change on low-income communities
• Describe how human behavior impacts the environment
• How do plastics impact the environment
• How does urbanization affect the environment
• How has climate change impacted immigration trends
• How pollution affects marine environments
• The impact of nuclear energy on the environment
• How climate change has influenced weather patterns
• How deforestation contributes to climate patterns
• How climate change alters animal behavior
• How sustainable household practices contribute to climate change relief
• How scientists protect endangered species

Technology – Cause and Effect Essay Ideas

• How AI has affected company hiring practices
• How AI has affected college admissions
• The impact of screen time on sleep
• How automation has impacted career opportunities
• The role technology plays in environmental sustainability
• The impact of technological advances on health care costs
• How technology affects interpersonal relationships
• The effect of technology on productivity
• How social media has impacted our definition of privacy
• How private companies have changed space exploration
• How 3D printing has changed manufacturing
• The effects of online retail on brick and mortar shops

Mental Health 

• The effect of academic pressure on mental health
• The impact of mental health stigma on seeking mental health care
• The effects of childhood trauma on mental health
• The influence of work stress on adult mental health
• Bullying and its effects on mental health
• The impacts of mindfulness practices on happiness and well-being
• The relationship between social isolation and mental health
• Social media’s impact on mental health
• The COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on mental health
• The impact of climate change on mental health
• The impact of prejudice on mental health
• The effects of gender stereotypes on mental health
• How immigration status impacts mental health
• Poverty’s impact on access to education
• The relationship between student to teacher ratios and academic performance
• How parents influence academic success
• How parents influence students’ academic interests
• How standardized testing impacts educational outcomes
• The impact of technology on student learning
• The effect of early childhood access to educational resources on later academic performance
• How having parents with college education impacts a students’ likeliness to attend college
• How teacher education level affects educational outcomes
• The impact of extracurricular activities on student success
• How AI has affected education
• How technology has changed dating and romantic relationships
• How smartphones have impacted marriages and relationships
• How gender norms influence dating customs
• How gender norms influence household and family roles
• The role religion plays in dating customs and norms
• How sibling relationships impact family dynamics
• How growing up as a single child influences well-being
• The effect of elder care on a family’s financial well-being
• The gendered break-down of elder care responsibility
• The influence of single-parent households on childhood development
• How financial stress affects families
• How children are affected by multi-generational households
• The impact of divorce on child well-being
• The role religion plays in defining family values and norms

Medicine – Cause and Effect Essay Topics

• The effects of the opioid epidemic
• The effects of the Affordable Care Act on health care access
• How telehealth has impacted healthcare
• The effects of insulin shortages on patient health
• The impact of penicillin on global health
• Choose a medical advancement: how has it affected the medical field?
• How gender shapes medical care outcomes
• How race and ethnicity shape medical care outcomes
• How native language shape medical care outcomes
• The relationship between medical cost and patient health
• How medical malpractice impacts health care costs
• The impact of the AIDS crisis on U.S. society
• How gene sequencing has impacted disease detection and treatment
• How vaccines have impacted global health
• How birth control changed female health outcomes
• How colonization has impacted Indigenous cultures
• How colonization has impacted food and culinary traditions
• The effects of the Civil Rights Movement on social justice in the U.S.
• The effects of Black Lives Matters on social justice in the U.S.
• How early feminist movements impacted gender equality
• How the MeToo movement has impacted gender equality
• How the industrial revolution changed the world
• How the Cold War affected international relations
• How the invention of the computer altered our daily lives
• How globalization has changed economic growth and wealth disparity
• How the fall of the Roman Empire impacted Western civilization
• How the transatlantic slave trade influenced America’s development
• How 9/11 has impacted modern American society
• The causes and effects of the Vietnam War
• The causes and effects of the Iraq War
• Pick a political leader or historical figure: how has their influence shaped history?
• The relationship between music and mood
• The relationship between time spent in nature and mood
• How exercise impacts personal well-being
• How travel affects cultural perspectives
• How social media impacts self-image
• The relationship between goal setting and achievement
• The effect of procrastination on productivity
• The relationship between healthy eating and energy levels
• The impact of daily journaling
• The effect of a competitive environment on well-being and achievement
• How sibling birth order shapes personality
• The relationship between sleep habits and decision-making ability
• How daily affirmations impact well-being
• Reflect on a favorite book: how did it impact you?
• Reflect on a favorite class: how did it impact you?

Fun Cause and Effect Essay Ideas—

• The relationship between owning a pet and stress reduction
• How fashion trends reflect social values and gender norms
• How memes influence internet culture
• How social media influencers shape corporate advertising trends
• The cultural impact of superhero movies
• The relationship between youth sports and childhood development
• How e-sports have changed athletics
• How celebrities impact culture
• How social media influencers impact culture
• The impact of social media on social justice issues
• The relationship between social media and food trends

  More Resources

Ready to start writing? Here are expert tips to help you nail your essay:

• 20 Best Websites for Research for Students
• 30 Topic Sentence Examples
• 50 Common Prepositions You Need to Know
• How to Improve Reading Comprehension – 10 Expert Tips

Need to master other essay types? We’ve got all you need to know:

• 160 Good Argumentative Essay Topics for Students in 2024
• Guide to the IB Extended Essay
• How to Write the AP Lang Argument Essay (With Example)
• How to Write the AP Lang Rhetorical Analysis Essay (With Example)
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Christina Wood holds a BA in Literature & Writing from UC San Diego, an MFA in Creative Writing from Washington University in St. Louis, and is currently a Doctoral Candidate in English at the University of Georgia, where she teaches creative writing and first-year composition courses. Christina has published fiction and nonfiction in numerous publications, including The Paris Review , McSweeney’s , Granta , Virginia Quarterly Review , The Sewanee Review , Mississippi Review , and Puerto del Sol , among others. Her story “The Astronaut” won the 2018 Shirley Jackson Award for short fiction and received a “Distinguished Stories” mention in the 2019 Best American Short Stories anthology.

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The Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain and Body

Signs of drug addiction, effects of drug addiction.

Drug addiction is a treatable, chronic medical disease that involves complex interactions between a person’s environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences.

People with drug addictions continue to use drugs compulsively, despite the negative effects.

Substance abuse has many potential consequences, including overdose and death. Learn about the effects of drug addiction on the mind and body and treatment options that can help.

Verywell / Theresa Chiechi

Drug Abuse vs. Drug Addiction

While the terms “drug abuse” and “drug addiction” are often used interchangeably, they're different. Someone who abuses drugs uses a substance too much, too frequently, or in otherwise unhealthy ways. However, they ultimately have control over their substance use.

Someone with a drug addiction uses drugs in a way that affects many parts of their life and causes major disruptions. They continue to use drugs compulsively despite the negative consequences.

The signs of drug abuse and addiction include changes in behavior, personality, and physical appearance. If you’re concerned about a loved one’s substance use, here are some of the red flags to watch out for:

• Changes in school or work performance
• Secretiveness 
• Relationship problems
• Risk-taking behavior
• Legal problems
• Aggression 
• Mood swings
• Changes in hobbies or friends
• Sudden weight loss or gain
• Unexplained odors on the body or clothing

Drug Addiction in Men and Women

Men and women are equally likely to develop drug addictions. However, men are more likely than women to use illicit drugs, die from a drug overdose, and visit an emergency room for addiction-related health reasons. Women are more susceptible to intense cravings and repeated relapses.

People can become addicted to any psychoactive ("mind-altering") substance. Common addictive substances include alcohol , tobacco ( nicotine ), stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids .

Many of the effects of drug addiction are similar, no matter what substance someone uses. The following are some of the most common effects of drug addiction.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Body

Drug addiction can lead to a variety of physical consequences ranging in seriousness from drowsiness to organ damage and death:

• Shallow breathing
• Elevated body temperature
• Rapid heart rate
• Increased blood pressure
• Impaired coordination and slurred speech
• Decreased or increased appetite
• Tooth decay
• Skin damage
• Sexual dysfunction
• Infertility
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage and cirrhosis
• Various forms of cancer
• Cardiovascular problems
• Lung problems
• Overdose and death

If left untreated drug addiction can lead to serious, life-altering effects on the body.

Dependence and withdrawal also affect the body:

• Physical dependence : Refers to the reliance on a substance to function day to day. People can become physically dependent on a substance fairly quickly. Dependence does not always mean someone is addicted, but the longer someone uses drugs, the more likely their dependency is to become an addiction.
• Withdrawal : When someone with a dependence stops using a drug, they can experience withdrawal symptoms like excessive sweating, tremors, panic, difficulty breathing, fatigue , irritability, and flu-like symptoms.

Overdose Deaths in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 100,000 people in the U.S. died from a drug overdose in 2021.

Effects of Drug Addiction on the Brain

All basic functions in the body are regulated by the brain. But, more than that, your brain is who you are. It controls how you interpret and respond to life experiences and the ways you behave as a result of undergoing those experiences.

Drugs alter important areas of the brain. When someone continues to use drugs, their health can deteriorate both psychologically and neurologically.

Some of the most common mental effects of drug addiction are:

• Cognitive decline
• Memory loss
• Mood changes and paranoia
• Poor self/impulse control
• Disruption to areas of the brain controlling basic functions (heart rate, breathing, sleep, etc.)

Effects of Drug Addiction on Behavior

Psychoactive substances affect the parts of the brain that involve reward, pleasure, and risk. They produce a sense of euphoria and well-being by flooding the brain with dopamine .

This leads people to compulsively use drugs in search of another euphoric “high.” The consequences of these neurological changes can be either temporary or permanent. 

• Difficulty concentrating
• Irritability 
• Angry outbursts
• Lack of inhibition 
• Decreased pleasure/enjoyment in daily life (e.g., eating, socializing, and sex)
• Hallucinations

Help Someone With Drug Addiction

If you suspect that a loved one is experiencing drug addiction, address your concerns honestly, non-confrontationally, and without judgment. Focus on building trust and maintaining an open line of communication while setting healthy boundaries to keep yourself and others safe. If you need help, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

Effects of Drug Addiction on an Unborn Child

Drug addiction during pregnancy can cause serious negative outcomes for both mother and child, including:

• Preterm birth
• Maternal mortality

Drug addiction during pregnancy can lead to neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS) . Essentially, the baby goes into withdrawal after birth. Symptoms of NAS differ depending on which drug has been used but can include:

• Excessive crying
• Sleeping and feeding issues

Children exposed to drugs before birth may go on to develop issues with behavior, attention, and thinking. It's unclear whether prenatal drug exposure continues to affect behavior and the brain beyond adolescence.  

While there is no single “cure” for drug addiction, there are ways to treat it. Treatment can help you control your addiction and stay drug-free. The primary methods of treating drug addiction include:

• Psychotherapy : Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or family therapy , can help someone with a drug addiction develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving.
• Behavioral therapy : Common behavioral therapies for drug addiction include motivational enhancement therapy (MET) and contingency management (CM). These therapy approaches build coping skills and provide positive reinforcement.
• Medication : Certain prescribed medications help to ease withdrawal symptoms. Some examples are naltrexone (for alcohol), bupropion (for nicotine), and methadone (for opioids).
• Hospitalization : Some people with drug addiction might need to be hospitalized to detox from a substance before beginning long-term treatment.
• Support groups : Peer support and self-help groups, such as 12-step programs like Alcoholics Anonymous, can help people with drug addictions find support, resources, and accountability.

A combination of medication and behavioral therapy has been found to have the highest success rates in preventing relapse and promoting recovery. Forming an individualized treatment plan with your healthcare provider's help is likely to be the most effective approach.

Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that results in compulsive use of psychoactive substances despite the negative consequences.

Some effects of drug abuse and addiction include changes in appetite, mood, and sleep patterns. More serious health issues such as cognitive decline, major organ damage, overdose, and death are also risks. Addiction to drugs while pregnant can lead to serious outcomes for both mother and child.

Treatment for drug addiction may involve psychotherapy , medication, hospitalization, support groups, or a combination.

If you or someone you know is experiencing substance abuse or addiction, contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357.

American Society of Addiction Medicine. Definition of addiction .

HelpGuide.org. Drug abuse and addiction .

Tennessee Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services. Warning signs of drug abuse .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Sex and gender differences in substance use .

Cleveland Clinic. Substance use disorder (SUD) .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction Drugs and the Brain .

American Heart Association. Illegal Drugs and Heart Disease .

American Addiction Centers. Get the facts on substance abuse .

Szalavitz M, Rigg KK, Wakeman SE. Drug dependence is not addiction-and it matters . Ann Med . 2021;53(1):1989-1992. doi:10.1080/07853890.2021.1995623

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Drug overdose deaths in the U.S. top 100,000 annually .

American Psychological Association. Cognition is central to drug addiction .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts .

MedlinePlus. Neonatal abstinence syndrome .

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Treatment and recovery .

Grella CE, Stein JA.  Remission from substance dependence: differences between individuals in a general population longitudinal survey who do and do not seek help . Drug and Alcohol Dependence.  2013;133(1):146-153. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2013.05.019

By Laura Dorwart Dr. Dorwart has a Ph.D. from UC San Diego and is a health journalist interested in mental health, pregnancy, and disability rights.

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Impacts of Drugs on the Society

Drug usage has been a crucial issue worldwide for many decades. It impacts not only the particular individuals addicted to illegal substances but also the surrounding around them, and eventually, it leads to massive social issues. This essay aims to identify drug addiction’s influence on society on the local, national, and global scale. Therefore, it will observe the reasons and causes of the addiction and the ways of preventing it.

The problems with drug addiction, first of all, begin in the local community and family in particular. When some family member becomes addicted, it launches the chain of consequences that affect other spheres of an individual’s life. If the parents face that problem, they start to neglect the child and disregard their parental duties, consequently leading to the worsening of the child’s physical and mental well-being. Often, they lack the necessary care, clothes, shelter, and unsafe living conditions (Alexis). In the worst cases, children eventually can appear in the orphanage.

Otherwise, when the younger member is affected by the illegal substances’ usage, parents struggle to gain their children’s trust while trying to lead them to the path of problem recognition and recovery. In addition to all the problems, children usually develop a co-dependent pattern of relationships. As they become adults, the victims of drug abuse in the family are more likely to get into destructive relationships. Therefore, people addicted to drugs risk sacrificing close relationships with their family, experience the loss of a family member, lower their chances of a successful future, quality education, and profession.

Evaluating the consequences of drug use on the national scale, the most demonstrative example is the overuse of opium among the citizens of the United States. Opium is one of the most common medications that people get addicted to accidentally or purposely use along with other substances. Although the financial expenses of opium overuse have peaked at $78.5 billion in 2013, those are not the only costs to the nation that brought the addiction (Umhau). Eventually, it increases crimes and violations, different kinds of abuse, deaths, and the spread of infections such as HIV/AIDS (Umhau). It results in the workplace’s overall productivity and performance for persons who struggle with addiction failing to fulfill their duties. Those who have any addiction develop an indifference to the significant spheres of life and decrease job involvement resulting in an economic state.

Assessing the impact of drugs addiction on the global scale, the first thing to mention is the massive amount of deaths. In 2019 the drug use caused the death of about half a million people, along with the social, health financial losses that the population has experienced. (World Drug Report 3). Moreover, it contributes to the spread and progression of multiple dangerous illnesses and diseases, for example, Hepatitis C. It becomes evident that this issue affects the population worldwide mainly with the same consequences and outcomes. Drug addiction stops the economy from developing because people are neglecting their education and jobs. At the same time, the governments spend a decent amount of money to fight the drug supply and the population’s addiction. Despite all the danger that illegal substances cause to humans, public perception is changing along with the legislation of cannabis. For instance, the other drugs start to seem less threatening and more socially acceptable.

To address the issue of the economic consequences, the case of heroin will serve as an example. In the past decades, the number of young adults using heroin has doubled, and now there are one million users in the united states. As the supplements cocaine and methamphetamine often come as supplements and induce the further over usage of the substances (Umhau). However, trying to measure the costs of the particular opiate heroin has one of the leading positions.

The heroin users themselves cost the government around $44,950, considering all the expenses of dealing with crime, health, and social issues caused by the addiction (National Institute on Drug Abuse). Although the person addicted to heroin gets to jail, the costs increase and result in $74,428 per person when part of it is due to the productivity loss (National Institute on Drug Abuse). The overall costs of heroin addiction take a significant amount of the government budget when the citizen’s taxes could be spent on dealing with critical health or social problems

Since there are many illegal substances and drugs with multiple effects and ways of supply, it takes an individual approach to each case. Considering the misuse of opioids is one of the most widespread issues connected to drug addiction, there are some methods to manage the problem. Firstly, it can be great to start with improving the system of healthcare, specifically – access to treatment and the process of healing. The department might develop more effective alternative ways of accessing medical help and recovering after the treatment so people will not need to use opioids that often. Secondly, the promotion of reverse medication that helps with overdoses would save many people’s lives and prevent multiple deaths.

In addition to the prevention methods, governments should work on better practices for dealing with pain (Thometz). When people have an alternative to medications and painkillers, it will eventually decrease opioid overuse. It is crucial to provide the population with various safe choices to help themselves without being at risk of getting an addiction.

Examining the factors that lead people to use substances, the role of the power dynamics has a significant contribution to it. Considering genders, men usually are more prone to different kinds of addiction, whether it is alcohol, drugs, nicotine, or video games. However, recent research supposes that the gap between male and female addiction is disappearing, particularly among young adults. (Footprints to recovery). While men more often experience overdoses, women are tended to get addicted more quickly and at a younger age. When adolescents start using drugs, their habit has a higher chance of growing into addiction when they become older.

Among the racial groups, the marginal parts of the society suffer from drug use often as well, still, there is no connection between the addiction and race or ethnicity. It can result in systematic racism and oppression (Footprints to recovery). Socioeconomic status is another factor that impacts the predisposition of substance use, especially among teenagers, for they have few material limits and more opportunities for experimentations. Thus, some aspects can cause the reasons and circumstances for drug use, but it still mostly depends on the environment that the person grows and exists.

In conclusion, the problem of drug addiction is still relevant nowadays, and it influences all the spheres of an individual’s life. Moreover, it affects society locally, nationally, and globally because the issue of drug addiction is still widespread all over the world. To prevent the population from addiction, the government should develop measures to prevent people from seeking additional measures of relieving pain or escaping reality with its problems. Despite all the researchers and policies implemented, drug addiction is a massive and challenging global issue that still requires a decent amount of work to reach some progress.

Works Cited

Alexis, Isaac. “How Does Drug Abuse Affect Society and You?” Vertava Health . 2019. Web.

Umhau, John C. “ How Drug Use Affects Our Society. ” Very well mind . 2020. Web.

World Drug Report 2021. United Nations publication , 2021. Web.

National Institute on Drug Abuse. Opioids. Web.

Thometz, Kristen. “ Heroin Use Costs Society $51.2 Billion, Says UIC Study ”. WTTW, 2017.

Footprints to recovery. Addiction by Race, Gender, and More: Who Does It Affect? Web.

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Home — Essay Samples — Nursing & Health — Drug Addiction — Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse

Causes and Effect of Drug Abuse

• Categories: Drug Addiction

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Words: 2063 |

11 min read

Published: Feb 8, 2022

Words: 2063 | Pages: 5 | 11 min read

Essay about drug abuse: causes and effects

• A reduced and weakened immune system, the chance of illness and infection got increased.
• Heart attacks from abnormal heart rates, collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from injected drugs.
• Nausea and abdominal pain can also cause changes in appetite and weight loss.
• Increased strain on the liver, this will expose this person to the risk of serious liver injury or liver failure.
• Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage.
• Lung disease.
• Problems with memory, attention and decision making, which make daily life more difficult.
• Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other health problems.
• Family influence.
• Show off they are rich.
• Wrong friend making.
• Innocent of the dangerous of drug.

Works Cited

• Drugabuse.gov. (2023). Commonly Abused Drugs Charts. National Institute on Drug Abuse.
• National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2022). Understanding Drug Use and Addiction DrugFacts. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-use-addiction
• Newcomb, M. D., & Locke, T. F. (2021). Substance abuse prevention. Oxford University Press.
• SAMHSA. (2022). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
• Shah, R. (2021). Drug abuse. CRC Press.
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). A Guide to Substance Abuse Services for Primary Care Clinicians. Retrieved from https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma18-5063.pdf
• UNODC. (2022). World Drug Report. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
• Volkow, N. D. (2020). America’s addiction to opioids: Heroin and prescription drug abuse. National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved from https://www.drugabuse.gov/about-nida/noras-blog/2020/02/americas-addiction-to-opioids-heroin-prescription-drug-abuse
• World Health Organization. (2021). Substance abuse.
• Zweben, J. E. (2019). Treating Substance Use Disorders: A Clinical Handbook. Guilford Press.

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Sample Essay On Cause And Effects Of Drug Abuse

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Law , Addiction , Human , Drug Abuse , Brain , Criminal Justice , Crime , Drugs

Published: 03/29/2020

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Many causes and effects of drug addiction are both related as to why a person is using illegal drugs and the outcome of becoming a drug addict. Being a drug addict creates a negative cycle, which undeniably precipitates some anomalies in the human brain. The process will result in strong cravings as well as involuntary inclination that prompt to use drugs. Drug addiction is a very serious threat to public safety and public health, not only in the United States, but also all over the world. Drug addiction develops in many ways. To better understand the causes of addiction, it would be essential to know how the use of illegal drugs is affecting the human brain. The human brain has its natural capability to reinforce and identify positive experiences. As an example, if a human eats his or her favorite food or puts a warm blanket during the cold winter nights, the brain will naturally release feel-good chemicals such as dopamine. By repeatedly experiencing these events, drugs will reinforce the human behavior through a process that teaches the brain to expect the positive experiences or pleasant sensations. However, none of these addiction causes will happen if there are no supporting factors that provoke people in getting addicted to drugs. Some people may not understand why other individuals are becoming addicted to drugs and how it changes the human brain’s activity to promote compulsive abuse of drugs. Sometimes, some people mistakenly observe drug addiction and abuse as one of the social problems. One of the causes of a person’s drug addiction is the surroundings. A person who lives in a community, where drug temptations are present, it is more likely that he or she may be with a group of people who use drugs. Therefore, the possibility of being in a group of drug users can be one of the causes of a person’s drug addiction. Another that factor that causes drug addiction is the person’s behavior. This normally happens to a person who normally gets along with a group of people who have similar behavior just like him. He will easily be convinced to use illegal drugs initially until he falls into addiction eventually. In some points, causes of drug abuse can be a personal or family matter. There may have a time that parents and guardian of a potential drug user may lack family openness, in which communication between family members is less. Therefore, there could be an attention deficiency, which they normally found from their peers. Experimentation many things including drug abuse could happen during the teenage years, which can worsen a person’s drug addiction in the long run. There could be hundreds of causes why a person becomes a drug addict. Along with this, there are also numerous effects that being a drug addict could provide. One of the effects of drug addiction could be a person’s attitude. A person who is addicted to drugs could turn his attitude to be a hot-tempered one. He or she tends to become irate as a response even on simple things. As a result, his or her relationship with her family and friends could become worse as his attitude becomes worse. In addition, drug addiction changes the human brain’s function. A drug addict will lose his self-control and his ability to recognize sounds. These effects could appear overtime as the person continues to use illegal drugs. The effects of being a drug user may depend on the length of time a person being into it. The longer a person uses illegal drugs, the more likely that he or she may have worse effects eventually. Besides emotional and social reasons, a person’s willingness to stop or continue using illegal drugs also contributes to being whether or not he is a drug abuser.

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