Sociological Theory Of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is the habitual use of substances in dangerous amounts or even methods that may bring harm to the user of the substances (World Health Organization, 2009). The substances commonly used are psychoactive substances which can easily lead to a dependency problem by the substance user. Drug abuse is a sociological threat that poses a danger to all people especially the youth. Addiction is possible not only with illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine, but also with prescription drugs such as oxycodone. According to National Institute on Drug Abuse, the United States government loses about $700 billion every year due to crimes caused by people under the influence of drugs, medical costs, and addicted workers. (NIDA, n.d.). Substance abuse causes physical and mental damage and complications can remain years after recovery. The severity of long-term effects depends on the body’s reaction to the drugs and the type of drug ingested. Addiction does not have to stem from drug use, but even casual use can damage the user. The most commonly abused drugs include tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol although less abused drugs such as stimulants, hallucinogens and opiates can have a greater financial cost.

Justification

From a sociological standpoint, the symbolic-interactionalist theory may best describe the rise in substance abuse. This theory states that the meanings of the situations or things are normally derived from the social interaction that human beings have, with the only