Past and Current Trends Paper
Jeanie Rauckman
PSY/ 425
Diana Wheatley
September 22, 2008
Past and Current Trends
Introduction
Drugs and alcohol have played a role in American society for many years. Survey indicates that nearly 39% of the American population admits to using illegal drugs, 51% drink alcoholic beverages in one form or another and youths between the ages of 2-17, 11% have used some form of an illegal drug in the last month. Alcohol and a wide variety of drugs have increased in availability today more than ever before and with this wider variety there comes a wider range of addictive qualities and health related risks that individuals who take these drugs are subjected (Carroll, 2000 p.5). Addiction and dependence is clearly a problem however, no single answer to the resolution has been found.
Addiction
Addiction was first defined in the nineteenth century as a physical dependence on a chemical substance later to be revised that any reinforcing behavior is potentially addicting (Walters & Gilbert, 2000). Individuals who are addicted to drugs abuse substances to reduce tension and anxiety, to escape from stress, and to cope with the problems of day-to-day life. Other known reasons, especially in teenagers, include peer pressure, family problems, and curiosity. Due to the increase in these factors in American society the current drug trend for illegal drug use is on the rise. Very few users use single drugs instead they are generally used in combination with other drugs.
Increase in Drug Use
In an article written in the Journal of Drug Issues, the writers state that " Results from the Monitoring the Future Program, which surveys 8th, 10th, and 12th graders, reported that methamphetamine use has doubled in the last decade." While this article only speaks of methamphetamine use teenagers have increased their use of other drugs as well. This increase in teenage drug use indicates that peer pressure is strong, family problems...