Although some people argue for the legalization of drugs, addiction to these substances has caused a huge increase in violent crimes in the home, at school, and on the street. Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to create compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. This is a false and uneducated belief. Drug abuse may start as a social problem or social escape but one the addiction has taken ahold of a person far more other problems are presented to saving a person that falls short to this battle.
Symptoms that an addicted person may start to present can start of small like running late for work, messing up at school by missing assignments or lack of effort when a person used to be a very involved student. Not showing up to dinners or plans made with loved ones or family. Other symptoms can present in a physical matter like weight loss, bruising, needle marks on arms, between fingers, toes or legs, pick marks on the face, dark circles under eyes and cheek bones becoming more prominent. Other big red flags that a loved one has developed an addiction are taking up another hobby that is out of ones character like gambling, visiting strip clubs and other worldly activities.
Causes of drug abuse start with a choice to pick the drug up However; it goes much deeper than that. Drug abuse is a choice in the beginning but after the action is repeated regularly it becomes a disease that often is very hard if not impossible to entirely get ahold of. Several factors play a part in what causes a person to abuse drugs. Biology can present a danger. The genes that people are born with in combination with environmental influences. This can account
Cited: and references http://www.studymode.com/essays/Causes-And-Effects-Of-Drug-Abuse-401964.html Information article http://www.helpguide.org/mental/drug_substance_abuse_addiction_signs_effects_treatment.htm http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/drug-abuse-addiction http://www.medicinenet.com/drug_abuse/article.htm http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/understanding-drug-abuse-addiction