PROJECT ONE: RESEARCH INVESTIGATION
5-2 Project One: Research Investigation
SCS-200
Andrea Morrison
SNHU
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What is substance abuse disorder?
The social science issue that I chose to research is the social factors that contribute to
addiction. Many factors contribute to one falling into drug addiction, including one's mental
health. A person may try a substance for the first time to ease the pain they are feeling from
depression or feel pressured to try a drug at a party by their friend. A lot of the younger
generations are partying and always looking for a good time. They attend raves and other types
of parties where drugs are known to be. The younger generation lives a freer life with no weight
holding them down than those before them. An addiction issue is that there are many causes to
becoming addicted, including peer pressure, mental health, and access. "Almost 21 million
Americans have at least one addiction, yet only 10% of them receive treatment" (Addiction
Center, 2020). More than 2 million Americans are addicted to opiates. There is an increase in
substance abuse each year.
There is a difference between drug dependence and substance use disorder. Drug
dependence is when a person's body is dependent on those drugs. Some start with a prescription
from a doctor, for example, oxycodone, oxycontin, morphine, Xanax, Klonopin, etc. Their
tolerance to the drug increases, causing them to need more to ease their pain. The body becomes
dependent on these pain killers and needs the drug to function correctly. Then, without the
medication, the body withdraws, causing the individual to become uncomfortable and sick.
Substance use disorder is "a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an
inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication." (Mayo Clinic, 2021). The
biochemical changes in the brain cause the behavior change. Substance use becomes the main
priority for the person. They participate in behaviors they would not usually turn to, regardless
of the harm it causes to themselves or someone else.
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"Triggers can be emotional responses to events, certain people, places or anything a
person to use a drug. Anything can be a trigger to a person, but there are some universal triggers
that most people possess. Examples of triggers:
Friends who use drugs -- Continuing friendships with others who use
drugs trigger the person to want to use. The person may feel left out or
lonely because they are the only sober person in their social circle.
Extreme emotional states -- stress, depression, anxiety, loneliness.
happiness
Social settings -- Parties or family events, where drugs or alcohol are
known to be, can trigger some.
Most of everyone who has been diagnosed with substance abuse disorder has also been
diagnosed with a mental health disorder. "Multiple national population surveys have found that
about half of those who experience a mental illness during their lives will also experience a
substance use disorder and vice versa." (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2021