Epidemiology Of Substance Abuse

Substance use and substance abuse have become a major theme of discussion and research within the United States of America and the world at large. Increases in deaths, substance abuse disorders, divorce, children being neglected or introduced from an early age to substance use, homelessness, and unemployment are some of the results of the abuse of prescription drugs, narcotics, and, alcohol. Illicit drug use is on the rise, and the gap between men and women using and abusing illicit drugs is narrowing. This is becoming a major phenomenon and it is important that therapist are trained in some way in how to respond and manage this population. Alcohol abuse and substance abuse leads to social, physical and mental problems. "Most likely, substance abuse and dependence result from a combination of factors, including biochemical, genetic, familial, environmental, and cultural ones, as well as personality dynamics" (Straussner, 2013, p.14). …show more content…
In this study it postulates adolescent years as being a critical period in the development of substance use disorders and also supports the view that genetic factors influence substance