How Recreational Drugs Have Impacted America’s Culture and Society
As Edgar Allen Poe once said, “ I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so many indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” The American writer’s quote provides insight to why drug use is prevalent in American society. Originally, most individuals takes part in drug use as a distraction, numbing the pain that lies in other aspects of their life. Despite one’s motives being innocent, into an ugly monster that is never full; addiction. …show more content…
Drugs interest many people, however, some individuals are more susceptible to substance abuse (Jiloha 1). This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as, one’s genes, developmental progress, and interaction with environmental forces. Department Chair of Psychiatry at a hospital in India, R.C. Jiloha, states “Drug abuse behavior like human behavior in general is conceived of as an outcome of genetic and biochemical characteristics, past learning experiences, motivational states, psychosocial antecedents, and cultural context in which it unfolds.” A study from the University of Rochester claims that one’s brain is not fully developed until the age of 25 (Holloway 1). In result, many social aspects can easily alter the mindset of an adolescent. For instance, parental and peer influences, role models, and socioeconomic factors can all alter one’s original thinking process because the influence is present on a daily basis (Jiloha 2-3). If a person 's family or friends take part in any unhealthy activities, they will be more likely to join them and their unacceptable ways. The same goes for what people an individual chooses to admire as well. Movie and TV stars, singers, and models all make substance abuse appear attractive. What these icons are not broadcasting to the public are the long lasting health problems looking …show more content…
The large term recreational drugs includes all drugs that are not prescribed, therefore, serve no purpose. They have close to no health benefit, only causing harm and deficiencies among the American culture. Though cultural and social factors impact an individual 's decision to partake in drugs, the negative effect on society is evident through aspects of everyday life, including music. Lyrics possessing the mentioning of marijuana and even activities that follow recreational drugs use like sex, are influencing younger minds on what is the new “mainstream.” Now that those actions are considered a social norm, stereotypes are developed in response to ethnicities taking different approaches to drug abuse. Narcotics abuse is unfavorable to American society and
As Edgar Allen Poe once said, “ I have absolutely no pleasure in the stimulants in which I sometimes so many indulge. It has not been in the pursuit of pleasure that I have periled life and reputation and reason. It has been the desperate attempt to escape from torturing memories, from a sense of insupportable loneliness and a dread of some strange impending doom.” The American writer’s quote provides insight to why drug use is prevalent in American society. Originally, most individuals takes part in drug use as a distraction, numbing the pain that lies in other aspects of their life. Despite one’s motives being innocent, into an ugly monster that is never full; addiction. …show more content…
Drugs interest many people, however, some individuals are more susceptible to substance abuse (Jiloha 1). This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as, one’s genes, developmental progress, and interaction with environmental forces. Department Chair of Psychiatry at a hospital in India, R.C. Jiloha, states “Drug abuse behavior like human behavior in general is conceived of as an outcome of genetic and biochemical characteristics, past learning experiences, motivational states, psychosocial antecedents, and cultural context in which it unfolds.” A study from the University of Rochester claims that one’s brain is not fully developed until the age of 25 (Holloway 1). In result, many social aspects can easily alter the mindset of an adolescent. For instance, parental and peer influences, role models, and socioeconomic factors can all alter one’s original thinking process because the influence is present on a daily basis (Jiloha 2-3). If a person 's family or friends take part in any unhealthy activities, they will be more likely to join them and their unacceptable ways. The same goes for what people an individual chooses to admire as well. Movie and TV stars, singers, and models all make substance abuse appear attractive. What these icons are not broadcasting to the public are the long lasting health problems looking …show more content…
The large term recreational drugs includes all drugs that are not prescribed, therefore, serve no purpose. They have close to no health benefit, only causing harm and deficiencies among the American culture. Though cultural and social factors impact an individual 's decision to partake in drugs, the negative effect on society is evident through aspects of everyday life, including music. Lyrics possessing the mentioning of marijuana and even activities that follow recreational drugs use like sex, are influencing younger minds on what is the new “mainstream.” Now that those actions are considered a social norm, stereotypes are developed in response to ethnicities taking different approaches to drug abuse. Narcotics abuse is unfavorable to American society and