Essay about Substance Abuse and Effects On The Human Brain

Introduction Substance Abuse is a major contemporary issue we face as a society; affecting not only adults, but our youth as well. Statistics have shown that more and more adolescents are being introduced to substances at a much earlier age than before. In fact, most users began using in their teenage years, with half of those starting off with Marijuana. A survey taken in 2011 by the Subtance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, showed that an estimated 22.5 million Americans 12 and older had used an illicit drug or abused a psychotherapeutic medication within the month the survey was taken; with Marijuana being among the most used substances(Drugfacts: Nationwide Trends 2012). This shows an alarming truth of today’s†¦show more content†¦A Brief History of Subtance Abuse Throughout the history of mankind, human beings have had a desire within them to eat, drink, and even smoke different substances to change their normal state of functioning. Anthropologi sts from around the world have found various discoveries suggesting ancient civilizations used substances of different kinds(Wilhite 2013). Alcohol being amongst the earliest subtances used, dates back to 4000 B.C; coca was also used in 3000 B.C by ancient Incas to raise their heart rate and to speed breathing due to the high altitude mountain climate(Wilhite 2013). Marijuana use can also be traced back as early as 3000 B.C in China. The use of halluncinogenic mushrooms go back as far as 5,000 B.C;used for religious purposes(Erowid 2011). Even the Aztecs were very fond of hallucinatory drugs such as mushrooms, morning glory seeds, Salvia divinorum, Datura, and Peyote; which were used in rituals and ceremonies. This illustrates a long period of time that our ancestors used and abused substances. Around the 19th century, drugs made by extracting the active ingredient from plants, such as opiates, and cocaine were made readily available toShow MoreRelatedSubstance Abuse And Addictio n : A Meta Analysis1711 Words   |  7 Pagesprimarily dependent of substance tends to affect an individual both physically and psychologically. When reformed, dependency settles in where abuser may have trouble living everyday life without substance sustaining abuser to tolerate the remainder of the day. In the journal article Deficits in Behavioral Inhibition in Substance Abuse and Addiction: A meta-analysis authors Smith, Mattick, Jamadar, Iredale stated â€Å"The results are generally consistent with the view that substance use disorders and addictionlikeRead MoreEssay On The Effects Of Drugs739 Words   |  3 Pagesalso effect your behavior and people around you. 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