Andy Hanthorn

Swanigan

Expository Genre Piece

February 23, 2016

America Dream Goes Up In Smoke

            Many have seen firsthand the effects of drug abuse. Most see how it effects the victim and the negative impact from using these narcotics. Whether it comes from a financial loss, damaged relationships, or how they hurt themselves and their body. The everlasting effects of drug abuse also can hurt family and friends. For many they cannot escape this grasp of addiction, it disrupts and devastates their life. Exploiting drugs primarily effects the user, their dreams, and also their loved ones, Drug abuse is very disastrous and may impede or stop ones hopes from reaching their American Dream.

             There are many ways how drug abuse can affect the user. The use of drugs may not always lead to addiction but many substances if used improperly this can be a consequence.  It is a myth that quitting is because of low will and lack of morals . The National Institute on Drug Abuse claims that “drugs change[s] the brain in ways that foster compulsive drug abuse” effecting how one thinks and is affected by the drugs and the choices that are made cannot be under the users control. 

Studies have been done to help and treat those who suffer but sometimes side-effects of abuse can overwhelm them. When most try to quit they can undergo withdrawal. This is when the body physically and mentally relies on the drug and craves it to function. This can range from minor to serious symptoms depending on how the body works without the drug. Depending on how the user is effected may change what kind of treatment is needed. If minor, family and friends can help them but if severe they may have to go get medical assistance at a hospital or residential unit with staff and equipment to nurse the patient back to health.

             A problem many face is paying for the drug or treatment. Going to place of care is not free and can more expensive than obtaining the drug itself, so getting help can be a both a mental and finical struggle for these users. According to Lauren Brande the rehab can range from $2,000 to above $25,000 depending on the type of care, where, and services provided. Many cannot not afford rent, so missing work, if they have a job can be problematic. It becomes depressing to watch people fall down this pit of despair and nothingness because of these narcotics. Some turn to these narcotics in hope of escape from their lives because of how terrible they feel and what happens to them. This can be a short-term effect to change how the user “responds to issues of self-control, judgment, emotion, motivation, memory, and learning,” because reality has become too much to bare (NCADD). When searching for these short-term effects they don’t realize the long-term effects on the brain and how it will make them think. The brain begins to crave the substance and making objects, dreams, education, and loved ones unimportant.

            The fact that loved ones may be tossed aside to some as if they are unwanted commodities can harm everyone involved critically. If a provider in a family were to fall victim to drug abuse they may lose their job, income, food, and shelter because they do not have the money to pay for these necessities. Those hurt by drug abuse do not have the funding to pay for their drugs they may resort to crime to getting in order to pay for it which can hurt innocent bystanders. Overall society is impacted greatly by drug abuse. The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence estimates over $190 billion are lost “$130 billion in lost productivity, $20 billion in healthcare costs, $40 billion in legal costs including effort to stem the flow of drugs.” This money could be put towards education, public utilities, or helping out those who are less fortunate but instead is lost to this terrible habit.

            Achieving ones dreams is almost impossible due to drug abuse. It doesn’t just harm the user and their dreams but also loved ones. The effects on society and finances of preventing and trying to stop it are devastating. If only this cold reality didn’t have to harm so many. For many closer than others. Most are not victims of drug abuse but they know or have seen the results of someone who is.