Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United...

Past and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends of drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs. The use of cocaine in the United States has declined over the last twenty years while the use of crack has increased. Many people avoided the use of crack because of the harmful chemicals used in creating the drug. One of the reasons why crack became popular is because of not needing to inject the drug hence less risks of being infected by†¦show more content†¦Addiction to opiods is very likely when used on a regular basis. Each of these different abuses among teens cause several health risks some being insomnia, addiction, and nausea. Marijuana has become one of the most controversial drugs used today and in the past. Many claim fame to the medicinal purposes of marijuana as to why the drug should be legalized. Today the effects of marijuana use are more known. According to Carroll (2000), marijuana contains 50 percent more cancer causing hydrocarbons than cigarettes. Blood pressure is affected by the use along with sexual function. The abuse of marijuana is one from the past and continues to be a trend in today’s time. An epidemic of marijuana smoking began by 1935, which caused laws to be enacted against the use of marijuana not for medical use. Heroin use has changed over the years. Injection is the best way to administer higher levels of heroin in the body. Along with cocaine users, heroin users also fear contracting the AIDS virus from needles. The fear has led heroin addicts to snorting the drug thru the nasal passages and smoking the drug. Heroin is highly addictive and is one drug many have a hard time withdrawing from and staying clean. Withdrawal from heroin can sometimes take several weeks or months. Respirato ry depression, nausea, and other health problems related to opioids are normal health problems associated with heroin use. The use of methamphetamine, knownShow MoreRelatedPast and Current Trends with Drug Use Essay705 Words   |  3 PagesPast and Current Trends of Drug Abuse in the United States Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends of drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs. The use of cocaine in the United States has declined over the last twenty years while the use of crack has increasedRead MorePast and Current Trends1207 Words   |  5 PagesPast and Current Trends Drugs and alcohol have played a role in American society for many years. There is, however, a wider variety of drugs available today than ever before and with this wider variety there comes a wider range of addictive qualities and health related risks that individuals who take these drugs are subjected. Habit forming drugs were introduced into American society as far back as the 1700s. These drugs were widely used for medicinal purposes without any knowledge of their addictiveRead MorePast and Current Drug Trends934 Words   |  4 PagesPast and Current Drug Trends Many past and current trends of the use and abuse of drugs in the United States have been associated with health and social trends that at times may have been considered culturally acceptable. 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