Knowing the negative impact associated with substance use can help discourage it.
Drugs, tobacco and alcohol can have permanent and deadly consequences. Casual drug, tobacco and alcohol use can quickly develop into an addiction severely impacting your life. These substances can drain your finances, alienate you from family and friends, and lead to a host of medical issues. Knowing the consequences of these substances helps users realize how harmful they actually are.
Family Consequences
According to Linda Mooney in "Understanding Social Problems," children living in homes where at least one parent has drug or alcohol problems are at higher risk for neglect, abuse, behavioral disorders and absenteeism from school. The chances of developing a substance abuse problem is four times higher for children of alcoholics than children of non-alcoholics. Men with heavy drinking habits are also more likely to hit their partner than men who are not heavy drinkers. Smoking habits can interfere with family relationships because smoking can sicken or annoy people around you, making them less likely to want to be around you because of the exposure to secondhand smoke.
Legal Consequences
Drug and alcohol use often leads to major legal problems. According to the Bureau of Justice, 26 percent of violent crime victims reported the offender was using drugs or alcohol at the time of the offense. In 2004, 32 percent of state prisoners and 26 percent of federal prisoners said they were under the influence of drugs when they committed their crimes. Juveniles with substance abuse problems are more likely to become involved in serious fights at school or engage in other acts of delinquency.
Economic and Employment Consequences
The use of alcohol, tobacco and drugs impacts the economy and workforce in many ways. According to Mooney, Americans spent $36 billion on cocaine, $11 billion on marijuana and $10 billion on heroin in 2003. In 2007, youth alcohol-related traffic accidents cost taxpayers $13 billion dollars. Drug users are reported to have a less stable job history than non-drug users, and alcoholics are said to earn less money than moderate drinkers or people who don't drink. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans shelled out $83 billion for cigarettes in 2006.
Medical Consequences
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, abusing almost any drug harms organs and tissues in the body. Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine can increase heart rate and restrict blood flow, which can lead to heart attacks in some people. Heavy drinking increases the risk for developing liver disease, malnutrition, heart disease and certain cancers. According to the American Cancer Association, tobacco use is responsible for one in five deaths in the U.S. and it accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths. Smoking tobacco is also known to cause other health problems such as heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema and stroke.
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