Causes and Consequences of Drug Use
Social Determinants of Health
Illicit drugs within the youth of Australia is an increasing problem within modern society (Chabrol, Beck and Laconi, 2016). There are many reasons surrounding why adolescents choose to consume Illicit Drugs in the first place, however, having such a particularly immediate pleasuring impact on the body, releasing various types of Dopamine and Endorphins make it quite addictive and more vigorously used (Rodriguez et al., 2010). Drug use within adolescents are consequently affected and brought upon by many social determinants of health. Despite not all of these being included within the diagram, the key underlying determinants are identified and will be described below.
Addiction is a common outcome for adolescent drug users, and the high that drugs disperses to its users is one major underlying determinants when understanding the reasoning behind usage. Addiction is quite simple in fairness, when the body works hard and achieves what is deemed 'good', it rewards itself with pleasurable dopamine, endorphin, and other neurotransmitters (Konkel, L. and Carson-DeWitt, R. 2016). This can be observed through exercise, eating and sex, all of which must be worked hard to achieve in nature (Konkel, L. and Carson-DeWitt, R. 2016). Taking illicit drugs stimulates the body's reward system, flooding it with pleasure and happiness until the high is over, consequently causing a substantial drop in mood (Recovery Gateway, 2016). When there are drugs readily available to a consumer, and a shortcut to a reward is achieved at ease, the body craves its high experiences to escape from the lows, thus over time developing an addiction (NIDA, 2014). It is estimated that more than 54% of people who use drugs have suffered an addictive episode at some point during their experiences (Alcohol Rehab, 2010). Likelihood of developing an addiction may also be promoted by genetic factors such as parents or grandparents who have suffered from addiction in the past (NIDA, 2014). People often refer to illicit drugs for stress relief, however as addictions come about, and the body depends on the substance more, an overdose can be a likely outcome for such an activity (AIHW, 2014b). In 2013, Australia had an above-average drug mortality rate, which caused about 2,100 deaths due to drug overdose (SA Health, 2013).
Other than overdose, addiction is also a direct influence to mental and physical health conditions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Illicit Drug addiction can have extensive side-effects such as Cardiovascular Disease, increased risk of developing Cancer, Lung Disease, Liver Disease, and Mental Illnesses NIDA, (2014). Addictions may also cause Strokes or Heart Attacks, Nerve Damage, and may lower the body’s immunity system, making it more susceptible to lethal bacterial and viral infections such as HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B or C. Consequently, living with a chronic disease may be very costly, forcing a person seek medical attention, which will cost them money, ultimately lowering their socio-economic status (SES) later in life (ABS, 2012).
Another extremely comparative underlying determinant of drug use within adolescents, is the limitation of access to their desired product. Many of the adolescents who have used drugs, are only supplied to a certain degree by access points such as a dealer, or through their friends (Department of Health, 2016). These influences are a huge determinant for illicit drug consumers, as without supply there is no access. A study by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World found that 55% of Adolescents who had used drugs in the past, were peer pressured by their friends, or supplied by their friends during outings (FDFW, 2016). Although studies haven’t been able to generate a clear statistic, it can be assumed that a large quantity of illicit drug users are supplied through dealers. The remaining minority for those who choose not to buy drugs, are often those who produce it themselves by growing herbal substances, or manufacturing synthetic drugs within a laboratory setting (Drug Info 2016a). Any drugs, whether they are grown, produced, sold, consumed, or simply possessed, are done so in an illegal matter, and thus law enforcement is put into place to penalise those who are caught in the act. Penalties vary from drug to drug, ranging from simple fines, to life sentences in prison depending on the type of drug, and the amount discovered by authority (AIC, 1995). Penalties vary from $150 to $35,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment for possession or use of drugs in South Australia, depending on the quantity and type (Controlled Substances Regulations Act, 2014). Selling or producing illicit drugs on the other hand withheld punishments of $20,000 to $100,000 and/or 10-25 years in prison (Controlled Substances Act, 1984). These heavy punishments are the distal consequences of drug use.
Drug use within adolescents can be a large factor when considering SES in later life. Drugs are by no means cheap, with extensive drug users having to pay a large amount of money over the course of their consumption. Despite there being very limited known information surrounding the topic, experts suggest that Australian’s spend between $7-$17 billion dollars a year on illegal drugs, meaning the average user spends about $2,000-$5,000 a year on drugs individually (Collingwood, G, 2015). This constant expenditure over period of months or years may force a low-income earner into financial difficulty, putting a drastic strain on their SES (Department of Health, 2012).
However it does not simply stop there. Excluding fines (which are incorporated under loss of money anyway), adolescent drug users may also experience a lower SES later in life due to other factors. As observed in the diagram above, losing a job and developing a physical or mental illness are two factors which heavily result in a poor SES (Department of Health, 2012). If a person were to lose their job, they may develop a mental illness such as depression, in fear they may begin to live in poverty. This also works vice-versa, in that if a person hurt themselves whilst under the influence of drugs or addiction, they may not be able to work, reducing income and again lowering SES (Department of Health, 2012).
Taking into consideration all of the characteristics spoken about, it is easy to understand how something as simple as an adolescent deciding to take drugs, could determine many detrimental outcomes in their present and future lives. One step could make all the difference, and this is why it is important to explore ways in which adolescent drug use can be reduced in not only Australia, but the entire world.
Word Count: [998]
Addiction is a common outcome for adolescent drug users, and the high that drugs disperses to its users is one major underlying determinants when understanding the reasoning behind usage. Addiction is quite simple in fairness, when the body works hard and achieves what is deemed 'good', it rewards itself with pleasurable dopamine, endorphin, and other neurotransmitters (Konkel, L. and Carson-DeWitt, R. 2016). This can be observed through exercise, eating and sex, all of which must be worked hard to achieve in nature (Konkel, L. and Carson-DeWitt, R. 2016). Taking illicit drugs stimulates the body's reward system, flooding it with pleasure and happiness until the high is over, consequently causing a substantial drop in mood (Recovery Gateway, 2016). When there are drugs readily available to a consumer, and a shortcut to a reward is achieved at ease, the body craves its high experiences to escape from the lows, thus over time developing an addiction (NIDA, 2014). It is estimated that more than 54% of people who use drugs have suffered an addictive episode at some point during their experiences (Alcohol Rehab, 2010). Likelihood of developing an addiction may also be promoted by genetic factors such as parents or grandparents who have suffered from addiction in the past (NIDA, 2014). People often refer to illicit drugs for stress relief, however as addictions come about, and the body depends on the substance more, an overdose can be a likely outcome for such an activity (AIHW, 2014b). In 2013, Australia had an above-average drug mortality rate, which caused about 2,100 deaths due to drug overdose (SA Health, 2013).
Other than overdose, addiction is also a direct influence to mental and physical health conditions. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), Illicit Drug addiction can have extensive side-effects such as Cardiovascular Disease, increased risk of developing Cancer, Lung Disease, Liver Disease, and Mental Illnesses NIDA, (2014). Addictions may also cause Strokes or Heart Attacks, Nerve Damage, and may lower the body’s immunity system, making it more susceptible to lethal bacterial and viral infections such as HIV/AIDS, and Hepatitis B or C. Consequently, living with a chronic disease may be very costly, forcing a person seek medical attention, which will cost them money, ultimately lowering their socio-economic status (SES) later in life (ABS, 2012).
Another extremely comparative underlying determinant of drug use within adolescents, is the limitation of access to their desired product. Many of the adolescents who have used drugs, are only supplied to a certain degree by access points such as a dealer, or through their friends (Department of Health, 2016). These influences are a huge determinant for illicit drug consumers, as without supply there is no access. A study by the Foundation for a Drug-Free World found that 55% of Adolescents who had used drugs in the past, were peer pressured by their friends, or supplied by their friends during outings (FDFW, 2016). Although studies haven’t been able to generate a clear statistic, it can be assumed that a large quantity of illicit drug users are supplied through dealers. The remaining minority for those who choose not to buy drugs, are often those who produce it themselves by growing herbal substances, or manufacturing synthetic drugs within a laboratory setting (Drug Info 2016a). Any drugs, whether they are grown, produced, sold, consumed, or simply possessed, are done so in an illegal matter, and thus law enforcement is put into place to penalise those who are caught in the act. Penalties vary from drug to drug, ranging from simple fines, to life sentences in prison depending on the type of drug, and the amount discovered by authority (AIC, 1995). Penalties vary from $150 to $35,000 and/or up to two years imprisonment for possession or use of drugs in South Australia, depending on the quantity and type (Controlled Substances Regulations Act, 2014). Selling or producing illicit drugs on the other hand withheld punishments of $20,000 to $100,000 and/or 10-25 years in prison (Controlled Substances Act, 1984). These heavy punishments are the distal consequences of drug use.
Drug use within adolescents can be a large factor when considering SES in later life. Drugs are by no means cheap, with extensive drug users having to pay a large amount of money over the course of their consumption. Despite there being very limited known information surrounding the topic, experts suggest that Australian’s spend between $7-$17 billion dollars a year on illegal drugs, meaning the average user spends about $2,000-$5,000 a year on drugs individually (Collingwood, G, 2015). This constant expenditure over period of months or years may force a low-income earner into financial difficulty, putting a drastic strain on their SES (Department of Health, 2012).
However it does not simply stop there. Excluding fines (which are incorporated under loss of money anyway), adolescent drug users may also experience a lower SES later in life due to other factors. As observed in the diagram above, losing a job and developing a physical or mental illness are two factors which heavily result in a poor SES (Department of Health, 2012). If a person were to lose their job, they may develop a mental illness such as depression, in fear they may begin to live in poverty. This also works vice-versa, in that if a person hurt themselves whilst under the influence of drugs or addiction, they may not be able to work, reducing income and again lowering SES (Department of Health, 2012).
Taking into consideration all of the characteristics spoken about, it is easy to understand how something as simple as an adolescent deciding to take drugs, could determine many detrimental outcomes in their present and future lives. One step could make all the difference, and this is why it is important to explore ways in which adolescent drug use can be reduced in not only Australia, but the entire world.
Word Count: [998]