Addiction - a social problem

Addictions are, or can become, mental illnesses in that an addict’s craving for some sort of drug or pleasurable activity is to some degree uncontrollable. The necessity to have whatever it is that addicts crave can prevent them from living normal lives. Of the many possible types of addiction, three are singled out for discussion in subsequent articles: drugs, alcohol and gambling. Alcohol is itself a drug but it is discussed separately because, although addiction to alcohol has features in common with addiction to other drugs, alcoholism is a special and common disorder in its own right. Alcohol is more easily available than most other drugs, and so alcoholism is a more widespread problem than drug addiction. Adolescent problems with alcohol and other drugs are occurring at an earlier age than ever before. Children today commonly have their first alcohol drinking experience at 12 years of age, in contrast to 13 to 14 years of age in previous generations. Each year, an estimated 4.6 million adolescents of 14 to 17 years of age have alcohol-related problems such as poor school performance, trouble with their parents or criminal behavior and arrests.  Recent research has shown that beer is now the drink of choice for many teenagers. Alcohol damages the health of teenagers as well as disturbing their behavior. Drinking and the after-effects of drinking impair concentration, learning and performance at skilled tasks, and induce irritability, hostility and aggression.