1. Drug addiction ( UPSC 2025, ) ( Sociology Optional)

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Social Problems: Alcoholism and drug addiction

• Write short note: Social dimensions of drug addiction. (97/20)
• संक्षिप्त टिप्पणी लिखिए : मादक द्रव्य व्यसन के सामाजिक आयाम। (97/20)

• Write short note: Social consequences of alcoholism and drug addiction. (01/20)
• संक्षिप्त टिप्पणी लिखिए : मद्यपान और मादक पदार्थों की लत के सामाजिक परिणाम। (01/20)

• Describe the social factors related with the problems of alcoholism and drug addiction. What measures would you suggest to tackle these problems? (06/60)
• मद्यपान और मादक द्रव्य व्यसन की समस्याओं से संबंधित सामाजिक कारकों का वर्णन कीजिए। इन समस्याओं के समाधान के लिए आप क्या उपाय सुझाएंगे? (06/60)

Introduction

• A drug is a substance that affects feelings, thinking or behaviour, initially due to chemical reactions in the brain. Alcohol is also a drug in that sense. Drugs are consumed by eating, smoking, inhaling, sniffing, drinking or by injections.These substances may be medicinal e. prescribed by a doctor or non-medicinal.
• Using drugs (medicinal/non-medicinal) in quantity, strength, frequency or manner that damages the physical or mental functioning of an individual, is termed as drug abuse.
• Such ‘abuse’ leads to addiction, i.e. inability to lead a regular life in the absence of the drug/alcohol. Dependence can be both physical and psychological.
• Alcoholism has been described as chronic illness which is characterised by repeated drinking of alcoholic drinks Addiction to drugs is similar to alcohol addiction, in terms of its characteristics.

Factors related with the problems of alcoholism and drug addiction

Physiological Causes

• It’s been seen that child has high probability of addiction incase both parents are addicted. However other factors influence the addiction as well. Such as:
  • Amount of drug taken and frequency
  • The route of intake (injected drugs and more addicting)
  • The availability, access and price
  • The influences in one’s environment, other than familial.
• Several other physiological factors are believed to contribute towards the development of addiction, e.g. in the case of alcoholism, nutritional deficiency, dysfunction of different body system, e.g. endocrine system, etc.

Individual or Psychological Causes

• For several years, addition has been viewed as a mental abnormality, caused by individual problems.
• There is enough evidence to indicate that addicts suffer from deep personality problems, feelings of inadequacy, dependency, powerlessness, isolation and low sense of self-respect.
• Childhood-related problems are observed among addicts as well as current stresses before the setting in of addiction. It is also argued that addiction is the result of learning.

Sociocultural /Environmental Causes

• People in societies that view that consumption of drugs and/or alcohol a acceptable, and where drugs are easily and cheaply available are likely to have high consumption of drugs/alcohol.
• EX: In tribal societies drinking of alcohol is a norm during rituals and ceremonies. In certain Western countries, taking alcohol is socially the norm and taking pills to reduce pain or improve performance, in the regular practice.
• The cultural defiance theory indicates that drug addiction develops because of these emotional and social ties, with a nonconventional group.
• In societies where this consumption is not accepted, some people turn to drugs/ alcohol because they suffer normalessness. Youth often take drugs as a rebellion against adult norms and values.
• The legal status of the addicting substance is also an important factor in determining the incidence of addiction.
• Family influence: having the presence of addict in family, the aggravating of stress by the family at periods of transition, e.g. adolescence, the absence of reasonable parental control, a disunited and dysfunctional family etc.
• The theory of strain holds that people turn to drugs and alcohol because social conditions in their environment do not provide them adequate opportunity for achievement.
• Other social factors such as Peer influence, economic/job stress also influence drug use habits.

Consequences of alcoholism and drug addiction

Effect on family

• Emotional burden. Members may feel anger, frustration, anxiety, fear, worry, depression, shame and guilt, or embarrassment.
• Economic burden. This may be caused by money spent on substances, or money problems associated with the loss of jobs or reliance on public assistance.
• Relationship distress or dissatisfaction. Families may experience high rates of tension and conflict
• Family instability. This may result from abuse or violence, or family breakup due to separation, divorce, or removal of children from the home by Children and Youth Services.
• Effects on the developing fetus and children. Alcohol use during pregnancy can harm fetal development causing birth defects and problems in child development. Children of parents with addiction are at increased risk for abuse or neglect, physical problems, poor behavioral or impulse control, poor emotional regulation, conduct or oppositional disorders, poorer academic performance, psychiatric problems such as depression or anxiety, and substance abuse.
• Effects on parents. Mothers with drug abbuse may show less sensitivity and emotional availability to infants. Parents of a child with addiction may feel guilty, helpless, frustrated, angry, or depressed.

Effect on society

• It impacts the social functioning of individuals and create a burden for society as well.
• Increased medical or psychiatric conditions, disability, and death as a result of accidents or diseases caused or worsened by substance use, or higher rates of suicidality.
• Increase in criminal activities, violent behaviours, unemployment, drop rate in schools etc.

Measures

Measures to tackle the problem of substance abuse is categorised into three categories: Treatment, Rehabilitation and Prevention

Treatment

• Like a physical illness, it requires some medication.
• However, this medication does not cure addiction. It can be used to encourage appetite, build up stamina and strength, handle withdrawal symptoms and recover from other illnesses developed due to the addiction.

Rehabilitation

• It comes after the detoxification.
• During this phase focus is on changing attitudes, improving lifestyles and restoring the place in society that the addict had lost.

Prevention

• Adequate facilities to keep people away from drugs e.g. recreation facilities, employment services etc.
• uniform and strict laws against the sale of drugs and their implementation
• Education of vulnerable groups (i.e. those most likely to turn to drugs) on the problems of addiction and life-skills (i.e. abilities to cope with life’s regular and special problems)

Laws and policies

• Article 47: State shall endeavour to bring about prohibition of the consumption except for medicinal purposes of intoxicating drinks and of drugs which are injurious to health’.
• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances ACT, 1985: prohibits cultivation, production, possession, sale, purchase, trade, import, export, use and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances except for medical and scientific purposes in accordance with the law.
• India has signed and ratified three conventions: Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961, Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971 and the UN Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988.

Conclusion

• “Drug abuse is a social evil. It destroys vitals not only of the society but also adversely affects the economic growth of the country.” - Y K Sabarwal, Former Chief Justice of India (2006)
• Addiction poses a danger not merely to the health of people but also a law and order, and national security.
• It has serious implications for the larger society. Preventing drug abuse and excessive alcohol use improves quality of life, academic performance, workplace productivity, and military preparedness; reduces crime and criminal justice expenses; reduces motor vehicle crashes and fatalities; and lowers health care costs for acute and chronic conditions.
• And most important it curbs domestic violence and makes family life happy.