Drug Addiction Stories & Info

Drugs and drug addiction have been a part of human culture for thousands of years.  Marijuana was used medicinally as far back as 2737 BC and narcotics had their first mention back in 4000 BC.  Although the drugs have been in use for centuries, it wasn’t until the 19^th century that people began extracting drugs from plants and other sources to get drugs such as morphine and cocaine.  When these drugs were first put into use, they were given freely by medical doctors to patients.  It is estimated that by 1900 there were as many as 250,000 drug addicts in the United States alone.

The first law enacted against drugs was in 1875 and as drug use and abuse became more prevalent, more laws were enacted.  Drug use dwindled in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s, but was significantly increasing again by the 1950’s.   Today, in the 2000’s, it has reached epidemic proportions.

With stressors on society, both real and imagined, there seems to be a natural tendency for many people to want to try any type of mind altering or psychotropic drug.  The need to relax, escape, forget or otherwise put aside the stress that they feel is usually the motivator for drug use.  Many people begin simply as a part of peer pressure.  Everyone at the party is doing it, so they do it to, just to try it.  Contrary to what many people may think, drug users are not all bad people.  Many of them are just normal, everyday people who get addicted to drugs or alcohol because of choices made in their life.

There are many types of addictions as well.  For many, addiction involves two or more substances.

• Alcohol addiction: Many times, but not always, this addiction begins in childhood or adolescence.  Children often get the alcohol from their parents supply at home without their knowledge
• Heroin: Heroin addiction is a very fast acting addiction.  It makes a person feel very euphoric and addiction can occur within a matter of a few days.
• Meth: Meth addiction is often begun as a way of losing weight and also for the euphoric feeling it offers.  It is an amphetamine and controls the appetite, which is often why people, especially females, begin using it.
• Methadone: Methadone is used to treat heroin addiction, but because it is an opiate, many people become addicted to it as well. 
• Prescription drugs: Doctors trying to treat a symptom often contribute to a drug addiction.  Muscle relaxers, anti-anxiety meds, and painkillers are among the most addictive prescription drugs there are.

Each century and each decade provides a great deal of information on drug and alcohol addiction and how it affected people of each era.  Here and now, there have never been as many people addicted to drugs and alcohol.