What Are Some Solutions to Drug Abuse?

Intervene in Media
Know Risk Factors
Treatment

Written by Alia Butler

18 December, 2018

Drug abuse occurs when people being using drugs for one reason or another and their use develops into an intense desire and need for the substance. This need and desire outweighs the person’s need for need for success in his relationship, career or academics. The Center for Substance Abuse Prevention reports that overcoming drug abuse is important because of the significant amount of money in retroactive actions drug problems cost the American people every year 1.

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Intervene in Media

Drugs are often a part of television shows or movies. These forms of media many times glorify or romanticize the use of drugs, thus making using drugs look enticing and thrilling to the people watching, especially teens. To help overcome this perception, it's important for people to talk and discuss what they saw in the movie or television show. According to MayoClinic.com, teens also are often exposed to drug use over the Internet and other other media outlets; therefore, it is important for caregivers to talk with their teens about what they saw in the media about drug use. These discussions can help counter any positive images of drug abuse displayed in the media.

Drugs are often a part of television shows or movies.
According to MayoClinic.com, teens also are often exposed to drug use over the Internet and other other media outlets; therefore, it is important for caregivers to talk with their teens about what they saw in the media about drug use.

Know Risk Factors

How to Tell If a Person Is Using Cocaine

Learn More

There are certain risk factors that increase the chances a person will begin abusing drugs. These risk factors include having a family history of drug abuse or alcohol abuse, being exposed to people who commonly use drugs, living in poverty, underachieving in school, having a mental health disorder such as:

depression or ADHD
being able to easily access drugs

Treatment

For people who have already begun using drugs or have already increased their use to the point of abuse, the best solution is to begin treatment. Treatment will be tailored based on what specific drug a person is abusing. Generally, treatment will use a combination of behavioral therapy interventions and medications to reduce the person's need or desire for the drug and give the person the skills to refrain from future drug use, notes the National Institute on Drug Abuse 3.

For people who have already begun using drugs or have already increased their use to the point of abuse, the best solution is to begin treatment.
Generally, treatment will use a combination of behavioral therapy interventions and medications to reduce the person's need or desire for the drug and give the person the skills to refrain from future drug use, notes the National Institute on Drug Abuse 3.