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How Drug Culture Affects Society

Take a look at any television screen, listen to any song on the radio, or see how social media trends are going, and you will quickly see that there is a prevalence of drugs in American culture which promote the use and abuse of illicit substances. The drug culture of substance use bleeds over the line in many situations. It takes it from a focus on use to a culture of addiction that can have horrible side effects for those influenced by the intentional and unintentional promotion of these substances.

4 Minute Read | Published Sep 11 2023 | Updated Mar 07 2024 Expert Verified
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by
Emma Collins
Written by
Ashley Bayliss
Reviewed by

Better Addiction Care is composed of a team of expert providers of resources for recovery. Through years of connecting people to the right drug addiction treatment opportunities, we have learned that some of the starting points for lifelong problems can start closer to home than many would have imagined. If you are concerned about the influence that the popular drug culture has had on yourself or someone you know, this overview will analyze if those worries are merited.  

A Look at the Drug Culture in America

Drug culture is nothing new. In fact, it has its roots in the 1960s, which was an era when people began to experiment with marijuana and psychedelics on a much larger scale. At that time, drugs and music, movies, and celebrities became more interlinked than ever before. This influence bled over into the coming generations and opened the door for riskier and more niche drugs to begin dominating not just the preferences of people using them but also of the culture inadvertently promoting it. Cocaine in the 1980s, heroin in the 1990s, and so on became synonymous with celebrities and the products that they were producing.

Nowadays, drug culture is more widespread than ever, thanks to a few important factors. Namely, the invention of the widespread internet availability and social media’s presence from the late 2000s to now. The internet has allowed for an amazing flow of ideas and information between cultures, countries, and continents, but not all the information that is available has been good. 

It is arguable that younger people know more about drugs than any generation before them thanks to the easily available information just sitting on the internet waiting to be read. When social media came around, the issues only got worse. With social media, it is easier than ever to see what famous people and even your friends are doing. Considering that drugs have been glorified in popular culture, this often involves the use and abuse of illicit substances. The ramifications for the widespread availability of access to the drug culture that was once an underground loosely guarded secret are starting to be felt more frequently now.

The Side Effects of a Culture Surrounding Drugs in Pop Culture

The internet has truly changed the way that people are becoming associated with the drug culture in the United States. People have used the tool for information to learn more about drugs and are now feeling the consequences of it. Culture and addiction to drugs are certainly linked. Simply consider how impressionable younger people are and factor in the modern obsession with celebrities and trending interests. People are influenced and modeled by the trend, passions, and stories of the culture they are a part of. When those stories are drug stories, and those passions are related to intoxication, it is to be expected that many will aspire to match their values.

Drug use, abuse, and addiction are growing concerns for parents and peers across the country. These are people who want to ensure that their children and friends aren’t falling victim to the trappings of a society obsessed with being high. If you have found yourself or someone you know in this position, then do not worry. It’s never too late to beat drug culture and its influence by making a positive change in your life.

Find the Alcohol and Drug Addiction Treatment You Need Now

If you or someone you know is currently struggling with drug addiction and you have grown concerned with the health and safety of the sufferer, then be sure to find the expert care that is right for you. Start by using the resources provided by Better Addiction Care. Everything from our substance abuse and treatment articles to our free online national directory for drug and alcohol abuse treatment facilities is sure to prove helpful while you’re on your journey toward recovery.

Get in touch with our team today to learn more about our resources and how we can help make the path to a happier, healthier, and sober life easier. Our team is dedicated to connecting addicts to care providers who will help turn their life around with national drug abuse treatment options or programs for overcoming alcoholism.

Resources

bullet Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2021).
"Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Families and Children."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021).
"Health Consequences of Drug Misuse: Mental Health Effects."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet American Addiction Centers. (2021).
"The Impact of Drug Addiction on Society."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet Center on Addiction. (2021).
"The Impact of Substance Use Disorders on Society."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2021).
"Drugs and Crime."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet World Health Organization. (2018).
"Substance Use and Road Safety."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet Rehm, J., Mathers, C., Popova, S., Thavorncharoensap, M., Teerawattananon, Y., & Patra, J. (2009).
"Global Burden of Disease and Injury and Economic Cost Attributable to Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Use Disorders. The Lancet, 373(9682), 2223-2233. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60746-7"
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
bullet European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction. (2021)
"The Impact of Drug Markets on Society."
Retrieved on November 21, 2022
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