Drugs and Alcohol
The continuous abuse of drugs and alcohol have direct connection with multiple behavioral
problems not only in the short term but also in the long term. When a person misuse drugs and
alcohol, the chemical in their brain can signal to seek out substance regardless of severe
consequences in the future which gradually lead to loss of self-control, harm to family, marriage,
cohabitation or friends. In addition, there are many form of domestic violence including physical
abuse (biting, kicking, throwing objects to someone, hitting, slapping, shoving or even sexual
abuse to their partner) or emotional abuse (threats, stalking, controlling). Victims are mostly
female, children and abused men are in rare cases. Based on the data of the author James, Donna,
Jeanne and Sara pointed out in their 1999 report “Linkage of Domestic Violence and Substance
Abuse Services” according to “The New York City Department of Health studied all female
homicide victims aged 16 or older in New York City for the 1990 to 1994 period (Wilt, Illman,
& BrodyField, n.d.). Medical examiner reports, including autopsy, crime scene and police
reports, and medical history documents, were examined for each of 1,159 victims. Among all
victims, autopsy results indicated that 24% tested positive for alcohol, 28% tested positive for
cocaine or its metabolites, 45% of those testing positive for alcohol also tested positive for
cocaine or its metabolites, and 5% tested positive for opiates” (James, Donna, Jeanne and Sara
10). From the statistics of the above victims, clearly that domestic violence victims are also the
misuse of drugs and alcohol and this is also social problem currently.
Moreover, children experience a range of health problems in association with domestic violence
from a parent’s drug or alcohol use such as depression, chronic anxiety, insomnia, lack of
concentration, alcohol abuse as a child continuing to adulthood. Unfortunately, instead of those
children will get the attention, care and love or affection they need from their parent, they will
lose their innocent childhood and change the way they see the world and their mother or father
who is staying in an abusive relationship. This is what the worst thing to their child. In this
regard, the misuse of drugs and alcohol can destroy not only abusers but also their partners,
children, and the elderly, influencing the physical and mental wellbeing of the whole family.
Having an alcohol and drug addiction have really negative influence on employment
performance and productivity. Addiction cases are more likely to occur in group of young people
(between 15 and 35 years of age), especially, concentration in the workforce (between 18 and 35
years of age). Increasing the high unemployment rates in many countries both in developed and
developing countries, participate in the workforce is often a major problem. Consumption of
drugs and alcohol can slowly destroy chances of entering, remaining or even promoting in the
workforce. According to the Saint Jude Retreats article “according to the National Council on
Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Inc. (NCADD) “24% of workers report drinking during
workday at least once in the past year”” and Addiction Center reports “42% of people with an
addiction who have job report a decrease in productivity…this lost productivity costs employers
an estimated $25.5 billion each year. The strong influence of drugs and alcohol on productivity
as well as of the performance requirements of the jobs is a measure for each of person, family
and social challenges.
James, Donna, Jeanne, Sara. 1999. Linkage of Domestic Violence and Substance Abuse Services, Final
Report. National Institute of Justice. P. 10.
Saint Jude Retreats. Jul 14, 2014. Drug Use How Can Alcohol And Drugs Destroy Your Career
Silently