Alcohol is in itself a welcome drink but when teamed with drugs, assumes gargantuan proportions. One offshoot of drug and alcohol abuse is domestic violence when, under influence of spirits, a man turns batterer unconsciously or, as in certain cases, purposely. Alcohol is often used as a cover for low self-esteem or guilt for hurting loved ones. Sometimes it is an excuse made for the purpose of escaping consequences. Domestic violence can take the forms of humiliation, degradation, terrorizing or threats. Drug and alcohol abuse often has its genesis in troubled childhood, uncontrolled alcohol and drug supply, or low self-esteem. The signs whereby one can detect alcohol and drug abuse are: the perpetual smell of alcohol on the concerned person; changes in moods or attitudes; poor attendance in school, the work place and other activities; new habits of avoiding family and friends; petty thefts; and disappearance of alcohol and salable items from the household. Equally alarming is the increasing mixing of drugs and alcohol by individuals under the age 21 and giving a different high when compared with marijuana or cocaine. The drugs are sometimes obtained through websites, or through friends or parents prescriptions without consulting medical experts. Recent studies have identified alcohol abuse being replaced by prescription drugs such as Oxycontin for creating dependence and enhancing performance. Right now the number of high school students who use drugs is the highest it has been in 26 years. Adults are not far behind, with nearly six million abusing prescription drugs. Parents who condone or accept drug use by their children as inevitable do not realize that drug and alcohol abuse results in unwanted pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and violence. Alcohol and drug abuse is responsible for the majority of sexual assaults and date rapes amongst teenagers, college students and unsuspecting individuals. Dealing with abuse perpetrators is tough unless a victim comes forward; this generally does not happen because abusers are usually known to victim or are manipulative individuals appearing normal in front of outsiders. |
