Drug abuse is one of the most topical problems of modern society. Many people try to stay away from drugs, because they do not want to have difficulties with the law or put their health in danger. Some people use drugs occasionally, mostly in order to increase excitement, feel high, ease communication, or feel more relaxed. Finally, there are drug addicts, who have long history of using drugs and became totally dependent on them.
Non-drug users usually do not feel desire to take drugs, sometimes because they have already experimented with drugs before. As well as occasional drug users, some of non-drug users can also have irregular desire to try some drugs, but they prefer not to do this due to various fears, moral or other convictions. In contrast to a drug addict, an average non-drug user is healthier, both physically and mentally. Besides, non-drug users have better prospects for professional and personal development, social advancement, success, etc.
, than drug users. Occasional drug users take some type of drugs irregularly, unlike drug addicts. They believe that drugs increase their potential, bring more self-confidence, stimulate creativity, and so on. Unlike non-drug users, they do not take occasional using drugs as a problem. But, at the same time, in contrast to drug addicts, the majority of occasional drug users think that they do not abuse drugs and can always stop on time before becoming addicted.
Unlike occasional drug users, drug addicts can not control themselves and, when the effect of the drug is gone, they start feeling very strong craving. They do not feel stimulating or relaxing effects of the drugs anymore, like occasional users do. Also, drugs have mostly very destructive effects on addicts’ health. Unlike the majority of non-drug users, drug addicts constantly move in criminal environment, because they contact drug dealers and often engage criminal activities (like picking and stealing) for obtaining some money to buy drugs.
Finally, in the social context, the main differences between people of these three groups include dissimilarities between their viewpoints on taking drugs, psychological reactions and behavioral patterns, abilities to self-control and comprehend the reality, etc. Bibliography: • Cohen, Peter. “Drugs as a Social Construct. ” Center for Drug Research. University of Amsterdam. Online Library. 1990. 19 Mar. 2007 <http://www. cedro-uva. org/lib/cohen. drugs. toc. html>.