Effects of Substance Abuse Amongst the Military Abuse, Drug Abuse, Drugs, Family, Substance Abuse

 
Abstract
Substance abuse is an existing problem within today’s society and the military has not been an exception. Soldiers have over the years continued to test positive for drugs during the normal urine tests that are done in the military despite the measures that are put into place. In the United States, the DOD has clearly stated that the use of substances such as alcohol among other drugs is unlawful and subject to punishment especially if on duty.


The policies that have been laid in place in addition to these restrictive measures have not been effective in reducing the use of substances within the military. Heavy drinking has especially been reported among the newly recruited soldiers within the army. Various reasons have been attributed to the involvement of soldiers in substance abuse. This includes peer pressure, curiosity, genetic background, and stress on duty among other factors. The percentage of the male genders who are involved in substance abuse is higher than that of women who are involved in substance abuse. Substance abuse among military soldiers has led to various costs which affect individuals’ lives.

Major effects are especially on the individuals’ physical, mental and psychological health. This then affects the workplace since such individuals cannot be able to perform their duties effectively. They also affect the performance of others especially due to destruction and risking others to accidents at the workplace. Other effects are on the individual’s families and the society at large. This document discusses the issues related to substance abuse within the military focusing on the U.S military forces. It relies mainly on secondary data and builds on the literature provided by the other scholars who have studied the field.

Introduction
Substance abuse refers to the overindulgence and dependence on drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, nicotine heroine among others (Andrew, 2003, P16). Substance abuse is a major problem within the work environment today. This is due to effects that result from the indulgence in substance abuse such as effects on the individual’s health both mental and physical. Among all other working places, the military department is one area that has been affected by the problem of substance abuse.

The nature of military life has propagated the abuse of drugs within the military. The distress that especially results from the duties performed in addition to long periods of boredom leads many soldiers to engage in substance abuse. The thesis of this study is that substance abuse within the military has major effects on the personal lives of the soldiers especially, socially, mentally, and physically. It leads to poor performance and effectiveness of the role that is played by the military in the state.

Significance of the study
The study explores the depth of the repercussions that have resulted from substance abuse within the military. It analyzes the major causes of substance abuse within the military and how this has affected individuals, their families, society, and also their workplaces. The study takes a look at specific cases of substance abuse within the U.S. Military forces. The results will be of significance to the policymakers in that they will help them formulate relevant policies that will help resolve this mystery that affects every economy. This will eventually benefit the common man in understanding the effects of substance abuse and also serve to give a better life for the coming generations.

Results will also be of significance to future researchers and scholars who wish to take further studies in this field. The general public who will take an interest in reading this document will also get a better understanding of substance abuse and its hazards in our economies. It also helps to reduce a knowledge gap that exists in the field