This article will explore the different factors that have contributed to a rising number of addiction cases over the last 20 years. While the blame may not be pinned to one group or reason, there are several societal changes that could have contributed to this worrying increase.
Addiction Is On The Rise
The issue of addiction isn’t new. Unfortunately, the world’s addiction problem is heading in the wrong direction. From 1990 to 2017, drug use increased by 33.5%, and similar trends can be seen across alcohol, gambling and sex addiction. There has even been concern over the number of people becoming addicted to plastic surgery. Whatever the addiction in question, who, if anyone, is to blame?
Social Media
When social media arrived in the world in the 2000s, it came with great appeal and massive potential for businesses – most of which has been realised, as can be seen from the vast amounts of money spent on social media marketing.
As time went on, more people became aware of the dangers of social media, and today, there’s a comparison culture that has developed, which sees everyday people compare their lives to influencers, celebrities and even their own friends.
Given that the lives we see on social media are filtered and manipulated to only show the successes of others, it creates unrealistic standards, which can subsequently lead to feelings of inadequacy and insecurity.
If you do find yourself suffering mentally as a result of constantly comparing yourself to others, this could easily be the start of a battle with serious anxiety or depression. Given the close link between mental health and alcoholism, there’s a far higher chance that someone will develop an alcohol or drug addiction if they are suffering from depression that can be traced back to insecurities fueled by social media.
If you think your issues can be traced back to social media, the obvious solution is to spend less time scrolling through the various platforms. In addition to this, reconsider the accounts you are following; try to follow people who bring motivation, inspiration and education to your life as opposed to those who just share material goods and desirable experiences.
Genetics
While social media accounts for how nurture may impact addiction, we must also consider nature and the way genetics plays a part in addiction issues. It’s estimated that genetic makeup can account for up to 60% of a person’s risk of developing some form of addiction.
On its own, this wouldn’t explain why there has been a sudden increase in the number of people suffering from addiction. But, if more people are suffering from addiction as a result of mental health issues, genetics means this would be getting passed on to the next generation.
The truth is that nature and nurture, in most cases, work in tandem. In the case of addiction, it’s viable that things like technology and a less sociable society are responsible for rising addiction levels, which are then exaggerated through genetics.
Parenting
If someone finds drugs or alcohol from a young age, the first place we look is often at the parents. While this is understandable, it’s also over-simplistic. The reality is that each case should be judged in isolation, and the cause of substance abuse at a young age could go far deeper.
For example, is the child turning to substance abuse as a result of relationship issues or influence from their friendship group? While parents play an important role in the child’s life, it’s also fair to accept that they can’t have complete control over the friends they make and the decisions they choose.
It’s also important to consider the age of the child in question. A 16-year-old child, for example, is widely accepted to be old enough to make their own informed decisions. At this age, children are far more capable of managing their own friendship groups and social circles.
Education
As with all things, it’s important to look towards the education system. Following on from the previous point, if addiction issues are prevalent from a young age, it could be a failure in education. Maybe children haven’t been educated enough about the dangers of substance abuse for it to be a deterrent.
Fortunately, most schools and education authorities are putting more focus on education around things like alcohol, drugs and gambling. As a result, if a rise in addiction has come through educational discrepancies, it’s not through a lack of trying.
A recent talking point in terms of child addiction is that of screen addiction, with more and more of kids’ attention going towards devices such as tablets and phones. While most parents are trying to keep screen time to a minimum, it could be argued that schools using devices as part of their teaching have not helped this.
Going forward, education will play a huge role in the fight against addiction. Even though most addiction problems are seen in adults, it could stem from a lack of understanding that can be traced back to their education as a child. It’s also important to consider that the landscape is constantly changing, and schools are perfectly placed to adapt their curricula in line with new issues such as screen addiction.
Final Thoughts
There’s no singular answer to the question, nor is there one group in society that is to blame for a rise in the levels of addiction issues. The reality is that a combination of factors has probably led to where we are today. And, as is often the case with nature and nurture debates, it’s likely a combination of genetics and societal factors. The most important thing is to constantly adapt the way we tackle addiction issues, from education curricula to parenting style. If you have suffered or are currently suffering from any form of addiction, there are a number of therapists and counselling options that are available to you. There’s also a growing number of communities you can join to surround yourself with people who have had similar experiences to yourself.