Oftentimes, when one thinks of the word “drugs”, they atomically think of drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, ecstasy, methamphetamine, crack, cocaine, and heroine. However, the definition of drugs is according to Dictionary.reference.com (2015), ‘a chemical substance used in the treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being; a habit-forming medicinal or illicit substance, especially a narcotic”. Studies show that there are 48 million individuals in America alone who abuse prescription drugs. This has increased four times from ten years ago (Chambliss, 2011).
All types of drugs, both illegal and prescription, can effect one’s decision making skills. These decision making skills may include making decisions without thinking, not thinking realistically, and poor concentration and attention. Sometimes, the use of drugs has the user act in ways that they normally would not act (“Facts about Alcohol,” n.d.).…show more content… Drugs can become habit forming and essentially cause an individual to become addicted to them. When individuals become addicted, they allow the drug(s) to take over their behavior and their brain (Gerdeman, Patridge, Lupica & Lovinger, 2003). Those addicted to drugs not only experience changes in their decision making skills, but the drug(s) themselves can provide numerous effects. For instance, those individuals who are addicted to drugs can experience mood swings, become detached to others, possess both irrational and bizarre behaviors, become paranoid, as well as aggressiveness. And because drugs can affect one’s better judgment, even “good” people can behave irresponsibility and get themselves into