Why is Addiction a Rapid problem in Upper Class Families?

Drug addiction, which is a rapid problem in upper class, affects a person’s brain and behaviour and results in inability to control the use of legal or illegal chemical drugs, or substances even if they are causing harm to the addict’s health and well-being. But, why is drug addiction considered common among the upper-class crowd?

Kids from affluent communities have huge amounts of money at their disposal. While affordability and availability are the two main factors that drive wealthier children to use drugs, ignorance of parents in terms of the ill-effects and consequences of such addictions also contribute to this rapid problem. This is because the well-affluent parents though, they notice the trends, may think that their kids will grow out of these habits one day. But the results have unfortunately been on the contrary.

There is a notion of the “idle rich” which includes social stereotypes about the wealthy as morally weak individuals who are prone to alcohol abuse and drug addiction. They lack a need to make a living and therefore are free to indulge in addictions and substance abuse. They are able to afford more alcohol, and they are more likely to attend social activities where alcohol is served. Activities such as parties, fundraisers, and sporting events. However, the exact explanation for higher addictions among the wealthy still remains unclear.

Alarming trends of higher rates of drinking to the point of intoxication and the use of pot among the wealthier students than among kids in the general has been identified in many studies thus far. Researchers also found that at the age 26, most upper-middle-class young adults; chances of being diagnosed with an addiction to drugs and alcohol were two to three times higher, on an average as compared to rates for men and women of the lower middle class.

Highly educated parents also end up in high paying jobs and are therefore wealthier. Wealthier people are likelier to live in metropolitan areas where bars and restaurants serving alcohol are more in number. More accessibility leads to more vulnerability. Pressure of maintaining status and leading in business etc. are common among the elite crowd. Such factors also contribute to excessive drinking, which in turn puts the ‘rich’ at higher risk of rapid addiction. The above mentioned are just a few common reasons to determine why drug addiction is a rapid problem in the upper class.

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