According to the World Health Organization (WHO), alcohol abuse alone accounts for 3.3 million deaths worldwide each year (about 5.9 percent of total deaths) and 5.1 percent of disease and injury.
Whether it’s alcohol, tobacco, recreational drugs, or prescription medications, substance abuse can have devastating consequences for an individual’s short- and long-term health. It can also have far-reaching impacts on psychological well-being, relationships, and finances. A part of Greenwood’s Q&A Health Guides series, Substance Abuse: Your Questions Answered provides clear, concise information for readers interested in or struggling with this difficult subject. It explores the substances most frequently abused in the United States, the causes and effects of their abuse, treatment options, and the role that popular culture and the media have in shaping our understanding of these behaviors.
Each book in this series follows a reader-friendly question-and-answer format that anticipates readers’ needs and concerns. Prevalent myths and misconceptions are identified and dispelled, and a collection of case studies illustrates key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. The book also includes a section on health literacy, equipping teens and young adults with practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the internet—important skills that contribute to a lifetime of healthy decision-making.
