Why Addiction is More Common Than Ever Before? Thoughts Explored
- Scraper
- Apr 3
- 5 min read
A New Wave of Addiction: A Crisis Shaped by Systems, Not Just Substances
Variations of Addiction have existed since the dawn of Human civilization, at its roots 'Addiction is a strong inclination to do, use, or indulge in something repeatedly' (Merriam-Webster). Yet somehow, society still talks about it like its a modern plague. Why? Well What had happened was humanity evolved and everything else along with it. Addiction isn't new; its just being observed in a new light. The narrative has shifted, and Gen Z is at the center of this conversation, breaking generational patterns that ignored mental health and systematic influences on addiction.
Are Labels Just Tags for Illegal vs. Acceptable?
Historically, what's legal and what's banned has less to do with science and more to do with who's in power. For instance, marijuana; an organic plant with multiple therapeutic benefits, was vilified for decades, while tobacco & alcohol remain legal despite their well documented harm. According to American Addiction Centers, alcohol remains one of the leading substances tied to addiction, yet it enjoys legal protection worldwide, this selective criminalization does nothing but fuel stigma and prevent harm reduction approaches from taking hold
Alcohol is responsible for 3 million deaths annually worldwide (WHO). Meanwhile, countries that decriminalized cannabis saw no significant rise in addiction rates (American Addiction Centers)
Even in places like Gujarat, India, where alcohol is banned, illegal distributions thrives, leading to a rise in drinking, corruption and crime, as covered in Kolmac. Criminalization doesn't prevent substance use; it just pushes it into the shadows.
Why we need a new perspective on addiction recovery
The Rehabilitation Cycle
The rehab industry has a reputation problem, and it's not entirely undeserved. Many see it as a revolving door. People check in, get clean, relapse and repeat the cycle. But why? The problem isn't just the rehab itself; it's the lack of aftercare support and society's failure to adapt. A study from the Harm Reduction Journal highlights that relapse rates could be reduced if rehab centers focused more on long term support rather than just detoxing patients and sending them back into the same environment that led them to addiction in the first place.
From a Gen Z angle, We see this issue as two faced. First: the rehab industry needs to be more transparent and integrate aftercare into its core model. Second: Society needs to stop treating relapse as failure and start looking at addiction as a chronic condition that requires long term care, just like diabetes or heart disease.
This is why licensed, evidence based centers like AHC focus on holistic, clinically backed treatments rather than just short term fixes. Study shows that 60% of people relapse within a year of leaving rehab. (McLean Hospital).
Learn more about The Reality of Relapse Rates
Influences & Role Played by Large Corporations
In today's age, you can't be a social without being hit with some form of marketing. You reading this is marketing in itself. So lets be real, marketing influences behaviour. IF you think otherwise, ask yourself "Why Cricket, the most watched sport in india, repeatedly runs ads for gambling and chewing tobacco? Celebs like the launching liquor brands to expand revenue streams that feed off dependencies, to name a few, Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan: D'YAVOL, Ryan Reynolds: Aviation American Gin, Teremana Blanco Tequila | Dwayne "THE ROCK" Johnson." Where as being in that level of audience base can easily give them a say on what they choose to promote to the masses.
This is a screenshot from a match in 2025.
A Report from the Drug Abuse Statistic Organization shows that marketing, whether direct or indirect, plays a significant role in normalizing substance use. We know its a problem, and yet, those in charge keep running these ads. Gen Z, on the other hand, is rejecting this cycle. We don't drink to the end of days, we prioritize mental health, and are questioning outdated societal norms, something that ticks off the boomers to the core.
Find out How social influence shapes addiction.
Criminalization: The Wrong Approach
Criminalization doesn't work, You see what happens to misbehaving kids today? Absolutely nothing, We got the crap beat out of us for even looking at something or staying up late. Take Portugal for sample, they decriminalized drug use and saw a drop in overdose deaths and drug related crimes. Compare that to the US where the war on drugs has done nothing but fill prisons and ruin lives.
Even within india, States with strict alcohol bans, like gujarat are consistently making headlines for alcohol related activities. the takeaway? when you ban something, people dont stop using it, they are only motivated to find risker ways to access it.
The Subscription You Never Signed Up For
Addiction is a service you never subscribed to and cancelling isn't an option. The only way to break the cycle is by understanding it, managing it, and controlling how much of our vices consume us. Instead of treating addiction as a moral failing, we need to challenge the narrative and push for open stigma free conversations.
Places like AHC, aim to do just that, offering licensed, structured and holistic treatment to those who need it. As at the end of the day, addiction isn't about just the substance itself. It's about the systems that allow addiction to thrive while profiting off of the people suffering from it.
Breaking the cycle: The need for better support systems
To Put A Button On It
Addiction isn't a moral failing; It's a health issue. We need more licensed recovery options, better mental health support, and a shift in how we see substance use. Because the real addiction problem is a society that refuses to address its role in creating addicts.
This generation aren't playing around by the rules set down by the old guard. We've seen your failures of criminalizations, we've experienced the rise of change to influence which was held by emperors historically. And we know mental health crisis is real. We aren't asking for permission to change the system, either it breaks or there's a period of history missing from future textbooks.
Looking for support? why dont you check out Alpha's Website and give them a call.
References:
Drug decriminalisation in Portugal: setting the record straight.
Saah, T. The evolutionary origins and significance of drug addiction. Harm Reduct J 2, 8 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1186/1477-7517-2-8
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