Summary Substance abuse is a serious issue for American society. Substance abuse negatively affects the lives of the abusers and their friends and family, it increases the rates of criminal activity and morbidity in the country and carries enormous financial costs for the government. Sociocultural Determinants The rates of substance abuse can be determined by a list of biological factors (such as genetics, gender, race or age), environmental factors (such as districts, families and communities) and economic factors (such as low income, imprisonment, insufficient education or homelessness). Overall, substance abuse patterns depend on drug-specific and non-drug specific social and cultural impacts, during particular periods of time and various communities certain types of drugs tend to be viewed as fashionable or acceptable. Widespread Use Among the most widely abused drugs in the United States there are prescription medications (painkillers, antidepressants, cough and cold syrups or pills, they are especially commonly abused by high school students. Another widely abused substance is alcohol. The rates of obsessive or excessive drinking among young adults are very disturbing around 40% of young people before 30 years old are heavy drinkers (Substance Abuse, 2015). Financial costs Substance abuse is a very costly problem. The amount of money the American government has been spending on this issue is estimated at close to 190 billion dollars annually (Magnitude, n. d.). As a massive public health problem substance abuse causes cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart disease leading to higher healthcare expenses. Besides, this problem increases the costs of law enforcement and imprisonment and deprives the country of a significant number of young and productive individuals who could have contributed to the nation’s wellbeing. Psychological and Physical Costs It is a well-known fact that chemical dependency is a source of a wide variety of health issues for addicts. Namely, substance abuse destroys their bodies and minds. Physically, drug users suffer from abdominal pain, indigestion, liver damage, seizures, strokes, loss of sleep, heart and kidney issues. Psychologically, the effects are just as severe. Substance abusers experience serious depressions, outbursts of aggression, violent and risky behaviors, anxieties, fears and frustrations. Crimes and Accidents Substance abuse contributes to criminal behaviors such as violence, drugged driving and road accidents as outcomes, physical abuse. At least one-quarter of all imprisoned individuals in the United States demonstrate dependence on alcohol (Crime and Substance Abuse, 2015). Besides, robberies and prostitution often result from the need of drug addicts to support their habit. Suicide, Homicides and Interpersonal Relationships Drug abuse is related to the increased rates of suicide among adolescents and young adults. People who were diagnosed with drug addiction are six times more likely to commit a suicide attempt than those who are not addicts (Ilgen & Kleinberg, 2011). When it comes to interpersonal relationships, the level of happiness in couples where one or both of the partners are substance abusers is very low. Alcohol and substance abuse is one of the most common cau