Drug Addiction: The Case of Macaulay Culkin

In partial fulfillment of the requirement for the subject of CDI 7: Vice and Drug Education and

Control

Submitted by:

Ganac, Hans Austin V.

BSCRIM 3B
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………… 3

Introduction ……………………………………………………………………………… 3

Macaulay Culkin’s Drug Addiction …………………………………………………… 5

Literature Review ……………………………………………………………………….. 7

Drug Abuse ………………………………………………………………………… 7

Types of Illegal Drugs and its effects ……………………………………………. 8

Causes of Drug Abuse ……………………………………………………………. 9

Consequences of Drug Abuse ……………………………………………….. ... 10

Summary and Conclusion ………………………………………………………………. 12

References …………………………………………………………………………………. 13
 Abstract

Drugs are substances that changes a person’s mental or physical state. There are drugs that

is considered legal—those that are permissible to use, and some drugs are considered illegal—those

that are considered as unlawful substances. Drug addiction can happen to anyone of any age, sex,

social status as it can happen to your child, to your peers, to your celebrity crushes or to any people

around you or across the globe. There are various reasons why people decided to engage to illegal

drug usage. As drugs has become rampant across the globe, this paper will show how someone with

so much money and fame can be addicted to drugs. In addition, this paper will also show how drug

addiction can change your whole life.

INTRODUCTION

Drugs is a chemical substance that is used for treatment, cure, prevention, or diagnosis of a

disease or to otherwise enhance physical or mental well-being. According to Australian Government

Department of Health and Aged Care (2019), drugs are substances that changes a person’s mental or

physical state. There are drugs that is considered legal and illegal. Legal drugs, specifically, are those

considered permissible for use, either prescribed by a physician, available over the counter at a

pharmacy, or other outlet. They are intended only for medical purposes to ease pain symptoms and to

treat health conditions. Illegal drugs, on the other hand, are regulated or unlawful substances which

are usually obtained by dishonest or prohibited means.

There are several ways a person can take drugs—it can either be through injection, inhalation,

ingestion, or rectally or vaginally as a suppository. No matter which way a person take drugs, it will still

end up in a bloodstream and affect different parts of the body. However, a misuse drug or drug abuse

can affect the way your brain works, and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings and

behaviors. It causes large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our emotions,

motivation and feelings of pleasure, to flood the brain and produce a “high.” Drug abuse can cause
some serious health issues including; violence, paranoia, hallucinations, agitation, psychosis, racing

heart, chest pain, and high blood pressure, panic attacks, dehydration, and kidney failure, and worst—

death. It is to be noted that the effect of drugs varies to different kind of drugs for each person. Drug

abuse is caused by the habitual taking of addictive substance. Overtime, this behavior can lead to drug

addiction.

This kind of behavior can happen to any person of any age, social status, sex etc. Many people

have been wondering why their children resorts to drug addiction, why their friends do drugs, why their

celebrity crushes turns to a drug addict and many more as drug abuse can happen to anyone. There

are various reasons why people do drugs—some are for the reason of poverty, peer pressure, self-

medication, curiosity, experimentation, performance enhancement, a desire to fit in, to help them cope

up with the situation.

It is necessary for all of us to determine the difference between the legal and illegal substance

to avoid misusing it that has the possibility to lead to an addiction. In addition, it is essential to determine

whether someone is misusing a drug or drug addiction to prevent them from further misusing it and can

provide an early rehabilitation for those who are not able to control their addiction anymore. This paper

shows how anyone can be a drug addict. Furthermore, this paper also shows a various reason why

some people decided to engage to drug misused.

 MACAULAY CULKIN’S DRUG ADDICTION

The case of Macaulay Culkin is an example of a celebrity drug abuse. Macaulay Culkin

is a successful U.S. American actor who rose to fame in John Hughes’s 1990 box office hit, “Home

Alone”, and by that reason he became one of the most famous child actors of the 1990s. Culkin was

born in New York City to Kit Culkin, a former stage actor, and Patricia Brentrup.

In the report of CNN (2004), a 24-year-old Macaulay Culkin was charged with possessing 17.3

grams of marijuana and a controlled substance, 8 Xanax pills and 16 round white pills, identified by the

police as clonazepam, a sedative used to treat anxiety and seizures that can be addictive, without a

prescription after having his car searched by police officers in Oklahoma. Marijuana or also known as

weed, herb, pot, grass, bud, ganja, Mary Jane, and a vast number of other slang terms—is a greenish-

gray mixture of the dried flowers of Cannabis sativa (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2020). Its active

ingredient is delta – a – tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which causes psychoactive effects. Marijuana’s

short-term effects can include altered perceptions, impaired coordination & increased appetite.

Furthermore, long-term used can lead to a memory & attention problems, respiratory issues, and an

increased risk of mental health disorders. On the other hand, according to National Cancer Institute, a

controlled substance is a drug or other substance that is tightly controlled by the government because

it may be abused or cause addiction. Additionally, it is also a medication with a likelihood for physical

and mental dependence (Phan, 2022). Furthermore, it is also alleged that Macaulay is using heroin,

but during his interview in The Guardian, he denied of using it. A heroin is an opioid drug that is

synthesized from morphine it can be injected, snorted or smoked and is highly addictive. Short term

effects can include a feeling of euphoria, slowed breathing and a reduced sense of pain, while long

term use can lead to addiction, infections and damage to the liver and kidneys.

At the very young age, Macaulay Culkin became the bread winner of his family as his income

exceptionally increased. He has been famous longer than he can remember. By that reason, his Father

quit his job to oversee Macaulay’s film alongside his mother. In addition, Macaulay’s whopping a 6

million pounds every movie making his father and manager, Kit, became increasingly controlling as his

son’s popularity grew, soon had a reputation in the industry for being unreasonable and demanding,

reportedly not unlike the situation at home with his family. Culkin’s parents separated in 1995 leading
to an expensive and contentious battle of custody of their children who were minors at that time, as

well as to determine who would manage the children’s acting career. The custody battle ended in 1997

when Kit conceded. By that time, Culkin decided to emancipate his parents from his trust funds because

they both had been trying to gain control of Culkin’s fortune in their divorce. He then got married at the

age of 17, and got separated two years later. Considering these wide and different reasons, it can be

somehow determined why Macaulay Culkin decided to engage to such behavior because these drugs,

is the only way he can treat his anxieties and seizures, and to cope up with the problems he had that

time.

This repetitive and habitual drug intake became an addiction that made him being renowned for

having one of the biggest falls from grace in showbiz. Culkin’s drug addiction has led him to legal

meltdowns and an arrest after soaring to fame at a very young age. In an interview with Esquire, Culkin

admitted that he ‘played with fire’ using drugs but somehow passed his darkest days without checking

into rehabilitation. Furthermore, the arrest made during his drug addiction phase has become a lesson

for him stating that, drugs is like an old friend of his and sometimes you outgrow your friends (Culkin,

2020).
 LITERATURE REVIEW

I. Drug Abuse

People from all social classes take drugs for many reasons—some for pleasure, to treat physical

or emotional pain, for stress or anxiety or because their friends do. However, the pattern of who

develops a drug problem, and at the same time encounters other problems shows a close link between

drug misuse and social exclusion all around the world. An influential study by Parker et al (1986)

undertaken in the Wirral during the 1980s showed the average prevalence of heroin users across the

peninsular was 18.2 per 1,000 among 16-24 year-olds. As the first experience of substance abuse

often starts in adolescence, and studies have shown that drug use is mainly related to cigarette and

alcohol consumption, an initial exploration of substance abuse prevalence, including cigarette and

alcohol, seems to be the first step in preventing and controlling drug consumption (Nahvizadeh et al,

2014). As stated by Tehran (2004), substance abuse is a common phenomenon in the world and has

invaded the human society as the most important social damage Substance abuse is a nonadoptive

model of drug use, which results in adverse problems and consequences, and includes a set of

cognitive, behavioral, and psychological symptoms. The use of illicit psychoactive substances is not a minority

activity amongst young people in the UK. Results from the most recent British Crime Survey show that some 50% of

young people between the ages of 16 and 24 years have used an illicit drug on at least one occasion in their lives

(lifetime prevalence) (Ramsay and Partridge, 1999). The drug problem in the Philippines has primarily been

viewed as an issue of law enforcement and criminality, and the government has focused on

implementing a policy of criminalization and punishment (Simbulan, et al, 2019). According to the

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), there are 1.8 million current drug users in the Philippines, and 4.8

million Filipinos report having used illegal drugs at least once in their lives.
 II. Types of Illegal Drugs and its Effects

There are numerous types of illegal drugs and its effects varies which drug is taken or abused by a

person. Below are some of the common types of illegal drugs;

 Cannabis or Marijuana

According to the 2017 Australian secondary schools' survey, 1 in 12 students (8%) aged 12-17

used cannabis. Cannabis is produced in three main forms; cannabis herb or the marijuana itself,

cannabis resin or the hashish, and cannabis oil or hash oil. The immediate effect of cannabis are

the increased appetite, the feeling of relaxation or drowsiness, loss of coordination, loss of

inhibitions, bloodshot eyes, dryness of the mouth and throat, lethargy or tiredness, greening out or

the feeling of sweatiness, dizziness, nauseous, and vomiting, anxiety and panic attacks, paranoia

and psychosis. While the long term effects are problems with memory and learning, dependency,

decreased motivation and concentration, increased risk of respiratory diseases, paranoia and

psychosis as well.

 Cocaine

In Australia, Cocaine is known as coke, blow, charlie, C, dust, flake, nose candy, snow, white, crack,

rock, freebase. According to the 2017 Australian secondary schools' survey, 1 in 100 students (1%)

aged 12–17 is using cocaine. When snorted or injected, cocaine quickly produces an intense ‘rush’.

Cocaine has also its immediate and long-term effects. In immediate effects, cocaine can cause

enlarged pupils, irregular heartbeat, not feeling hungry, increased energy and confidence, feeling of

euphoria, nausea and vomiting, anxiety and panic attacks, aggressive behavior, headaches and

dizziness, twitches and tremors, insomnia, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, psychosis and

overdose. Its long term effects are dependence, nasal and sinus problems, depression, heart and lung

problems, kidney failure, and increased risk of strokes and seizures.

  Heroin

Heroin is one of a group of drugs known as opiates. They are natural products of the opium poppy

and also include opium, morphine, and codeine. Heroin produces a ‘rush’ within seconds of injecting

or smoking it. If snorted, it takes about 5 minutes to feel the effects. The effects of heroin can last for

approximately 3–5 hours. Its immediate effects are small pupils, drowsiness or sedation, pain relief,

feeling of euphoria, feelings of detachment, nausea and vomiting, overdose, or worse—coma. Heroin

also has its long-term effects which are dependence, dental problems, constipation, if injected there is

an increased risk of infections like Hepatitis C and HIV, infertility, social problems, and financial issues.

 Ecstasy

"Party Drugs" is a term used to describe a range of illegal drugs sold as tablets (“pills”) or capsules

(“caps”). Ecstasy is the common name for a drug called MDMA, which is usually sold as a pill or

capsule, although it can also come in powder or crystal form. According to the 2017 Australian

Secondary Schools' Survey, 1 in 50 students (2%) aged 12-17 used MDMA/ecstasy. Ecstasy’s

immediate effects are enlarged pupils, increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased energy,

feeling of euphoria, teeth grinding and jaw clenching, anxiety and panic attacks, overheating and

dehydration, nausea, vomiting and dizziness, visual distortion, paranoia, psychosis, serotonin

syndrome, and stroke. On the other hand, the long-term effects are dependence, long-term problems

with depression, liver problems, and impairment to memory and attentions.

III. Causes of Drug Abuse

Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and

behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. This addiction

can start with experimental use of recreational drugs in social situations, and for some, drug use

became a habit. The risk of addiction and how fast you become addicted varies by drug. Some drugs,

such as opioid painkillers, have a higher risk and cause addiction more quickly than others. There are

multiple factors why people engaged to illegal drugs usage.

  Genetics

Genetics determine about 50 percent of your drug and alcohol addiction risk, according to the

National Institutes of Health (NIH). The body and brain react to a particular drug is in part determined

by the inherited traits, those encoded by genes. Those traits can speed up or slow down the way the

disease of addiction develops.

 Environment

Environment also plays an important part in developing an addiction, because environment

influences behavior. There are several environmental factors which may contribute to drug addiction

such as; absence of social support, use of drugs among peers, socioeconomic status, stress and ability

to cope with it, parental and familial involvement, history of abuse or neglect, or history of compulsive

behavior.

 Mental Health Problems

If a person suffer from a mental health problem, whether or not it has been diagnosed, and

whether or not they take medication for it, you are at higher risk for addiction. Mental health problems

include anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), depression, bipolar personality

disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), to name a few.

 Use of drugs that are highly addictive.

Drugs such as cocaine, stimulants, or opioids, can cause addiction more readily than other

substances. Injecting or smoking drugs can also increase your risk of addiction.

IV. Consequences of Drug Abuse

Every action of a person will always have its consequences. People who persistently abuse

substances often experience an array of problems, including academic difficulties, health-related

problems (including mental health), poor peer relationships, and involvement with the juvenile

justice system. Additionally, there are consequences for family members, the community, and

the entire society.

  Academics

Hawkins, Catalano, and Miller (1992) cite research indicating that a low level of commitment to

education and higher truancy rates appear to be related to substance use among adolescents. The

person will have declining grades, absenteeism from school and other activities, and increased

potential for dropping out of school.

 Physical Health

Injuries due to accidents (such as car accidents), physical disabilities and diseases, and the

effects of possible overdoses are among the health-related consequences of teenage substance

abuse. The Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN) study -- in a representative sample of hospitals

throughout the United States -- reports trends in people seeking emergency department treatment

related to illegal drug use or nonmedical use of legal drugs.

 Mental Health

Mental health problems such as depression, developmental lags, apathy, withdrawal, and other

psychosocial dysfunctions frequently are linked to substance abuse among adolescents. Substance-

abusing youth are at higher risk than nonusers for mental health problems, including depression,

conduct problems, personality disorders, suicidal thoughts, attempted suicide, and suicide. Marijuana

use, which is prevalent among youth, has been shown to interfere with short-term memory, learning,

and psychomotor skills. Motivation and psychosexual/emotional development also may be influenced

(Bureau of Justice Statistics, 1992).

 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

Drug abuse has been prevalent and common to people of any age, sex, race, or social status

across the globe. The usage of different types of illegal drugs has its own immediate and long-term

effects. However, being different from each other, these drugs can still cause some serious health

problems—mentally and emotionally. The habitual and repetitive taking of substances can lead to

addiction. People who are suffering mentally and emotionally, or those people who lack emotional and

social support are more vulnerable to engage to such behavior.

A person taking an illegal substance has a high possibility to suffer in the long run, they can be

arrested or worse—they can even die. It is essential for everyone to know the different kind of drugs

and its effects to be able to lessen the increasing number of drug abuse and for the betterment of the

society and the lives of the people engaging to such activities. In addition, it is important for people who

already committed such activity to undergo rehabilitation to avoid having lapses.

This paper shows the importance of being knowledgeable about illegal substances, its effects

and the consequences it has. Drug addiction can happen to anyone—even to celebrities who are

already rich and famous, and already built a name and reputation for themselves. It is necessary for

us to check on our family, peers or to anyone we know who is silently suffering to prevent them from

engaging to such illegal activities and to save their lives from being ruined.
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