How Substance Abuse Contributes to Human Trafficking
Human trafficking and substance abuse are linked in many ways. Many victims struggle with substance abuse, which makes them vulnerable to trafficking in the first place, and can make a recovery from their experiences more challenging. Human trafficking affects millions of people worldwide, and victims frequently suffer from significant substance use disorders (SUDs) besides being exploited for forced labor or prostitution. Healthcare providers must identify these issues and help victims regain their lives after escaping the abusive cycle.
This article will let you learn the relationship between human trafficking and substance abuse, including substance use disorder, how substance abuse can contribute to human trafficking, and how healthcare workers can help people with SUDs.
What’s In The Article?
An Overview Of Human Trafficking
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Human Trafficking And Substance Abuse
How Substance Abuse Contributes to Human Trafficking
The Prevalence Of Substance Abuse In Human Trafficking
Substance Use And Trauma
Helping People With Substance Use Disorders
Final Thoughts
An Overview Of Human Trafficking
Forced labor occurs when people are forced to work against their will and face violence or punishment if they refuse. They may be coerced into working by lying about working conditions and pay. Traffickers may also use deception, violence, or intimidation to force them into prostitution.
Sexual exploitation is forcing someone to engage in sexual activities such as prostitution by threatening them with harm or kidnapping their family members. It also includes child pornography, in which children are sexually abused for financial gain.
Organ harvesting is the illegal removal of organs from people against their will to sell them on the black market.
Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
Substance use disorder is a chronic, potentially fatal disease. Addiction affects the brain, causing structural and functional changes. These changes can affect a person's judgment, decision-making, and behavior. They may be permanent, or they may return after you stop using drugs or alcohol for a while. As a result of these brain changes, people with an addiction tend to need more of their drug or alcohol to feel good. This condition means that victims become dependent on the substance. If they stop using it, they will experience withdrawal symptoms such as nausea and excessive sweating.
Human Trafficking And Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is defined as the excessive use of a substance, such as alcohol or drugs, to the point of causing physical, mental, or emotional harm. It is widespread in society, with more than 19 million Americans suffering from addiction or substance dependence in 2017.
Human trafficking and substance abuse are related. Victims are frequently forced to use drugs or alcohol as part of their exploitation, making it difficult to escape. Traffickers can use them to control their victims. They may also force their victims into prostitution to earn money to buy more drugs. Many human trafficking victims were first exposed to drugs to manipulate them into doing what their traffickers desired.
Drug use can be a coping mechanism for survivors who may have been coerced into using drugs by their traffickers. Furthermore, victims frequently develop drug addictions even after being rescued due to the trauma they endured while imprisoned. Once you understand how human trafficking and substance abuse are linked and what factors contribute to them occurring at such high rates, it will be easier to recognize the signs of both problems and assist those in need, whether they are suffering from substance abuse or being trafficked by someone else's addiction.
How Substance Abuse Contributes to Human Trafficking
Drug use is a risk factor for human trafficking. It can make people vulnerable to traffickers who exploit their addictions by promising drugs in exchange for sex work or other labor. Because of their dependence on drugs or alcohol, victims find it more difficult to access help or services.
When someone is addicted to drugs or alcohol, they may be unable to recognize the warning signs of trafficking and may be unaware of how to protect themselves from traffickers.
Drugs may occasionally be sold as part of a scheme or used as payment for services, such as prostitution. This means that even if you don't want to be involved in the actual trafficking process, you could still become involved with perpetrators who use drugs in their personal or professional life.
People who suffer from drug addiction are easy prey for traffickers because they are frequently in need of money and are willing to do anything for it, including transporting stolen goods across state lines or smuggling people across borders in exchange for quick cash.
The Prevalence Of Substance Abuse In Human Trafficking
Nearly 50 percent of victims of human trafficking have a co-occurring SUD. As many traffickers take advantage of their victims' addictions to force them into prostitution or forced labor, SUD is very common among victims and survivors.
To keep victims obedient to their demands, traffickers frequently force them to use drugs. These drugs could be marijuana, methamphetamine, or cocaine, which are commonly referred to as "date rape" drugs since they can make users incapable of resisting sexual advances from clients who pay for sex acts.
Substance Use And Trauma
Trauma and substance abuse are intertwined in a cycle of abuse. Substance abuse can result from trauma, and trauma can result from substance abuse. It is a common coping mechanism or means of escape for those who have experienced trauma.
For instance, if you were sexually abused as a child, it's common for you to turn to alcohol or drugs in your teen years or the first few years of your 20s. Similarly, those who have experienced sexual assault may find themselves turning to drugs and alcohol to resist their emotions.
Helping People With Substance Use Disorder
The good news is that drug abuse treatment can benefit victims in various ways. It can help them overcome the trauma that leads to self-destructive behavior, it can help them quit drugs and alcohol, and it may even lower their risk of being trafficked through alternative sources of income.
The best drug abuse treatments are those that simultaneously treat the addiction and the underlying mental health conditions. It has been demonstrated that these holistic strategies are more successful than individual or group counseling. However, since they aren't always accessible everywhere, finding these kinds of specialized programs can be challenging.
Treatment For Co-Occurring Disorders
Co-occurring disorders can be effectively treated, but finding the right care is frequently difficult. The most in-need communities may not always have access to treatment since it can be expensive. People who have been arrested for crimes related to substance abuse may not receive adequate care until after they are released since it is frequently unavailable in prisons.
Social service providers and other community organizations can offer some services to those with mental health and substance abuse issues. However, most public health systems rely on community providers, like social workers, rather than providing all their services directly through their offices.
It's difficult to treat both co-occurring disorders and human trafficking. Remember that treating one requires treating the other as well. If you're working with someone who is a victim of human trafficking and substance abuse, there are ways you can do to help them recover from both conditions.
The first step is acknowledging that they may have an addiction or have been involved in sex work due to circumstances rather than choice or willpower. This will make them feel more at ease sharing their story with you, allowing healthcare professionals to find solutions for their situation as a team working with different areas of expertise.
Final Thoughts
There is a strong connection between human trafficking and substance abuse. This relationship can be seen in both trafficking victims and those at risk of becoming victims. Healthcare providers who work with survivors must be aware of this link to understand better how to treat their patients' needs and provide support services to help them recover from this traumatic experience.
Substance abuse is a major factor in human trafficking. Addiction increases a person's risk of being trafficked and can contribute to their continued exploitation after escaping from their trafficker. Healthcare is in a crucial position in