when did substance abuse become a problem

Substance abuse has been a problem for centuries, with records of alcohol abuse and opium addiction dating back to ancient times. However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that substance abuse began to be recognized as a significant public health issue. The development of psychoactive drugs and the increased availability of alcohol during the 1900s led to a rise in substance abuse, particularly in the United States. In the 1960s and 1970s, substance abuse gained greater attention as a social problem, leading to the establishment of substance abuse treatment programs and increased research on the causes and effects of substance abuse.