Drug Abuse and Social Work

Drug Abuse and Social Work There are many reasons why people use drugs. Drugs have been use throughout the nations in the 1960. In 2003 roughly about 9% of the total U.S. population ages 12 and higher deal with substance abuse. Advancement in technology, changes within a society, money; low income are some reasons why people use drugs. Drugs were known for the cure to all life problems. Marijuana and Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) are known drugs used by young Americans worldwide. Peer pressure and advertising are known facts why people use drugs. Today, drugs are being used because individuals do not want to feel left out by their friends or from people their age groups. In addition, there has been an increase of divorces which has been known for another reason why people use drugs to cope from real life problems. Cocaine and steroids have been used by many musicians and athletes. Steroids and Cocaine have been used by many teens, actors and athletes. Athletes and musicians used these drugs to better them at what they do. Many youths look up to athletes and musicians as role model; youth’s continue to use drugs because athletes do. Former Lady Nancy Reagan, Former Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush created programs preventing youths to use drugs. These programs did end up preventing some students.44% decreased in 1990: 23 million people who used drugs drop down to 12.9 million. However 5 years later, there was an increase use of ecstasy, marijuana, steroids, and heroin. Drugs that did remain a low profile were LSD, crystal meth, Rohypnol and inhalants. Drugs changes the way one thinks behavior, emotional responses and affecting the nervous system.
Drugs that are continuously taken over and over again can cause on to be addicted. There are more than 7 million youths and adults that misuse drugs and become addicted.
Misusing drugs can lead to having health problems in the short or long term and destroy your personal and professional relationships.Drugs that are most likely to misuse are narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, marijuana, inhalants and steroids. Narcotics are illegal drugs. Vicodin, Dilaudid, Percodan, Methadone, Demerol, Darvon, Talwin, Cocaine and Marijuana are known as Narcotics. The effect of these drugs cause one to feel highly blissful; therefore, it is used nonmedically for personal enjoyment. These drugs can also calm a person down. If these drugs are misused, it can cause addiction and may have one think they cannot perform without these drugs. Stimulants such as Cocaine, Ephedrine, Amphetamines, Methylphenidate, MDMA and Modafinil are drugs that make you fully aware and have knowledge. These drugs are involved with increase in heart rate, blood pressure, respiration, alertness, and motor activities. These drugs are also used for nonmedically personal enjoyment because it causes one to feel overjoyed. The effects can cause loss of appetite and boosts up your energy. Nicotine is an ingredient in tobacco that individuals misused. Tobacco causes blood pressure to go up as well as the heart to beat faster. Cardiovascular problems, difficultly breathing, coughing are all cause by the tar in the smoke. Smoking causes lung cancer, bronchitis, heart disease, heart attacks, vascular stenosis and birth defects Depressants are a substance factor that reduces the purpose or activity of a certain part of the body.Depressants is known to comfort someone.

These drugs are misused normally during alcohol, anti anxiety drugs, sleep medications, non barbiturates, narcotics, anesthetics and over the counter sleep medications. When one intake a high amount of depressants pills they will be drowsy and have a speech difficulties.
Low dosage of depressants pills will cause someone to become less anxious, muscle relaxation and it will reduce your anxiety. High dosage can also lead to death. Alcohol is commonly known for depressant. Drinking a lot of alcohol can cause liver damage, heart disease, memory impairment, cancer in mouth, brain damage, cirrhosis, nerve damage, and memory loss. Drinking during pregnancy puts your baby at high risks. Children may become mentally retardation and abnormal. Women should not drink during pregnancy; women can cause the baby to die. Hallucinogens are ideas that have no purpose in reality; however it seems completely realistic. Hallucinogens were known to cause awareness in a person’s thoughts and impulses. LSD, DET, Phencyclidine, Cannabis, Mescaline, Psilocybin, Peyote and PCP are examples of hallucinogens drugs. The effects can cause flashbacks which one can hurt someone and others, breathing problems, coughs, causes one to see things or hear things that are not there, causes one to be depress and vomiting. Marijuana is a drug that comes from a plant that triggers the brain functions and cause one to act different. This drug is highly famous worldwide fro 5000 years now. Marijuana is dried up leaves and flowers that when someone smokes it affects their moods and thoughts. Depending how much someone smokes, one can be involved with sedative, stimulant effect. Being that marijuana effects ones mood and thoughts, it also affects one’s reaction time and their power to handle machines which it causes a delay in time. THC is an ingredient that traps itself in the fat located in the body for one to three months. Marijuana causes low sperm count, lung disease, lung functions, and delay in learning, weakens the immune system and causes heart problems and functions. Inhalants explosive substances in which its chemical fumes are inhaled in individuals where it causes mind-altering effects. Aerosols in most sprays, gasoline, glue, paint remover, nail polish remover, white out, permanent marker, etc, are examples of inhalants. Nitrites and nitrous oxide are also known as inhalants. When one inhales these goods, it can cause a delay in speech, dizziness and one can become extremely happy or hyper. If someone inhales a high amount, their heartbeat beats harder and faster which may lead to death. Steroids are a group of steroids hormones that relate to the hormones testosterone. These drugs are mainly used by athletes, musicians, and actors. However, some steroids are for medical use only. Steroids that are made for animals are used by people who are willingly to use them. The effects to steroids are low sperm count, acne, larger breast for males, increase in blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, liver damage and baldness can occurs at an early age. For female’s voices changes, hair on their body grows more rapidly. Both male and female anger problems, mood swings, and heart disease can occur. Over 20 million people use marijuana and drink alcohol. Each year the number of people that use marijuana increases. Two-thirds of youth’s who misused drugs causes them to live an early life.
Sixty-nine percent of new born are born with an illness due to their mother’s drinking history. People who use drugs only lower their health and develop problems within their families. Many drug users have lost their jobs and committed crimes. Alcohol causes more death than drugs. Since 1940, 600 new drugs have developed. When one experiences one type of drug, they are more likely to experience more drugs in their lifetime. The Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous drugs was created to manage the unauthorized use of narcotics and any other drugs. The Congress passed a bill distributing $9.4 billion to help with all the drug abuse throughout the world. There was an increase to help prevent drug abuse. Services are available at schools, social services, and health organizations to help youths from using drugs. When a social worker deals with drug programs, programs can be put into three groups: 1) to head off abuse before it begins, 2) to treat the victims and their families, 3) to alleviate social conditions that breed abuse. Social workers in schools must help prevent students from using drugs. They can talk to students about drugs. They can start programs in elementary schools. In high schools many students like to try new things. To prevent most students from using drugs, most schools can have students attend community services and they can provide students with work during holidays and weekends. Students that are more likely to try drugs are those that are experiencing personal and families issues. Students in colleges are alos more likely to use drugs because to their friends. Because of drugs students will be involved with more sexual behavior and criminal crimes. Treatments are government to drug users at community centers. Admitting you have a problem is the first to recover from your addiction.
Social and Psychiatric services include medical treatments. All types of therapy are available. Some treatments work for some drugs users and some don’t depending what drug you take. Emergency rooms are available for toxic drug users. Many ex-addicts play a role as counselors to share their experiences and help drug users. Alcohol treatments are available at Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings. There are also rehabilitation centers which are expensive. Peer pressure groups, in schools are other ways of preventing teens from using drugs. If a family member or friend wants to help out a loved one who uses drugs, they can convince them to join a support group or seek help. Many researches are being conducted to better help drug users become better. Many models, treatment and medical factors are being tested to see if things are accurate. Parents that children look up to should be positive role models by checking in on their children from time to time to make sure they are ok. Parents should explain to their children why they should not use drugs. Children who parents show more love and affection are less likely to use drugs. Today, social workers deal with a lot of drugs abusers cases. Social workers must understand both the drug user and his or her families’ situation, and the way they feel to better help the drug user. Many social workers work with drug users in hospitals, metal facilities, courts, schools, therapy centers and private practices. The biggest problem fro social workers are to replace drugs with other substances. Dealing with pre addictive adolescents can be hard for social workers. Social workers must make sure the whole family is involved as well. They have to place strong rules and make sure they are followed.
Both parents and children will realize one cares for another and start to improve. When a social worker deals with Alcoholics, they can only provide them to therapy such as Alcoholic Anonymous (AA) meetings and Salvation Army programs. Not all do succeed and get better but social workers must know their parents. Many problems can occur therefore the whole family has to help and a step in and support their drug user relative. Overall, drugs are being used around the world. Narcotics, Stimulants, Depressants, Hallucinogens, Marijuana, Inhalants, and Steroids are drugs that individuals do get addicted. There are many programs that prevent youths to use drugs. They are more likely to do drugs because of peer pressure. There are tests and experiments being done to better drug users. Not one place can better a drug user; therefore a society has to be apart in changing the individual. Many schools activities are being held after school to help students. They can attend these activities instead of doing drugs.

Bibliography

http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/html/Recovering_from_drug_misuse.html

Boyle, Scott W. Farley, William O. Smith, Larry Lorenzo. Introduction to Social Work. United States of America, Pearson Education, Inc

Jayshree, Jani; Hall, Diane; Mollette, Angela; Rena, Bina; Smith-Osborne; Alexa, Sowbel; Yum, Joohee. “Substance abuse training and perceived knowledge: predictors of perceived preparedness to work in substance abuse.” Journal of Social Work Education 22, February, 2008

Associated Press. “SUBSTANCE ABUSE SEEN INTENSIFYING AT COLLEGES.” Roanoke Times & World News. 15, March, 2007.