...What is substance abuse Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome a cluster of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state . What happens to the brain during addiction? The first time an individual takes drugs is usually a voluntary decision. With continued...
Words: 2024 - Pages: 9
...Substance Abuse and Addiction Position Paper For many years, individuals have battled substance abuse and addiction. My position comes from hearing about it, seeing results from it, reading about it, and developing my own thoughts of it. Substance abuse and addiction is a problem within the individual and how string their mind-frame is. Substance abuse and addiction Addiction is a complex disorder characterized by compulsive drug use. ( Robinson, Smith, and Saisan, 2014) Most people or first time users will just use the drug to experiment with it, for reasons of curiosity, peer pressure, depression or anxiety. A person may become addicted because the power of the drug take over their minds and they feel the need to cannot go on without having the drugs. Some people believe that addiction is a brain disease. More than three decades of research supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has proven that addiction is a complex brain disease characterized by compulsive, at time uncontrollable, drug craving, seeking, and use that persist despite potentially devastating consequences. (Volkow) I do not think addiction is a brain disease, it is thought or feeling that is formed for the need of wanting a drug all the time. Who’s prone to becoming addicted? I think weak individuals are prone to becoming addicted to drugs. If a person is going through something and they try drugs, it may make them feel better, so every time that person is down and out, they will turn...
Words: 478 - Pages: 2
...Substance 1 Final: Substance Abuse Frank T. DiBona HCA250 May 12, 2012 2 Substance abuse is a disease that does not discriminate, no matter what race or gender, it can affect anyone, anywhere, at any given time, and children as well as adults can fall prey to this type of addiction. According to Robinson, Saisan, and Smith (2012), “Some people are able to use recreational or prescription drugs without ever experiencing negative consequences or addiction.” (para. 1). I have known people that were addicted to drugs, whether street drugs or prescribed, and I have seen the what they were like when they were clean, as well as when they were high, and I have heard the horror stories that were associated with their addiction. Being addicted can tear apart a family, make a person do things that they would not normally do, and sometimes their addiction would cause problems even when they were clean; people looking for money that was borrowed or stolen, as well as drugs. Families have gone broke, college savings gone, jewelry from a family member taken to get their next fix, household items pawned for a few dollars to buy a bag of heroine that would only last one day, if that, cars repossessed because the money that should have gone to making the payment was used to buy cocaine, and marriages broken...
Words: 1827 - Pages: 8
...DEPENDENCY PAPER Chemical Dependency Paper Linda D. Miles University of Phoenix Child Therapy MFFC/536 Robert Skaff October 01, 2008 Chemical Dependency Paper Chemical Dependency Paper This paper will discuss Chemical Dependency or Substance Dependency and Substance Abuse in Adolescents; specifically the development, progression and biopsychosocial of dependency and abuse in the adolescent population. The definition of epidemiology and diagnosis will be addressed. Lastly three treatment options including the range of severity will be provided. There is difference between substance abuse and substance dependence. The distinction between the two is characterized by the role they play in a person’s life. Substance dependence is defined in terms of physiological and behavioral symptoms of substance abuse, and substance abuse in terms of social interaction and consequences. (Wikipedia, 2008) Substance abuse refers to the repeated and excessive use of drugs that are illegal or harmful to the individual and causes significant adverse consequences. Symptoms in adolescents who are abusing and using substances include: “failure to meet family or school obligations, interpersonal conflicts, legal problems. Other adverse consequences include accidents or injuries, blackouts and risky sexual behavior.” (Wikipedia, 2008) Substance dependence is when the frequent and repetitive use of drugs becomes habitual and a physical dependence occurs. Substance dependence...
Words: 2244 - Pages: 9
...of Care Paper December 15, 2014 Donna Rose Nur/531 Emerging Standards of Care Paper A growing problem in the United States is the increase in health disparities amongst minorities regardless that the United States is a multicultural country. This problem is due to the poor quality and accessibility of health care services. As the population of diversity continues to grow rapidly so does the importance of cultural competence in healthcare. Cultural competence is a set of behaviors, attitudes, and skills that enables nurses to work effectively in cross-cultural situations ("Cultural Competence", 2014). Organizations must have the capacity to value diversity, conduct self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, institutionalize cultural knowledge and adapt to the diversity and the cultural context of the communities they serve. The Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) stated that inequities in service delivery and care in the health care system are associated with discrimination, and a lack of culturally competent practices, including a lack of cultural awareness and sensitivity by health care providers (Upsher, n.d). Substance abuse is defined as a chronic, relapsing brain disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences ("The Science Of Drug Abuse And Addiction: The Basics", 2014). This paper will discuss and define the appropriateness of competent care in Substance abuse care and...
Words: 2376 - Pages: 10
...Human Services in Action Unit 9 Assignment: Video Option Professor Dr. Bradley Jearldwan Williams HN115-01 February 10, 2015 1. Describe Jim’s self-concept Jim’s self-concept is that he is just an average student in college and that he was not naturally smart like his Dad. Jim also felt that no matter how hard he studies he will never be that A student like his parents want. 2. Explain, using examples from the video and course concepts, how Jim’s self-concept impacted his interaction with his father. Was it positive or negative? Jim believes that Substance abuse is the use drugs which can be for recreational use or it can be an addiction. The substance abuse can be with alcohol, prescription drugs or it can be with illegal drugs. Many people use substance abuse for relief of stress, pain, depression and anxiety. A social worker can be very beneficial option for a person with a substance abuse problem because they have many resources. The social worker assigned to the case gets counseling/therapy for the abuser and family members. A treatment plan is made which usually involves a drug rehabilitation program and 24-hour crisis intervention. The social worker also provides transportation and referrals for assisted living housing. The goal of the social worker is to get the patient a fully functional citizen without the use of drugs. Reasons for child and families needing a social worker are needing a stable home environment, financial support, child welfare...
Words: 871 - Pages: 4
...within Addiction Counseling Jennifer Spivey Liberty University Abstract Addiction counselors have many ethical and legal considerations in when providing services to substance abusers. There are ethical principles that including justice, autonomy, nonmaleficence, beneficence, and fidelity. Along with these principles there are federal and state regulations when providing services. As an addiction counselor there should be ethical guidelines to follow with informed consent, compensation, confidentiality, and collection and protection of data. Furthermore, addiction counselors must avoid coercion, provide alternative treatment options, protect vulnerable clients, and select representative participants for addictions research. The ultimate goal of addictions counseling is to benefit the clients and society as a whole. Keywords: ethical, principles, addiction, counselor Introduction There are many counselors that are faced with ethical issues on a regular basis. These issues are intensified for an addiction counselor. There are a number of reasons for ethical issues for addiction counselors. One is that there is a high correlation between addiction and criminal activity. There is also the concern that ethical issues such as informed consent can be complicated by problems arising out of substance abuse. The counselor’s ability to cope with these and other issues is dependent, to a large degree, on their ability to weigh up the inherent risks and benefits of a multiplicity...
Words: 2854 - Pages: 12
...[Type the company name] | Special Populations Paper | | | | Special Populations Paper In the field of human services, there are numerous special populations from which case managers may find themselves working with. A client may range from a young child all the way up to an elderly adult and they may present problems such as behavior problems at home or school, developmental challenges and handicaps, and/or chemical dependency/substance abuse problems. The important thing for anybody put into the position of caseworker to remember is, we are advocating and working on the behalf of this particular client; it is paramount that you do not give anything less than your very best when working for them because in some cases, you are the only voice they have that anyone else really acknowledges or hears. In reviewing various populations in the behavioral health area of the Dorland Health Case Management Resource Guide, I was most drawn to two separate and respective populations; one being individuals who experience and are living with mental health issues and the second being those individuals suffering from substance abuse issues. After giving the two some careful thought and consideration, I selected the special population of substance abuse. The population of substance abuse was selected because it was the one that I had the most interest in and also because I have more knowledge and experience as it pertains to this topic than I do with mental health...
Words: 1322 - Pages: 6
...Abstract Drug abuse is a growing problem in the world today. Past studies have been conducted in efforts to recognize similar patterns in addicts’ lives that may have contributed to their behavior. The emerging results from this research suggested that it was due to several maltreatments occurring during the addicted individual’s adolescent years that were behind their early drug use. It is during the critical years of adolescence, when the brains of young adults are still developing, that the youth of today are most susceptible to a number of issues that can lead towards drug addiction, such as problems at home, abuse, and peer-pressure. Exploring these adversities will help shed some light on why adolescents make the decision to use drugs. This paper will address what influences drug use and how this knowledge can help treat addiction. Issues surrounding why addicts began drug use and how this information could be beneficial in treating substance abuse in the future will be explored. . Understanding Early Drug Use and Its Implications on Future Drug Abuse Treatment Addiction has been defined as a “misguided attempt at self-repair” (du Plessis, 2012 para. 53). But who is in danger of becoming addicted or may be feeling the need of some “self-repairing? During a 2013 testing of the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale (SURPS), a tool to assess certain personalities found often in substance abusers, it was found that adolescents were at high-risk for substance abuse (Castellanos-Ryan...
Words: 2725 - Pages: 11
...Running head: DRUG PROFILE PAPER Drug Profile Paper Sherita Brown Axia College of UOP Drug Profile Paper In this paper I will examine abused substances and their various effects; I will also explain the psychology and Physiology of drug addiction. Addiction begins as a high, as an illusion of being in control, but it eventually turns on the individual. The results are pathological relationships to a mood altering experience that brings negative, life destructive consequences. People become addicted to drugs due to a combination of factors. For example, genetic factors: some people may inherit a vulnerability to the addictive properties of drugs, meaning that the risk of substance use disorders is higher for individuals who have close relatives with substance abuse disorders (www.drugpolicy.org). The environment is another factor, for example, the home; neighborhood or community where people live has an influence on whether or not an individual develops a substance abuse problem. Additionally, research shows that more than half of people with substance problems also have mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. We can become addicted to anything that alters the consciousness and alters the mood. Psychological characteristics of an addict are more impulsive and more lacking in impulse control, they are inclined to act in accordance with their mood of the moment and tend not to plan for the future. The most common illegal stimulant is cocaine and...
Words: 1220 - Pages: 5
... Abstract Contingency management in medicine is a treatment plan that gives immediate rewards for desired changes in behavior. It is based on the principle that if a good behavior is rewarded, it is more likely to be repeated. This is often used in the treatment of drug and alcohol abuse, and is being studied as a smoking cessation method. Marijuana is the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States, with approximately 5.5 million regular weekly users and high prevalence among young adults. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in marijuana use as well as in rates of marijuana use disorders among adults in the 18- to 29-year old age range, most markedly among members of ethnic groups. This paper will define contingency management and how it is implemented by a competent and trained human service worker. By using contingency management the effective treatment of marijuana abuse and the ability to abstain will be investigated. Introduction Contingency management in medicine is a treatment plan that gives immediate rewards for desired changes in behavior. It is based on the principle that if a good behavior is rewarded, it is more likely to be repeated. This paper will define contingency management and how it is implemented by a...
Words: 3003 - Pages: 13
...research, and conclusions on the effectiveness of substance abuse treatment programs are numerous. However, there does not appear to be a single answer or even a manageable set of solutions for how to effectively and efficiently treat those suffering the ill effects of substance abuse. This paper aims to make the case that the most effective way to deal with this problem is to attack it at the source, by trying to eliminate, or at the very least disrupt, the supply of illicit drugs available for purchase and consumption. The attempt to make this case is done by pointing out the mixed results of previous substance abuse treatment programs and by using systems theory to explain why the complexity of treatment options makes it difficult to accurately evaluate such programs. The Economic Impact on Substance Abuse The effect of substance abuse on the United States economy is astronomical. Consider that in 2004, almost a tenth of the nation’s population ages 12 and older were classified with substance abuse or dependence disorders (Morgan & Crane, 2010). The issue is so complex, in fact, it is nearly impossible to put an accurate price tag on the impact. If one focuses solely on the economic impact of this epidemic, one would have to calculate numerous costs. People who abuse and are addicted to illicit drugs spend hundreds and thousands of dollars to feed their habit, which is money that could be spent in more productive ways. Substance abusers often steal to fund their habit, which...
Words: 2958 - Pages: 12
...Comparison of Assessment Tools Julia Ray Capella University Abstract Julia selected substance abuse assessment tools for this report. She will be comparing two of the eight substance abuse assessment tools used in the mental health counseling field, the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory - Adolescent Version and the Adolescent Drinking Index. The comparison will compare the tools based on key test measurement concepts of reliability and validity. There will be a description of the results interpreted concerning both test based on standard statistical methods and procedures including scales of measurement, measures of central tendency, indices of variability, shapes and types of distributions, and correlations as they apply to each assessment tool. Finally, there will be a discussion on which assessment tool is the stronger assessment instrument using measurement concepts based upon the literature gathered. Comparison of Assessment Tools Substance abuse assessment tests are an important tool in the counseling field since many psychological issues occur as the result of drugs and or alcohol. Drugs and alcohol are often used by the client to self-medicate which in turn compounds their psychological issues. Substance abuse assessments can be subjective or objective, meaning they may or may not result in a standardized score. Drug and alcohol addiction is a touchy subject for most; therefore, it is beneficial to build a rapport with the client prior to testing to ensure...
Words: 1923 - Pages: 8
...purpose of this research paper is to inform the reader about the fraud and abuse of controlled substances being committed by physicians and pharmacies. Academic sources are the main reference point in this paper and they are used to give insight of the various ways that this crime can be committed. In addition, participant-observation research is included from the DEA diversion group who regulates controlled substance fraud. Lastly, this paper explains how this crime affects America and what is being done by the government to manage this problem. White Collar Crime: Abuse of Controlled Substances The abuse of controlled substances is so underrated in our community that a lot of people do not realize how they are being affected by it. I chose to write this topic because I am doing an internship with the Drug Enforcement Administration and I got a first hand look at the magnitude of this problem. This issue is important because we as citizens are all being affected by this issue and most people don’t realize it because it is not in the media as much as street drugs. After reading this paper, the reader will have more insight on what controlled substances are, the type of fraud that is being committed involving controlled substances, and the consequences of committing these fraudulent acts. Literature Review What is A Controlled Substance? Controlled substances are any drug or substance that can be placed into...
Words: 6804 - Pages: 28
...Workplace Evaluation Paper To Buy This material Click below link http://www.uoptutors.com/PSY-425/PSY-425-Week-3-Learning-Team-Drug-Free-Workplace-Evaluation-Paper Read the following scenario: o The Jackdaw Company manufactures designer label clothing in several locations throughout New York and New Jersey. Over the last six years the company has grown from a handful of dedicated employees to just under 100 which include production managers, sewers, administrative assistants, and delivery truck drivers. The CEO and HR department is considering instituting a companywide drug-free workplace policy along with pre-employment drug testing for new hires. Some at the Jackdaw Company are not fully convinced that such a policy is necessary and are concerned about the costs associated with implementing a new program. Your team of consultants has been contacted to write the company’s policy. Your team will also provide training to employees if The Jackdaw Company decides to adopt your policy. • Your assignment is to prepare a 2,000 – 2,500 word report for The Jackdaw Company that emphasizes the importance of a drug-free workplace and the possible cost saving benefits to the company. When suggesting policies to help promote a drug-free workplace, include the following: o Key benefits associated with a drug-free workplace. o The prevalence of illicit and prescription drug users in the United States workforce. o The possible effects of drug abuse on absenteeism, accidents...
Words: 390 - Pages: 2