...Substance Abuse: A Public Health Problem Description, Effects, and Sociological Theory Substance abuse and addiction is a major public health problem that has a grave impact upon multiple levels of our society. Every community and every family is either directly or indirectly affected by substance abuse and addiction. This essay takes a look at this massive social problem and the extent to which it affects our country and its citizens and will also explore different causes of addiction. A. Description Addiction can affect a person of any age group, though most analysts gather data on the population of those age 12 and over. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), describes substance abuse as an abnormal pattern of substance use that leads to clinical impairment or distress that manifests itself with the following within a 12 month period: 1. Repeated substance use that results in a failure to meet obligations at work, school, or responsibilities at home. 2. Repeated use of a substance even during situations proven to be physically dangerous. 3. Continual legal problems related to the use of a substance. 4. Sustained use despite social or personal problems caused by a substance use. (American Psychiatric Association, 2000) We see two aspects that must be present in order for a behavior to be considered addictive. First, the behavior must be counter-productive to the individual. It will actually inhibit...
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...How likely is someone going to get addicted to a substance? Around the world there are those who consume addictive substances because of peer pressure, enjoyment, or relaxation. Whatever the reason, there is a call for concern when harmless recreation becomes dangerous abuse. There are many causes for substance abuse disorders but what is crucial to determine is what the root cause is. What is the initiating cause of a casual chain of events that leads to a certain outcome? In other words, what is the very first thing that inhibits the substance abuse to develop? Substance abuse can be defined as the condition in which one or more substances leads to a clinically significant impairment or distress. However, who’s to say that that kind of distress...
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...GLT Task 2 Substance abuse is defined as “a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood altering purposes” (Medline encyclopedia, 2014). This includes over the counter and prescription medications. Substance abuse leads to many problems from homelessness, jail, and even death. Many people abuse substances because they have some kind of stress in their life and see drugs as a symbol for a way out (More, 2008). I will be discussing how prescription drugs have an effect on the United States economy and how social theory relates to substance abuse dependency (More, 2008). Prescription drug abuse is one of many social problems in the United States. This problem is becoming an epidemic. In most instances, people are using controlled substance that were not prescribed to them or uses a legitimate prescription that does not match the label instructions (Davis, 2011). People think that since it was prescribed by a physician it is safe. This problem has been growing over the past few years and has cost the economy billions of dollars (Davis, 2011). Prescription drug abuse may come as a surprise to people but since physicians easily prescribe medications now days, they can be accessed very easily. Most drugs that are abused are opiates, which people also illegally sell on the streets for money (Davis, 2011). These drugs can be ingested, snorted, and smoked which is a misuse of how the medication is prescribed and is considered a felony (Davis, 2011). A wide...
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...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...
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...Effective Components in Determining Substance Use Behavior Crystal Ramsey Liberty University Effective Components in Determining Substance Use Behavior Addiction is regarded as having a multitude of causations and contributing factors. No single specific component or model can accurately predict a person’s substance use behavior (Clinton & Scalise, 2013). Substance use disorders are a reflection of the impact of person-specific biological, psychological, and social influences. Understanding an individual’s spiritual beliefs and the role spirituality plays in a person’s susceptibility to addiction is also necessary. If a spirituality component is absent in a person's life, addiction could fill that void (Doweiko, 2015). Substance abusers can use chemicals to cope with psychological anguish, social pressure, be biologically susceptible or to create an illusion of purpose. Biology The biological model consists of the physical, fundamental, and atomic mechanisms. These elements affect the natural functioning of the individual. Substance use disorders are believed to be the result of a physiological abnormality (Doweiko, 2015). Normal biological processes are altered within the body such as the reward system. Typically the reward system is designed to help people. However, numerous substances inundate the natural neurotransmitter system giving false signals to the brain’s reward system (Doweiko, 2015). Unfortunately, a natural process that evolved to assist in human existence...
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...an epidemic of almost epic proportions in this wonderful nation called the United States. However, this epidemic is not only national; it is worldwide. And because of this epidemic there are other problems in society such as an increase in crime and prison overcrowding. The epidemic is that of Substance Abuse and Addiction. The penal systems of each state house more prisoners due to drug related crimes than any other. Treatment instead of incarceration would be beneficial to the addict himself and to society as a whole. Evidence shows treatment would lower the amount of criminal activity due to substance abuse and addiction. Logic shows that if a problem is cured then the consequences of the problem disappear. There are different points of view on the subject of treatment or incarceration for those criminals who are substance abusers. And there are valid points in either argument. The viewpoint in favor of incarceration is supported by the deterrence and incapacitation theory. This theory promotes increased arrests, prosecutions, and prison sentences as the primary means to dissuade drug use and street crime by removing the offender from the community (Howard Abadinsky, 2012). The theory further states that by implementing stricter sanctions targeting low level drug offenders further reduces drug related crime by increasing the personal costs of drug use among emerging users. Opposing arguments state that by...
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...addiction is a choice or disease has become a highly debated topic. When individuals are addicted to a substance, chemicals in their brain are altered causing the individual to need said substance to survive daily life. This is called chemical dependency (Noble 72). When this happens, it is no longer a choice. While it may initially be a choice to start using a drug, once...
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...1. Cover page 2. What is substance use 3.Drug Use Any taking of a psychoactive Can be experimental ,or recreational 4.Abuse Substance abuse disorders: a maladaptive use of chemical substances leading to clinically significant outcomes or distress . . Substance induced disorders: manifesting the same symptoms as depression and/or other mental health disorder, which symptoms, the direct result of using the substance, will cease shortly after discontinuing the substance. 5.Dependancy Substance dependency disorders loss of control over how much a substance is used once begun, manifested by seven symptoms: • tolerance, • withdrawal • using more than was intended • unsuccessful efforts to control use • a great deal of time spent obtaining and using the substance • important life activities given up or reduced in order to use the substance • continued use despite knowing that it causes problems 6. Drug Facts 7. Did you know? Drug types ; Alcohol Marijuana Cocaine Mushrooms Inhalants LSD Hashish Heroin Crystal meth 8. Little Johnny 9. Developmental Theory’s Attachment Theory-Bowlby Peers or Parents ? Drugs or Hugs ? Social Learning Theory- Bandura Monkey see , Monkey do! Humanistic Theory- Maslow Without the chicken, there is no egg! 10.Guest speaker (video) 11. Ecological model picture 12. Relationship changes with peers New and/ or Older friends Phone calls Abrupt ...
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...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...
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...pursue habits that cause them certain or a definite harm, this harm maybe caused to their individual self or those around them, and yet they continue to pursue it. The answer to why may not be given clearly even by these people themselves. Most of the smokers, substance abusers and alcoholics, as well as drug addicts are well aware of the negative effects that they may be dragging themselves towards but are not able to change their habits, for their addiction is too great and their self-control too weak. For most people, pain is nothing but a nuisance, but for many others pain is what controls their lives. Pain however is a feeling that brings us discomfort and puts us through feelings that are at times almost imaginable; and we all can relate to different kinds of pains that we as human beings have gone through. Pain is a feeling that can lead to quite a few side effects in life, if not dealt with in a proper way; these side effects may include several different forms of pain such as anxiety, depression hence pushing the individual towards an incredible amount of stress (Abuse, 2010). Drug addiction and drug abuse has been a commonly, widespread global problem and refers to the excessive consumption of any substance that may cause addiction, this consumption reaches such a level that the person falls into an addiction and is largely in an attempt to get away from physical pain that may be caused by some injury or some disease. The consumption of drugs to such an extent that...
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...University Abstract There is so much yet to be learned by researchers in regards to understanding the intertwining connections between mental illness and substance use disorders. This essay is barely scratching the surface in describing the complexity of the two. In order to know how to treat an individual who exhibits symptoms of both a substance use disorder and a mental illness, it must first be determined which came first, the mental illness that lead to the substance use disorder or the SUD which exacerbated the underlying mental illness. I’m sure you have heard the saying, ‘Which came first, the chicken or the egg?’ Well, this seems to be the dilemma for the experts in their respective fields of study in determining the most effective form of treatment for those who have been given a dual diagnosis. Unfortunately, individuals who have this diagnosis have become the norm in today’s day, rather than the exception. Dual Diagnosis It was widely believed at one time that substance use disorders and mental illness were seldom found in an individual. Since that time, it has been discovered, through epidemiological studies done on individuals who struggle with both mental illness and substance use disorder, that this is not true. A majority of those diagnosed with a mental illness also concurrently have a substance use disorder (Doweiko, 2015). ). Some of the mental illnesses that are challenging mental health professionals today are Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder...
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...HOW SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AFFECT RELATIONSHIPS Substance use disorders leave many lasting effects that touch upon every member of families and society as a whole. It is an ever-growing epidemic that can easily take over a person’s whole life if they let it. Anyone who listens to the news or is aware of his or her surroundings can see that we are engulfed in a drug crisis. This paper will examine how the relationships of friends, family, co-workers and society suffer from exposure to an addict. It will also look at how we as a society can help to foster reform. Addiction touches everybody in some way, shape or form. It affects people physically, psychologically, and financially to name a few. Substance use disorder negatively affects emotional...
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...teenage drinking and drug use has increased by 22% and that 71% of all teenagers have had a drink of alcohol before finishing high school. Most teenagers believe that smoking marijuana is not a big deal and that parents and society opposed cigarette smoking more (Tracy, 2011). Celebrities such as Michael Jackson, Brittany Murphy, and Anna Nicole Smith overshadow the issue of prescription drug abuse when every day people are experiencing the same outcomes. Emergency room (ER) nurses are the frontline in treatment of individuals suffering from addiction, withdrawal, and overdose. Still, many doctors and nurses have become hardened because of the belief that patients are drug seeking, which leads to poor management of pain and increased disparity accessing health care. In this paper I will present demographics on prescription drug abuse, issues of cultural competence and sensitivity, and strategies nurses can use to alleviate health consequences for this vulnerable group. Finally, I will conclude by presenting a brochure that ER nurses can use to identify patients at risk for substance abuse and to assess for early referral to treatment. Consequently, looking at the big picture can help health care providers to assist individuals at risk without judgment. Demographics The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCP) reports show that deaths from unintentional overdoses in the United States increased by 145% over the past 10 years and is second only to motor vehicle crashes...
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...Why Drugs? I wanted to research on alcoholisms as a disease in this last paper. I have to say I totally disagree with the American Medical Association that in 1956 decided that alcoholism is a disease. I feel alcoholism is not a disease with invasive pathology, nor do I believe that it is a disease of genetics gone awry. Alcoholism has nothing to do with irresistible impulses or uncontrollable urges. Alcoholism is a disease of volition in my opinion. In this paper I will discuss why some people feel this is a disease, and why some people feel this is not a disease, but the choice of the individual. Since the American Medical Association decided that alcoholism is a disease more than 30 years ago, and this issue is still debated. I have to ask the question what does support the concept of alcoholism as a disease. There is an abundance of information out there on this subject. The research I have done says that it is important to know that alcoholism is a illness, and no one asked to become chemically dependent, it is not your fault if you or your loved one is involved in alcoholism. And you should not feel guilty. You would not blame someone for having caner, or diabetes. Dorland’s Medical Dictionary defines disease as. “A definite morbid process having a characteristic train of symptoms; it may be the whole body or any of its parts, and its etiology, pathology, an prognosis may be known or unknown...
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...The business of drug Abuse abuse Bonnie S Western Governors University Abstract What is the economic cost of substance abuse and addiction? The estimates are shocking in the hundreds of billions of dollars every year. Yes, that’s right…. not hundreds of millions, but hundreds of billions of dollars. Illicit drug use alone accounts for 181 billion dollars per year in health care, productivity loss, crime, incarceration, and drug enforcement. Alcohol addiction accounts for approximately the same amount also. ("Molecules to Managed Care," 2008) So how do we deal with such an enormous problem? We can’t ignore problems of such a monumental financial impact to our country. We spend so much on damage control from the result of addiction and so very little on prevention. How can we turn this around to change these numbers and positively affect our society? Early intervention and treatment are the only way to combat these staggering numbers. In 2010 23 million Americans, age 12 or older, identified as having substance abuse issues and only 2.6 million received treatment at specialty facilities in 2009. Why are so few seeking treatment? Keywords: SBIRT, SAMHSA, abuse, addiction, ED, ONDCP, NIDA, ACA The business of drug Abuse There is an enormous amount of money spent in this country on dealing with the aftermath of substance abuse and addiction. What are we doing to prevent this disease? If we recognize that addiction to drugs and alcohol is a disease then what is our plan...
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