Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

In:

Submitted By LadyGiggles
Words 858
Pages 4
Substance Abuse

By:
Ashley Johnson

Introduction People abuse different substance/drugs for many reasons. The toll for this abuse can be seen in our hospitals and emergency departments through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma. Jails and prisons tally daily the strong connection between crime and drug dependence and abuse. Although use of some drugs such as cocaine has declined, use of other drugs such as heroin and "club drugs" has increased. A drug is any substance that crosses from the bloodstream into the brain and that somehow changes the way the brain is functioning. By this definition, some common substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and even caffeine are considered “drugs.” Drug abuse implies “willful, improper use due to an underlying disorder or quest for hedonistic or immoral please” (N. Miller, 1995). Substance abuse is “harmful use of one or more psychoactive substance” (Abadinsky, 2008). The term substance abuse describes abusive or harmful use of any substance; it also known as a chemical or drug abuse. Drugs can have the wrong effects on people especially when used improperly. Not only does drug abuse harm you but it also breaks up families.
Statement of the Problem According to www.medicinenet.com, the term substance abuse describes abusive or harmful use in excess of any substances. A drug is any substance that crosses from the bloodstream into the brain and that somehow changes the way the brain is functioning. By this definition, any common substances such as alcohol, nicotine, and even caffeine are considered drug. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services substance abuse is one of the ten leading health problem in the United States. Substance abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every community and family in some way. Each year,

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Psychology and health issues with Substance Abuse Sherry Ramos Resurreccion HCA/250 03/02/2014 Tiffany Hanshaw Psychology and health issues with Substance Abuse A psychological education program that we have here in our community is a program at our local Hospital. Our local hospital Sutter Delta Hospital has a Substance Abuse program. They provide information about substance abuse and they work with the largest treatment center in Northern California called the Impulse Treatment Center. The Impulse Treatment Center provides resources such as where they can go for group therapy, extended care, long treatment care, and intensive out patient care. This program is not a free program however your insurance company may cover it. When deciding to use this program we should learn more about being a healthy and learning the signs of someone who is unhealthy and need treatment. When you are healthy, you are free from any sickness/illness, you feel good about yourself, and your body is physically fit. When you are healthy it also means that you feel positive mentally and physically. The relationship between health and Psychology go hand in hand because in order to have a healthy life you should be physically healthy but you should also feel mentally stable. If you are not mentally stable it will make an impact on your over all health. Some people who are psychologically not stable will become ill because they may decide that they do not want to eat, they seclude themselves from...

Words: 1645 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Substance Abuse Adiya Owens PSY/270 July 5, 2015 Mrs. Foley Each of the theoretical viewpoints known as sociocultural, biological, cognitive-behavioral, and psychodynamic can contribute to the causes of substance abuse. Therefore, with so many factors involved it definitely makes it difficult to pinpoint the one with most validity. As a result, there is no theoretical viewpoint that I agree with most. Firstly, the sociocultural view proposes that people are most likely to develop patterns of substance abuse or dependence when they live under stressful socioeconomic conditions. Secondly, the psychodynamic view suggests that people who abuse substances have powerful dependency needs that can be traced back to their earlier years. Third, the cognitive-behavioral views suggest that operant conditioning may play a key role in substance abuse. Whereas, behaviorist argue that the temporary reduction of tension or raising of spirits produced by a drug has a rewarding effect, which increases the likelihood that the user will seek this reaction again. Lastly, the biological view proposes that drug misuse may result from biological causes. Fortunately, many approaches to treat substance-related disorders exist. For example, psychodynamic therapy guides clients to uncover and work through underlying needs and conflicts that they believe have led to the disorder. While, behavioral treatment for substance-related disorders include aversion therapy, which is an approach based on the...

Words: 327 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Substance Abuse Treatment Substance abuse is considered a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress as manifested in a twelve month period by at least one of four criteria: (1) recurrent substance use resulting in failure to fulfill major obligations at work, school or home (e.g., poor performance at school or work, neglect of children or younger siblings); (2) recurrent substance use in hazardous situations (e.g., driving while intoxicated); (3) recurrent substance-related legal problems (e.g., DUIs); and (4) continued substance use despite having recurrent interpersonal problems related to substance abuse (e.g., arguments with family members about consequences of intoxication) (Sussman, Skara, Ames, 2008). The most commonly abused substances include alcohol, tobacco, and illegal and prescription drugs. Often times, a user will develop an addiction to one of these substances. When an individual abuses a substance or develops an addiction, and require the use of a rehabilitation service, he or she may either be voluntarily or involuntarily admitted, such as through the Department of Corrections or drug courts. Substance abuse treatment has proven to be a successful rehabilitation tool. Empirical evidence has shown that substance abuse treatment is a cost effective method for addressing substance abuse and that treatment is effective in limiting substance abuse, criminal activity, and improving quality of life outcomes...

Words: 2476 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse

...Substance abuse The 5th edition of Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) combines substance abuse and substance dependence to mean the same thing (American Psychiatric association, 2013). Substance abuse refers to the habitual non-medical substance seeking, and the substance taking behavior which is suppression or resistance through its pharmacological consequences. Substance abuse may therefore include the use of alcohol, abuse of cigarettes, food, sniffing of solvents or even the abuse of nicotine and caffeine (Nordegren, 2002). Substance abuse has been taken to generally refer to the use of hard drugs such as cocaine and marijuana. Every year, United States spends billions of dollars on increased health care cost, low productivity and increase in crimes. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, substance abuse costs United States 524 billion dollars a year of which 181 billion dollars is as a result of illicit drugs. Given the huge expense, there is therefore a need to understand the physical, social and psychological effects that substance abuse presents, analyze the factors contributing to substance abuse, examine the range of interventions used, and examine how managing substance abuse is influenced by cultural, legal, as well as political issues. Though at times substance abuse is completely something that an individual may pick from nowhere, there are some risk factors which may play a significant role in an individual’s substance abuse...

Words: 3417 - Pages: 14

Premium Essay

Economics of Substance Abuse

...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

Premium Essay

Adolescent Substance Abuse

...Adolescent Substance Abuse Isaiah.R 3/27/14 In society today, a common problem among teenagers is the use of drugs. Teen age years are probably the most challenging periods of life. It is a stage of finding yourself versus confusion of knowing oneself. Belonging and being accepted in a group seems to be very important, as well as being “cool”. Troubled, teens turn to things such as drugs to help Suppress or ease the emotional/mental pain of things such as the common rejection. During these years of maturing, teenagers encounter their share of positive and negative experiences. Peer pressure, curiosity, and the availability of drugs are some of the factors that youthful and vulnerable teenagers have to cope with in their young lives. One of the significant reasons for teenage drug use is peer pressure, particularly from the influences among friends, acquaintances, school, and the media. If a teenager’s main social group is using drugs, then there is a strong pressure due to the fact that drugs are present and can easily be offered. Also, the person might get convinced to think that there is nothing wrong with trying drugs because “everybody else is doing it.” In the effect that teenagers will try drugs just to fit in the social norms, they might do it to impress their buddies to be considered “cool” as part of being in the group and gain acceptance by friends. The issue of using drugs is everywhere in this country and around the world. It’s available and accessible...

Words: 3108 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse History

...Introduction The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center (S.A.P.T.C) is a confidential service geared towards providing clients with an avenue to seek professional assistance in resolving addiction problems. The North Central Regional Health Authority (N.C.R.H.A) is responsible for the most populated area of Trinidad and Tobago and is therefore charged with the awesome responsibility of safeguarding the welfare of approximately 500,000 individuals. Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Center is a mental health service which is under the umbrella of St. Ann’s Hospital. The government provides treatment of drug/ alcohol dependent patients, in-house and through clinics. Agency Background What is Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment...

Words: 1017 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse Counselor

...A substance abuse counselor is a recovery system for individuals with drug and alcohol problems, mental disorders and other behavioral issues. They counsel individuals on how to change their behavior with the motivation of a full recovery. The most troubling thing is clients are susceptible to relapses, most substance abuse counselors work with clients for years. Some of the day to day responsibilities of a substance abuse counselor vary because of the threat of each client threat of relapse. One of the things I would truly want to know about Counseling is the negative aspect of Counseling. Some of the things I learned, was when you see a friend or family member enter the facility, it can become uncomfortable for the client as well as the counselor....

Words: 1326 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse Article

...NEW RESEARCH Does ADHD Predict Substance-Use Disorders? A 10-Year Follow-up Study of Young Adults With ADHD Clancey Bateman, Timothy E. Wilens, B.A., M.D., MaryKate Martelon, M.P.H., Gagan Joshi, M.D., Ronna Fried, Ed.D., Carter Petty, M.A., Joseph Biederman, M.D. Objective: High rates of substance-use disorders (SUD) have been found in samples of adolescents and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Predictors of SUD in children with ADHD who are at risk for the development of SUDs remain understudied. The main aims of this study were to identify clinically meaningful characteristics of children that predicted the future development of SUDs and to see whether the role of these characteristics varied by sex. Method: Subjects were children and adolescents with (n 268; mean age standard deviation 10.9 3.2 years) and without (n 229; mean age 11.9 3.3 years) DSM-III-R ADHD followed prospectively and blindly over a 10-year follow-up period onto young adult years. Subjects were assessed with structured diagnostic interviews for psychopathology and SUDs. Results: Over the 10-year follow-up period, ADHD was found to be a significant predictor of any SUD (hazards ratio 1.47; 95% confidence interval 1.07–2.02; p .01) and cigarette smoking (2.38; 1.61–3.53; p .01). Within ADHD, comorbid conduct disorder (2.74; 1.66 – 4.52; p .01) and oppositional defiant disorder (2.21; 1.40 –3.51; p .01) at baseline were also found to be significant predictors of SUDs...

Words: 8941 - Pages: 36

Premium Essay

Abuse vs Substance

...Abuse vs. Substance Use Disorder Kristin Whitford Liberty University Relationship between abuse of substance and Substance Use Disorders The problem of drug use and alcohol has haunted us for a long time. We even see these issues arise in the Bible. There are a variety of reasons for substance use and abuse. According to Doweiko (2015) says that a person may use because of previously impulses, to cope with situations and pain, try new things, escape from social status, and use out of rebellion. To understand the relationship between abuse and substance use disorder we need to understand the meaning of the two. According to substance abuse disorder in DSM-5 combines DSM-IV categories of substance abuse and substance dependence into one that is measured from mild to severe. This distinction is abuse is mild or early stages where as dependency is worse. Substance abuse is using drugs, alcohol, or chemicals. The results are usually emotional or psychological harm. Discerning abuse from SUD and factors The next thing we are going to look at is how to discern between substance use and abuse. According to Clinton & Scalise (2013) the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders N-text says the pattern of substance use leads to impairment, tolerance, with-drawl symptoms, and using even when knowing that it can be destructive. For abuse it is someone who continues to use drugs in physically dangerous situations and even continued use even if social or...

Words: 722 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

The Business of Substance Abuse

...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...

Words: 1551 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Substance Abuse Disorder

...number of causes including epidemiological analyses, studies of long-term consumers, clinical trials of individuals seeking treatment, skillful experimentations on withdrawal and tolerance and laboratory studies on cannabis brain mechanisms. Scientific and epidemiological analyses show that cannabis dependence is a comparatively conjoint occurrence linked with substantial psychosocial irregularity. Rudimentary exploration has recognized a neurobiological method particular to the actions of cannabinoids. Human and non-human studies have established an effective withdrawal condition that is relatively conjoint among heavy marijuana users. Also, experimental trials calculating treatments for cannabis dependence specify that, amongst other substance habits, cannabis dependency is reactive to interference. Even though Cannabis is one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the biosphere; controlled trials for cannabis use disorder has only been stated in literature in the last past 15 years or so. Only a small quantity of cannabis users pursue therapeutic help with addiction, but request for management for cannabis use condition is growing worldwide. Despite cannabis being one of the most widely used illicit drugs in the world; controlled trials for cannabis use disorder have only been reported in literature in the last 15 years. Only a minority of cannabis users seeks medical assistance with addiction, but demand for treatment for cannabis use disorder is increasing internationally...

Words: 1675 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Substance Related Abuse

...Substance-related disorders Terms: Substance: affects body or mind Intoxication: temporary change Abuse: excessive, chronic use and impairment Dependence: abuse + physical or psychological dependence -Tolerance - Withdrawal Substance-related conditions recognized by the DSM-IV: * Substance dependence; diagnosis is given when substance use leads to psychological dependence or significant impairment or distress. * Substance abuse; diagnosis is given when recurrent substance use leads to significant, harmful consequences. * Substance intoxication; experience of significant maladaptive behavioral and psychological symptoms due to the effect of a substance on the central nervous system. * Substance withdrawal; experience of clinical significant distress in social, occupational or other areas of functioning due to the cessation or reduction of substance use. DSM criteria for substance abuse: * One or more of the following occurs during a twelve month period, leading to significant impairment or distress 1. Failure to fulfill important obligations at work, home or school as a result of substance abuse. 2. Repeated use of the substance in situations which is physically hazardous to do so e.g. driving. 3. Repeated legal problems as a result to substance abuse. 4. Confirmed use of the substance despite repeated social or legal problems as a result of use. DSM criteria for substance Dependence: * Maladaptive pattern of...

Words: 443 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

Substance Abuse and Disability

...Chapter 19: Substance Use and Disability The chapter on Substance Use and Disability in the Marini and Stebnicki textbook was a brief discussion of the various drugs categories and the comorbidity of drug use and mental/physical disability. The occurrence of two separate clinical diagnoses is referred to as “dual diagnosis”. As used in this chapter, the term dual-diagnosis includes the occurrence of a physical, mental, or intellectual disability along with the presence of a substance use disorder (Marini & Stebnick, 2012). There are several different categories of substances and they all have different effects on the body. Stimulants such as cocaine, amphetamines, and methamphetamines effect the central nervous system and often have behavioral effects such as mood elevations and euphoria. Hallucinogens such as MDMA, LSD, and psilocybin can have hallucinogenic effects on a person’s perception, mood, and state of mind. Marijuana is described as a drug that effects the central nervous system and can cause a euphoric high, heightened sensory perceptions, and hallucinations in higher doses. Depressants consist of psychoactive drugs such as barbituaties, sleeping pills, and alcohol. These substances depress the central nervous system and can result in decreased motor activity and a sedating effect (Marini & Stebnick, 2012, pgs. 295-99). Opiates include substances such as heroin, morphine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and codeine. These drugs have an effect on the brain with...

Words: 964 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Abuse vs Substance Abuse Disorder

...Abuse vs Substance Use Disorder In discussing the difference between abuse and substance use disorder one must first look at the definitions of both. Abuse is considered the overindulgence in or dependence on an addictive substance, especially alcohol or drugs. However, substance abuse disorder is a condition in which the use of one or more substances leads to a clinically significant impairment or distress to an individual. One can abuse alcohol or drugs and not become addicted, however SUD’s are generally seen in addiction of drugs or alcohol. (Doweiko, 2015) While this essay mainly hits on drugs and alcohol, there are so many more types of abuse/addiction such as pornography, over eating, gambling, etc. These also can lead to major problems in a abusers life. (Clinton & Scalise, 2013) News Coverage In the news this past week has been numerous articles on drug busts, alcohol related accidents, and police storming a house making meth. The articles on drug busts stated that many of those arrested had multiple previous arrests for drug use, distribution, or making meth. The article went further to state the statistics and costs of the war against drugs that is going on today. There is the ongoing discussion/debate of parent-hosted parties for their teenager and his/her friends at their home, is it okay or not. This, in my opinion, is not even up for debate; anyone under the age of 21 should not be drinking with or without parental consent. Personal Biblical Worldview ...

Words: 525 - Pages: 3