...Substance Abuse and Addiction Kathy Short SUBS 505 November 1, 2015 Substance Abuse and Addiction Throughout history, many people have used substances in rituals of certain cultures, and as a way for people escape their own realities. Even throughout history the first humans would observe animals consuming certain fermented fruits, and mushrooms, and watched the animal’s reaction to the fruit. During the early history of mankind, they consider using substances as a way to become closer to their God, or during certain cultural rites of passage, and to have a vision as a way to commune with God. Although, when a person turns to using substances, it is a choice that is made by the person. When a person decides to use substance the person may have turned to a chemical substance to ease an emotional or physical pain, or explore as an experimental experience to discover alternative realities (Doweiko, 2015). When a person consumes a chemical substance the substance can then pass though the brain barrier, therefore, releasing the feel good endorphins in the brain to achieve a feeling of euphoria. However, people still confuse the terms of substance use, abuse and addiction (Doweiko, 2015). Whereas, in reality, substance use is considered a normal learned behavior (Doweiko, 2015). This is learned behavior of substance use actually ranging from a person who abstains from all chemical substances, to a person who uses a limited amount, to the person who will use a chemical substance to...
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...You will want to include a description of each of the stages of sleep as well as REM sleep. 2. Discuss 2 of the disorders of sleep and then describe any personal experience you have had with any. 3. Discuss what four things/ways one might alter their consciousness. Be very descriptive in your answer. 4. Describe signs of drug abuse/addiction. 1. Sleep is a very essential part of the human lifestyle, humans spend up to one third of their life sleeping. Our body functions on the "biological clock", this is called the circadian rhythms which is dictated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), this allows our body to get into a rhythm, giving our body a timeline so to speak. This is what makes us feel hungry around noon because our body is used to lunch and it also is what makes us sleepy at night time. When our body feels this need to sleep, we begin our phases of sleep. "Going to sleep" is when you lose all awareness of what is around you. The beginning stage the "going to sleep" or "twilight' stage us really just an extreme state of relaxation, compared to what your brain is like when laying on the beach. After this initial stage the body then goes into Stage 1. Stage 1 has very tight brain waves that are very low in height very much like those of someone who is alert and excited, however when someone is alert and excited their muscles are normally tense, their pulse is rapid and eyes are open and alert. In stage 1 the muscles are relaxed, the pulse is slowed and there...
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...recognition as borderline personality disorder until the 1980’s (Stoeltje, 2009). Now, professionals have abandoned the single continuum concept of behavioral health problems, and now know borderline personality disorder does not progress into schizophrenia (Stoeltje, 2009). In fact, approximately 2 to 4 percent of adults (at least six million people nationwide) suffer from a clinically significant form of borderline personality disorder. As a fairly new psychological disorder, the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder is still debated, with various symptoms commonly mistaken for other disorders. Despite the ongoing controversy, the unique symptoms, age and gender differences, possible causes, as well as the role of stress and substance abuse have convinced many professionals, in the field of psychology, to recognize BPD as an independent and unique disorder, and treat the disorder accordingly (Stoeltje, 2009). Before the diagnosis of borderline personality disorder can be made, the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) requires that...
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...Introduction Drug addiction is the continued use of any substance, medical or herbal. This has been occurring for many years throughout the world. Our aim of the assignment is first, to make people aware of the drug addition that is occurring now, the effects of drug addiction. Our aim of the report is to dissuade the masses of drug addiction and give reason to stamp it out entirely. Identifying the problem Drug abuse started with opium. Chinese farmers first started consuming large amounts of opium to ‘forget’ the pains they were suffering. The modern ‘druggie’ uses a variety of different substances. They range from the most common cough syrup to the burning of herbal combinations and inhaling the smoke. This is one of the major problems of modern drug addiction. People are getting ‘high’ on the simplest substances; even glue sniffing is taking drugs. Some of the more common forms of drug are: Heroin Cocaine Marijuana (more commonly known as weed) Phensidyle Today, these practices are threatening the foundation of our society. The number of addicted youth is increasing in number every day, demolishing the whole economy of our nation. Thousands of talented youth's careers and the dream of their parents are shattering every day due to one wrong step taken. This problem is almost beyond anyone's control because established drug markets are constantly catering the thirst of drug for hundreds of addicts and there is practically no one to curtail the heinous...
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...Chapter 14 Summary A substance-related disorder is a condition (such as intoxication, harmful use/abuse, dependence, withdrawal, and psychoses or amnesia associated with the use of the substance) associated with substance abuse, often involving maladaptive behaviors over a long period of time. In order to be diagnosed with substance dependence an individual must display at least three of the following for a 12 month period: development of tolerance to the substance, withdrawal symptoms, persistent desire/unsuccessful attempts to stop using the substance, ingestion of larger amounts of substance, declined life functioning, and persistent use of substance. Substance intoxication, substance withdrawal, substance abuse and substance dependence are the four substance-related conditions that are present in the DSM-IV-TR. Substance intoxication is a type of substance-induced disorder, consisting of reversible, substance-specific, maladaptive behavioral or psychological changes directly resulting from the physiologic effects on the central nervous system of recent ingestion of or exposure to a drug of abuse, medication, or toxin. Specific cases are named on the basis of etiology, e.g., alcohol intoxication. Substance withdrawal is physiologic and psychological readjustments made during discontinuation of use of a substance previously employed to induce intoxication. Substance abuse is a patterned use of a substance (drug) in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with...
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...Group Observation and Reaction Paper “Rum and Vodka” Substance Abuse Training Lenore M. Jackson HUS 340 Abstract In the art of war there is no room for making one’s own rules. Rules are set in place to ensure good discipline and order. When good discipline and order are compromised due to substance abuse, our national security is at risk. It is the mission of the Armed Forces to ensure training of all sorts is available to maintain a strong and ready force. Introduction From the time you arrive at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), a new recruit can fathom that life in the military is going to be full of rules and regulations. It is easy to understand that rules must be followed. This is no different when one arrives at Basic Training and finally at their first duty station and beyond. It is engrained in every service member that rules are not only going to be a very prominent part of their lives, but rules are necessary for good order and mission accomplishment. Not everyone will agree with every rule, nor will every rule be easy to follow, but it will be in everyone’s best interest to follow them to the best of their ability. We must ensure our service members are ready. A ready force is a winning force. Substance abuse is one of the many issues the Armed Forces must address and combat to ensure a ready force. Each service has its own programs and policies but the premise for all are very similar. I will examine one of the programs used...
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...Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing Drexel University Substance Abuse and Addiction in Nursing There was a time when substance abuse (SA) in nursing was unheard of; however, it was always there. The reality was that it was merely disregarded. How could any type of addiction or SA in nursing be disregarded? It is difficult to speculate why our culture overlooked this, but one explanation is associated with the Gallop Poll which reports nursing as the most trusted and ethical profession in the United States (US) (Cherry & Jacob, 2014). Therefore; how can the most trusted and ethical profession coexist with SA, addiction, or an impaired nurse? Townsend defines an individual with a substance abuse disorder as a person who fails at several attempts to control or stop a substance that interferes with that individual’s ability to perform daily functions such as obligations at home, school, or work (Townsend, 2014). It is this impaired ability that endangers patients, coworkers, the organization’s reputation, the nursing profession as a whole, and ultimately themselves. Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious issue that has reached epidemic proportions in the general population (Taylor, Lillis, LeMone, & Lynn, Walters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins). It is now believed that the incidence of drug and alcohol abuse in the nursing profession parallels the proportions of the general public (Valdes, 2014). Therefore; ignoring this issue is no longer...
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...Lillian Combs PHI 105 - 21st Century Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving November 3, 2011 Eric Speir Drug Abuse Among Teenagers The topic which I selected to write about is Drug Abuse Among Teenagers, which I am totally against any type of drug abuse because of the devastating effects it have on our future young people. Our nation has been trying to successfully overcome the problem with drug-abuse among teenagers for the past twenty years. Children from the ages of sixteen through twenty use drugs more than any other age group in America. (Life 123, 2011). One of the keys to combating this illness is through awareness. Learning the facts can help one see the risk that it causes. It is vital that we continue to raise community awareness as well about the nature and seriousness of this fatal disease. Nowadays, drug abuse among teenagers not only affect the individual, but also the family, and society as a whole. Some teenagers can use recreational drugs without any negative consequences, but for many others substance abuse can cause problems at home, work, school, and relationships leaving one feeling self-pity, isolation and shame. (Helpguide, 2011). The information that I am providing hopefully will give more insight into this substance abuse among our teenagers and what we can do to help eliminate this problem in our society. The effects which drugs have on the individual varies from how often they use them, how much is consumed, and how quickly the...
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...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...
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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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...Professor: Name: Title: Date Due: Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking is the selling of illegal drugs and drug abuse is the consumption of the illegal drugs as well as other drugs. Drug abuse and trafficking has been on increase in the recent past due to increased availability of drugs to the youths. College scholars as well as the high school kids have been consuming drugs recklessly without taking consideration at the side effects together with the consequences. Peer pressure has been one of the key drivers to drug abuse and trafficking. The consequences of drug abuse and trafficking are severe and hence it should highly be avoided. People have run mad due to abusing drugs like heroine and others have suffered life imprisonment due to drug trafficking. I am strongly against drug abuse and trafficking since it has no positive impact on people and the abusers. Body When an individual begins trafficking or taking drugs, he will have a tendency to convince hey or her companions that drugs are fine. The biggest issue is likely personal inclination. Individuals have a tendency to take after a way that is awful for them. Of course, an individual will attempt the shrewdness deeds. With the accessibility so high now, any individual with quite spare time may wind up going for drugs. Drug addiction does not exactly occur at one go. The human gets to be habituated to such substances just after these are infused into their framework a specific...
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...Professor: Name: Title: Date Due: Drug Abuse and Drug Trafficking Drug trafficking is the selling of illegal drugs and drug abuse is the consumption of the illegal drugs as well as other drugs. Drug abuse and trafficking has been on increase in the recent past due to increased availability of drugs to the youths. College scholars as well as the high school kids have been consuming drugs recklessly without taking consideration at the side effects together with the consequences. Peer pressure has been one of the key drivers to drug abuse and trafficking. The consequences of drug abuse and trafficking are severe and hence it should highly be avoided. People have run mad due to abusing drugs like heroine and others have suffered life imprisonment due to drug trafficking. I am strongly against drug abuse and trafficking since it has no positive impact on people and the abusers. Body When an individual begins trafficking or taking drugs, he will have a tendency to convince hey or her companions that drugs are fine. The biggest issue is likely personal inclination. Individuals have a tendency to take after a way that is awful for them. Of course, an individual will attempt the shrewdness deeds. With the accessibility so high now, any individual with quite spare time may wind up going for drugs. Drug addiction does not exactly occur at one go. The human gets to be habituated to such substances just after these are infused into their framework a specific...
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...For four hours I was exposed to patients and their families who are going through grief and learning how to deal with the possibility of losing a family member. I began to experience emotion in realizing that I played an important role in helping the patient and family cognitively process the end stage of life. The emotion I experience was self-doubt. This week, I experience fear if I could handle grief to the extent of hospice care day after...
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...HCA—250 DATE Amanda Wants Help At 30, Amanda has been abusing different types of substances for about 15 years. Today, she has nicotine, alcohol, and pain medication addictions; and her habits are taking a toll on her health and lifestyle, as currently, she can neither hold a job nor pay her bills. Clearly, Amanda needs help; however, for any support system to have an effect, the addict must express a desire for changing his or her circumstances. In this case, Amanda wants help, so as part of her support system, finding the appropriate recovery program for her will be crucial. Besides the pain medication, drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes are extremely risky combination. Though it may seem impractical to quit smoking and to stop drinking at the same; Axia College (2010) states that, studies reveal that undergoing treatment for nicotine and alcohol addiction at the same time helps alcoholics to kick the smoking habit. This means that it is possible Amanda can receive treatment to address each aspect of her addiction simultaneously. Few factors that will make the recovery process more difficult for Amanda may have to do with her history with depression that may cause her to turn to alcohol and cigarettes to cope, and her current dependence on painkillers for her back injury. Not finding alternate ways to address these problems could cause her major set-backs. Substance abuse affects men and women differently, and women seem to be more susceptible to the effects...
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...* CHRONOLOGY * * Second Trimester * * Mother attended her community drug and alcohol team (CDAT) were she was on a methadone programme. Referral was made by her key worker stated concerns that she may be pregnant and concealing it * * Pre - birth conference was held to establish the issues surrounding the mother, her pregnancy and her parenting skills. Mother did not attend. The pre – birth conference attended by the CDAT key worker, safeguarding midwife, health visitor, GP, social worker. The pre – birth conference took place as mum was concealing her pregnancy and that she was heavily * * DAY 1 Jack was born by caesarean section because they were concerns with the Zoe. Zoe was unwell – she had a heart valve problem. Jack was admitted to the intensive care unit, needing ventilation support for six hours 12pm * Safeguarding midwife aware that Jack been born, states that all people who needed to be aware of baby being born are. Informed us that her current partner and father of baby are not allowed to visit. Security, front desk at the main entrance of unit and nurses made aware * Urine virology/toxicology sent * Morphine started as Jack was Ventilated due to the respiratory distress 15pm * Out of hours social worker called inquiring about baby and mum 1630pm * Maternity support worker visited unit, updated on baby’s condition. Mum had her surgery – she will go and update mum 1830pm * Nurse looking after mum on...
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