The Epidemic Of Drug Addiction

The heroin epidemic in America has been an issue for decades. According to narconon.org, the heroin epidemic truly began in the Wild West during the 1800’s. Many scholars believe that Chinese immigrants brought the drug to America. Morphine is a derivative of heroin, and during the civil war, many soldiers, both northern and confederate, was injured and became addicted to the drug after being treated with it. It was from opium that morphine, a derivative, was developed as a pain killer in approximately 1810. It was considered a wonder drug because it eliminated severe pain associated with medical operations or traumatic injuries. It left the user in a completely numb euphoric dream-state. Dr. F.W.A. Serturner named the drug morphine, after

The United States currently faces an unprecedented epidemic of opioid addiction. This includes painkillers, heroin, and other drugs made from the same base chemical. In the couple of years, approximately one out of twenty Americans reported misuse or abuse of prescriptions painkillers. Heroin abuse and overdoses are on the rise and are the leading cause of injury deaths, surpassing car accidents and gun shots. The current problem differs from the opioid addiction outbreaks of the past in that it is also predominant in the middle and affluent classes. Ultimately, anyone can be fighting a battle with addiction and it is important for family members and loved ones to know the signs. The cause for this epidemic is that the current spike of opioid abuse can be traced to two decades of increased prescription rates for painkillers by well-meaning physicians.

If one traveled through the small quiet community of Monroe, MI you would probably never think that this town has a drug problem. From the outside it seems like a nice middle class suburb that might be ideal to raise a family. For those that reside here however, they know that there is a growing problem. There aren’t many families that haven’t been affected by heroin addiction in this small town. The drug has literally swept through this county like an angry mob of rioters bringing crime, death, and destruction with it, leaving many people in the community asking, “Why?”

He is the best nurse on the floor. Everyone admires him – patients, fellow nurses, doctors, administration. He works extra shifts in the emergency department, sometimes as often as six shifts per week despite chronic back pain. What about the seasoned staff nurse? You notice a change in her. She is moody, appears dazed, and is making mistakes frequently. She is late and unkempt, and is not as social as she once was. While one may be quick to assume substance use from the second nurse, in reality, the first nurse is just as likely to be working while impaired. Substance use disorders can – and do – have a very serious impact on the nursing community. Determining, labeling, and reporting a substance use problem is not always easy. This is why, when entering the nursing workforce, it is important to have a working knowledge and understanding of substance use. This includes familiarity with risk factors and signs of substance use, as well as knowing how to seek help for oneself or a colleague. With an awareness of the implications of substance use on nursing, new nurses may be better equipped to take action against this ever-present occupational hazard (NCSBN, 2011).

The use and misuse of illicit drugs in today’s society can be blamed on both individual, and societal factors. With the use of societal factors researchers can show the effect for a larger population, and provide better information of the population. Blaming the individual for developing the addiction will not fix issues that lie in society that worked against the individual, the underlying issues of poverty and addiction, many scholarly articles mention bad neighborhoods, low income, and loose family ties with future drug use. I will be using evidence from articles involving both teen and adult drug use and addiction, as the effect on society is noticed in both age brackets. “Substance use is considered a problem by individual addicts who seek treatment, by institutions within society (such as the police or the medical system) that deal with substance use and its consequences on a day-to-day basis, and by national organizations such as governments or supranational organizations, such as the International Narcotics Control Board (a United Nations agency located in Vienna). (Adrian) I will be using scholarly articles to explain the sociological reasoning behind drug use, with theories involving low-income neighborhoods, leading to lessening of family involvement which can lead to drug use. “Drug abuse affects a community 's living conditions and economy, its youth, and the environment for crime.” (Watts)

Becoming addicted to drugs is a tragic thing to happen to anybody. These people need help as soon as possible, because doing drugs can kill you, whether from overdose or having a fatal accident while they are high. Thankfully there are many things that can be done to help drug addicts. Supporting them is key, “ Recovering from drug addiction is much easier when you have people you can lean on for encouragement, comfort, and guidance”. (Robinson, Smith, Saison, 2013). The first thing that you should is to speak up, and tell them your concerns about them. You need to avoid being judgmental, because becoming an addict can happen

Heroin addiction is a growing epidemic, especially here on Long Island. People of all ages, gender, race, and ethnic backgrounds struggle with this addiction. Heroin is a highly addictive analgesic illegal drug, that many people abuse. The disease of addiction is a powerful illness, that is difficult to recover from. Many wonder if there will ever be a cure. Addicts go through many stages of recovery, and many do not make it through treatment, and unfortunately relapse. Now that it is a common issue in the United States, healthcare workers face many issues regarding caring for patients with addiction, whether it may be in a hospital or rehabilitation setting, or a mental institution. It is a nurse’s responsibility to be aware and knowledgable about this serious disease and how to care for patients who are withdrawing from the drug.

The consequences that follow the use of any drug are unfavorable. Although many individuals may see drug addiction as a mere lifestyle choice, it is a problem that many individuals suffer from and inevitably a growing issue that leaves major social and economic impacts.

The United States is not immune to the worldwide drug addiction epidemic. Drugs pour in from Mexico daily, then distributed to throughout the country. The economic crisis in America is creating an excuse for drug use (e.g., depression, hopelessness). This chemical fix not only creates problems for the addict, but the family and community as well. Every addict has an enabler, a person who makes the addiction possible through various venues of support (e.g., financial, denial). Addicts are only concerned with their next fix and will resort to any means to obtain it (e.g., theft, prostitution, pan-handling). Some have even resorted to extremely desperate measures; for example, murder for inheritance or life insurance proceeds.

Although prescription drugs are more regulated than over-the-counter medications, prescription drug addiction does still occur. This is somewhat surprising considering you'll need a prescription from a doctor, dentist, or optometrist for the medication.

Relapse is very common, and most relapse a few times before overcoming their addiction. Rehab does not always help, but it helps the addicts who want to change their life and begin growing up and becoming a part of a normal life. Support is something that will make an addict think they are not always alone. When they feel alone they will always remember someone is their for them. Being mentally strong is something an addict needs, being strong inside and out will make the addict want to help their friends. Drug addiction is a world wide epidemic, but many people do not see it. Being aware of drug addiction is important. Keep in mind, the people who mean the most could be struggling, do not judge a book by its

Epidemiology is the study of incidence, distribution, and control of disease in a population (Merriam-Webster). In effort to construct a valid theory to the epidemic of heroin within affluent teenagers, the effect of heroin is labeled as the disease and the population is the affluent teenagers, with a focus in suburbia. According to Curriculum Review, 23 percent of those who try heroin will become addicted (cite source). However, the percentage varies amongst age groups, where it is reported the rate of teens using heroin soared by 80 percent between 1999 and 2009( cite source). This increased rate reflects a possibility to the increased rate of addiction amongst teens. Therefore, the long-term effect of heroin is addiction.

Maryland is known as the U.S heroin capital; “one in ten of Baltimore’s residents are addicted to the drug” (Yang, 2014). Graph one’s statistics represent the number of deaths caused by heroin in Baltimore, Maryland from January through June 2007-2014: (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene [Graph 1], 2014). As the graph above illustrates, drug abuse is a disease that is often overlooked and if untreated it could turn into a recreational activity for the people using them and eventually increase the number of drug enthusiasts throughout Baltimore. Many teens begin to utilize illegal substances and become attached which causes situations such as dropping out of school, roaming the streets, and hurting the people who care about them. Baltimore can be free from drugs by offering free mentor programs for troubled youths, providing more state government funded outreach programs for drug abusers and their family members, and enforcing random mandatory drug screenings for welfare participants.

In a world where addiction is a somewhat ‘taboo’ topic, it is hard to open up and converse with perspective employers, on what issues you have in your personal world. Thank God for the chance to heal a large part of those issues prior to seeking new employment. (And, I suggest that you do) Recovery from drug and/or alcohol addiction is not easy as it is, so it is immensely imperative that you make the necessary considerations before looking to jump head first into the workforce again.

Drug addiction is one of society 's biggest problems and it is rampant among teenagers and young adults and one of the most abused drugs is marijuana. Cannabis sativa or marijuana usually grows throughout tropical and temperate climates and then plant 's stems, leaves, flowers, and seeds are then dried. What attracts to most users is the mind altering effect these parts produce which is addictive to some extent. It is usually smoked as cigarette, or in a pipe. It is also smoked in blunts, in which cigars will be emptied of tobacco and refill with marijuana or sometimes it is combined with another drug. It can also be brewed as tea or mixed in food. Hashis is a more concentrated, resinous form which is sticky black liquid, hash oil. The