The Problem Of Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is the habitual use of mind altering substances (Substances). Addicts have a false or altered look on reality; they need help seeing what is wrong with the life style they are living. Nikki Sixx once said,” Addiction- When you can give something up at any time, as long as it’s next Tuesday!” Recovery is teaching a person to break old habits. Substance abuse counselors are very important, not only in the mental health field, but in society as well.

Brief screening provides validated tools to guide screening, evaluations and referrals to treatment of patients with substance abuse disorders. Screening and assessments are essential as they help clinicians determine whether further assessment is warranted, the client’s substance and/or alcohol characteristics and degree, whether a client is challenged by specific mental health issues, has the client experienced any type of trauma and the consequences, and treatment- related factors that potentially impact the client’s response to intervention. Therefore, this paper will explore the utilization of brief assessments and Cognitive Behavioral Theory intervention while working with an individual presumed to have

Although the main goal of the assessment is to refer clients to treatment, many clients refuse treatment. However, they are willing to accept referrals to non-addiction agencies to resolve problems that have either been caused by addiction or that led to the problems. This assessment may be an intervention that the client needs. You will want to use the appropriate research-based screening tools that may be applicable to the client’s individual circumstances.

As clinicians, there is a duty to provide as clear of a diagnostic assessment as possible, particularly in relation to substance use, in order to provide the best care. In Substance Abuse Counseling: Theory and Practice, the authors state “as with other diseases and disorders, the earlier a therapist diagnoses a substance abuse problem, the better the prognosis for the client.” (Stevens & Smith, 2013) This makes assessment crucial to the diagnostic process. In “Screening, brief intervention, referral to treatment (SBIRT) for illicit drug and alcohol use at multiple heathcare sites,” written by Madras, Compton, Avula, Stegbauer, Stein, & Clark (2009), the reported 2006 NSDUH survey statistics estimated that “22.6 million people harbor a diagnosable alcohol or illicit drug use disorder.” (Madras et.al, 2009) Over the years, researchers have developed

Substance abuse is very common in today's culture. There are many different substances that are abused. The most common abused substances are illegal street drugs and alcohol followed by prescription pills and medications. Technically speaking, most anything can be abused if it is taken excessively and without caution or consideration to the suggested directions. Even over the counter medications can be abused. It usually when unseen potential for dependence or abusive behaviors arise out of the general population that the authorities step in and begin to restrict its use.

Why has substance abuse in the field of nursing been on the rise for the past 100 years? Could it be because of the high levels of stress along with the incredible toll working in the field of nursing takes on the body? Several different reasoning’s have been brought forth throughout the years, but nothing changes the fact that this is an increasing problem that has to be dealt with within the profession. “Addiction among nurses has been recognized by professionals in the field for over 100 years, and current estimates place rates of substance misuse, abuse, and abdication as high as 20% among practicing nurses” (Monroe et al., 2011, p. 504). This is alarming because nurses are in a position where they cannot afford to be mentally or

Thousands of years ago, humans first started drinking wine, then later on in around 4000 B.C. narcotics were used, but during the 19th century is when the active substances in drugs were found. Many of these substances were given over the counter and weren 't regulated, which meant that people could easily obtain substances such as morphine, cocaine, landuam, and many others. During the early 1900s, an estimate of about 250,000 people were abusing a substance within the United States. Substance abuse is a serious problem which can affect one 's physical and psychological capabilities, their relationships, and also their daily life overall. Overusing a substance may lead to addiction, which can be hard to overcome, but it 's not impossible.

Ever since I was a kid the topic of substance abuse has been very familiar to me. Growing up I have watched my aunt drink her life away and I have lost my uncle who was very close to me from an overdose. It has affected me in ways I never knew. Unknowingly I have grown up to completely despise all addictive substances. I find myself wishing I could do more for the people who abuse drugs and alcohol. I find myself thinking about what could have been if I was there for my uncle, even though I was so young. It’s sad to think of all the young and old lives lost due to substance abuse, it’s sad to think that maybe they thought they had no purpose in life. Lately there have been dozens of high schoolers in my area that have been found overdosed

Agoraphobia is a difficult mental illness to treat due to the fact that there is a small number of people have been diagnosed with it. According to the Mental Health First Aid USA (2013) roughly 0.9 American adults are diagnosed with agoraphobia and the median age for onset is twenty years old (p. 41). People who have agoraphobia have a higher risk of developing substance use disorders by using drugs or alcohol to help them cope with anxiety. In the twins’ case, they are heavy cigarette smokers and it has to be monitored how many packs of cigarettes they are given. From research, there are no reports of concerns with diversity, oppression, or populations-at-risk of individuals diagnosed with agoraphobia. However,

In conclusion, the variables that exist within the issue of elderly substance abuse and misuse are multifaceted. Although many medications both prescribed and illicit have the potential to lead to addiction, some are more prevalently abused than others. Per a study done by

The substance use issue in America is a commonly heard and discussed topic throughout the nation. Even the smallest and most vulnerable members of our society are also being affected by the drug epidemic. Addicted women who are becoming pregnant are leaving their children with a lasting reminder of how drugs can affect everyone involved in a user’s life. These infants are exposed in utero to substances and once born, the children can have immediate and sometimes long-lasting effects of their mother’s actions. Often women who become pregnant are worried that if they reach out for help, their children will be taken from them after birth. There needs to be a better way to address this issue and work towards a solution for expecting mothers who

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.

Specific Aims. Substance abuse and addiction are critical health, social and economic problems in Maine and the United States. The estimated economic cost of substance abuse in Maine for 2012 was $1.18 billion. The number of individuals receiving treatment was up 20% over 2011 and prescription overdose deaths have tripled in the last decade. Thus, we are in desperate need of alternative treatments for substance abuse and addiction, as well as full implementation of effective prevention programs. In addition, if we can increase the number of students pursuing careers in science education, neuroscience and related biomedical research careers, we will have a positive impact not only on preventing and treating substance abuse, but also the economies of rural states like Maine. STEM-related jobs pay significantly higher than average, however, growth in these fields in Maine has been well below national levels. Improving interest and skill in STEM areas is likely to increase Maine’s ability to modernize its workforce and create jobs. Our overall goals are to: (1) enhance science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education in the state of Maine and (2) enhance awareness and interest in addiction science and neuroscience. Meeting these goals will help to prevent drug abuse and create an educated workforce.

Addiction is something that most of my family and many others in the world face today. Addiction can look like many things: drug abuse, the lust of money, or even having an extreme obsession. What defines addiction is whether if a person is deprived of something and then goes through physical or mental withdraws. My parents happen to go through many of these withdraws when deprived of the drug methamphetamine.

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