Substance Abuse - 1792 Words

Effects of substance abuse Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. Medline s medical encyclopedia defines drug abuse as the use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or in quantities other than directed. Generally, when most people talk about substance abuse, they are referring to the use of illegal drugs. Most professionals in the field of drug abuse prevention argue that any use of illegal drugs is by definition abuse. Those drugs got to be illegal in the first place because they are potentially addictive or can cause severe negative health effects;†¦show more content†¦These programs are designed to reduce risk factors within a community by encouraging partnerships, by parents with children, by policymakers with parents, by educators with students and even by children with their peers. Children who belong to households in which a parent or family member is dependent on drugs are often encouraged by these prevention programs to make informed and independent decisions, serving to guard them against imitating the mistakes of such adults. Education Make sure that your local schools have programs in place to educate children about the risks posed by drugs and alcohol. You need to arm young people in your community with knowledge about the consequences of abusing drink and drugs. Talk to school staff about how they tackle the issue with students or perhaps set up a support group for parents to teach them how best to educate their children about the effects of substance abuse. Community Projects Talk to local government and churches about funding for youth clubs, art facilities and other activities to give local young people something to do in place of spending time on the streets drinking and taking drugs. In areas that suffer poor socio-economic conditions, young people often face a lack of stimulation as well as a lack of money which fosters a malaise and a lack of self respect. Support Groups Lobby for improved counseling services and treatment programs for those with substance abuseShow MoreRelatedDrug Abuse And Substance Abuse2025 Words   |  9 PagesDrug abuse is the recurrent use of illegal drugs, or the misuse of prescription or over the counter drugs with negative consequences. The two terms, drug abuse or substance abuse can be defined as the use of chemical substances that lead to an increased risk of problems and an inability to control the use of the substance. Although drug and substance abuse do differ from addiction it sometimes can be mistaken for one another. Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsiveRead MoreSubstance Abuse And The Active Substance Abuser1514 Words   |  7 Pagesmisadventures of the active substance abuser. Unfortunately, many people in this situation may feel alone and lost when it comes to the pathway to recovery. Not only for the addict or alcoholic, but a course of action that can give back some s emblance of control and peace to the spouse. Sadly, the odds are never in favor for either of the two parties involved; however, people determined to salvage their connection with a loved one may yet be able to do so. Substance abuse of a loved one can be a nearRead MoreSubstance Use Disorder And Substance Abuse997 Words   |  4 PagesSubstance use disorder is defined as being a pattern of maladaptive behaviors and reactions brought about by repeated use of a substance, sometimes also including tolerance for the substance and withdrawal reactions. (pg. 294). The individual I will be talking about for the project is someone that came to crave a particular substance and rely on it every day. Their choice to devote so much of their time to their substance caused issues between their family and friends. Both family and friends startedRead MoreSubstance And Substance Abuse Among Inmates2272 Words   |  10 PagesSubstance Abuse among Inmates Substance abuse can be a big problem in our criminal justice system when dealing with the number of inmates who go back to their illegal activity after being released from custody. In specific, inmates who are drug users/ abusers are to be expected to go back to drugs once they get out. Without treatment they do not have the tools, knowledge, or resources to stay clean on the outside when released. The biggest hazard for an ex-inmate in the community is getting backRead MoreThe Problem Of Substance Abuse942 Words   |  4 Pagesuse various assessment tools to determine potential disorders that may be the root to a problem. Though at times a client may seek counseling with a known substance abuse issue there are more cases where a client is oblivious to the potential contribution that substance abuse has on the problem that help is sought for. Understood that substance dependency is nondiscriminatory to age, gender, race or creed, a therapist approaches the matter with the client kno wing that a problem is recognized and thereRead MoreThe Effects Of Substance Abuse1111 Words   |  5 PagesOpiate abuse in the United States is an epidemic. It is argued whether addiction is being handled correctly, and if the amount of resources for combating addiction should be increased. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, â€Å"The number of past-year heroin users in the United States nearly doubled between 2005 and 2012, from 380,000 to 670,000† (2014). This nation-wide increase of heroin abusers leads to another issue: how to treat them. One method of treatment is giving them another medicationRead MoreThe Substance Abuse Social Worker1052 Words   |  5 PagesThe Substance Abuse Social Worker Social workers have long worked with people who abuse substances, beginning in the 1800’s with sobriety houses and inebriate asylums, to settlement houses in the profession’s beginnings to developing self-help, consumer-driven programs, designing inpatient detoxification programs, and to applying youth-oriented prevention and education programs. As an addictions counselor, the social worker is a part of a specialized profession that began with the wounded healerRead MoreModels in the Substance Abuse Field 1206 Words   |  5 PagesThe term substance refers to all psycho active substances –â€Å"any substances when taken by a living organism may modify its mood perception, cognition deportment or motor function,† (DSM-IV, 4th edition) whether it is legal or illegal. Substance abuse refers to the utilization of a drug or other substances for non-medical purposes with the aim of engendering a mind-altering effect in the utilizer (MOH, 2005). It involves the utilization of illegal substances such as cannabis, misuse of licit drugsRead MoreSubstance Abuse And Its Effects On Society Essay1579 Words   |  7 PagesAmerica’s silent killer, substance abuse. Substance abuse affects the user and everyone that they are around and most of the time the user doesn’t even realize nor care that it affects other people because they are consumed by the substances. These substances have the power to dramatically change people’s lives, such as the physical toll it takes on our body, the ways in which it corrupts our metal process, and the detrimental effects it has on our social lives. Most substances that are used in our societyRead MoreSubstance Abuse And Drug Therapy1101 Words   |  5 PagesA person who has a substance abuse and a mental health disorder are identified as having a co-occurring disorder. Patients with substance use and mental health share common ground, because they hold the philosophy that treatment of chronic illness requires a long-term approach in which stabilization, education, and self-management are central (Drake, Mercer-McFadden, Mueser, McHugo, Bond, 2016, p. 589). A counselor can help give resources (NA meetings being available in their community) as well