Essay Drug Abuse and Mental Health

Is Substance Abuse A Mental Disorder? Substance abuse disorder, or what is referred to now as substance use disorder, is a condition where reliance to various substances, may it be licit or illicit, continues to permeate the lives of the sufferer, even to the point that this reliance is detrimental to the person’s life. This definition is merely an oversimplification of the said disorder. In reality, the criteria for substance use disorder has been “defined and redefined over the past several decades and these definitions have now achieved international acceptance” (Oxford, 2012). As an evidence, the recently published DSM-5 has made major revisions to the definition of substance use disorder; the revisions are the removal of the relation of substance-use with the law, the addition of craving as one of the criterion, and the elimination of the dependence symptoms (Fitzgerald, 2012, p. 609). Nonetheless, despite these efforts to improve the diagnosis for substance use disorder, several critics argued that the aforementioned syndrome is inappropriate to be classified as a mental health disorder. From this criticism, it is then necessary to define what a mental disorder is and what the criteria are to be classified as such. Upon defining the meaning of mental health disorder, it is now then possible to conclude whether substance abuse is a mental disorder or not.

Difficulty meeting academic responsibilities is one of the most common consequences of drug use and abuse. The relationship between drug use/abuse and the academic performance of college students rises every year that causes a critical issue on Colleges and Universities campus. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) Task Force on College Drug reports that about 25 percent of college students report academic problems caused by drug use, such as earning lower grades, doing poorly on exams or papers, missing class dramatically, and falling behind. However, the history of drug abuse has been rooted in the early stages of life. Drug use/abuse has been classified as a major problem of students as early as in the fourth grade. Consequently, it

Substance abuse disorders are common in our society. It is a disorder that each one of us will most likely experience through a family member, friend, or our self. I felt very drawn to this topic due to the fact that I have a family that has background of substance abuse and I myself have battle the demon. Not until I struggled with my own addiction did I become more tolerable and understanding to those that have a substance abuse disorder. Substance abuse is not something anyone wants to have; it is a disorder that takes control of a person’s life. It is a beast that tears a person apart; from their being to the lives of their loved ones. This disorder is not biased in anyway; rich or poor, male or female, employed or unemployed, young or

As the second decade of the 21st century progresses, the population approaches seven billion. With so many people, how are people supposed to stand out in job applications, or catch the administrators’ eye as he or she reads applications to highly prestigious colleges and universities? More and more people are asking this question, and more and more people are finding help in a small pill. Originally diagnosed for Alzheimer’s disease and ADHD, these drugs are increasingly used off label in universities and workplaces. In society, people call this form of off label use of neuroenhancing drugs chiefly two different things: smart drugs informally, and nootropics formally. The word nootropic originated from a Romanian Dr. Corneliu E.

Dual Diagnosis: Combating Drug Addiction and Mental Illness Through the Creation of Government Assisted Programs Drug addiction and mental illness are two topics that are becoming more popular for discussion in American households. As stated from DrugAbuse.com, “mental illness is common amongst a population suffering from substance abuse and addiction. The relationship is so strong that many people believe the drugs play a causative role in the development of the mental illness. In most instances, this is not the case. In the United States, approximately 8.9 million people have both a mental health and a substance abuse issue”. This overwhelming amount of the United States population is often give as a dual diagnosis making persons suffering

There are many variables when it comes to talking about substance abuse and addiction. According to (L. Lagoni, 2010), links are present between mental illness and self-medication referred to as the self-medication hypotheses. The research in this peer reviewed article was comprehensive and viewed psychiatric disorders from many different angles. They looked at illicit drug and alcohol users and found that many mental health disorders such as Thought, Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar, PTSD, ADHD, and APD are connected to many societal issues which include homelessness, health issues, unemployment crime, and early deaths.

The resulting behaviors weaken the person’s ability to control impulses, disregarding the negative consequences (National Institute on Drug Abuse 2). It happens quite frequently that one with a drug addiction has a co-occurring mental illness because often times, one will lead to the other. Many people who are addicted to drugs are also diagnosed with a mental disorder or vice versa. For example, compared with the general population, people with severe mental illnesses were approximately “four times more likely to be heavy alcohol users, 3.5 times more likely to use marijuana regularly and 4.6 times more likely to use other drugs at least ten different times in their lifetime” (National Institutes of Health 7). In addition, people who have a drug addiction are about two times as likely to suffer from a mood or an anxiety disorder (National Institute on Drug Abuse 3). It is clear that drug abuse may show symptoms of mental illnesses. In reverse, mental disorders can lead to drug abuse, commonly as a means of “self-medication.” Drug abuse is a mental illness in itself, and many times it is a sign of additional underlying mental

Psychological illness, disorder and controlled substance abuse include our mental and emotional health with this the behavior therapy care is the treatment choice (Bissell & Royce, 1994). This cognitive treatment helps client to search inside themselves and help them focus, transforming unhealthy inadequate attitudes, opinions or irrational ideas (My

Prevention methods for substance abuse are taught to children as early in their kindergarten years and follow throughout their lifetime. Current programs available are school-based programs, parent and family, work programs and community and public media campaigns.

During the treatment and assessment of drug or alcohol users, social workers must put their own morals and opinions aside in order to properly assess those who are afflicted by addiction (Boyle et al, 2009). Subsequently it is important for social workers to know themselves as individuals and professionals when facilitating those they are trying to help. The social workers’ approach to the client can help determine the foundation for intervention techniques. However, in order for a social worker to fully understand the client who suffers from substance abuse, it is important to know the neurological effects that the client endures in order to ultimately gain a better understanding of treatment methods.

Introduction Substance abuse and addiction have become a social problem that afflicts millions of individuals and disrupts the lives of their families and friends. Just one example reveals the extent of the problem: in the United States each year, more women and men die of smoking related lung cancer than of colon, breast and prostate cancers combined (Kola & Kruszynski, 2010). In addition to the personal impact of so much illness and early death, there are dire social costs: huge expenses for medical and social services; millions of hours lost in the workplace; elevated rates of crime associated with illicit drugs; and scores of children who are damaged by their parents’ substance abuse behavior (Lee, 2010). This paper will look at

Alcohol abuse is a serious problem, driving while drunk or under the influence of drugs is an even bigger problem that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Abusing either one of these substances can lead to the death of you or the death of someone else or even cause a major change in their life like Jacqueline’s story, her whole life has been changed because of another person’s ignorance and carelessness. Therefore, you should know the facts about drug and alcohol abuse before you do something you may regret for the rest of your life.

Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

Drugs have killed 2,000,000 people every year for the last decade from overdoses based off the NIDA’s information and graphs.Drugs like Methamphetamine , cocaine,heroin ,tobacco and alcohol,As said from the NIDA “drug abuse kill 500 people every day” .Most people start taking drugs in moments of stress or hard times.People have started to get addicted to the drug thinking that they help release their stress.so people try to pass on their bad choices to others to help them release their stress.side effects in the drugs may cause illnesses,body pains and sometimes death.Many people die because of these drugs without having a care in the world ,all they know is that the drugs help them feel good about themselves.”Tobacco is just as bad it

Drugs are heavily used throughout the entire world. However, it is important to understand and not undermine the variability in which drugs are used. It is clear some are for distinct medical treatment and others are for recreational use. In the United States, marijuana has been and continues to be a very controversial drug. Some states have allowed marijuana consumption for medicinal purposes, while others have completely outlawed the drug. Those who are against the legalization and regulation of marijuana suggest the economical and health risk associated with consumption of the drug are too high. Although there is risk involved with the legalization of the marijuana, our country has already been risking too much banning the drug.