Drugs And Substance Use Disorders Essay

Substance abuse has long been a major problem in our society, with estimations reaching as high as 250 million people worldwide that have used the illicit drug at least once in 2014, and causing more than two hundred thousand drug-related deaths each year (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2016; hereafter UNODC). However, it is not just forbidden substances that are a major cause of harms to individuals but also commonly used recreational drugs, such as alcohol and tobacco products that account for millions of deaths each year. These statistics and particularly the contribution of legal drugs to an overall ‘drug epidemic’ have caused an increasing concern in the validity of current drug classification system. For instance, Nutt, King and Phillips (2010) have recently questioned the accuracy of the present UK classification system under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 (MDA) owing to a lack of specificity and transparency of classification processes, and have proposed a new rationale for drug harm estimation. The most controversy was caused by their alcohol ranking as the most harmful substance. In this essay, report on harmful drugs by Nutt et al. (2010) will be briefly introduced. Then, the controversies and criticisms that followed their findings will be presented. Finally, the critical evaluation of both arguments will follow with concluding notes on the implications of Nutt et al. findings for the UK drug classification system.

When it comes to determining the type of abuse treatment program that you should enlist in, its important to note, that everyone has a unqie situation anad as such, the type of treatment faclity that you should partake in, should have a history of curtaling to ndvuals whwo have been in simalr crumctance. Each type of treatment faciliaty program has been desgned to curtal to ndvuals who have a varos shistory's of drug use. For example, people who have been using drugs for a limited about of years, would fit in a short teerm drug treatment program. However,m indivualss who have a long history of drug use, would be most ssuitbale in a long term drug treatment program.

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

Substance use Disorder is the new term that the DSM-5 uses to replace substance use and substance dependence. Analyzing the criteria of the individual the disorder is labeled mild moderate or severe. Evidence of a substance use disorders is found when the use of alcohol or drugs leads to significant impairment, such as health problems, disability, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home. According to the DSM-5, a diagnosis of substance use disorder is based on the amount of control of the impairment, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria. The most common substances of abuse are alcohol, tobacco, cannabis (marijuana), stimulants, hallucinogens, and opioids. Taking a closer look at each of the

Opioids can be divided into three categories: Opiates, Semi-Synthetic Opioids, and Synthetic Opioids. Opiates are derived directly from opium poppies. They include drugs such as Morphine and Codeine. Semi-Synthetic Opioids are derived from Opiates. They include many prescription painkillers such as Hydrocodone, Hydromorphone, Oxycodone, and Oxymorphone. However, this category also includes the illegal street drug Heroin. The third category is Synthetic Opioids, which are not derived from opiates and include drugs such as Fentanyl, Buprenorphine, and Methadone.

Opioids are chemical compounds that exert their pharmacological effect on endogenous opioid receptors in the brain. Endogenously circulating opioids are called endorphins, and those extracted from natural resources like opium are called ca opiates such as morphine. The chemically synthesised opiate analogues are called opioids (the generic term ‘opioids’ is used in this thesis, herein) [UNODC 1961; UNODC 1971].

Substance misuse behaviour is the use of psychoactive substances in a manner that is harmful to the drug user, which often leads to addiction and thus the perpetuation of the substance misuse behaviour itself, the resulting substance dependence is a facet of substance misuse behaviour characterised by a strong desire to continually take the drug in uncontrolled manner, which leads to withdrawal symptoms once the dosage of the drug is discontinued (Koob, Sanna & Bloom, 1998). This disorder has its roots in both neurobiological and social processes (Galizio & Maisto, 2013), this essay will critically discuss both the biological and social catalysts in which substance misuse initiates and leads to substance misuse behaviour, with reference to the psychopharmacology of individual substances, biological processes as well as specific examples of social and psychosocial theories.

The concept of drug use was not always seen as problematic. Instead, students viewed substance use as a means of remedying negative emotions as a sign of addiction. Overall students were able to recognize and share how their peers and close relations had suffered from this type of use, rather than admit that they personally had used substances as a means of self-medicating negative emotions. The idea of using drugs to remedy negative emotions was also named use “as a source of happiness” or a “means of escape.” Despite these different descriptions all of these concepts have roots in dislocation causing addictive behaviors.

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.

In 2014, approximately 4,152 women under supervision in community corrections under the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice: 50.40% have a clinically diagnosable mental illness, greater than 60% were treated for substance abuse (Community Corrections Profile, 2014). Co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders is further complicated by a high prevalence of trauma histories in women in corrections (Lynch et al., 2012). The presence of intersecting co-occurring disorders and trauma may negative impact treatment outcomes and retention rates for women in community corrections (Tull, Gratz, Coffey, Weiss, & McDermott, 2013; Gilbert, Morrissey, & Domino, 2011). Through literature, we can create a better understanding of how the impact of co-occurring disorders and trauma on women in community corrections as well as what interventions are being examined to help address these intersections.

Substance abuse is a growing problem that not only affects the person who is abusing alcohol or drugs but affects the lives of those who are close to the abuser. Substance abuse is the abuse of any substance. A drug is a substance that modifies one or more of the body’s functions when it is consumed. Everything from over-the-counter pain medication, to opiates, prescription drugs such as Oxycontin, alcohol, cocaine, heroin and even coffee can be abused in one way or another. The two main substances being abused in our nation are nicotine and alcohol. According to the Michigan Institute for Social research, “Substance abuse is a major public health problem.” Substance abuse is responsible for half a million preventable deaths each year.

| My sister was an addict and it almost destroyed her life. I have several cousins whom are still addicts as well and they are in their mid 40’s…

What is dependency? The dictionary definition of dependency is “The state of relying on or being controlled by someone or something else.” Meaning that drug dependency is when a person relies on a drug to function normally. The same may happen with alcohol. Recent research has shown that drug and alcohol dependency has been steadily increasing. Most theorize that it is the result of stress and peer pressure. However, there have been many ideas concocted to help those addicted handle their situation.

A person’s body, in almost every aspect of its being, is addicted when one is a mild to chronic user and abuser. The nervous system, brain, and muscle tissue are all living in anticipation of the next high. So, for the addict, it is crucial that the cycle of behavior, is broken. The addict needs to pull up the anchor that keeps them from moving forward. This means changing environments, patterns and even sometimes friends and social associates.

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.