Introduction Based on extensive literature reviews on teenage substance abuse and interventions,

“The mentality and behavior of drug addicts and alcoholics is wholly irrational until you understand that they are completely powerless over their addiction and unless they have structured help, they have no hope.” This quote from Russel Brand shows how serious of an issue drug use and addiction is, and why there is a need for more discussion on this topic to decrease the use of drugs in our country. Drug use and addiction is a large problem in our country and although many people believe there is no help, there are ways we can help put an end to drug use.

In order to successfully decrease the cases of drug addiction, society needs to remember that we cannot change the physiological effects of drugs, but we can prevent individuals from turning into them. In other words, the primary focus should be on the individual and not the drug.

The social problem of addiction is quite prevalent in our society. Many individuals from all different ethnic problems have turned to drugs at some point in their life. Substance use disorder can have compelling ramifications on the health of the abuser, their family and even the communities they live in. In 2012, around 23.1 million Americans aged 12 and older needed treatment for substance use (SAMHSA, 2014). The rate of people that have abused substances ranging from alcohol, pills, Marijuana, Heroin and cocaine etc. has escalated greatly over the years.Many teenagers or even adults aren 't aware of the treatment options and/or they don 't have the necessary funding to receive it. This problem can continue to grow and cause a huge strain on the countries economy

In the last two years, strategies of tackling prescription drug abuse have started showing promise. However, does it mean that this reduction will amount to an increase in illicit drug abuse? Citing on statistics from the UK and USA, Owens explains the global relevance of the abuse issue that has since eaten into most populations in other developed countries. In particular, differences in prescription worldwide are a determiner in the extent of drug abuse in many populations. Finally, the author outlines the various methods that could be utilized in the deterring of drug abuse. He advises various administrative agencies to take the matter seriously, through use of technology and prevent dependence on drugs. AS the most current article in the selection, the text will aid in understanding current problems and future areas of research into the

The use of substances for physical, mind and social advantage has been around since the beginning of documented history. Contemporary use of prescription medication for these advantages has led to a national epidemic of substance abuse. Health care providers need to recognize the disease process of addiction in order to effectively combat the growing epidemic of substance use disorders (SUD). Strategies to decrease the prevalence and incidence of SUD include defining addiction, understanding epidemiology, evaluating treatment options and decreasing stigmatism associated with SUD.

Science through history have implemented many effective solutions for drug addiction treatments. These are proved to be as effective as treatments for any other chronic medical conditions. Despite the variety and effectiveness of treatments available, many people nowadays believe that treatment is ineffective. Similar as the Puerto-Rican parents case their beliefs are due to unrealistic expectations. They would expect immediate change and wellness. Many persons go toward treating drug addiction with using more drugs that would reverse the effect of the first one, expecting quick response and when it is seen as ineffective or slow, they consider it as a failure. In fact, as we discussed previously that drug addiction and abuse overall are chronic disorders based on choices and decision making, they require long-term frequent repeated treatment sessions for the abstinence (4) of such disorders .

Current interventions and prevention methods tend to concentrate on solving the immediate or surface issue of the addicted individual which includes: (a) clinical detoxification treatment from the drug of choice to rid the body of the adverse physical effects of the drug(s), (b) identifying the

Historically drug addiction has not been treated like other chronic diseases. Society has viewed the illness as being based on the person using drugs/alcohol and concluded that stopping the behavior would end the problem. The reality is that other people who have chronic disorders often require sustained and repeated treatment episodes. Amelia Arria and A. Thomas McLellan (2012) pointed out, “First, viewing addiction as a “bad habit’ or a “sin” has led us to unnecessarily attach antisocial attributes to both the addiction process itself and to those who become addicted. Second, the nature of our traditional treatments for this “condition”-generally short term, educational, and segregated from the rest of medical care–do not comport with the scientific findings showing

Drug use among our nation’s youth is a major public health concern. The reason for this is substance use which can increase the likelihood of injury, violence, and contraction of diseases such as HIV. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration conducts an annual survey called the National Survey on Drug Use and Health in which 67,500 persons aged 12 years old or older are interviewed. This survey is the primary source of information on the use of illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco in the civilian, noninstitutionalized population of the United States. The 2013 National Survey on Drug Use and Health stated that “an estimated 24.6 million Americans aged 12

According to teendrugrehabs.com, over 60 percent of teens have reported that drugs of some kind are kept, sold, and used at their school. Over 23 million people over the age of 12 are addicted to alcohol or some other drug. One significant issue, among many, that our nation faces is the abuse of drugs and alcohol among our youth. This is a problem for all age groups, but every day more and more people under the age of 18 are experimenting with drugs to “fit in” with the crowd.

Drug and alcohol dependency not only affect the user, but also friends, family, coworkers and various other subgroups that the user is involved in. Drug intervention is a difficult process that involves understanding addiction. Many individuals believe that substance abuse is a choice and that they can stop at any time, but the user chooses not to. “In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes more than good intentions or a strong will” (NCADD, 2015). The statement made by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence notes that it is a disease. This disease consumes them and simply choosing to stop may not be an option. An intervention is a long and involved process that needs the support of members in the user’s life to be effective. This paper will look at what an intervention is and the essential steps when attempting to hold an intervention for a substance abuse patient.

For decades, drug and alcohol abuse has been rife. They are a huge problem in our society. Not only has the drug problem increased, but many drug related problems are rising as well. Men, women, and children are becoming addicted to illicit substances because they are too available to them. Billions of dollars are spent to aid the prevention of drug abuse, to treat addicts, and to fight the war on drugs. This is a very combative problem, the more it’s fought, the more it fights back. Drugs and alcohol not only affect a person physically, but also psychologically and economically. In addition to breaking the law, these people put themselves into vulnerable situations, that can change their lives forever. Drugs produce unpredictable,

There have been numerous attempts historically to control and address issues related to substance use. Methods have been aimed at ways to eliminate the actual distribution, illegal sales and use of a span of substances. These methods date back in to the 1800’s and include some of the psychoactive substances that are now in epidemic problems in many states. The methods put in place in history have not been adequate to address the identified issues. Heroin is a substance where there has been a rise in use, addiction, and overdose.

These beliefs include: bad kids’ use drugs, goods kids’ do not use drugs, and individuals suffering from addictions are hopeless, fragile, and sinners. The treatment and prevention for addiction has struggled to receive sufficient funding from the government. The author believes without the financial support from the government, prevention campaigns and research involving effective new treatment methods is not plausible. The prevention campaigns help by creating additional awareness for children and adolescents about drugs, and the short and long term side effects drugs have on an individual’s body and mind. The reason for the lack of support from the government is due to a negative stigma on addicts. The negative stigma is that individuals suffering from addictions are choosing to cause harm to themselves, rather than being in need of help and support. When viewing the stigmas that the health insurance companies and the clinical teams have placed on treating individuals that are suffering from addictions. The health insurance companies feel that they are not obligated to treat individuals that are suffering from addictions. The reasoning following that is insurance companies believe that drug use is not technically viewed as an illness unless they are considered to be in crisis. Once an addict is in crisis the clinician may struggle to offer effective services to the client. When a client is tackling a

Drug and alcohol addiction is a very serious and widespread problem in America, and across the globe. Drug addiction is a constant craving, seeking, and using of a substance, despite the negative consequences it may have on the addict or those around them. When drug use becomes more frequent, it is considered drug abuse. Once an individual’s drug abuse is can no longer be controlled, and they are using the drug to get through everyday life, it beomes an addiction. A person on drugs has an altered way of thinking, behaving, and perceiving. There are treatment facilities all over the world dedicated to help those suffering with drug addictions. All