Substance Abuse During The United States Essay

Dangerous illegal drugs have plagued American citizens and their youth for as long as the country has been in existence. These harmful drugs are not only responsible for countless amounts of deaths, but the corruption of the American society in general. All too many times have these drugs been blamed for insanity, racism, rebellion, and straight up violence. Today the government is spending approximately $19.179 billion in one year to combat these evils (Gifford). Unfortunately, even with all of this effort going in to stop illegal drug use, the “War on Drugs” is yet to produce almost any positive results. Because of this, politicians are urging the government to spend even more money to combat the seemingly

     Drug abuse has changed over the years due to the trends that Americans face from the encouragement of different cultures. The abuse of substances creates many health problems. The following will discuss the past and current trends of drug use and the effects these drugs have on the health of the individuals who abuse the drugs.

America has a major problem with opioid addicts, and many facilities are helping the addicts by providing safer options to taking the drugs their bodies crave. Methadone clinics are places where people addicted to opioids can receive medicine-based therapy. Opioid use, drugs such as heroin, morphine, and prescribed painkillers, has increased in the US with all age groups and incomes. People become addicted to these drugs when they are prescribed, recreationally used with other addicts, or they are born addicted. Many health institutions are addressing this issue with an estimated 2.1 million people in the United States suffering from substance use disorders related to prescription opioid pain relievers in 2012 and an estimated 467,000 addicted

Opiate addiction is an intricate part of the history here in the United States and globally. It is a cycle of abuse, misinformation, medical discovery, pain, and death that spans generations. While many naively believe that this type of addiction is unique to the late 20th and 21st century, it is one that our ancestors battled. Among laymen and physicians, there is a mixture of misunderstanding about what this type of addiction is and how it, not only, stems from the nature of opiates but the psychological factors behind this type of disease. Opioid and Heroin addiction are treatable with a combination of chemical treatment and counseling. Having worked in a Methadone clinic that specialized in this specific combination treatment that required

America has seen a massive increase in illegal drug use in the last several years. A large agitator for this increase is prescription drugs. Physicians routinely prescribe opioid-based pain medication such as OxyContin for virtually any type of pain patients report. These pain medications are extremely addictive and a direct pathway to heroin addiction. Opioid addiction is a massive problem in our society, costing states and the Federal government billions each year. We need to consider alternatives to prison, such as substance abuse counseling, redefining addiction as a disease, educating physicians on the pathway these pain medications forms, and teaching them alternative treatments for substance abuse.

Opiate use disorder is an epidemic, and continues to be a growing problem. It is defined as the overuse of opiate medication, which can be prescribed or obtained illegally (Lin, Bohnert, Price, Jannausch, Bonar, and Ilgen, 2015). Sobriety continues to be a struggle for patients. This is true for those who have completed inpatient treatment as well. The documented pattern in this disorder is that multiple relapse episodes is a direct indicator of fatality (Ohannessian, 2014). Increased perception of acceptable pain levels have been shown to be an important indicator of opiate use (Lin, et al, 2015). Further review of the literature shows accountability can also be a key factor in increasing sobriety rates (Weiss, et al, 2014). The Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) is equipped to combine these findings using a therapeutic relationship with the patient (Thorkildsen, Eriksson, & Råholm, 2015). The trusting relationship has the potential to increase patient compliance with clinic sessions as well as openness to share emotional and physical triggers that may lead to relapse. This is a holistic approach to care that can potentially save many lives. The role of learned helplessness in patients dealing with recurrent pain has been shown to lead to misuse of pain relieving medications (Sheftell & Atlas, 2002) Given the addictive nature of opiates, this misuse can be a leading risk factor for

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that there are about 100,000 of deaths per year and there are approximately 8 million people in the United States who have a substance abuse problem (CDC, 2015). A better understanding and greater attention to the commonly abused substance and its treatment would be beneficial in a provider's practice and will also protect the provider from the legalities of prescribing these medications. There are several forms of treatment for every abused substance and the main goal is to help the patient to stop the stop and helping them during the phase of withdrawal. The intent of this paper is to discuss the commonly used substance for abuse and its treatment with the implications

The United States is currently under an opioid epidemic where the abuse of opioids has increased significantly within the last 20 years. It is important to understand that relapse for opioid users is common. This problem has been around for a while; studies have shown that “higher recidivism proportions were found for shorter tenure clients” (Joe, Lloyd, Simpson, & Singh, 1982). Specifically, from 2002-2007 “nonmedical use of prescription pain relievers grew from 11.0 million to 12.5 million people in the United States” (Meyer, Patel, Rattana, Quock, & Mody, 2014). This trend shows that opioid abuse is a growing issue and it requires direct action. Research has disclosed that in 2011, 2.2 million Americans were in jail/prison, and “[o]f those

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.

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and criminal activity are often interconnected and intrinsically linked. It is a relevant and pressing issue associated with continued use, as well as inflated recidivism rates for this population. It has been found that over half of all inmates at county, state, and federal sentencing levels meet criteria for substance use disorders, as well as having served at least 3 total correctional sentences during their lifetime (Mumola & Karberg, as cited in Pettus-Davis, Howard, Roberts-Lewis, & Scheyett, 2011). Along with experiencing incarceration and forms of institutionalization, this population also requires rehabilitation

There is extensive educational programing being offered around the world, and within the education classes they encourage all health care facility to attend as well as their patients who are coping with chronic pain controlled by the opioid medication. Most reported cases of substance abuse and addiction are associated with opioids and are linked to an individual’s behavior. Another method that is used to help the patient with opioid addiction and abuse is behavioral therapy. During the therapy there is close monitoring and cognitive behavioral substance misuse counseling make the chances of overall compliance greater.

Additionally, opioid drugs, which are controlled pain reliever drugs, are prescribed to patients that are in need of special medical attention for intense pain. Opioid analgesics are centrally involved in prescription drug abuse and overdose; the situation is further complex because of the often-unmet need for sufficient pain treatment. The following paragraphs will discuss management strategies that will address and enhance public health in prescription drug abuse and misuse of opioid drugs, and recommendations for improvement.

Drug use in America is a major public health problem that impacts society on many levels, either directly or indirectly. Drugs take a tremendous toll on our communities and our families. It affects all of us, those who abuse these substances and those who don't. Many of America's top medical problems can be directly linked to drug abuse. Cancer, heart disease and HIV/AIDS are just a few. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that drugs are involved in 10 to 22% of traffc accidents. At least half of individuals arrested for violent crimes like homicide and assault are under the influence of illicit drugs.

Drug and alcohol abuse is something that is happening more and more often it seems. There are many reason for this happening. First of all, people experiment with drugs and alcohol mainly out of curiosity. Maybe their friends are doing it, they just want to have a good time, or they could be hoping to improve athletic performance. It is common thing at parties and social gatherings for people to feel the need to drink or try drugs. Another reason start to use and abuse drugs and alcohol is problems such as stress, anxiety or depression (Understanding Addiction, 2015). Low self-esteem or feelings of guilt or shame is another reason that drugs and alcohol become used and abused (Facts about Alcohol and Drug Abuse, 2015). Abuse isn’t automatic when one uses; it varies between individuals. Drug abuse varies more by the drug than the amount that is being used. If drug and alcohol use is causing problems in your life, drug addiction or abuse is likely (Understanding Addiction, 2015).

The Overuse and Misuse of alcohol and or recreational drugs is a major problem throughout the youth of the world, and they change people, they change the way people think, they change the way people act, and through an improved awareness and economic funds to raise awareness, and help provided for those affected by drugs and alcohol. I will be exploring how drugs and alcohol affect men’s life due to the social, economic, and cultural factors. Many factors contribute to the misuse of Alcohol and other drugs in male health, these include social, cultural, and economic. “Drug Abuse costs the healthcare system about 11 billion with overall costs reaching as high as 193 billion” (Rehabs.com 2017). “Approximately 1 in 20 male adults, a quarter of a billion of people between the ages of 15 and 64 years, used at least one recreational drug in 2014” (UNODC 2016). “12 million people inject recreational drug, 1.6 million people who inject recreational drugs are living with HIV, and 6 million are living with Hepatitis C” (UNODC 2016). These scary facts can be hugely reduced by as little as a supportive family or a supportive friend.