Substance Misuse And Substance Abuse Essay

Drug abuse is on the rise. While the use of drugs like cocaine and heroin is in a state of decline in certain parts of the world, prescription drugs abuse is on the rise (UNODC, 2013). Prescription drugs that were prescribed with the intention to do well are now one of the leading causes of self-harm. Drug abuse has no gender or social class, it can affect people regardless of social status and wealth, and now more than ever we need to understand the reason behind the abuse. What psychological factors could cause an individual to abuse drugs in the first place? In this research essay, I will discuss how each one of the major school of psychology perspectives could attempt to explain a

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 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.

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.

Subsequently, most health care professionals utilize guidelines published by the American Psychiatric Association as an official standard for defining problems associated with drug-taking behavior. Substance-related disorders range from the ingestion of a drug of abuse to the experience of side effects that are associated with medications. Moreover, the fourth edition of the association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) which was published in 2000, categorizes two specific behavioral conditions, which are substance dependence and substance abuse. By definition, substance dependence is a diagnostic term used that identifies an individual with significant signs of a dependent relationship with a psychoactive drug. For a person to be classified dependent upon a substance three of the

The movie Trainspotting is an entertaining look into the dark world of drug and alcohol abuse. Heroin is the drug of choice for the protagonist, but other substances are also consumed throughout the film: heroin, prescription medication, opium, hash, amphetamines, and alcohol are a constant presence in the story. Repeated polysubstance abuse combined with a negative social environment and a weak support structure compounds the problems of Renton, a heroin addicted young adult man living in Scotland. When examining the actual diagnostic criteria, causes, and treatment of drug addiction from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, comparisons can be made between the portrayal of addiction in the film and reality. Familial and genetic influences, social and environmental issues, positive and negative reinforcement, the opponent process theory, models of chemical dependence and treatment methods are displayed throughout the film with high validity. Many different influences affect the main character, and an integrative approach is needed to assess the maladaptive behavior of Renton.

Alcoholism and alcohol abuse are different, although they have several connected characteristics, including genetics, how you were raised, social environment, and emotional health. Some of the following are indicators of alcohol abuse e.g., craving alcohol, having tried to quit in the past, but could not, spending longer time drinking than you expected, or continuing to drink even though it causes trouble with family or friends. An alcoholic is someone who has no control over alcohol and is unable to live a normal or healthy life; consequently, it causes a psychological and physical dependence upon alcohol. Alcoholics typically experience physical withdrawals when not drinking. Both disorders have a significant attribute for risky behavior e.g., drinking and driving or unsafe sex. Alcohol distresses all parts of the body, particularly the brain, pancreas, liver, and heart.

Any ingested substance should serve a purpose. When it comes to the moral dilemma of recreational use of any substance the first priority is Long-term psychological and physical health. All actions should aim towards a better future of the individual and the people surrounding them. It should be considered abuse when it starts negatively impacting this person’s life. The criminalization of drug possession and ‘War on Drugs’ declared by Richard Nixon is a complete failure. Why are we following the doctrine of someone who is viewed as one of the most dishonest presidents in American history? Whether you believe all drugs are wrong and shouldn’t on any occasion be used, still the ‘War on drugs’ isn’t an effective policy. The use of illegal substances is extremely common, in fact, it is estimated that 24.6 million Americans over the age of 12 have used an illegal drug of some sort

If I were an advisor to the Governor of Missouri, the issue I would encourage him to address is the manufacture of drugs and the use of drugs and alcohol throughout our state. The advice I would give him is to impose stiffer penalties for those who manufacture drugs and focus on prevention, and, most importantly, rehabilitation, of those who abuse alcohol or drugs.According to the Missouri Department of Mental Health, alcohol and drug abuse affects more than 259,000 Missourians and another 800,000 who are family members of substance abusers. That is roughly 20% of Missourians who are affected. Intoxication by the means of drugs and alcohol contribute to a great percentage of deaths statewide from burns, fires, homicides, assaults,

My reflection paper is on the subject of substance abuse. As the structure of society changes, the acceptability of one drug or another changes. I have dealt with my own experiences of substance abuse personally and through family and friends throughout my community. I believe there are many underlying problems Native people face today that lead to substance abuse. So, drug use and alcoholism is not the problem in my town, those are more like side effects of something deeper. I would have to agree most with the symbolic interactionist perspective as far as the labeling theory goes. There are also many images in the media that depict the use of drugs and alcohol to make it seem like even though it is bad, it is sometimes okay. These images sparked my own curiosity to experience a fun high or a night out with friends and hopefully getting lucky. I had so many questions about drug use and alcohol. My older siblings and cousins were involved in those circles so it was only natural that me and my cousins and peers who I grew up with got into smoking marijuana and buying drinks on the weekends. I did not know at the time about the dangers of underage drinking. I also had very little knowledge of the condition of my mental health at my young age. Eventually I found out that I had an addictive personality and I got myself into a downward spiral of substance abuse.

Drugs: A substance which has a physiological effect when introduced into the body. Addiction: the compulsive need to use a habit-forming substance. I began to take a drug, uneducated about the side effects that were to come. Every morning, every night and every chance that I could get I took this drug. Originally, I took this drug to help, it was meant to connect me to the world and keep me updated. Now, I cannot last a couple of hours, let alone an entire day without the taste of it. The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning and the last thing I do when I go to sleep at night is consume this hateful drug. I had always believed that drugs were invented to improve an individual’s well-being, I did not realise that the side effects could ever be worse than the beneficial effects.

Drug addiction is often an infection in which an individual using a substance finds it difficult to control and abandon irrespective of the harmful effects on health. It is also called substance use disorder. The usage of the hazardous substance can have certain severe and intensive crave effects to the abuser. Such adverse impacts include mental disorders, difficulty in breathing, hallucinations, and irregular heartbeats. Emerging adults have been at the helm of drug abuse and addiction. The substance abuse has caused very negative health issues among the emerging adults amounting to cases of permanent mental illness. Emerging adulthood is that period in which individuals develop through a shift in the roles in various aspects of life such as education, interpersonal relationships, and employment.

It is believed that certain drugs have an impact on users that make them want to continue to use and try harder drugs. There is said to be an order to which people use drugs because of the gateway drug theory. People think that most adolescents usually start out with alcohol or tobacco which is then a gateway to trying illegal drugs, such as marijuana, that causes them to then try a harsher drug like heroin or cocaine. In the article, it states how many people agree that “in vulnerable individuals, particularly teenagers, some drugs are likely to be a way to future addiction because the drugs play such a role in the adolescent’s development” (Gateway 429). This article shows that people think there is a connection between adolescents using alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana that makes them take the risk of moving onto cocaine and other illegal drugs. This is not true and there is no order in which teenagers begin to use drugs that will automatically compel them to attempt harsher drugs. An individual is highly likely to seek harder drugs because of certain factors in their life, not due to the impact of the drug on them. These factors could include stress in school where the student is pushed to maintain a good GPA. They could also be in a situation of peer pressure among their friends, where everyone around them is trying and using drugs so they feel the need to keep up with the social standard of belonging in the group. Another one could be the living situation of the

Many people find themselves intentionally repeating an action weekly, daily, and even multiple times a day. These actions often make individuals feel good and allow them to take a break from reality. Repetitious actions with ¨feel good¨ effects may be referred to as addictions. Whether it be shopping, smoking, drinking coffee, or gaming, addictions often affect the day to day lives of individuals, especially if one does not get their daily fix of the addiction. When a person does meet their addictive needs however, a powerful sense of wellness and relief consumes them thus causing them to want to continue their actions. Addiction is defined as a chronic disorder with biological, psychological, social and environmental factors influencing its development and maintenance (Addictions). While any addiction is very complex, one of the most powerful addictions is drug addiction because of the extreme toll it takes on your body both psychologically and physiologically. Drug addiction is a very prevalent issue in our world today. An estimated 208 million people internationally consume illegal drugs (Truth). While people choose to use drugs for a variety of reasons, the mental processes of addicts are the same. The psychology behind drug addiction has always been very intriguing to me which has caused me to ask the question ¨What happens in the brain when a person is exposed to drugs?¨ and ¨What may cause addiction?¨

Drugs are a threat to a healthy world. They put extreme stress on our families, society, and government. Above all though, they put extreme stress on the user. Various drugs have different effects on the body, but they share one aspect, they are addictive. Once you fall into an addiction, you fall captive to a drug. Your life and your decisions are dictated by your addiction. For this reason, drugs are extremely dangerous. Different drugs have effects of varying severities on our families, society, selves, and our healthcare programs.