Substance Absue Relapse Amung Women - Essay Example

Relapse is a situation of 'converting back' from a condition after a short or long abstinences. In drug addiction and substance abuse, it can be defined as "the resumption of the use of drugs after leaving it for some time" (Harris, J., Anderson, J. and Sharon, W, 1998). For substance abuse relapse among women, the issue of resumption of females to substance abuse after they have recovered. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines substance abuse as "the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances which include illicit drugs and alcohol".

A prolonged or repeated use of such substances can lead to addiction which is usually evident with continued use of the substances despite the fact that physical and mental deterioration is being noticed. In fact, various researchers in the world have come up with different conclusions and suggestions regarding the causes, effects, solutions and recommendations on how to deal with substance abuse and relapse not only among women but also in all genders (Laws, D. & Ward, T. 2000). Substance abuse is a global issue. . "In some producing areas, in Iran, between 4 and 6 percent of the population are opium addicts.

The country has an estimated 1.2 million opiate addicts, including 150,000 heroin users. In the producing areas of Laos and Thailand, the addiction rate is as high as 10 percent. Fully 80 percent of the heroin consumed in Europe comes via the Balkans. Of the opium that comes from Southeast Asia, as much as 50% is sent to China. In the United States and Canada, in 1991 there were 360,000 heroin addicts; in 2000 there were 600,000 heroin addicts." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "Indeed, on the average, the federal government has spent well over $10 billion a year on drug control for at least the last ten years.

Currently, fifty-two federal agencies have a stake in drug control, and each must justify its budget." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) The U.S. has a lengthy history of legal and social measures aimed at thwarting substance abuse. The first legal measures against substance abuse came in 1875 when opium dens were outlawed in San Francisco in 1875. (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "The first national drug law, the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906, required accurate labelling of patent medicines containing opium and certain other drugs.

"(Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) "The spirit of temperance led to the prohibition of alcohol by the Eighteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1919." (Cherry, Dillon, & Rugh, 2002) Narrowing the substance abuse view down, the literature shows that in 2003 there were 56, 671 treatment admissions in the state of New Jersey. (New Jersey Department of Human Services, 2004) Of those admissions 56, 671 treatment admissions in the state of New Jersey, Essex county recorded