Family Assessment and Substance Abuse - Assignment Example

? Family Assessment and Substance Abuse Substance abuse is a major problem affecting everyone in the world, be it from individual, family or society level. Whichever the case, it is a problem that has been addressed and needs a lot more to be done if curbing it is to be achieved. Substance abuse, according to American Psychiatric Association, APA, refers to “the maladaptive pattern of substance use manifested by recurrent and significant adverse consequences related to the repeated use of substances” (APA 2000, page 200). Most of these drugs are either illicit or over the counter prescription drugs. This paper will illustrate the effects of substance abuse at the family level, and the various interventions that have been put in place to curb this vice. Research and documentations exist that emphasize the effects of substance abuse to its users as well as their families. These effects range from physical, physiological, psychological to emotional. Physically, drugs can facilitate body injury of the user or his/her family. Once one is high, they are prone to engage in violent acts that can injure them or their families (Lyness & Fischer, 2005). Other forms of injury can come from accidents or falls. Physiological damage result when one injures internal body organs like the liver, brain or lungs in the process of substance use. Other effects include hearing loss or loss of attention and reduced concentration span. This can cause permanent damages in the body affecting an individual as well as the family of the affected, especially if that person was a breadwinner. Substance abuse also makes one susceptible to acquisition of infectious sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy. This is made possible through sharing of needles when injecting drugs, and by the fact that one is no longer in control of their body and can be sexually abused anytime. The biggest risk of substance abuse is becoming addicted. This ensures that one is heavily dependent on drugs and cannot function without. This takes a toll on the family, disrupting it even financially. The family members of drug abusers suffer a range of problems, ranging from psychological and physical to economic and legal problems. Domestic violence seems to have increased in families that have their members abusing drugs (Infoplease, 2013). Violence here can be physical, verbal, or sexual. This can be attributed to the impaired reasoning state that a person assumes after using drugs. Drugs have been known to interfere with one’s perception of things and so tend to think illogically and irrationally. Those who suffer here are spouses of drug addicts as well as their children. In addition to this, the physical state of drug addicts is also affected. Psychologically, drug addicts are affected, as they appear mentally deranged (Thombs et. al., 1997. Their thinking and reasoning is impaired, and as a result, their decisions affect their families. The resultant effect of drug abuse in a family includes denial and keeping of that issue secretive. As a result, the family makes changes in the ways it deals with the substance abuse problem. Some of the rules that have been documented to exist in families where substance abuse is an issue include; all family members are encouraged not to feel the painful effects that drug use cause a family member to do. These changes include emotional and behavioral changes. Children and spouses affected here do not talk about or express their emotions in public, but in case this happens, the reaction is always violent and abusive. In such families, there is lack of trust since many promises made are always cancelled or forgotten. This erodes the trust of family members, especially children who grow up with this notion. If anyone abuses drugs while expectant, then there are chances that they will give birth to babies with low birth weight. In addition to this, babies born by addictive mothers suffer from withdrawal syndrome soon after birth or acquire fetal alcohol syndrome. Substance abuse also has tremendous effects on the society. For instance, in workplaces, many resources are wasted in terms of time and money. Drug users miss going to jobs preferring doing drugs instead. In addition, it is a known fact that road accidents due to drug users that have claimed many lives (Infoplease, 2013). Various crimes that are drug related have also been on the rise, ranging from domestic violence, drug smuggling, gun possession and the rise of juvenile offenders. This has eroded the norms of the society. The government has not been left behind in terms of drug effects. The government has directed a large number of money ($17.9 billion) that has been directed towards drug related matters like treatment and healthcare, interdiction, prosecution and prevention of drug use. Of these, $9.9 billion was directed to healthcare of drug users in 1999. Many emphases have been put in place to prevent, reduce, and control drug use and abuse. These measures are implemented at individual, societal, and governmental levels (NDCS, 1999). First are the creation of awareness about drugs, and the dangers of its abuse to one’s health and family. This work is tasked to the education sector as well as nongovernmental and human rights organizations. This targets the most vulnerable groups to substance abuse, including youths, parents and those with mental disorders. Research has suggested that if youths abstain from drug use until the age of twenty, then there is a higher possibility that they will not use drugs for the remaining part of their lives. Education is offered through seminars, written manuals and through the media. An example here is the national youth anti-drug media campaign, which aims at preventing substance use. The objectives of this movement are to find out and solve the possible causes of people’s indulgent into drugs (NCBI, 2013). It also aims to lessen the need for treatment and rehabilitation at the same time creating an anti drug attitude amongst youths. The main aim is to highlight the negative effects of drugs in one’s life and to empower the youth so that their perception on drug use is changed for the better. The media have been fundamental in awareness creation, mainly through advertising and airing movies and commercials that display the effects of abusing drugs. This is effective because of the improvement of technology in terms of internets and social networks. In the treatment of substance abusers, many health facilities and rehabilitation centers focus on caring for addicts and those suffering from withdrawal. The first step to obtaining treatment is by admitting that there is a drug problem by an individual (Thombs et. al., 1997). Here, the importance of the family comes into play, as the affected individual will require the support of the family to go through the process. Mental institutions take care of the mentally unstable, where policies exist to curb drug abuse. This is important in drug abuse control since a higher percentage of mental disorder patients also have concurrent drug abuse problems. Existence of addiction support groups like alcohol anonymous also performs a significant role in curbing addiction and drug use. Another effort put in place for curbing the drug menace in the world today include the use of law enforcement to eradicate the smuggling and sale of illicit drugs. The unavailability of theses drugs in the market will surely stop its use since there will be nowhere to buy them. Organizations that are responsible for drug trafficking should be dismantled and their leaders arrested and prosecuted in international courts (Robinson et.al. 2013). However, this method has not been effective as much, probably due to the high rate of corruption and presence of rogue law enforcers and top government officials who benefit from drug sales. Also, fundamental is the enhancement of policies that will control the sale of prescription drugs so that they are not abused. The government has put in place some acts and legislations that are aimed at controlling the vice. For example, the Drug abuse Control amendments of 1965. This was formed to act as a modification of the Food, drug, and cosmetics act. Through this act, some drugs were labeled as stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, required licenses, and control in terms of distribution and sales. The bureau of narcotics and dangerous drugs was also formed, and handles control of marijuana and narcotics, as well as other drugs. Finally yet importantly in control of substance abuse and addiction is the online counseling services that help drug users. An example of such is the surpportgroups.com website, which enable people share their experiences and emotions with others in the same state as themselves. Also, available online are counselors who offer their services to those willing to get help. This is crucial especially for those who cannot access these services closely or shy away from the public domain. An example of such is the lalida online counseling services. This makes use of emails, phone or chat and services. Substance abuse is without a doubt a major problem that has affected all and sundry in the world, be it directly or indirectly. Even though there are measures in place to curb this problem, it is evident that a lot more has to be done if total eradication is to be achieved. This will bring normalcy to families and the society as whole. References Infoplease (2013) Drug addiction and Drug Abuse Pearson Education Retrieved November 26, 2013 from www.infoplease.com Lyness P. and Fischer J. (2005) Families Coping with Alcohol and Substance Abuse Pages155-179 Retrieved November 26, 2013 from www.sage pub.com National Drug Control Strategy (1999) A Comprehensive Approach: Preventing Drug Abuse Office of National Drug Control Policy Retrieved November 26, 2013 from https://www.ncjrs.gov/ NCBI (2013) Substance Abuse Treatment and Family Therapy: Impact of Substance Abuse on Families National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine Retrieved November 26, 2013 from www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK64258 Robinson L., Smith M., and Saisan J. (2013) Drug Abuse and Addiction Helpguide.org Retrieved November 26, 2013 from www.helpguide.org Thombs, D. L., Wolcott, B. J., & Farkash, L. G. E. (1997). Social context, perceived norms, and drinking behavior in young people Journal of Substance Abuse, 9, 257–26 Read More