The Issue of Substance Misuse - Coursework Example

Substance Misuse Substance abuse or drug abuse can be used interchangeably. There is no definitive agreement by stakeholders on what the term substance abuse mean or should mean. The American Psychiatric Association defines substance abuse as: A maladaptive pattern of substance use leading to clinically significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12-month period: Recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home (e.g., repeated absences or poor work performance related to substance use; substance-related absences, suspensions or expulsions from school; neglect of children or household) (MedicineNet, 2015) Examples of the most commonly abused substances include but is not limited to alcohol, narcotics, inhalants (glue, paint thinner, lighter fluid) marijuana, stimulants (Cocaine, crack, amphetamines), hallucinogens (LSD) and opioids (heroine and morphine). Repeated substance abuse leading to addiction has close links to a host of social, health and economic problems. According to APA, alcohol abuse is by far the leading cause of preventable diseases and premature death. Moreover, drug and alcohol use have been implicated in high risk sexual behavior, the precursor to sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV (American Psychiatric Association, 2015) All around, it is commonly known someone personally or remotely whose lives have been affected by drug abuse. Drugs surround us. It is in the culture, in the great affluent areas of urban populations, and in the lowly, informal settlements in the world’s major urban centers and in the countryside too. Some Statistics The United Nations estimates, that in the year 2010 alone, 230 million used an illicit drug. That is just about 1 in every 20 adults (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012). Statistics on the United States, conducted by Center for Disease Control in 2007 over a one-month period show that young people today are increasingly exposed to drugs at an earlier age. 45% of high school students drank alcohol and 19.7% reported smoking marijuana. (Foundation for a Drug Free World., n.d.) The United Nations Health Report 2012 estimates that close to 170 million people in the world use cannabis. This represents roughly 3.8% of the adult population. 33 million people used amphetamines including methamphetamines and methcathinone. Around 20 million people used MDMA (ecstasy). Some 16 and17 million people respectively used cocaine and opiates. Of the opiate users, 12 to 13 million used heroin (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012). UNODC data on the prevalence and distribution of illicit drug production and use, show that: America is the world’s largest market for illicit drugs; Africa and the Americas lead in the production of cannabis; Asia for opiates; South America for cocaine and Europe, Asia and North America for the production of synthetic drugs. Consumption data show that cannabis use is highest in Oceania, Africa and North America. Cocaine use is highest in North and South America, Western Europe and recently Oceania. Opiate use is relatively high in the Middle East, Central Asia, Europe and North America while Amphetamine – Type – Stimulants (ATS) are majorly consumed in Oceania, East and South East Asia, America and Europe (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012). On the market dimensions, UNODC estimates that in 2009, the total retail market for cocaine amounted to $ 85 billion and $68 billion for opiates. As of 2003, the gross market value for illicit drugs was estimated at $ 320 billion or about 0.9% of the global GDP. Market share estimates by retail sales showed the US at 44%, Europe at 33 % followed by Asia, Oceania, Africa and South America. (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012). Types and examples of substances commonly abused Alcohol Of all abused substances, alcohol perhaps is the most accessible of them all. Alcohol is legal in many nations of the world and is easily available in supermarkets, shops, bars and restaurants. Many countries have regulations barring the sale of alcohol to minors. In some countries they are strictly enforced, in others the laws are lax. Alcohol taken in small quantities gives the user a euphoric effect. In greater quantities, alcohol tends to loosen inhibitions and imbalance the mind and cloud the perceptions. In that intoxicated state, one cannot make proper judgment moral or otherwise. Marijuana It is the most widely used illegal drug (SAMHSA, 2014). It goes under many names such as pot and weed. Marijuana is prepared from leaves, seeds, flowers or stem of the hemp plant, cannabis sativa. The plant contains the mind-altering chemical delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and other related compounds Invalid source specified. There are varied preparations of marijuana, the most common means being smoking by means of hand held cigarettes (joints). Marijuana users also use vaporizers to absorb active ingredients while avoiding smoke. Inhalants Inhalants include substances mostly found in the home environment such as gases (butane, propane, and aerosol propellants), nitrites (isoamyl, isobutyl, cycloxhexyl), solvents (glue, paint thinners, markers, cleaning fluids and spray paints). These contain psychoactive properties when inhaled. Adolescents and younger teens, majorly abuse this class of substances. Nicotine Nicotine exists in cigarettes, cigars and smokeless tobacco (snuff, chew, spit tobacco). These are smoked, chewed or snorted from where they get absorbed into the body. Stimulants Stimulants include drugs such as cocaine (C, candy, Charlie, coke, crack, flame), amphetamine (hearts, black beauties, Dexedrine) and methamphetamine (meth, ice, crank). Cocaine is made from the leaves of the coca plant native to South America. Powdered cocaine is inhaled through the nose or dissolved in water and injected into the bloodstream. Cocaine and its derivatives are highly addictive. They act by raising the heartbeat and increasing the blood pressure. They produce euphoria, burst of energy and talkativeness that lasts for a short time. Hallucinogens Hallucinogens such as LSD (cubes, yellow sunshine), Mescaline (buttons, cactus) and Psilocybin (magic mushrooms, purple passion) are swallowed or rarely smoked. They are absorbed through the mouth tissues. Hallucinogenic compounds contain fall under alkaloids – a group of naturally occurring compounds that are composed majorly of nitrogen. Most hallucinogenic compounds resemble the neurotransmitters: acetylcholine, serotonin or catecholamine –like. It is thought that they act by binding to the receptors of these neurotransmitters thereby interfering with nervous transmission. Opioids This class of substances contains morphine and its derivative heroin (brown sugar, dope, china white). Morphine is a naturally occurring substance extracted from the seed pod of the Asian poppy plant. Heroin is white, brown or sticky and black in color (black tar). Heroin is injected, snorted or smoked. Its immediate effects include: Euphoria; warm flushing of skin; dry mouth; heavy feeling in the hands and feet; clouded thinking; alternate wakeful and drowsy states; itching; nausea; vomiting; slowed breathing and heart rate. Anabolic androgenic steroids These are variants of the synthetic male hormone testosterone. Examples are Anadrol, Oxandrin, Depo-Testosterone, Equipoise (roids, juice, gym candy, pumpers). Anabolic steroids are normally prescribed for the treatment of conditions resulting from steroid hormone deficiency such as delayed puberty and in muscle regeneration in patients suffering from diseases affecting the tone of lean muscles such as HIV/AIDS and cancer. Body builders and athletes abuse steroids either to improve physical appearance or enhance performance. Steroids are mostly swallowed, injected into muscle or applied on the skin as cream or gel. Abuse of steroids could lead to a whole host of health problems like prostate cancer, blood problems and other psychiatric problems associated with sexual development. Club drugs Include GHB, Rohypnol, and ketamine. GHB is a CNS depressant approved for the treatment of a sleep disorder (narcolepsy). Rohypnol (flunitrazepam) resembles valium in chemical structure. Ketamine is a veterinary anesthetic. The drugs are usually taken through the oral route. Immediate effects include impaired memory; drowsiness impaired motor function, anxiety and tremors. Why do people use drugs? Drugs have been used throughout human history and in different lands. Whereas in the past drug use was restricted to special occasions such as religious rituals or for medicinal reasons, today’s drug problem however, is characterized by concentrated drug use among the youth specifically male youths. Moreover, there has been a substantial increase in both the variety of drugs and their use in urban settings. It is important to note that drug abuse has seen a sharp rise in the developing countries while at the same time showing signs of stabilization in the more developed world. What is to account for the prevalence of drug abuse among the youth and in developing countries? Clearly, there is a correlation between the rapid socio- economic transition that developing countries have undergone over the past decades and the rise in drug use among its populace. The youth drug problem largely began in the North America as a youth protest movement against the abuses of power by politicians and the military, specifically the Vietnam War. From there, it spread to Western Europe and the rest of the world. The early drug users of this period viewed themselves as ideological non- conformists of a morally bankrupt economic and social order. The ideological basis for drug use subsided with reforms initiated in the 70s but the seeds of drug abuse had been planted and the harvest is the contemporary drug problem of today. Drug use among the youth has often followed the pop culture. This was true with hippie movement of the 1960s, the discos and rave parties of the early and late 80s, the Jamaican Rastafarian movements of the 80s and today’s hip hop culture. The trend in drug abuse has followed globalization of the internet and other media platforms, emerging from a localized problem to one of an international nature affecting youth everywhere. According to The Jennifer Act (Blair, 2015), the following are probable reasons young people abuse drugs: Popular culture Many teens who abuse drugs do it out of peer pressure. Popular culture through the mass media, television programs, music and reality show idolize drugs and a rebellious lifestyle. Many adolescents naturally impatient of control see in these entertainers, role models and therefore they rationalize drug use as cool. Friends, family members, role models use them. Surely, drugs cannot be that bad. Anxiety, depression and mental health problems People suffering from depression and other mental problems use drugs as an escape mechanism to help them cope with their present circumstances. Drugs offer a temporary relief from a disturbed mind. Childhood trauma and household dysfunction Many children are brought up in broken families, others are abused at the hands of trusted ones and this leaves a deep psychological scar that makes them vulnerable to falling into a drug problem if not addressed. Stress, work place anxiety In individualistic and competitive society, job related stress in not uncommon and some people may use drugs to boost their output or to cope. Poverty and social Instability In the low-income settlements of urban areas, where jobs are hard to come by and hopelessness prevails, drug abuse becomes a pass time and a welcomed distraction from the problems of everyday life. The reasons for drug abuse could be many, some easily assessable, others not so easily. The effects of drug abuse Health Effects Drinking too much alcohol can endanger the health in a number of ways: alcohol can damages the heart muscles, cause high blood pressure or stroke. It can cause liver cirrhosis, hepatitis, fibrosis or steatosis. Alcohol has also been implicated as a risk factor for throat, liver, esophagus, mouth or liver cancer. Drinking too much also lowers the body’s immune system leaving it vulnerable to infections such a pneumonia and tuberculosis (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d.). Cocaine can cause nasal damage, cardiovascular complications orstroke and continual use of cannabis may lead to addiction, frequent respiratory infections and mental health decline. The risk of HIV and other infectious diseases from shared needles in the case of cocaine. Drug related deaths, from overdose , from drug – induced accidents, suicide or medical conditions made worse by illegal drugs account for the deaths of 0.2 million people every year. (United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012). Injectable drugs, club drugs increases the likelihood of HIV, hepatitis B and C infections. Moreover, the burden of treating drug addicts places a heavy financial burden on the persons, their families and society at large. Behavioral Problems and Loss of productivity Drug abuse is responsible for behavioral problems expressed as: paranoia, aggressiveness, hallucinations, impulsiveness, loss of self – control, impaired judgment and addiction. This is because of the effects drugs have on the brain chemistry. If one can’t think right, one can’t act right and therefore, one’s economic productivity is remarkably reduced or destroyed altogether. Injuries and accidents According to Gateway foundation, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities stem from substance abuse than from any other preventable health condition. Today, one in four deaths is attributable to illicit drug use. People who live with substance dependence have a higher risk of all bad outcomes including unintentional injuries, accidents, risk of domestic violence, medical problems, and death (Gateway Foundation, 2015). Birth defects Pregnant women who use illicit drugs pose significant health risks to themselves and their unborn baby. Some of the babies may be born underdeveloped or underweight. Some babies may also experience withdrawal symptoms; have birth defects and behavioral problems. Crime and Violence Drug addicts often resort to crime to finance their habit. Besides illicit drugs lower inhibitions making criminal offence most likely. Besides illicit drug users have behavioral problems that may predispose them to violent crime. Bibliography American Psychiatric Association, 2015. Addictions. [Online] Available at: http://www.psychiatry.org/addiction [Accessed 8 May 2015]. Blair, S., 2015. The nine reasons why people take drugs. [Online] Available at: http://thejenniferact.com/2011/05/12/reasons-why-people-use-drugs/ [Accessed 8 May 2015]. Foundation for a Drug Free World., n.d. Drug Free World. [Online] Available at: http://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/the-truth-about-drugs.html Gallup Organization, 2011. Youth attitude on drugs: Analytical report, Luxembourg: Gallup Organization. Gateway Foundation, 2015. Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction. [Online] Available at: http://recovergateway.org/substance-abuse-resources/drug-addiction-effects/ [Accessed 8 May 2015]. Get the Facts, 2014. Adolescents. [Online] Available at: www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/adolescents#sthash.iG4f73Rk.dpbs [Accessed 8 May 2015]. Hamburg, D. A., 1994. Todays Children Creating a Future for a Generation in Crisis. New york: Time Books. Hucker, S. & Smith, J., 1994. Schizophrenia and substance abuse. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 165(1), pp. 13-21. Know Your Limits, 2013. Know ... about Alcohol. [Online] Available at: http://www.knowyourlimits.info/know-about-alcohol [Accessed 8 May 2015]. Lynn , R., Ehrlich , S. & Finnegan, L., 1987. Cocaine abuse in pregnancy: Effects on the fetus and newborn.. Neurotoxicology and teratology, 9(4), pp. 259-297. MedicineNet, 2015. Definition of Drug Abuse. [Online] Available at: http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=24405 [Accessed 8 May 2015]. National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, n.d. Alcohols Effect on the Body. [Online] Available at: http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body [Accessed 8 May 2015]. SeaCliff Recovery Center, 2015. The Connection Between Poverty and Drug Abuse. [Online] Available at: seacliffrecovery.com/addiction-recovery-blog/the-connection-between-poverty-and-drug-abuse/ [Accessed 8 May 2015]. United Nations Office On Drugs and Crime, 2012. World Drug Report 2012, Vienna: United Nations Publications. Valdez, A., Kaplan, C. D. & Curtis Junior, R. L., 2007. Aggressive Crime, Alcohol and Drug Use, and Concentrated Poverty in 24 U.S. Urban Areas. Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse, 33(4), pp. 595-603. EMCDDA (European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction) (2002), Recreational drug use: a key EU challenge, Drugs in focus, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon. EMCDDA (2006a), Annual report 2006: the state of the drugs problem in Europe, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon. EMCDDA (2006b), Developments in drug use within recreational settings, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon. EMCDDA (2007), Cocaine and crack cocaine: a growing public health issue, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon. EMCDDA (2009), Annual report 2009: the state of the drugs problem in Europe, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, Lisbon. Read More