essay about drug abuse

Alcoholabuseisaseriousproblem,drivingwhiledrunkorundertheinfluenceofdrugsisaneven biggerproblemthatshouldn'tbetakenlightly.Abusingeitheroneofthesesubstancescanleadtothe deathofyouorthedeathofsomeoneelseorevencauseamajorchangeintheirlifelikeJacqueline's story,herwholelifehasbeenchangedbecauseofanotherperson'signoranceandcarelessness. Therefore,youshouldknowthefactsaboutdrugandalcoholabusebeforeyoudosomethingyou mayregretfortherestofyourlife.

AccordingTONIDAFORTEENS:THESCIENCEBEHINDDRUGABUSE,drugsarechemicals orsubstancesthatchangethewayourbodiesworkDrugsfindtheirwayintoyourbloodstream, whetheryouingest,inhaleorinject...showmorecontent...

Thatiswhenhebegandealingdrugs.Hethengotcaughtandnowresidesinmaximum–security jailInmanycasesteensthatyoumayknowdoendupgoingtojailbecausetheyhavebecome addictedtothedrugstheyhavebeenusingandtheywilldoanythingtobuywhattheyneed.Atthat pointyourfellowpeersorevenfriendswillbegindealingdrugsthinkingthatitisthequickest meansofreceivingmoney.Withthemoneytheyreceive,itgoestowardsthedrugstheywantto purchase.AccordingtoTREATMENTEPISODESDATASET(TEDS)1992–2002,SAMHSA, 2006,MarijuanaisaddictiveMoreteensareintreatmentwithaprimarydiagnosisofmarijuana dependencethanforallotherillicitdrugscombined.Severalteensbeginusingsubstanceswhenthey areintroducedtomarijuana.Marijuanaisreferredtoasagatewaydrug,andmanyteenusersbegin usingbecausetheyaredepressed,havingfamilyproblems,oranyotherstrugglestheyare experiencingintheirlives.Teensbeginsmokingmarijuana,thinkingtheyarenotgoingtobecome addictedTruthismarijuanausebyteenagerswhohavepriorantisocialproblemscanquicklyleadto addiction.Therefore,ifyouweretobeginusingmarijuana,youshouldbeawarethatyoucan becomeaddicted.AsstatedbyNIAAA,UNDERAGEDRINKING:AMAJORPUBLICHEALTH CHALLENGE,Theyoungeryouarewhenyoustartdrinking,thegreateryour

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Drugabuseisbadbecauseitspoilspeople'slives,increasesdrugaccess,andhasserious consequencesandeffectsonplacesthedrugsareused.Therearedrugseverywheretheygo,thereis notonesingleplace,thatanyonecouldgotoandthereisnotmanypersonwhoisnotusingdrugsor haddrugsintheirsystem.Teensbetweentheageoffifteentoeighteenhaveproblemswithdrug addiction;teenswhostarttousedrugsatayoungagetendtohaveaproblemwiththemoncethey getolder.Eightypercentoftheteenswhousedrugsdonotgettograduatehighschool.The prevalenceofdrugusehasgoneupinthepastyearsduetothepeoplethatkeepconsumingthem. TheUnitedStateshasmanyprogramstohelpkidswithdrugabusebecausetheywantthebestfor them.Mostprogramsmaywork,maybenotforever,buttemporarilyandatleastmanyteenagers havestoppeddoingdrugsandhaverehabilitatedthemselves.Manyteenstendtostartdrugsbecause maybesomeoneintheirfamilyconsumesthemorthefriendstheyhavearoundthemdo.Manytimes thepeopletheyaresurroundedwithtendtohaveabigaffectonwhattheydo.Mostteenagersgoto drugstohelpthemforgettheproblemsthattheyhaveathomeProblemsathomecanincludetheir parentsfighting,arguing,andeventuallysplittingupandsometimesintimacyisnottheonly problemorthecauseofthat.Sometimesproblemswithmoneycansplitpeopleup.Drugscannotfix anyproblemsgoingon,itonlymakespeoplefeelbetterforafewhoursandafterdrugs,wearoffit cancauseapersontobeevenmoredepressedthanbefore.Manyhighschoolstudentsusedrugsfor variousreasonsReasonsthathighschoolersusedrugsaremainlypointlessbecausetheymostly wanttofitinwiththe"coolkids"andthatmakessomekidsmakethewrongchoicessothattheyare nothumiliatedbytheothers.Inrecentyears,about30percentofseniorsinhighschoolsusedrugs andabout65percentofkidsinhighschoolthataresophomoresusedrugs(Cole54)

Therearemanywaystogetaholdofdrugs;somewaysareeasyandsomewaysarehard.Easy waystogetaholdofdrugsareifthedrugshewanttoconsumeislegal.Somestatesthathave ...Getmorecontent...

DrugAbuseAnestimated10.4millionAmericansaged12andoverhaveusedmethamphetamineat leastonceintheirlifetime.Whatexactlyismethamphetamine?Alsonamedcrank,speed,crystalor ice,itisawhite,odorlesspowderthatdissolveswithwateroralcohol.Methamphetamineaddiction isoneofthemostdifficultaddictionstogettreated.MethamphetaminefirststartedinGermany around1887DuringWorldWar2thisdrugwasusedtokeepthemengoingInthe1950sand60's thisdrugwasgiventopeoplewhowantedtoloseweight.Bythe70'sitbecameacureforpeople whowantedtostayawake,looseweight,helpwithmilddepressionandtoincreaseathletic performanceButbythemid–1980'stheDrugEnforcementAgencywasshowmorecontent Thisoccursattheendofthebinge,tweakingisthemostdangerousstagebecauseitisthemost obvioustolawenforcementandthepeoplearoundtheuser.Crashiswhathappensnext,duringthe crashalltheuserwantsissleep.Thecrashcanlastupto3days.Afterthecrashoccurstheuserwill haveanormalstage.Thenormalstagecanlastupto14daysorbeaslittleas3.Thelaststageof methamphetamineisWithdrawduringthisstagealltheuserwants'ismoreUsually30–90dayswill passuntiltheuserrealizeshe/sheisinthewithdrawstage.

Therearemanyeffectsastowhatthisdrugcandotothebodyandthepeoplearoundsomeonewho isusing.Asyoucanimaginethisdrugwilltearafamilyapart,andalsoteartheuser'sbodyapart. Methamphetaminehaslong–termeffectsandshorttermeffects.Someshort–termeffectsinclude shuttingdownyourbrain'ssleep,hungerandthirstcentersOthereffectsincludeconfusion,non–stoptalking,anxiety,paranoiaandaggressiveness.Allthoughthosesideeffectsaretreatablethis drugjustmakeswhoeverisusingwantmore,andbydoingthatauserwillhavelong–termeffects.

Thoseeffectsincludewantingmore,cardiovascularproblemsthatresultinrapidheartrate, increasedbloodpressure,andirregularheartrate.Userswilleveneventuallystartseeing"Crank Bugs".Thisisthefeelingthatausergetswhenyouhavebeendoingmethforawhile,usersfeelasif therearebugscrawlingunderyourskin.

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DrugAbuseintheWorkplace:

ThehumanresourcetopicIchosetowritemyresearchpaperonis"DrugAbuseintheWorkplace". Drugabuseintheworkplaceissomethingverycommonthatmanyofuswillencounteratsome pointAlcoholanddrugabusehasamajoreffectonemployeeabsenceandlostproductivelythat leavesanegativeworkingenvironment.Itisimportantacompanyaddressestherightguidelinesto keepadrugfreeworkplace.Establishingaclearandfairsubstanceabusepolicyandproviding frequentdrugtestingcanhelpwiththeseissuesDrugabusehasproventobearesultofworkrelated stress;companiesthatprovideemployeeawarenesstraininghelpteachemployeeshowtobetter managetheseissues.SubstanceAbuseintheworkplaceinoneofthetopconcernsintheUnited Statestoday"Studiesshowthat73percentofdrugusersareemployees,costingAmerican businessesbillionsofdollarsannuallyinlostproductionandstaffingcosts(Walsh)."Thesearesome ofthefewtopicsIwillbeaddressinginmyresearchpaper

Inordertounderstandwhateffectsdrugshaveontheworkplace,youmustfirstunderstandhow drugsaffectthehumanbody."Mostabuseddrugsdirectlyorindirectlytargetthebrain'sreward systembyfloodingthecircuitwithdopamine.Dopamineisaneurotransmitterpresentinregionsof thebrainthatregulatemovement,emotion,cognition,motivation,andfeelingsofpleasure.When drugsenterthebrain,theycan ...Getmorecontent...

DrugAbuse

DrugAbuseisgenerallydefinedastheuseofadrugwithsuchfrequencythattheuserhasphysical ormentalharmoritimpairssocialabilities.Thesubstancesthatarediscussedinthisreportare calledpsychoactivedrugs;thosedrugsthatinfluenceoraltertheworkingsofthemind,affect moods,emotions,feelings,andthinkingprocesses.

DrugDependence/Addiction

Therearethreebasiccharacteristicsthatindicatethattheuserisdependentonadrug.First,theuser continuestousethedrugforanextendedperiodoftime.Second,theuserfindsitdifficulttostop usingthedrug.Theymaydropoutofschool,steal,gotojail,losetheirjobs,orleavetheirfamilies inordertokeepusingshowmorecontent

EffectsofDrugs

Therearefourbasicstagesthatthedrugusergoesthrough.Instageone,therearenooutward behavioralchangescausedbytheuseofdrugs.Thedruguseisconsiderednormal.Instagetwo,the useractivelyseekstheeuphoriceffectsofthedrugbyusingitmorefrequentlyAreliablesourceof thedrugisestablished.Theusermayaddmid–weekuseratherthanonlyonweekendsoratparties. Inyoungerusers,agenerallackofmotivationisnoticed,alongwithchangesinfriendsandlower gradesInstagethree,theuserisextremelypreoccupiedwiththedesiretoexperiencetheeffectsof thedrug.Thedrugisuseddaily.Theremaybethoughtsofsuicideand/ordepression. Theremaybefamilyproblemsortroublewiththelaw.Inthefourthandfinalstage,theuserhas becomeaddicted.Theyaredependentonthedrugjusttofeelnormal.Physicalsignsarefrequent sorethroats,coughing,fatigue,andweightloss.Theymaybeexperiencingoverdosingand blackoutsmorefrequentlyTheusermaybeengagingincriminalactivitiesinordertoobtainmoney forthedrug.Alcohol

OnemajordrugthatphysicallyeffectstheuserisalcoholItcausesdamagetothebrain,pancreas, andkidney.Italsocauseshighbloodpressureandmayheightentheriskofheartattacksandstrokes.

Otherconsequencesofalcoholabusearepossiblealcoholichepatitis,cirrhosisofthe

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Therearenumerousnumberofthingsthatcanharmyourbody.Amajoroneisdrug.Notonlydoes drugsharmyourbody,butalsoeffectyourbehaviorandpeoplearoundyou.Drugscomeinmany forms,fromdrinkingtosmoking."Tobaccoisoneoftheworldmostuseddrug,andit'sresponsible foranestimated5milliondeathsworldwideeachyear"(AddictionandHealth).Abusingdrugscan causemental,healthproblems,andalsoeffectthepeoplearoundyou

Theuseofdrugscausepeopletoexperiencementalissuessuchasbehaviorproblems.Thisisdueto theuseofalcohol.Alcoholcancausedamagetoaperson'sbrain.Youcantellifapersonhavebeen drinkingornotbyhowtheywalk,theirbehavior,andtheirreactionIfanexcessiveamountshow morecontent...

Otherformofdrugsuchasinhalantcancausedamagetothenervecellswhichcanbedeadly. Inhalantsaffectsthewholebody.Itisverypoisonous"Duetothetoxicnatureofthesesubstances, usersmaydevelopbraindamageorsuddendeath"(Drugaddiction,substanceusedisorder). Inhalantsareverydangerousifinhalebecausetheyareextremelytoxicandcancausedamageto yourinternalorgans,notonlyisitharmfultoyou,butalsothesociety.

Manydrugusersaffectspeoplearoundthemandmaynotrealizeit."Drugusersaremorelikelythan nonuserstohaveoccupationalaccidents,endangeringthemselvesandthosearoundthem"(drug addictionanddrugabuse:EffectsofSubstanceAbuse).Secondhandsmokeisonethingthatwill haveanaffectonotherpeopleItmightnotaffectthemrightaway,butlateroninlifeiftheperson inhaleenoughofthetoxicsmokeeveryday,itwillcausesomedamage.Peoplethatusedrugscan alsoincreasethespreadofinfectiousdiseasestootherpeople."Heroin,cocaine,and methamphetaminecurrentlyaccountsforabout12percentofnewAIDScases"(Addictionand Health).Mostdrugusershaveatleastonediseasetheyhavealreadyencountered.Diseasescanbe spreadsexuallyandphysically.Drugscanalsoleadtonegative Moo2effectsofinfantsandchildren.Ifamotherabusedrugs,itlateroneffectstheinfantorchild behavior,thinking,andattention.

UsingdrugscancausecountlessnegativeeffectsBefore

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DrugAbuseandAddictionEssay

Drugsaffectpeopleinmanydifferentways.Onepersoncantakeabusedrugs,yetneverbecome addicted,whileanotherpersonhasoneexperienceandisimmediatelyhookedtothatdrug.Drug addictionisdefinedasadependenceonanillegaldrug,ormedication.Whenyouareaddicted,you cannotcontrolyourdrugusedespitethefactthatyouknowtheconsequences.Thescarythingis thatdrugaddictioncancauseamajorintensecravingofdrugsEventhoughyouwanttostop,most peoplecan'tdoitontheirownitisverydifficult,andmostneedtherapeutichelp.Formanypeople thisiswhatisgoingtoleadthemtotheirdeath,oralongtermmental/physicaldisability.Being addictedwillalsoaffectyourrelationshipswithfriendsandshowmorecontent Forexample,somepeoplewillgetaddictedandneedtokeeprelyingonthedrug.Whentheyare hookedontothatdrug,becomingadrugabuser,thatpersonwillstartneglectinghisorherown responsibilitiesandstartdelvingintoillegalactivities.Notonlyaretheyaffectingthemselves,but theybegintohurtfamilymembers,friends,andthegreatersociety.Becauseyouhavelostyourself toodeeplyintothedrugs,youcannotcontrolyourself;yourlifebasicallyrevolvesaroundthedrug Whenexperimentingwithdrugs,youarerunningariskfactorfordevelopingmoreseriousdrug abusehabitswhichleadtohealthandbehavioralconsequences.Italldependsonwhatdrugoneis addictedto,butthereisnoillegaldrugthatdoesnothaveseriousconsequences.Takinga recreationaldrugcausesasurgeinlevelsofdopamineinthebrain,whichtriggerfeelingsof pleasure,whichisconsideredgetting"stoned"Thebrainremembersthosefeelingsandwantsthem repeatedalloveragain.Ifyoubecomeaddicted,thesubstancetakesonthesamesignificanceas othersurvivalbehaviors,suchaseatinganddrinking.Italsochangesone'sbrain,interferingwith one'sabilitytothink

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Drugsareanysubstancethatcanbeconsumed,smoked,injected,inhaled,transdermal,orintranasal causingaphysiologicaleffectwhenintroducedintothebody.Physiciansusedrugsknownas medicinesforhealthyreasonssuchaspeoplethatsufferfromailmentslikeasthma,cancer, HIV/AIDS,oretc.However,numerouspeopleusedrugsforrecreationalpurposes(legal,controlled, orillegal)suchasprescriptiondrugs,tobacco,caffeineorillicitsubstancesforpleasure,alongwith alcohol.Thesetypesofrecreationaldruguserangefrommildtosevereaddictionformillions,which theNationalInstituteonDrugsAbusewoulddescribeasasubstanceusedisorder(SUD).Addiction isaprevalentandcomplicatedproblemthatcontinuesinshowmorecontent

However,ThecompanyisbetterknownforproducingAspirinthe"drugofthecentury"."The chemistswhofirstdevelopedthiscompoundtrieditonthemselves,founditmadethemfeel"heroic" andsoitwasgiventhebrandnameheroin"(Doweiko,2015).Heroinhasalonghistorythroughout theworld.Duetotheamountofsoldiersbeingwoundedinbattlestheyweregivenopiumtorelieve thepain,andconsequentlyaddictedtoopium,giventhenickname"soldier'sdisease"meaningthe soldierswaseitheraddictedtoopiumorsufferedfromwithdrawalsymptomsofopiumuse.Heroin waspromotedtocounteractnumeroussoldiersthatwereaddictedtomorphineduringthe19th centurybattles.Heroinwasslowlyintroducedinlowdosestohelpwithmorphinewithdrawalsand longtermreplacingmorphine.However,heroinbackfiredproducingaddictionexceptionallyquickly inmanyInthe20thcentury,companieswereallowedtodisplayanyproductwithoutincludingthe ingredientssuchascocaine,morphine,andallowedtomislabelproducts.Theturnofeventswhen peoplewitnessedaheightenedawarenessthatpsychotropicdrugshaveagreatpotentialforcausing addictionTheabuseofopiumandcocainehadreachedepidemicproportionintheUSTherefore, thePureFoodandDrugActof1906passedandcompanieshavetolabeltheiringredientsin products.Later,theHarrisonActof1914waspassedregulatingopium,heroin,andcocainemaking themillegalintheUnitedStated.

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Thesis:Drugabuse,alsoknownassubstanceabuse,isapatterneduseofadruginwhichtheuser consumesthesubstanceinamountsorwithmethodswhichareharmfultothemselvesorothers.

Manyteensturntomarijuana,prescriptiondrugs,clubdrugs,alcohol,orothersubstancesasa meansofcopingwithstress,peerinfluence,andfailureofparentstopreventtheirchildrenfrom makingunreasonabledecisions

Accordingtotheyearly"MonitoringtheFuture"surveyofhighschoolageteenagersintheUnited States,bythetimeourkidscompletehighschool,aminimumof40percenthaveconsumedanillicit drugand70percenthaveconsumedalcohol

A.Drugaddictionisdefinedasachronic,oftenrelapsingbraindiseasethatcauses...showmore content

2.Parentalsubstanceabuseinterruptsachild'snormaldevelopment,whichplacestheseyoungsters athigherriskforemotional,physicalandmentalhealthproblems.Becauseparentswhoabuse alcoholorotherdrugsaremorelikelytobeinvolvedwithdomesticviolence,divorce, unemployment,mentalillnessandlegalproblems,theirabilitytoparenteffectivelyisseverely compromised.

III.AccordingtotheMentalHealthCenterofCalifornia,morethan8millionchildrenlivewithat leastoneparentwho'saddictedtoalcoholordrugs.A.Thisnumberincludes14%ofchildren youngerthan2,12%aged6to11yearsold,and10%ofyouthbetweentheagesof12and17B Childrenofsubstanceabusingparentsareatriskforawidevarietyofothernegativeoutcomes, includingemotional,social,andbehavioraladjustmentproblemsaswellaschallengesincognitive andacademicfunctioningRiskforpooremotionalandbehavioralamongchildrenlivingwitha parentwhohasasubstanceabusehistoryarereportedamongthoseasyoungas2to3yearsofage.

1.Ofthesechildren,approximately6.3millionlivedwithaparentwho ...Getmorecontent...

Dopeopleeverthinkabouttheconsequencesaboutdrugabuse?Notmanyofusdobutweallknow whatitdoestous.Drugsareharmfultothebrainandthebodysystemitself;theyaffecttheheartin manywaysandbecauseofthatpeoplebecomeunconsciousastowhattheiractionsare.Theydonot realizehowbadlytheycanharmthecommunityaroundthem.Drugsarenormallyusedbythose whoarenotinvolvedinactivitiessuchas,religiousclubs,sports,etcTheusersarenormally stressedoutwithlifeandattimestheyjustneedsomethingtosettheirmindsasidefromproblems whichoccurintheireverydaylife.Therearemanyreasonsastowhyandhowdrugsaffectthe communityaroundthedrugusershowmorecontent

Whenapregnantwomanusesdrugssheaffectsthefetus.Scientisthavestudiedfactsaboutthe babiesbornfrommarijuanauserswereshorter,weighedless,andhadsmallerheadsizesthanthose bornfromthemotherswhodidnotusethedrug.Whenababyissmallerthanitsaveragesizethe healthofthebabyhasmoreofarisktoitthananaveragesizedbaby.Drugabusehasnegative effectsonthefetusbecausetheyaretransferredfromtheplacentatothefetuswhichharmsthebirth ofthebaby.Ifapregnantwomanistakingindrugssheismakingitharderfortheunborntobreath andmostofthedrugscancauseamiscarriage.Ifthemotherissmokingheroinewhilehavinga child,thechildcanbecomeimmunetothatdrugandbecomedependantonit.PCPandLSDcan leadtovariousproblemsforthechildsuchas,lowbirthweight,poormusclecontrol,braindamage, andwithdrawalsyndromeiftheyareusedfrequently

Whensomeoneisusingdrugsitiseasytotellbytheirphysicalsigns;whenapersonusesmarijuana theymayhaveachroniccoughand/orasthmaconditions.Marijuanaweakenstheimmunesystem whichleadstopneumoniaandotherinfectionsStimulantscauseanincreaseintheheartrateandthe bloodpressurewhereastheothertypesofdrugslikeheroinecausetheheartratetodropandslow down.Researchesshowthatthecostofdrugsisveryhigh.InAmericaitselfit

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DrugAbuse&Crime

WhenIwasbrainstormingaboutmytermpapertopicIcameupwithaninterestingtopicwhichis DrugAbuse&Crime.Ithoughtitwasimperativetolearnabouthowdrugabuseaffectsthecrime ratesinAmerica.Iwillbediscussingothersubjectssuchashowmanycriminalsareactuallyunder theinfluenceofadrugwhencommittingacrimeincludingillicitandlicitdrugsAdditionally,Iwill bediscussingwhatdrugsthecriminalswereundertheinfluenceofandthestatisticssurrounding drugabuseandcrimeandwhatprogramsareavailabletohelpwiththeproblem.IthinkIhave selectedabroadandinformationaltopicthatwemustbeconcernedabout Although,theconcernaboutdrugabuseandcrimeratesisnothing...showmorecontent... Therefore,Ibeganresearchingthisquestionandcameacrosssomevaluablefactsandinformation.I concurredfrom(CrimeandAlcohol,2011),thatabout3millionviolentcrimesoccureachyearin whichvictimsperceivetheoffendertohavebeendrinkingatthetimeoftheoffense.Amongthose victimswhoprovidedinformationabouttheoffender'suseofalcohol,about35percentofthe victimizationsinvolvedanoffenderwhohadbeendrinking.Accordingto,(TheNationalCenterfor VictimsofCrime,2011)drugusersaremorelikelythannonuserstocommitcrimes. NowthatweknowhowalcoholcontributestocrimeinAmericaitisonlyappropriatetodiscuss howcocaine,heroin,andcrackcontributetothecrimeratesinAmerica.Asweallhavelearned fromourstudiesinclasswhenanindividualisundertheinfluenceofdrugssuchascocaine,heroin, andcrackpeopleoftensufferfrommanysymptomssuchaspharmacologicaleffects,cardiovascular effects,andcentralnervoussystemeffects(citedin,Hanson2009,p.269–270).Onestatementabout thelinkbetweencocaineandcrimehasreallyastoundedmeandcontributestomyconcernsabout drugabuseandcrime.Theauthorofthearticle(CocaineAbuseandAddiction,Crime,Freebasing, CrackCocaine,2011),hasstatedthattheproblemwithcocaineandcrimeissobadthathedeclares cocaineandstreetcrimehavebecomesoulmates.Peopleareundertheinfluenceofsuchdrugs commit

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PersuasiveEssayOnDrugAbuse

Today,drugabusehasbecomeacontroversialsubjectwherevariousindividualshavedifferent views.Substanceabuseisasubstantialdilemmaamongpeopleandeasilyspreadinschools,work environments,andeveninhomes.Drugabusestartsinutterlyreasons,butcanbegininadolescence withpeerpressureorfriendsusingthem,familyenvironmentthathasviolent,physical,oremotional abuse,andinheritedgeneticswithmentalhealthconditionsasdepression,anxiety,orADHD (NationalInstituteonDrugAbuse,2014).Drugsbecomemisusewhetherit'sinrecreational, narcoticsoralcohol.AccordingtoNationalInstituteonDrugAbuse,Substanceabuseisaccountable forandinvolvementinnearly60,000deathsannuallyintheUnitedshowmorecontent Itiscriticaltoengageinresearchesthatwillhelpfurthertheunderstandingofdrugstosuccessfully preventdrugabuse.

ReviewofLiterature

CausesofDrugAbuseThecausesofdrugabusearenotentirelybeenestablished,butmostlikelyto includeingenetics,mentalhealthdisorders,andtheindividual'ssurroundingcircumstancesThe drugandalcoholabusecanruninthefamilyandoffspringcaninheritthehabit.Genetic predispositionisdeliberatelysubstantialinestablishingasubstanceoralcoholabuseproblem. Heritabilityofsubstanceusedisordersvariesamongsubstances(andthemeasureofsubstanceuse), populations,age,andsex(Meyers&Dick,2010,p.467).Itisamoderatepercentagethatgenetics causesubstanceabuseResearchshowsthatgeneticsoftheyouthalcoholandsubstanceproblems indicatethatthesedisturbedbehaviorsareademonstrationofexposureofthespectrumof externalizingdisordersandrecognizeeachindividualcomplicationindependentlywhichmayresult inustofailtocatchcriticalanalysisevidence(Meyers&Dick,2010,p467)Drugabusegenerally appearsalongwithfurtherconditionssuchasinmentalillness.Substanceabusedifficultnearlyeach conditionofresponsibilityforanindividualwithmentalhealthdisorder.Peoplewhohaveamental healthconditionareverylikelytomisuse

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DrugAbuseAndSubstanceAbuse

TheNationalInstituteonDrugAbuse(NIDA)definesdrugabuseas,"Itbecomesdrugabusewhen peopleuseillegaldrugsoruselegaldrugsinappropriately."Thismayinclude;therepeatedusesof drugstoproducepleasure,alleviatesstress,and/oraltersoravoidsreality.Theperceptionof addictionandsubstanceabusehasbeenwidelyknownformanyyears,butthemedicalcommunity hasfailedtoacceptandpubliclythisissueamongitownmembersDrugabusebynursesis prevalentintodaysociety,TheAmericanNursesAssociation(ANA)estimatesthatsixtoeight percentofnursesusealcoholordrugsintheworkplace.Toputintoperspective,foreverytenactive workingnurses,oneusesalcoholordrugsintheworkplaceOthersourcesclaimthatnurses generallymisusedrugsandalcoholatarateof10–15%asnearlythesamerateoftherestofthe population.AccordingtoKenward(2008),onlyone–thirdofonepercentofallactivenursesis penalizedeachyearfortheiractions.Duringthe1970sand1980saddictednurseswereonlyoffered treatmentpriortodisciplinaryaction.Nurseswerenottheonlyone,physiciansalsodidnotreceive treatmentuntilaftertheyhadbeencriminallychargedLikethecommonpatient,nursesare constantlyfacingpersonalchallengesthattesttheirintegrity,moral,andabilitytocopewith situations.Theaccessibilityofopioidsfornursesisrightatthepalmoftheirhands,whichmakesit easyforanursewhohassubstanceabuse

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Substanceabusecomplicatesalmosteveryaspectofcareforthepersonwithamentaldisorder. Whendrugsenterthebrain,theycaninterrupttheworkandactuallychangehowthebrainperforms itsjobs;thesechangesarewhatleadtocompulsivedruguse.Drugabuseplaysamajorrolewhen concerningmentalhealth.Itisverydifficultfortheseindividualstoengageintreatment.Diagnosis foratreatmentisdifficultbecauseittakestimetodisengagetheinteractingeffectsofsubstance abuseandthementalillness.Itmayalsobedifficultforsubstanceabuserstobeaccommodatedat homeanditmaynotbetoleratedinthecommunityofresidentsofrehabilitationprograms.The authorstates,thattheyenduplosingtheirsupportsystemsshowmorecontent

AccordingtotheAmericanPsychiatricAssociationchronicdrugabusemayoccurtogetherwithany mentalillnessthatmayincludesomeofthefollowingdisorders."Somecommonseriousmental disordersassociatedwithchronicdrugabuseincludeschizophrenia,bipolardisorder,manic depression,attentiondeficithyperactivitydisorder(ADHD),generalizedanxietydisorder, obsessive–compulsivedisorder,post–traumaticstressdisorder,panicdisorder,andantisocial personalitydisorder"(Center,2004).Someofthesedisorderscarrywiththemanincreasedriskof drugabuse.Anotherexampleofadrugthatcancauseamentaldisorder,isMDMA(3,4–methylenedioxymethamphetamine)whichiscommonlyknownasecstasy.Itproduceslongterm deficitsinserotoninfunctioninthebrain,leadingtomentaldisorderssuchasdepressionand anxiety

Inaddition,chronicdrugabusebyteenagersduringatimeofdevelopmentitisaparticularconcern because,itcaninterferewithnormalsocializationandcognitivedevelopmentandthusfrequently contributestothedevelopmentofmentaldisordersViolencehasbecomemoreprevalentamongthe diagnosedpopulationofdrugsandmentaldisorders.Domesticviolenceandsuicideattemptsare morecommonofthementallyillwhoendupincarcerated;thereis

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Ithasbeendiscoveredthatmostpeoplewhostrugglewithdrugaddictionbeganexperimentingwith drugsintheirteens.Teenagedrugabuseisoneofthelargestproblemsinsocietytodayandthe problemgrowsandlargereveryyear.Drugsareapervasiveforceinourculturetoday.Toexpect kidsnottobeinfluencedbythecultureoftheirtimeisasunrealisticasbelievinginthetoothfairy (Bauman140)Teensmayfeelpressuredbytheirfriendstotrydrugs,theymayhaveeasyaccessto drugs,theymayusedrugstorebelagainsttheirfamilyorsociety,ortheymaytakeanillegaldrug becausetheyarecuriousaboutitorthepleasurethatitgivesthem.Afterinterviewingmyteenage cousinwhomhasbeeninseveralaltercationsshowmorecontent

Myteenagecousinadvisedmethataftershepassedthestageofbeingpressuredbyherpeerstouse drugsandalcohol,shebeganusingittomakeherfeelbetterbecauseshewassufferingfrom depression.Depressionistheresultofchemicalimbalanceandenvironmentalinfluence.Drugsand alcoholarethemostreadilyavailablemethodsofemotionalanesthesia,ifnotonhand;theywould findasubstitute(Henican141)Shewouldusedrugswhenshewouldthinkaboutherincarcerated dadthathasbeeninandoutofherlifefrombirth.Herfamilymemberswouldtrytoencourageher andwouldoftentellher,"Ifyoucontinuetodothethingsthatyouaredoing,youwillenduplike yourdadincarcerated."Sherebelsagainsthermotherandstepfatherwhentheytrytocorrectherand disciplineher.Shedoesn'tliketofollowtherulesathomeorschoolandactslikeshedoesn'tdo anythingwrongSomethingpsychologicallyisreallygoingonwithhermentally,thatisoneofthe sideeffectsthatdrugscauses.Seeingthereisnowayoutfeelinglonelylikenoonecaresandno prospectsforimprovementleadstodepression.Depressionissomethingthatmanyteensdealwith duringtheirlivesSometeensisolatethemselvesfromtheirfamiliesbygoingintheirrooms,staying outlate,noteatingandabadgradeorbecauseofanargumentwithparentsorfriends–theymayuse moredrugsthan

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Drugabuseisawidespreadproblemthatmakesindividualdruguserstheprimevictims.Butdrugs alsoaffectallofus,whereverweliveandwhateverwedo.Drugabusecancauseseriousphysical andmentaldeterioration.Theproblemcantearapartthefamilystructureandmakeithardfor learning.Difficultiesonthejobduetodrugabusemakeithardforemployerstoruntheir businessesStealingformemployersorfromindividualstogetmoneyfromfordrugscausespain andeconomiclosstothevictims.Arrestsandjailingofdrugusersanddealersputsastrainonlaw enforcementofficialsandthecriminaljusticesystems;thecosttotaxpayersisenormous.The millionsofdollarsspentonillegaldrugsinAmericaencouragecriminalshowmorecontent Nevertheless,theyhavebeenfoundtoincreasetheeffectofotherdrugstatdepressthecentral nervoussystem,includingalcohol,antihistamines,barbituratesnarcotics,sedatives,and tranquilizers.TwoofthemaintypesofantidepressantsareElavilandtofranil.

Anti–anxietytranquilizersaredrugsthathaveacalmingeffectonthecentralnervoussystem,relieve anxietyandtension,andsometimesrelaxtheskeletalmusclesThedrugshavebeenshowntohave undesirablesideeffectsandtobehabit–formingtranquilizersareespeciallydangerousasthen intensifytheeffectsofotherdepressants;tranquilizerscancausecomaandevendeath.Libriumand Valiumaretwoexamplesofanti–anxietytranquilizersthatproduceeffectslikealcoholbarbiturates areoftenabused.

Anti–psychotictranquilizersareamajorclassificationofdrugscommonlyusedtotreatserious psychiatricproblems.Thedrugs,suchasThorazine,arerarelyusednon–medically,becausethat doesnotproduceeuphoriceffects.Still,thedrugsaresometimespreferredtobarbituratesascalming agentsbecausetheydonotcausephysicaldependenceandeveninlargedosesdonotresultincoma Cannabisisageneralwordusedtorefertopreparationsuchashashish,hashoil,andmarijuanathat areconsumedfortheirintoxicatingeffects.Theintensityofthereactionsdependsonsuchfactorsas thepotencyofthedrugs,themoodandexpectationof

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Despitethehighercost,ahigh–endsubstanceabusetreatmentcenterdoesnotconstitutebetter treatment.Thesupportoftherapists,counselors,family,friends,andpeerscanallbeimportant factorsintherecoveryprocess.Themostsignificantfactorforanindividualintherecoveryprocess isadesireandawillingnesstochange.Manyoptionsexistforindividualsthatwanttorecoverfrom addictionTheseoptionsincludesubstanceabuserehabilitationcentersandsupportgroupssuchas AlcoholicsAnonymousandSMARTRecovery.Theseprogramsallhavethesamegoalbutuse differenttechniquesthatattimesevencontradictotherprograms.Althoughtheapproachofthe programsmayvary,theyhaveallbeenproventoworkforcertainshowmorecontent Manyreformedaddictsalsobelievetheyarenolongerinrecoveryfromaddictionandtheysimply justquit.Thebeliefsofthetwelve–stepprogrammaynotappealtoeveryonebutthekeytothe programisrecognizingaproblemandtakingthestepstocorrectit.

SMARTRecovery(Self–ManagementandRecoveryTraining)isanonprofitsupportgroupthatwas foundedin1994(cite)Whereasthetwelve–stepprogramviewsaddictionasadisease,SMART Recoverytakesthecognitiveapproachthataddictionisabehaviorthathasbeenlearned(cite).The twelve–stepprogramandSMARTRecoveryalsocontradicteachotheronhowlonganindividual mustbeinrecovery.BecauseSMARTRecoveryviewsaddictionasalearnedbehavior,theprogram teachesthatthesamebehaviorcanbeunlearned.Oncethebehaviorhasbeenunlearnedan individualmaygraduatetheprogramandnolongerneedstoattendsupportgroupmeetings SMARTRecoveryfocusesitstreatmentonwhatitcallstheFour–PointProgram:Enhancingand MaintainingMotivation,CopingwithUrges,ProblemSolving,andLifestyleBalance(cite).The scientificapproachusedbySMARTRecoverycanbeveryappealingtothosethatmaynotfeel comfortablewiththetwelve–stepmodel.SMARTRecoveryhasbecomesuccessfulbecauseit focusesontheinitialdesireofchangingthebehaviorandteacheswaysoffollowingthroughto recovery.

Themostintensivetypeofsubstanceabusetreatmentisthroughin–patientrehabilitationcenters.

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Drugaddictionisacomplexprobleminsocietytoday.Addictionisaconditionthatextremely affectstheperson'smindandbody.Addictionalsohaswidesweepingeffectsonthatperson'ssocial connectionandfunctioning.Unfortunately,manyaddictsdon'trealizethesocialinfluenceoftheir addictionuntilmuchoftheirfunctioninghasgreatlydeteriorated. Addictionisa"chronicdiseasecharacterizedbydrugseekingandusethatiscompulsive,ordifficult tocontrol,despiteharmfulconsequences."Theinitialdecisiontotakedrugsisvoluntaryformost individuals,butfrequentdrugusecanleadtobrainalterationsthatchallengeanaddictedperson's self–controlandinterferewiththeirabilitytoresistintenseurgestotakedrugsThesebrain alterationscanbepersistent,whichiswhydrugaddictionisconsidereda"relapsing"disease.People inrecoveryfromdrugusedisordersareatincreasedthreatforreturningtodruguseevenafteryears ofnottakingthedrug.It'scommonforanindividualtorelapse,butrelapsedoesn'tmeanthat treatmentdoesn'twork.Aswithotherchronichealthconditions,treatmentshouldbeconstantand shouldbeadjustedbasedonhowthepatientanswersTreatmentplansneedtobereviewedoftenand modifiedtofitthepatient'schangingdesires.

Althoughitistruethatformostpeopletheinitialdecisiontotakedrugsisvoluntary,overtimethe changesinthebraincausedbyfrequentdrugabusecanimpairaperson'sself–disciplineandability tomakesoundjudgements,andatthesametimecreateanintenseimpulsetotakedrugsItis becauseofthesealterationsinthebrainthatitissopuzzlingforapersontostopabusingdrugs. Luckily,therearetreatmentsthathelppeopletoneutralizeaddiction'spowerfuldisruptiveeffects andregaincontroloftheirlivesStudyshowsthatcombiningaddictiontreatmentmedications,when suitable,withbehavioraltherapyisthebestwaytoensuresuccessformostpatients.Treatment approachesthatarecustom–madetoeachpatient'sdrugabusepatternsandanyconcurrentmedical, psychiatric,andsocialproblemscanhelpachievesustainedrecoveryandalifewithoutdrugs.The alcoholabusedefinitionissimilar

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Introduction

Therearemanythingsthatcanleaduptodeviantbehaviororactivities.Onemaysaythatdrug abusecanhindertowardsdeviantactivities.AccordingtoNCADD,"drugsareimplicatedinan estimated80%ofoffensesleadingtoincarcerationintheUnitedStates"(Wilcox,2017).Thisstatics ishighnumberthatshowsournationthatdrugsarehugeinfluenceoncrimeintoday'ssociety

Howisitseen?Intoday'ssocietydrugsarenoweasyaccessforpeopletogettheirhands.Duetothe factthattheyeasilyabletoaccess,thisgivesyoungyouthachanceofalifestylethattheyshouldbe takenpartin.Ascenariointhetextbook,aboutayounggirlnameSuehadeasyaccesstodrugsand alcoholleadstoalifestylethatshewouldlateronregret.Itissaidthatyoungjuvenilestartshave druguseasearlyattheageoftwelve.Suewasseventeenwhenshefirststartedusingdrugs.Another thingthathasbeencontributingtothisbehaviorislegalizingmarijuana.Intherecentelectionthis propwasmakingheadlinesthroughthenationWiththispropbeingapprovethiscouldgiveeven moreaccessforpeopletoretrieve.Marijuanaisfirststeptowardsevenmoredangerousdrugs.Inthe casestudy,Sueusemarijuanaanditescalatedtomoreseriousandriskydrugs.Drug

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Thereisapercentofpeoplewhodon'thaveanopiniononpeoplewhododrugsandcriminal activitiesTheybelievetheychosethatlifeandit'stheirlifetoliveAlsotheybelieveifthedrug abuseisnotaffecttheirlife'sthentheyarenotbotherbyit.Thismayworkforsomepeoplebutthere areotherpeoplewhoareinvestedinthelifebeforethedruguserchosethisdeviantbehavior.Inthe casestudysuefeltlikeeveryonewasjudgingherchoicebutshehadtodososhesurviveinthis worldbecauselackofsupportfromher

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Overthecourseofthissemester,IhavelearnedmoreaboutdruguseanditsbranchingeffectthanI haveinanyofmyotherclasses.Wehavecoveredthistopicwithaholisticapproach,centerednot onlyonphysicalhealth,butthewholeindividualandtheircommunity.Thishaschangedand evolvedmyperceptionoftheusesofdrugsanddrugabuse.Althoughthisisoftenaheavysubject,I havetrulyenjoyedthisclassandthankfulforthisopportunityGrowingupIneverreallyunderstood drugabuseorevenwhypeoplewoulddoillicitdrugsinthefirstplace.IwasaSafetyKidin Elementaryschool.IwasaD.A.R.E.awardrecipientinMiddleschool.Iwasheavilyinvolvedin TADDandplanningRedRibbonWeekatmyHighschoolSo,Iwasverymuchawareofthe dangersofdrugsandhowtosay"no."Theseeducationandawarenessprogramsworkedforme. Thus,itwaskindofdifficulttoseewhytheydidnotforothersandtosympathize.Nowin retrospect,Iunderstandthattheseprogramswerenoteffectivebecauseofmultiplereasons.They wereshortlasting,underfundedandprettynarrowminded.However,Ithinkthemostimportant reasonisthattheyneverreallyshowedortalkedaboutthepersonalandmentaleffectsandthose behinditfromthebeginning.Inowunderstandthatsubstanceabuseanddrugaddictionareoften symptomsofotherunderlyingissues.Thatthereasoningbehinditisquitecomplexanddifferentfor everyone.Somecanstemfrompersonalchoices,painandcuriosity.Otherscomefromtheneedto escapeasituationorillnesscompletelyoutoftheircontrol.Alsoinoursociety,wehaveacultureof wantingaquickfixandinstantgratificationThatinthiscaseisoftenreinforcedbydrugcompanies However,allofthesereasoninghaveonethingincommon:stress.

Inourpreviousclass,AHS410,wetalkedabouthowdamagingstressisandtheimportantsof havingstressmanagementandcopingstrategiesUnfortunately,mentalhealthinoursocietyisquite taboo.Thus,wearenottaughthowtotakecareofourselves.Peopletendtoturntounhealthycoping mechanismsthen,likeself–medicating,heavyalcoholuseorharddruguseasawaytodealwiththe stress.Italtersthe

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