Substance abuse Essay Example for Free

Substance abuse Essay It is quite clear that substance abuse almost always occurs within the context of other problems. Common presenting problems that are related to substance abuse are marital and family conflict, child abuse, unemployment, financial problems, multiple medical problems, depression, suicide, and problems with aggression and violence. In assessing the role of substance abuse within the context of other problems, we also need to understand the dynamics of other behavioral problems and how they may be exacerbated by substance abuse. It is estimated that most domestic violence occurs during periods when one or both parties are abusing some substance and that as many as two-thirds of homicides and serious assaults involve alcohol. Criminal behavior such as child abuse or sexual molestation may be committed when the perpetrator is under the influence of a drug or alcohol. In one study, Chasnoff (1988) found that 64 percent of all child abuse cases in New York City involved a perpetrator who was under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. Although researchers disagree about the exact nature of the relationship between substance abuse and violence, there is clearly a strong correlation between the two. Substance abuse does not only cause social problems, but it can also cause health problems too. For example, according to the American Health Association guidelines, cocaine use can cause a number of heart attack symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, anxiety, palpitations, dizziness, nausea and heavy sweating (Stengle, 18 March 2008). Physicians must remain aware that cocaine use can cause heart attack symptoms in younger patients with no heart disease risk factors, the guidelines said. Cocaine use can cause heart attacks, but only about 1% to 6% of those who use cocaine and experience chest pain have heart attacks. The guidelines warn that two common heart attack treatments blood thinners and beta blockers can cause injuries or death in those who use cocaine. Blood thinners can increase risk for bleeding into the brain for patients with elevated blood pressure caused by cocaine use, and beta blockers can increase blood pressure and restrict arteries in those who use cocaine (Stengle, 18 March 2008). We all know that alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol-related deaths from cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, motor-vehicle crashes, falls, drowning, suicide, and homicide. Alcohol affects nearly every system in the body, and contributes to a range of medical problems, including altered immune system functioning, bone disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular disease, reduced cognitive functioning, fetal abnormalities, traumatic injury, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, and cancers of the neck, head, stomach, pancreas, colon, breast, and prostate (Werch, 2002). Behaviorally, substance abuse can be considered any use of a psychoactive substance that causes damage to the individual or society or both. Becoming dependent on any substance is a process that occurs over differing periods of time for different individuals and varies with the use of different substances. A dependence on alcohol may take several decades to develop while an addiction to cocaine, especially crack cocaine, may occur almost immediately. There are, however, certain phases that individuals are likely to pass through as their dependence on a substance increases. An old proverb regarding alcoholism outlines the progression of addiction: â€Å"The person takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, and the drink takes the person. † The journey from controlled use to being controlled by their use is the nature of addiction. No one begins using alcohol or other drugs with the goal of becoming addicted. With these voluminous data about the ills of substance abuse, we should all know by now that we have to curb this problem that eating away our society. I also experienced substance abuse first hand because I have people close to me who had been affected by substance abuse. My cousin has drug problem as he is hooked with marijuana, while my uncle and aunt are alcoholics. I witnessed that how they engaged in prolonged, continuous substance abuse and saw how they were unable to function without using his drug of choice on some regular basis. They somehow neglect their daily needs to the point of not eating or caring for themselves. Attempts to control their usage are abandoned as the periods of intoxication and recovery encompass most of their time. My uncle allowed himself to undergo detoxification at a rehabilitation center but my aunt has developed cirrhosis because of her alcoholism. Ultimately, we need to join hands in informing everyone about substance abuse. Common misinformation about substance abuse may divert the focus of the problem to other factors that are then presented as the primary problem. It should start with the family of the abuser who should support their loved one in this matter. Starting from family, communities can then undertake several strategies to stop substance abuse because there is no single solution that can surely alleviate substance abuse-related harm to individuals and populations. The comprehensive approach should use a wide range of strategies that address the multiple causes and dimensions. These strategies should include educational approaches—such as public health education and awareness programs, including school and community-based prevention programs; environmental approaches—such as controls on the price and availability of alcohol and drugs, minimum age for purchase of alcohol, legislative measures to curb driving under the influence of alcohol, and restrictions on the promotion, marketing, and advertising of drugs alcohol; and health care efforts—such as primary health care screening, advice by health care providers, preventive services, and effective treatment using psychological and pharmacological approaches. References Mackesy-Amiti, M. E. and Fendrich, M. (1995, November). Delinquent Behavior and Inhalant Use Among High School Students. Paper presented at the American Society of Criminology meeting, Boston. NIH Arrestee Drug Abuse Monitoring Program. (2003). Preliminary Data on Drug Use Related Matters Among Adult Arrestees and Juvenile Detainees, 2002, Washington, DC: National Institute of Justice. Steingle, J. (20008, March 18). Cocaine May Cause Heart Attack Symptoms. Newsday. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. newsday. com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-cocaine-heart,0,6680577. story. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2006). National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) 2006. Office of Applied Studies. Retrieved March 22, 2008, from http://www. oas. samhsa. gov/nsduh/2k6nsduh/2k6Results. cfm#1. 1. Werch, C. E. (2002). Alcohol Use and Abuse. In Breslow, L (Ed. ), Encyclopedia of Public Health vol. 1, New York: Macmillan Reference USA.