Abstract This paper explains that one of the more serious effects of drug and alcoholabuse is the phenomena of co-dependence; others members may resort to drug and alcohol consumption to relieve stress, and this may lead to the spread of this disease in the whole family. The author points out that children in such families are more seriously affected than adults because of the children's inability to comprehend the situation or cope with it. The paper stresses that drug and alcohol addiction can have negative impact on the community as well, as illustrated by the well-documented correlation between addiction and increased criminal behavior.
From the Paper "Children may even begin holding themselves responsible for drug abuse within the family. This is because the child is cognitively unable to make sense of the situation and thus he loses self-esteem, becomes socially isolated, and develops feelings of intense guilt and shame. Children in affected families exhibit poor academic performance, social isolation, psychological and emotional problems etc. Disintegration of family unit and increased domestic violence has also been found to result from the presence of a drug addict within the family. Research found that children with a drug addict parent are likely to take over as parent to fill the vacant space in the family unit. Drug addicts usually shun their important responsibilities as parents, which results in children taking on the role of a responsible adult. However, this can be detrimental in the long run when these children become parents themselves. The research found that such children might abandon their own families once they become parents."
Abstract This paper explains that it is important to recognize how the more known and dangerous drugs influence neurochemistry. For example, heroin increases the release of dopamine by increasing the firing of dopamine neurons. The postsynaptic neuronal receptors are then inundated to levels far higher than normal; therefore, heroin usage is associated with the feelings of mood elevation and euphoria. The author points out that drug and alcohol metabolites, which are residual substances of drugs that remain during the drug and alcohol metabolism that takes place in the liver, are implicated in problems during withdrawal, remission, and craving. The paper recommends that treatment modalities should include pharmacotherapeutic as well as psychological and emotional support structures, including family involvement and 12-step programs such as AA (Alcoholics Anonymous), NA (Narcotics Anonymous) and CA (Cocaine Anonymous).
From the Paper "From the above therefore, a new motivational perspective of drug abuse emerges. It can be classified as two fold: extreme motivational strength and extreme motivational toxicity. Motivational strength is associated with the extent to which addiction can replace other basic motivations such as food, sex and the need to maintain a career. Motivational strength is also associated with to what lengths an addict will go to procure drugs. The psychosocial ramifications (as mentioned above) are a consequence of motivational strength. Motivational toxicity, on the other hand, can be defined by how it can be disruptive. Cocaine affects the user differently than heroin and methamphetamines. Typically, addiction can be towards anything. Most people are addicted to mild sedatives, cigarettes (though some aver that it is more addictive than cocaine), coffee, shopping, chocolate and gambling. Any of these addictions can be measured based on motivational strength and motivational toxicity."
Abstract This paper describes strategies for coping with the underlying health risk factors that have been deemed related to the high drug and alcoholabuse rates among the young women of Australia. The paper uses these strategies as a basis for the methods suggested for decreasing the risky behaviors of these women. Finally, the paper also considers the role that general practitioners should have in identifying and preventing these behaviors.
Introduction
Identifying the Appropriate Media for Communicating with the Target Population
Strategies for Coping with the Depression-Based Risky Behaviours
Conclusion
From the Paper "According to Australia's Teen Challenge Web site, ?Alcohol is the most widely used recreational drug in Australia.? Unfortunately, because it can be used in socially acceptable ways, it is not often recognized as a drug, especially by those abusing it. So it is not surprising that a 1998 survey commissioned by the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care found that the use of alcohol was of special concern in teenagers and young people up to the age of 25. The young adults described alcohol as a catalyst for social gatherings, although overall, fewer young adults were drinking (down from 77 percent in 1988 to 71 percent in 1998) but that those who were drinking were drinking more."
Abstract This research paper focuses on the problem of teenage alcoholabuse and what we can do to keep teenagers from abusingalcohol. The paper looks at a number of different aspects of the problem including the age children start drinking, why they start drinking, the relationship between crime and alcoholism, how widespread it is and whether it is an inherited disease. The paper then takes a look at what recommendations have been made that could help prevent teenage alcoholism.
Table of Contents
Age of First Use of Alcohol Peer Pressure and Advertising
Teen Drinkers and Crime
Who Use Alcohol More Frequently Males or Females?
Teen Drinkers and Sex
How Widespread is Teen Age Alcoholism What is the Real Cost of Teen Age Alcoholic Use?
How Many Teenagers are Treated for Alcoholism Is Alcoholism Inherited?
What Can Be Done To Prevent Teen Age Alcohol Consumption?
From the Paper "According to Teenage Alcohol Use in South Carolina Some of South Carolina's young people start using alcohol as early as 10 or 11 years old, most begin around age 14 or 15. ) Beer is overwhelmingly the most popular kind of alcohol used by teenagers (especially young males) and all other age groups in South Carolina. Wine coolers and new malt liquor products have become popular recently among young females. These sweet and fruity drinks are marketed deliberately to young drinkers who typically don't like the taste of beer. Many teenagers don't realize that these products contain more alcohol than regular beer. "Alcohol Use Among Teenagers" says that Junior/middle and senior high school students drink 35% of all wine coolers sold in the United States; they also consume 1.1 billion cans of beer."
Abstract The paper focuses on a recent report entitled "Wasting the Best and the Brightest: Substance Abuse at America's Colleges and Universities" that divulged a disturbing public health crisis concerning alcoholabuse among college students on campuses across America. The paper reveals the findings that school administrators facilitated or accepted alcohol and drugabuse. The paper goes on to lay the blame on parents as well and discusses the effects that alcoholabuse has on the adolescent/young adult brain. Finally, the paper examines the signs and symptoms of alcohol dependence.
From the Paper "Excessive or risky drinking takes the lives of approximately 85,000 Americans per year, making it the third leading cause of death in the US (SciTech Book News, 2006). According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), approximately 18 million Americans are dependant on alcohol--people who are addicted to alcohol cannot control their drinking, and can't stop drinking even when it's negatively disrupting their lives (McCollum, S., 2007). "Alcohol abuse is any drinking that causes problems with work or school work, your relationships, or leads to legal problems or dangerous situations" (Harvard Reviews, 2006)."
Abstract This paper discusses in detail the psychological effects of drugs and alcohol on the human brain and how those effects play a role in the overall psychological constitution of the user/addict. The topics included in this paper include a brief yet detailed overview of substance dependence in conjunction with the evidence for psychological dependence as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, DSM-IV and other pertinent scientific sources. In addition, a number of recommendations for future research on the psychological effects of drugs and alcohol are discussed at the conclusion of this paper.
From the Paper "The study of the psychological effects of drugs and alcohol on the human brain, as compared to other medical conditions, is relatively new in the field of medical research. Only within the last fifty years or so has the medical community focused on how drugs and alcohol affect the human brain and the conditions that arise from prolonged abuse of the various associated substances. As Dent J. Yerbury points out, "literally hundreds of substances cross the brain barrier to influence human behavior and psychology" (June,1986), especially those connected to substance abuse. Reflecting those substances that are most widely abused and that cause the most significant problems to the abuser, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM--IV) has divided the universe of substances into eleven specific drug classes--alcohol, cocaine, amphetamines, caffeine, cannabis (marijuana), hallucinogens, inhalants, nicotine, opioids, phencyclidine, and sedatives. Most recently, one other category has been included for less commonly abused substances, being over-the-counter medications."
Abstract The paper discusses how many women in our society are abused in the domestic sphere, as well as suffer from a dependency on alcohol. The paper highlights how social institutions need to change in order for women to start having a greater sense of their own identity. The paper explains that this would be directly connected to lowering the chances of women being victims of domestic abuse and becoming dependent on drugs and alcohol.
From the Paper "Today, many women in our society are abused in the domestic sphere, as well as suffer from a dependency on alcohol. For instance, one third of all alcoholics are women. In this context, it is important to point out that alcoholism has traditionally been seen as a greater shame for women than for men. Indeed, in the past, most women were in the home and that is why alcoholism was less likely to be identified in women. But overall, women were perceived to be more "moral" than men, and they were held up to a higher ideal. It is important to understand this cultural aspect, since it leads us to understand how a sociological perspective can ultimately help women who are victims of domestic violence and alcohol abuse."
Abstract This paper compares and contrasts "Prozac Diary" by Lauren Slater and "Falling Angels" by Barbara Gowdy, both of which are based around the role of the mother figure. The paper discusses the plot of both the memoir by Slater and the novel by Gowdy, as well as the issues that are portrayed by the two writers, specifically drug and alcoholabuse of mothers and how they affect families.
From the Paper "Both books hint at the threat posed by the mother, with the novel being more explicit about how damaging this might become. This is understandable given that Lauren Slater is talking about her own mother and her own life, though she does see the connection and does understand how much her problem might derive from her mother. She shows many of the same behavioral symptoms as the Field girls, though she finds her way of coping with this in Prozac, while the Field girls have not yet had to face the issue that squarely. Gowdy suggests that they will and that they will also be able to do so without cracking. They are stronger in their way than Slater was, though it would also seem that they have even more reason not to be given what they learn about their mother and how that makes them suffer even more."
Abstract This paper discusses the problem of an increase of alcoholabuse among the over 65 segment of the population. The problems in identifying alcoholabuse in this group, as well as the consequences of the abuse are presented. The causes of abuse specific to the elderly population are explored.
From the Paper "Substance abuse, especially that of alcohol and prescription drugs, is increasingly growing into a serious problem among the population segment of 65 plus citizens. What is of grave concern is the fact that this particular segment of the population is the fastest growing. Census estimates predict that 1994's older adult population of 33 million will more than double to 80 million by 2050. Also consider the fact that several studies have found a clear relationship between early alcohol habits and the development of alcohol abuse later in life. Given that the use of alcohol has been more widespread since the 1960s, it is likely that the future will see a far larger incidence of alcohol abuse among the elderly with the ageing of the baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964)."
Abstract This paper is about cognition and recovery from alcoholabuse. The paper examines the use of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and 12-Step counseling to treat alcoholism. Additionally, the effects of each of these cognitive therapies on recovering alcoholics are examined.
From the Paper "The most popular individual therapeutic approaches used to treat alcoholism (motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy and step counseling) are based on the use of cognitive processes). In the case of motivational interviewing, therapists utilize various types of questions to encourage patients to replace their alcoholic lifestyle with healthy behavior. At the beginning of the therapy, therapists inform patients about the different stages of readiness for change. They also pose questions that explore the patients' challenges and anxieties, affirm their strengths and self-efficacy and acknowledge..."
Abstract This paper looks at drug and alcohol use and abuse in America, and the barriers to obtaining treatment for addicts. The writer cites the latest statistics (2003) on drug and alcohol use in the U.S. The writer also refers to some studies which try to explain why people do not seek treatment.
From the Paper "Drugs and alcohol are major problems in the United States particularly among the youth of this country ... "
Abstract This paper reviews several studies looking at the causes of adolescent drug and alcohol use. The paper explains that the studies revealed that factors related adolescent drug use fell into two major categories: external, or environmental, and internal, which are the qualities of the individual. The paper then explains and examines these two categories and the implications of the studies. The paper concludes by emphasizing the need for children to bond to peers, parents, and others who have drug-resistant attitudes. A successful bond to wholesome individuals will yield adolescents with good habits, and possibly an invulnerability to drug and alcohol use. The paper also concludes that a strong positive relationship between parents and their children will lead to low drug and alcohol use. It also comes down to the internal cues of the individual. A person with low self-esteem is at a higher risk of being an alcohol or drugabuser.
From the Paper "Parental attitudes and substance use also have been linked with adolescent drug use. Several studies indicate that when adolescents perceive that their parents' attitude toward substance use is favorable, they also tend to use substances at a higher rate. Previous studies have found that parental drinking patterns were predictors of frequent and heavy drinking in adolescent offspring. This link was backed up several years later when a team of researchers found that youths whose parents had drinking problems also tended to be heavier drinkers in high school."
Abstract The paper asserts that our national fervor to stamp out the use of illegal drugs has in some ways overshadowed the serious harm legal drugs do to society. The paper focuses on older adults and explains that many older people suffer from feelings of depression and loneliness which may serve as a catalyst for legal drug misuse or abuse. The paper then deals with the health concerns and injury risks for older drug and/or alcoholabusers.
From the Paper "Substance abuse among the American population is in epidemic proportions compared to other times within our history. It is estimated that over 20,000 deaths each year in this country are from drug-induced causes. Drug -induced causes include not only deaths from dependent and non-dependent use of drugs, but also poisoning from medically prescribed drugs and other drugs (Hazelden, Substance Abuse in the Elderly: A Growing Problem, 2006). In recent years, with new medical developments and healthcare accessibility, prescription drugs are being abused at record numbers and more often than not, these "safe" drugs can be just as deadly and addictive as illicit drugs or alcohol."
Abstract The paper examines the problem defined in the article and explains that it is the escalating issue of drug and alcoholabuse in the workplace. The paper discusses that while many businesses are aware that such a problem is evident, employers often fail to realize that they have the power to control the issue and prevent drug and alcoholabuse from being a prolonged concern in the workforce.
From the Paper "Issues related to this problem include the employer's creation of a company drug policy, the employer's enforcement of that policy, drug testing and addressing the problem of drug use throughout industries. Eckersley (1995) contends that the only method of changing the national drug problem in the work force is for employers to implement a drug program and then gather support from those employees that are not afflicted with a drug related problem (p. 13)."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that comparing and contrasting drug and alcohol treatment programs available in the Chicago metro area indicates that the programs offered by New Hope Recovery Center at Lincoln Park Hospital, by Hazelden, and by Haymarket are similar in many ways in terms of the quality of their services, their program focus and treatment approaches. But, the writer points out, these programs also vary. The writer maintains that the primary differences are the degree of emphasis these respective facilities place on the psychological aspects of addiction and recovery, and the economic levels of their respective clients. The writer concludes that although drug and alcohol problems plague men and women at every economic and social level
of society, people at the lowest income levels are more vulnerable to drug or alcohol addiction and are less likely to seek treatment and recover because they simply cannot afford the most effective treatment and counseling.
From the Paper "Although everyone agrees that drug and alcohol abuse and addiction are harmful, both for American society as a whole and for the individuals and their families who are struggling to deal with addiction and co-dependency, there is much disagreement over what types of treatment are most effective, what factors contribute the most to drug or alcohol abuse, how society should deal with it, what legal measures should be taken, and what can be done in terms of providing effective medical and psychological treatment for those who are addicted."
"Unfortunately, the effectiveness of treatment programs often depends upon the income level of the client. Since addiction has psychological causes, the quality of counseling is a very important factor in determining whether a client can maintain long-term recovery, and the quality of counseling is directly related to the cost of counseling. The best psychiatric therapy is the most expensive, so it is often the case that the clients most able to pay for high quality counseling are the ones most likely to overcome their abuse or addiction problems."
