Substance abuse, defined as excessive use of a drug in a way that is detrimental to self, society, or both, is a widespread and controversial topic in the united states of America, as well as in the world as a whole. In addition to the clear harm that substance abuse inflicts on those that suffer from it, it can also cause serious arguments between members of different political parties who would otherwise get along. As far as policies go, the republican party tends to view substance abuse as a personal failing, and focus on police presence and increased punishments to decrease the frequency of drug use. In contrast, the democratic party tends to frame substance abuse as a matter of a lack of treatment options and focus on treating those suffering …show more content…
There are multiple possible forms of therapy, including individual behavioral therapy, group therapy (often used in support groups), or even family therapy in cases where the addiction is negatively impacting a family. In addition, cognitive behavoral therapy, Contingency Management, Motivational Interviewing or even Dialectal Behavioral Therapy can be used to help treat substance addiction. As far as individual therapy goes, cognitive behavioral therapy is a frequently used way of treating addiction. CBT focuses on encouraging the patient to examine their recurring thoughts in order to find any that might be negative or unhealthy and work on moving past them. In addition, CBT can be used to treat addiction by finding the rationalizations that some addicts use to justify their substance abuse, while also helping deal with other problems unrelated to addiction that CBT might help with, such as depression or anxiety (“Substance Abuse Treatment …show more content…
Speaking of statistics, generally speaking, there is a higher rate of substance abuse in urban areas as opposed to rural or suburban regions. Now this could be attributed to the higher rate of poverty within cities, except that according to several studies, the rate of poverty is actually higher in rural areas, at 15.4 per cent as opposed to the 11.9 per cent in the cities (“Data Show U.S. Poverty Rates in 2019 Higher in Rural Areas”). Why then, is there such a difference in substance abuse rates between the two areas? The most likely reason is that there are simply far more people in urban areas, and so there are more people with easier access to illegal substances, though also easier access to treatment options. In fact, it is estimated that 83 per cent of the US population lives in urban areas in 2023, compared to 64 per cent in
Combining Holistic and Evidence-Based Approaches While both the holistic and evidence-based approaches to addiction treatment have their merits, combining the two can lead to a more comprehensive and effective approach. By incorporating both approaches, individuals can receive a tailored treatment plan that addresses all aspects of their addiction and promotes overall well-being. For instance, incorporating CBT and MI can help individuals address their psychological and behavioral factors associated with addiction, while yoga and meditation can promote stress management and relaxation (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2019; Miller & Rollnick, 2012). Additionally, incorporating family and community support can help individuals build a strong social support system, increasing the likelihood of successful
The previous decades saw increased the decriminalization of certain drugs, such as marijuana, as they began to be used more casually. However, the 1980s and the specifically the Reagan administration saw the “War on Drugs” start. Led by Nancy Reagan, the “Just Say No” campaign dominated the headlines as parents became concerned about their children using drugs (Goode & Ben-Yehuda, n.d.). Under new leadership, the government began to criminalize drug use to unprecedented levels.
This dependence on substances often leads to a dangerous cycle, where individuals feel they cannot function without them. As more and more people fall into this trap, we risk ending up like the society depicted in Brave New World, where happiness is manufactured and individuality is suppressed. Sadly, our own government seems to be following a similar path, with a lack of resources and support for those struggling with substance abuse, exemplified by the current opioid epidemic in America. If we continue down this path, our society may end up like the one in Brave New World, where the pursuit of happiness comes at the cost of individual
In Canada ” approximately 21% of the population (about 6 million people) will experience a substance use disorder or addiction at some point in their lifetime. “. (Moore, Jim. 2022). With the increase of availability of illegal drugs on the street in Canada, larger percentages of the population are at risk for substance abuse and addiction. This number steadily grows as we let the issue continue, as the rise of drugs produces a snowball effect, endangering more lives at it grows.
Treatment options for addiction depend on the substance or behavior. According to the American College of Addiction Medicine, "effective addiction treatment includes a holistic approach that addresses the biological, psychological, and social aspects of the disorder. " Liars shows the importance of seeking addiction treatment and seeking help. Look for it when you're struggling with addiction.
Housing becomes a struggle if you have a criminal record, landlord will tend to not rent to you. Landlords are often charged less fees to not rent to people with a criminal record. This will force addicts to return to communities that have higher drug and crime rates. It’s almost impossible for addicts to stay sober and away from a life of crime when forced back into that environment. It seems that we set addicts up for failure when we give them treatment and turn around and send them back into the situation that got them to begin
The balance between power and privilege is vital to any social issue that occurs. The class that has limited materials and representation in society are typically those who suffer the most. The inequality between classes exhibits and predicts the extent to which substance abuse is associated with race and economic disadvantage. Moreover, those of higher classes gain more opportunities due to their exposure of resources and good financial standing whereas those of a lower class do not gain the same opportunities and therefore fall victim to crime such as drug
The legalization of drugs has been at the center of interminable debate. Drugs have widely been perceived as a dominant threat to the moral fabric of society. Drug use has been attributed as the source responsible for a myriad of key issues. For instance, it is believed that drugs have exacerbated the already weak status of mental health in the United States in which some individuals suffering from mental illness administer illicit substances such as heroin or cocaine in an attempt to self-medicate. Moreover, drugs are blamed for turning auspicious members of the community into worthless degenerates.
In 2013, Trust for America 's Health reported that the state was ranked #11 across the nation for drug overdose fatalities. That same year, the Pew Research Center reported there were over 126,000 drug arrest statewide with approximately 40,000 of them coming in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties. Since this data viewed on a combined basis paints a disturbing picture, it is incumbent on city officials and residents to make sure area
Drug Addiction Imagine a life where someone is controlled by something that doesn't have a pulse, controlled by a substance that they can see ruining their life but for some reason they can't control the outcome. Substance abuse costs the health care system about $11 billion, with overall costs reaching $193 billion. That $11 Billion dollars could go to treating the addiction rather than treating the outcome, and instead of locking up low level drug offenders, we as a society should help them through their difficult time. And according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), approximately 27 million Americans, or 10.2% of the American population over the age of 12 reported using illicit drugs in 2014. 10% of our society is
Despite the government's “best” efforts, drug use and addiction rates continue to rise, and the criminalization of drug
The Recovery from Substance Abuse Disorder The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHS, 2022) finds that, as of 2022, nearly 39% of juveniles in the justice system meet the criteria for a substance use disorder. Substance use disorders (SUD) are “treatable, chronic diseases characterized by a problematic pattern of use of substance”: these substances cause problems in one's health/behavior, and make it difficult to avoid the substance (CDC, 2022). Being convicted of a substance use disorder as a juvenile can affect the rest of their life. Commonly, when trying to escape addiction, there is a high chance of relapse: relapse is the return to addiction after improvement.
The last therapy listed is emotional processing. This therapy aims at, “helping patients identify negative belief patterns they have developed and reinforced” (Utah Drug & Alcohol Rehab Centers). It helps to identify which perceptions the patient has developed that may not be valid and may contribute to addictive behaviors. Emotional processing is set to help patients work through their emotions in a safe place where they will not feel judged. The hope is that the patient will realize the underlying emotional issue of their
Substance Abuse is Ruining Lives According to Adrienne C. Moore, “The truth is, we all face hardships of some kind, and you never know the struggles a person is going through. Behind every smile, there's a story of a personal struggle. (n.d) This quote demonstrates the fact that a person can be judged or misunderstood through misconceptions or gossip.
Introduction Substance abuse in the United States prison system is a serious epidemic that is consistently talked about but has only grown to become a worsened problem. Why is this? The negative harsh correlation between mental health and substance abuse in the criminal justice system is something to be discussed. I am here to shed light on a topic I hold dear to my heart. Substance abuse is a sadly common disorder to be seen in people all throughout the world.