The abuse of alcohol and other substances

I was alarmed by the increasing incidence of alcohol and drug abuse, especially among adolescents. The users are younger children, even as young as eight were found using various psychotropic substances. This article will focus on giving you information about treatment available for alcohol and substance abuse in the hope he can help you or someone you know to get the necessary treatment. Drugs, alcohol and tobacco use causes more deaths, illnesses and disorders of any health condition and other preventable causes serious damage to family life in America, and the Economy safety1 public. For decades, national surveys have consistently shown that about 10 percent of American adults have significant problems related to their own alcohol. In addition, about 25 percent of adults said they use tobacco on a regular basis and about 7 percent use illegal drugs. Here are some additional statistics alarming: In 1960, 7 per cent of new drinkers were women aged 10-14. Today the figure is 31 percent. inhalant use is most prevalent among young children and often leads to inhalation of household items such as waxing or paint thinner. Over 1,000 products widely available in households can be used as inhalants. There is a direct link with the use of methamphetamine and the American work ethic. Like many 9. 4 million Americans have used drugs at least once. Every day 3,000 children start smoking and one third of them will eventually die of tobacco-related causes. Two of the three youths aged 12 to 17 years who smoked cigarettes in the last year signs of addiction. A survey of American teenagers found that one in four said they had a friend or classmate who had used ecstasy, 17 percent said they were aware that many users. Two thirds of Americans with serious treatment needs of substance abuse are not treated. 6. prescription drugs 4 percent of Americans aged 12 years used illicit drugs or misuse. 15. 3 percent said they had engaged in binge drinking during the last five months. 4 per cent drank alcohol heavily. The difference between abuse, dependence and AddictionAlcohol ranges and drug use on a continuum from use to dependence characterized by a loss of control and increased functional impairment. The term “abuse” is a general term that refers to improper use of a psychoactive substance. There comes a time when the use of alcohol or drugs is more voluntary and involuntary, and becomes independent of the will of the individual. When he reached the stage where alcohol or drugs is more voluntary and interferes with daily functioning, we call it an addiction. Dr. Alan Leshner, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said that the state dependence is a phenomenon “Biobehavioral” characterized by movement of a state in which we use in at least some degree of voluntary control to a state that is both compulsive and uncontrollable. He characterized the abuse as a state different from the abuse. Leshner states that addiction there are fundamental changes in the brain that occur with increased use. These changes in the brain to create a need in the individual again, the compulsive use of the substance. In addiction there is a loss of control and the increasing use despite negative consequences. The term refers to dependence on a more serious form of abuse characterized by the habitual use of a substance that is taken more frequently and in larger amounts over time, leading to increasingly negative consequences. Historically, there have been two camps with regard to the understanding of addiction and alcoholism. One camp, dominated by doctors, is the belief that drug addiction was based on a model of disease. He says that there is a genetic predisposition and / or biochemical basis for addiction and that individuals can not always control their drug use alcohol without total abstinence. They claim there is no cure because addicts can not escape the biochemical predisposition. The other camp, dominated by psychologists, believes that alcohol and drug abuse is a learned behavior and, as such, can be unlearned, or controlled by changing patterns of behavior, learning process . Increasingly, addiction workers in the field are coming to the realization that neither approach can be sufficient to treat a large number of addicts. For some people it may be a biochemical basis for their addiction, for some basic behavior, and for still others, both may be involved. In addition, these workers are recognizing that treatment is not based on a “one size fits all” model. Although the abstinence model may be appropriate for some individuals, an approach of moderation can be effective for other. Addiction is a disorder with multivariate no simple solutions. By offering a single approach that we put the addicts in the position of the adoption of the approach is the only treatment available, whether or not it works for them or receiving no treatment at all. Most professionals in the field to recognize that addiction treatment must focus on the addictive behavior itself rather than the cause of addiction. AbuseNora Drug Volkow, MD, Brookhaven National Laboratory, explains: “Traditionally, people thought that addiction is a disease that causes pleasure centers that people take drugs because it feels good. But this is not the case. In Indeed, dependents are not as strong a response pleased that people are not addicted. Recent data show that the addiction causes a disruption of basic circuitry of motivation. “Not only does drug abuse affect the emotional centers of the brain, but recent research shows that drug abuse alters the cognitive activities such as decision making, planning and memory. The proof is clear that cocaine and marijuana affect the frontal cortex that is the center of the brain that regulate cognitive activity. These disturbances in the frontal cortex may be responsible for poor decision making. Recent research at a gambling task tested the ability of taking a drug addict. Not surprisingly it was found that the drug made decisions on the poorest game of the task that participants in a control group. Research is mounting that the long-term effects of drug abuse are much more important than most people think. It is not fair that these affects occur when the active use of drugs. Rather, these affects will continue after the drug is discontinued. It takes a long time for most drugs to clear his system and there may be residual physical and psychological affects after. Alcohol abuse is more insidious AbuseAlcohol that abuse of drugs. Since glass is socially sanctioned, there is no clear reminder that the behavior can lead to difficulties on the road. With illicit drugs merely using the substance is a reminder because it is illegal. Having a cocktail at dinner, drinking a beer at a ball game, and celebrate a wedding with champagne are all supported and encouraged socially. Can be congratulated for being able to hold his liquor. Becoming “shit face” to the university is a right of passage. There are many models of respected individuals receiving alcohol. This is not true for other substances. Therefore, it is easy to rationalize the displacement of beer at a cocktail or a glass of wine for everyday use. It is easy to move from wood flour to improve alcohol to self-medication for the social inhibition, depression, loneliness, anxiety and other uncomfortable affects. Because some people may develop a tolerance to higher levels of alcohol in their system, they may require higher doses for the same effects. One drink becomes two, two becomes three. When the beer was good for some people, it can easily become three, four, or more during the week with a few extras on the weekend. Unfortunately, most alcoholics are not aware that they are alcoholics until they get into some difficulties. And when there is a warning they often deny it. Often the first signs are related to job performance, health problems, social problems, legal problems, financial problems or marital difficulties. Some people are born with a genetic predisposition and biochemical making them more vulnerable to alcohol abuse. They do not receive a signal from their brain they have enough or too much. Rather than induce sleep, nausea or other obvious physiological effects, they develop a tolerance for large amounts of alcohol. Indeed, the abuse they immediately begin to apply the substance. In addition, these people find that alcohol temporarily comfort by reducing shyness, anxiety, depression and inhibition. In a world where consumption of alcohol is approved and even encouraged, it becomes part of the culture. Alcoholics do not want to see themselves as unable to control their alcohol consumption. They want to follow and be part of their social group. Refusing a drink in many situations is difficult for these people. It is not until they have developed a dependency that interferes with work, family life, social life and they are beginning to recognize they have a problem. But it is often too late. The craving for alcohol becomes so great that giving it up does not seem to be an option. The brain centers that regulate the trial were so affected that it takes a crisis to motivate people to seek treatment. Signs of AbuseThe the nature of substance abuse is such that people do not want to admit they have a problem. People around them do not want to admit there is a problem, and health care practitioners tend to neglect or is to investigate the possible existence of substance abuse. Therefore, the individual goes undiagnosed and untreated. There are several areas where signs of abuse may occur. Problems of life: financial problems, including lack of judgment poor financial decision making;; legal issues including traffic tickets (eg, DUI) and accidents, occupational difficulties such as poor performance , failure, conflict, social problems such as inappropriate behavior, missed appointments, chronic delays. The physical effects: increased incidence of health problems, poor dietary changes, greater tolerance of the substance causing an increase in the quantity and frequency of use know when you do not withdrawal; incidence high nausea, dizziness, vomiting, disturbed sleep. Psychological effects and behavior: emotional instability, e. g. , Irritability, restlessness, difficulty refraining from the use, using substances to regulate affect, i. e , To reduce social inhibition, relieve stress, reduce anxiety or depression, denial and defensive when substance use is suggested. TreatmentsInterestingly, researchers found that all people are not affected similarly by alcohol or drugs. Some cognitive centers of the brain are most affected, for other emotional centers are most affected. And for some centers both are affected. This has profound implications for treatment. Treatment is not appropriate for all aggressors. There is no magic formula. To determine the best solution for a given individual, a complete history and psychological history of abuse and treatment must be taken. This places the individual in a context to decide which approach or approaches might be more advantageous. Most treatment approaches agree that the goal of treatment should be the cessation of substance abuse. Even experts who think it is possible for the alcoholic to learn to drink responsibly suggest stopping for a period of time early in the processing is necessary for the patient and clinician to develop a clear picture of Alcohol plays a role in the life of the individual. Most approaches, however, have abstinence as a goal, especially for people who have a family and personal history of chronic abuse. The following are some of the current treatment approaches to addiction: care based on individual skills: approaches to help clients interact more effectively with others without using alcohol or drugs. These approaches focus on adaptation and training to help clients quit or reduce alcohol and drug use in their teaching strategies to address interpersonal, environmental and individual skills gaps “that may cause substance abuse. Improved motivation Treatments: This approach is based on a model that encourages patients to explore the consequences of alcohol in a support, non-threatening environment. A technique called motivational interviewing, asked what that patients on their consumption of alcohol or drugs to cause them problems, allowing customers to examine their habits objectively. Once customers see how substance abuse or dependence affects their lives, they are motivated to change. The cognitive-behavioral therapy: CBT states that human behavior is learned through personal experience and patterns of cognitive thinking. changing behavior is to learn to think differently about situations and how to change dysfunctional behavior causing problems. people addicted to alcohol have learned to drink in response to specific situations. The processing task is to identify alcohol “triggers” and apply techniques to develop new ways of thinking and new behavioral skills to cope with these triggers. The environment and relationship-based treatment: in this approach family members and relatives are taught coping skills and strategies to help influence their relatives and drinking motivation to change. Marital Behavior and Family Treatment: This approach is consistent with the individual and the spouse or family to reduce or eliminate the abuse of alcohol consumption accordingly. twelve-step programs: These patients hospitalized and outpatient programs are based on the model of Alcoholics Anonymous 12step, except that the lead professional. Some private practitioners also use such a model, while other practitioners use AA to complement and support the work of the patient in individual treatment. Drugs: Two drugs disulfiram and naltrexone have been approved by FDA for alcoholism with a third showing promise, acamprosate, which is pending approval. Naltrexone appears to be more effective with less side effects. As mentioned earlier, no single treatment that works for all addicts. Several variables must be taken into account to find the treatment that is best for an individual. factors such as duration dependence family history, degree of addiction, the extent of disruption in the patient’s life, health, degree of motivation, not to mention the most obvious, must be evaluated. The first step in the treatment of Addiction, after obtaining full psychological health, and history of drug abuse, is to focus on harm reduction. If a person is himself or his family in immediate danger, steps must be taken to reduce the imminent danger. Sometimes it may require treatment in hospital, and sometimes it may involve the whole family. We must develop a plan of action that can be implemented quickly. Emphasis during the first sessions are on changing addictive behaviors. For the treatment to be effective, the individual must be sober. This is the first goal. Staying sober is the hard work. Once sobriety has been achieved , treatment may focus on helping the patient restructure his thinking, behavior, lifestyle, and focus. Maintaining sobriety becomes a priority especially in the early stages of treatment. addicts often have problems personality in addition to their addiction. This concurrent psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, social phobia, low self-esteem and other personality problems such should be dealt with, and dependence. Alcoholics and addicts often use various substances as a form of self-medication to help them cope with these issues. In treatment, however, we’re primarily focused on substance abuse and then work with the issues of personality that can coexist. reduction of restraint or injury is the immediate goal. ConclusionOur typical image of an addict is a person in an alley shooting up or a drunk staggering down the street. This representation is quite misleading. Addicts are often professionals in positions of high power. They are surgeons, judges, lawyers, dentists, owners of business leaders. They make decisions that affect the lives of thousands and cost millions of dollars in productivity losses and incorrect decisions. Too often, these people are in denial about their violence and does not recognize the extent to which they are cognitively impaired. There is no single cause of drug abuse and untreated one. Addiction is a problem biosocialpsychological. Genetic predisposition may be one more factor in a person than the other. The role of brain chemistry and genetics is different from person to person . Social and psychological influences also vary. Therefore, treatment should be tailored to each person. The first priority in treatment should be the reduction of potential harm with sobriety. When the individual is “clean and sober,” he / it may contribute to its treatment with a complete mental acuity. A treatment plan can then be designed and a decision can be made about the factors that affect violence. Then a decision can be made as to whether moderate drinking in the case of problem drinker, is possible. Some approaches, however, as the AA believe that abstinence should be a lifetime commitment. Other approaches suggests that moderate drinking is possible for some alcoholics. In both cases, a thorough assessment is necessary and sober brain is necessary to make that decision.

Tagged as: Abuse, Alcohol, substances