Substance Abuse - Essay Example

Health Sciences of the of the Health Sciences Substance Abuse Substance Abuse refers to the use of illegal drugs in order to alter mood or get rid of stresses of life. When people use the word substance abuse, they usually refer to the use of illegal drugs by different people. The use of illegal drugs irrespective of its purpose is termed as abuse. These drugs are addictive and have negative implications on health, hence experts emphasize the fact that it is dangerous to use. Some people argue that recreational use of drugs is not harmful, however studies show that use of recreational drugs leads to addiction and permanent usage of drugs.

People who support the recreational use of drugs favor the use of Marijuana as they feel it is not harmful for people. However, recent studies show that marijuana is also harmful for human beings. According to National Institute of Drug Abuse, marijuana users become dependent on others. They find it hard to understand different aspects of life and others assistance on every aspect. It is also important to note that illegal drug is not the only thing that creates addiction in an individual. Things like medicine, alcohol, tea, coffee etc could also create addiction which may cause problems for an individual (Ḳaminer, 2010).

Treatment The aim of the treatment of patients for substance abuse is to take them to a point where they are free of the dependency and habit of using illegal drugs. Although, the patients may not get rid of the problem completely, but the negative effects of the use of such drugs may be negated from such treatment. Studies show that 60 out of 100 are treated with desired results, as the dependency of drug addict patients reduces with the treatment. Before starting the medication of such patients, it is very necessary that the doctors treat on the behavioral aspect of the patients and mentally prepare them for treatment.

In such conditions, patients become very depressed and they think the problem could not be solved. It is the responsibility of doctors to motivate them and mentally prepare them that the problem could be solved. There are three basic steps involved in the treatment of such patients that includes detoxification, rehabilitation, and sobriety. Detoxication is the first and most important step in the treatment of patients. It is the process of removing toxic substances from the body. It basically caters to minimizing the negative effects of using illegal drugs.

Doctors use different medicines and injections to minimize such effects. It is very important for all patients to go through this process, especially for patients who have been using drugs for a long period of time. After going through the process of Detoxication, the patient must go through the process of rehabilitation. It involves the process of interacting with other people facing same issues. Rehabilitation involves counseling where patients are taught that what ever the problems are would be solved, and there is a solution to every problem.

In this stage, the patient is allowed to spend time with his or her friends and family. The patient gets the chance to interact with them as much as possible (Monti, 2012). The last stage is that of sobriety, where doctors and relatives of the patients tries to bring normality into the life of the patient, by helping him or her to continue with usual activities they carry out. In this stage, the patient goes through difficult time as he or she has to bear the pain of recovery, however it is the responsibility of parents and relatives to assist patients recover from the problem.

References Monti. P, (2012), “Adolescents, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse: Reaching Teens through Brief Interventions”, Guilford Press. Ḳaminer. Y, (2010), “Clinical Manual of Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment”, American Psychiatric Pub.