Alcoholism, Substance Abuse and Dependency 

Objectives

At the completion of this course the healthcare professional will be able to:

1.  Identify the different categories of illicit drugs and their effects.

2.  Summarize the current trends of substance abuse

3.  Identify the contributors to adolescent substance abuse.

4.  Assess substance abuse and addiction using DSM criteria.

5.  Apply treatment principles and models for substance abuse.

Chapter 1.  Introduction

Substance abuse has become a widespread problem in society.  What often begins as playful teenage behavior, a way to fit in with friends and to be accepted, can turn into a life of addiction, heartache and crime.  Behind the scenes of drug use is the criminal culture of drugs including drug cartels, mafia organizations, street gangs and corporate corruption.  Politics produce a stormy debate over the effects legalizing drugs may have, and whether some currently illegal drugs, like marijuana, should be legalized to help those inflicted with cancer and other maladies to manage their pain. 

Then there are questions about what drugs are most damaging to the mind and body; legal ones like alcohol and nicotine, or some of the “softer” illegal drugs.  Although social policy on substance abuse falls well within the scope of healthcare professionals, it is not the purpose of this course to address it politically.

The purpose of this course is to teach the healthcare professional to assess and treat clients who have a problem with substance abuse.  The course also helps familiarize the professional with the current trends of substance abuse and what drugs are currently popular with different demographic groups.   In addition, how these substances are ingested, their effects, and propensity to be addictive will be addressed.  Contributors to substance use including the impact of family and peer groups will also be presented. 

The issue is a serious one as substance abuse rates have increased across all age, racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups at varying rates and in regard to different drugs. Even the consequences of substance abuse have changed, with more people being affected directly and indirectly by related automobile and train wrecks, violence in the workplace, and gang violence (Kleber 1991).