Essay
Chapter 17. Prevention Programs
Describe the key characteristics of community based drug prevention strategies. Please list these descriptions in bullet point format
Community based drug prevention strategies are very broad (they involve community’s youth, parents, businesses, media, schools, law enforcement, religious or fraternal groups, civic or volunteer groups, healthcare professionals and government agencies with expertise in the field of substance abuse),
Community based drug prevention strategies are to be integrated to increase public support, social awareness and to keep the community members informed of the current state of things,
Community based drug prevention strategies are expected to have a structured organizational plan aimed to reach at-risk population,
Community based drug prevention strategies might be oriented to change the legal and social environment regarding any risk of substance abuse; thus, community may monitor and regulate the number of retail establishments selling cigarettes and alcoholic beverages.
Honestly speaking, I do not find the described school-based drug abuse prevention approaches effective. The only one of the given approaches seems to be reasonable. Here I mean combined cognitive and affective approach. I agree with the table content (see, for example, the strategies and effectiveness of the aforementioned approach) and believe that the skills to solve problems and to make decisions are very important in everyone’s life. Moreover, the ability to put the theoretical knowledge into daily practice is above all praises. I consider other approaches to be less effective because they seem to be far away from real life circumstances.
Chapter 17 critiques 4 different types of existing prevention models in higher education.
Awareness model
Attitude change model
Social influences model
Person-in-environment model
Identify the model that you believe to be the most effective, based on the evidence presented, and provide a rationale of why you believe it is the most effective of the four. Your rationale must include specific statements and examples to support your reasoning.
I find person-in-environment model to be the most effective because it is complex and consists of multiple elements which call not to ignore substance abuse. It focuses on the causes of addiction that were adhered by the social environment. The environment itself is thoroughly analyzed. As the authors of the textbook say, this approach helps to alleviate drug use and abuse on college campuses. And moreover, they say that this approach presupposes multiple influence in a person environment.
Describe the history of the Bacchus Network, what population it targets, and a few of its key components.
Boosting Alcohol Consciousness Concerning the Health of University Students (BACCHUS) was established in 1975. A national student organization was created with the aim to connect student leaders and advisors in a network in order to prevent alcohol abuse. Since then it targets students. The program aims to prevent substance abuse; it also includes students’ health and safety issues (for example, such as sexual responsibility, tobacco use, marijuana use, and sexual assault). This year-round prevention program is implemented with the help of 120 educational resources and training materials.
Discuss the Alternatives Approach to drug use. Explain the approach using examples, and comment on the effectiveness of the approach.
There are other viable alternative approaches to drug use. Among them are those of physical, sensory, emotional, interpersonal, social, political, intellectual, creative-aesthetic, philosophical and even spiritual-mystical experiences.
As I personally see it, the strategy also known as the alternatives approach is closely connected with the change of consciousness. I think that it is the main reason to consider it to be a highly effective one. Once the logical continuation of developmental problems is interrupted, the individual is able to lead a normal life and strive for the better conditions of life as well.
Chapter 18. Treatment Programs
Describe key strategies for assessing the severity of addiction and the readiness for treatment programs
It is possible to assess the severity of addiction and the readiness for treatment programs with the help of Addiction Severity Index. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is another way to assess individual need and readiness for treatment programs.
List (using bullet points) and describe in detail 6 of the 13 overarching principles of effective addiction treatment programs according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) has offered 13 overarching principles of effective addiction treatment programs. I would speak of 6 of them.
Addiction is a complex but treatable disease that affects brain function and behavior. It Is absolutely true that drug abusers risk both their mental and physical health which may require long and persistent treatment if damaged.
No single treatment is appropriate for all individuals. We all differ as well as our background and physical state do. Treatment should be chosen in accordance with needs of the individual.
Treatment needs to be readily available. Here we speak of the necessity to be treated as soon as the problem is identified. It is necessary as treatment opportunities cannot be available for long.
Medications are an important element of treatment for many patients, especially when combined with counseling and other behavioral therapies. The combination of approaches usually proves its effectiveness.
Many drug-addicted individuals also have mental disorders. Addiction treatment should address each person with the individual approach.
Treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective. Treatment entry can be facilitated in case the addiction may result in severe outcome.
List (using bullet points) and succinctly describe 3 general therapeutic strategies identified in your text
Three general therapeutic strategies identified in the text are:
Medical detoxication (i.e. a process of stopping drug use under the control of a physician responsible for proper usage of medications required to eliminate the undesired effect of intoxication),
Short-term residential programs (these are the programs to treat various forms of addiction within some hospital based practices which include extended outpatient therapy and self-help group participation),
Long-term residential treatment (that is the most popular residential treatment model which aims to resocialize the addicted person; it presupposes long term treatment (between 6-12 months)).
List (using bullet points) and succinctly describe 3 pharmacological therapeutic strategies identified in your text
Pharmacological strategies identified in the test are
Methadone
Naloxone and naltrexone
Buprenorphine
Methadone therapy is conducted with the help of methadone which is an opioid antagonist which serves to help patients to get stabilized, to become able to hold jobs and to avoid the crime. Naloxone and naltrexone therapy is applied for the treatment of the opioid addiction. Buprenorphine therapy reduces opioid dependence without the effect of euphoria or sedation.
