Abstract
Drug abuse is a disease of the brain. In many addicts the reason for drug abuse is established in childhood, and develops with maturity. Genes, along with the environment, availability of the drug and altered brain functioning are responsible for substance abuse. Motivation, pleasure and lack of self-control, encourages teenagers and adolescent to use drugs. A majority of the drugs that are abused, create euphoria, hallucination and altered emotional state that provides pleasure. Drug abuse causes functional impairment and failure on the part of the drug addict in fulfilling his responsibilities. Substance abuse also causes harm to once physical and mental health. A continuous desire and need for the drug is felt by the affected. Preventing access to drug causes aggression, discomfort and distress. A great deal of life’s activity is spent in obtaining and using drugs. This complex disease can be treated through long and planned treatment regimen that includes counselling and medication. A complete healing of mind, body and environment is necessary, for the treatment to be successful.
A substance in the context of this article is a drug, which, when absorbed into the body, alters body function. Certain substances can alter people’s emotions and thoughts and create a feeling of euphoria. When the person is in the habit of taking these substances frequently to alter his emotions and thoughts, he develops drug dependence. Drug dependence is a state in which the person requires the drug for normal activities of day to day life. He/she feels discomfort, access to the drug is not prevented. This state gradually develops to drug addiction or substance abuse. In drug/substance abuse, the person has an intense desire to use the drug and a higher amount of the drug is required to satisfy the desire. At this stage, the person is totally dependent on the drug. This intense and total dependence on the drug can cause physical harm and behavioral problems. (Ruiz, Strain & Langrod, 2007)
A nurse treating a drug addict, must understand that drug addiction is a disease that requires treatment. Though the causes are still unestablished, studies have found a positive association between certain genes and emotional state, to substance abuse. Peer pressure, anxiety, emotional distress, depression, can motivate people towards drug abuse. The incidence of drug abuse is high among people with mental illness. Factors like poor socioeconomic status, low self-esteem, relationship failures, culture, can increase once risk of substance abuse. A planned strategic intervention is often necessary to stop the vicious cycle of drug use, drug addiction and drug abuse.
The drugs that are commonly abused include opiates and narcotics. More than 55% of illicit drug users are addicted to marijuana. Drugs belonging to the pain relievers class, like the opiates, are the second most common substance that is abused. Pain relievers cause drowsiness and euphoric feeling. Prescription medicines like pain killers are commonly abused by many in the public, including children below 14 years of age. Lack of parental supervision, aggressive behavior, lack of self-control, easy access to the drug, were identified as factors that attract children towards illicit drug use. Other drugs like inhalants, hallucinates, tranquilizers, stimulants, sedatives and cocaine are also abused by illicit drug users. It is not necessary that drugs used for medical purposes are safe for consumption. Alcohol is the most harmful among drugs that are abused. Alcohol causes more damage than drugs like heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine, tobacco, etc. (Ruiz, Strain & Langrod, 2007)
Drug abuse not only destroys the life of the abusers, but can also harm their families, profession, and social life. Drug abuse causes behavioral changes in the person and leads to violence, hostility, lack of control, secretive attitude, stealing and negligence of once health and appearance. A drug addict may lose focus at work or studies and drop out of responsibilities. Nurses who care for substance abuse patients will be entitled with the responsibility of teaching the patient, about the harmful effect of drug abuse, and the step that need to be adopted to overcome this state. As drug addiction is an affection of mental and physical health, it is essential that the nurses receive training in these two domains. A nurse treating substance abuse is expected to provide both physical and emotional support to the patients and their family. (Ruiz, Strain & Langrod, 2007)
The prevalence of drug addiction is high among nursing professionals themselves. This is a negative aspect of this profession. Excessive job stress and emotional stress, in addition to easy availability of drugs, could motivate nurses towards drug use. According to an estimate, 10-15% of nurses in U.S are drug addicts. Denial of drug abuse and resistance to help, further complicates the problem. Reporting the affected nurse to management, will enable providing help to the addict. It can also save other nursing professional from ill fame, that happens when members of the profession become drug addicts. Nurses who are drug addicts may ruin the image of the profession by resorting to stealing, lying and cheating, to meet their drug needs. (Nursetogether.com, 2011)
Though addiction is a complex disease that involves the patient’s physical, mental and environmental health; it is treatable. At de-addiction centers, nurses understand the changes caused by the drug to the patient’s neural network, and thus recommended long term treatment objectives. Most of the patients, may return to their previous state of drug abuse, after a period of abstinence. (Drugabuse.gov, 2016)
Conclusion:
The treatment regimen for drug addiction will vary from patient to patient, depending on the intensity of addiction, type of addiction and other conjoining factors. There is no, “one size fits all’ kind of treatment for drug abuse. The patient age, gender and culture are considered while deciding treatment. Making the right treatment decision will enable the patient to perform well in a professional, family and social set-up, and enable the success of deaddiction. A major setback in treating addiction and drug abuse is the lack of suitable de-addiction facility in the vicinity of a drug addict. In most cases, drug addicts are brought to the center by care takers. It is very rare that a drug addict will report voluntarily to the de-addiction center. If treatment is not provided at the right time, it will become difficult to convince the patient for treatment. A minimum of 3 months’ treatment is necessary in most cases, to prevent relapse. Counselling and behavioral therapies are important part of treatment. Medications when combined with behavioral therapies, give better treatment-out comes. Drug abuse often coexists with other diseases. Most patients need psychiatric help. In addition, the patient should be screened for HIV, Hepatitis, tuberculosis and other sexually transmitted diseases. Monitoring the patient, during and after treatment are useful in early detection and preventing relapse of drug abuse.
References:
Drugabuse.gov,. (2016). Principles of Effective Treatment. Retrieved 10 January 2016, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/principles-effective-treatment
Nursetogether.com,. (2011). Nurses and Substance Abuse. Retrieved 10 January 2016, from http://www.nursetogether.com/nurses-and-substance-abuse
Ruiz, P., Strain, E., & Langrod, J. (2007). The substance abuse handbook. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
