Substance Research Papers Samples For Students

The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between religiosity and substance abuse. Data was collected using a drug use questionnaire and a religiosity scale. It was hypothesized that individuals with high levels of religiosity would report lower levels of substance abuse compared to individuals with low levels of religiosity. A one way between subject analysis of variance was conducted and yielded .

Effects of Religiosity on Substance Abuse

The misuse of drug in the United States has exposed the population of all religions and communities to many risk factors. Some of the risk factors are very dangerous to their lives and health. One ...

Abstract

Studies documenting substance abuse have shown that it is deadly. Studies done in these areas have shown a trend in the abuse of substance among the youth. Substances such as marijuana, alcohol and cannabis are continually being abused by the youth. Tobacco consumption by youth is yet to be mitigated. The government, has in some cases, not helped the situation but has served to escalate the crises by making potent substances available to users without regulation. The objectives of this research are to analyze the opinion of researchers I this field and their opinions on the matter at hand. ...

Health abnormalities of various kinds possess a deep association with the underlying factors which are of genetic, biochemical and environmental origin. Affected individuals are more prone to suffer from an impaired quality of life (QOL). As a result, their management also places a significant burden on the family members and the healthcare system. Especially, health abnormalities linked with substance abuse present a challenging task. The reason is that people with substance abuse behavior either have or more vulnerable to mental health problems. There is a need to highlight this particular healthcare problem, its challenges, assessment and management with the aid of available literature. So, ...

Abstract

The study has focused on the topic of substance abuse among African American teen residing in Mott Haven area of Bronx United States. The paper has started by giving an overview that entails defining the topic’s key terms. Also, the study has highlighted and discussed the statistics showing the frequency of drug and substance abuse among the African American youngsters. As the report has indicated, the teens fall under the age bracket of 12 to 17 years. The paper has explained the drugs abused most by the youngsters with alcohol taking the lead, followed by marijuana, inhalants as ...

Addiction is a dangerous chronic disease which comes in many forms such as drug use, gambling habits, sexual behaviors, the addiction to food and the desire to have an abundance of money that is obtained by any means. Addiction has created destruction in many families, crumbled prosperous lives and has even ended in the death of the addict, Is there a cure for an addict. The answer is no however it can be managed by empowering the addict with knowledge of the disease, taking actions to control the addiction and treating the disease.
2.The difference between addiction and dependency.
...

Homeless people, by definition do not have a fixed residence, but that is where the simplicity ends.

“A 2008 survey by the U.S conference of mayors asked 25 cities for their top three causes of homelessness. Drug abuse was the largest single cause of homelessness for single adults reported by 68% of cities.”
Homelessness & Substance Use Disorder Treatment (2010)
Drug abuse and homelessness is a sort of chicken and egg debate not only because of its age and importance but because either can result in either one i.e. someone can become homeless as a result of chronic drug use or a homeless person can become dependent on drugs as a result of homelessness and being exposed to chronic ...

Introduction

Despite efforts of the federal government, schools, and parents in preventing the youth from engaging in vices, the youth still gravitates toward abusing substances such as alcohol, cigarette, and drugs due to the $25 billion worth of advertisements that are shown during the airing of movies and television programs. It seems that advertisers discovered that the media depiction of substance use would be more effective than traditional advertising. This is because in general, media contents are seen as positive; otherwise, they would not be released for public viewing. Moreover, media depictions would not induce criticisms as much as advertising ...

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN NURSES

Introduction
Nursing is a career which involves the daily routine of meeting people who are facing vulnerable and resilient moments in their lives. They face personal challenges in their lives just like patients. The frustration and pressure on nurses is the resultant cause of them finding solace in substance abuse. Healths professionals particularly nurse have the major problem of drug and substance abuse (Daniels, 2011). 10 to 15 percent of certified nurses in the United States are addicted to drugs and chemically reliant. They are also unreliable in the discharge of their duties.
Addiction is the application of ...

Substance abuse in Durham

Over 20,000 people living in Durham are affected by the substance abuse, which has become a common problem in the community. 19,500 residents are regular users of substance, including middle school and high school students. In this county, the common illicit drugs include cocaine, marijuana and heroin. Smoking and alcohol abuse are widely exercised by the residents of Durham County (Kleiman, & Hawdon, 2011). Durham County is ranked among the top three counties that are mostly affected by the drug abuse in the state.
Substance abuse and use has resulted to more than 30% cases of domestic violence ...

Abstract

Researchers showed that genetics has a strong influence on individual’s behavior when it comes to addiction. Substance abuse and dependence are disorders that are usually manifested together with some other psychological disorders such as antisocial personality disorder, depression, anxiety and others. Patients who suffer from depression or schizophrenia more often manifest addictive behavior. Explanation for this co-morbidity is found in genetic polymorphism. There are alterations in recorded activity of the brain in individuals who abuse substances. Their brainwaves are abnormal so was the brainwaves of their children, who never tried psychoactive substances. Biology is the basis of the brainwaves and ...

Abstract

There is a strong mutual relationship between substance abuse and psychology. This study has found that the problem of substance abuse is caused by psychological contexts in which an individual undergoes and, therefore, psychological interventions are necessary as ways to control it. In the study too, it has been found that substance abuse has accounted to many mental and other psychological problems to addicts. The research has reviewed literatures from various sources: online psychological periodicals, research articles, white papers, books and experts views from psychologists. In this regard, it has defined substance abuse and discussed ways in which psychology is related ...

Henrietta Murphy-Jones

Grand Canyon University
PCN 531
Family Issues and Addictive Disorders
- Abstract
The goal of this research paper is to look into the different reasons for HIV and substance abuse and the way that family therapy can help a person in need when it comes to the problems that the former places. It has been shown that family therapy helps solve problems when it comes to the social and psychological wellbeing of a person, two fields that is greatly affected by the contraction of HIV or the addition to an illegal drug.
Furthermore, the paper was ...

The social issue that I have decided to identify and discuss is abuse. Abuse can be defined as, to use wrongly or improperly or can also be defined as treating in an injurious or harmful way. There are various types of abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse and substance abuse just to mention but a few. Abuse is susceptible to anyone at any age and different types of abuses have become big social issues in our society that needs to be handled. I am going to discuss substance abuse as a social issue.
Drug or substance abuse as it ...

Ethical, Legal, and Utility Issues in Assessment

Substance abuse, especially addiction of is a serious problem in the society. Substance abuse is due to addiction, which is a disease procedure characterized by habitual use of a particular psychoactive substance. The person who has the problem of substance addiction engages in a sequence of behaviors concerning the substance abuse, which leads to dependence syndrome or abuse disorder. Therefore, there is the need to develop appropriate and reliable assessment instrument and mechanism, which will enable the physician to address the problem of substance addiction. Therefore there is a great need to consider the element of uncertainty in evaluation and during making conformity decisions.

...

It is estimated that one out of every five deaths in America is thought to be associated with the use of tobacco and smoking is believed to be the leading cause of premature death in this country (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). Aside from the emotional trauma, the monetary cost for the years between 2009 and 2012 are believed to be between $289 billion and $332.5 billion which include figures for lost productivity of workers in addition to expenses for medical care. Smoking, drinking alcohol, and the inappropriate use of legal and illegal drugs impacts society ...

Abstract

Drug addiction is not only common in men but also in women. However, it does not happen accidentally. Certain factors influence women’s engagement in drug initiation and even addiction: natural physical susceptibility; personality measure of women; peer relationships; family relationships; marital relationships; social media and marketing; discrimination; acculturation; socioeconomic condition; and victimization in sex and prostitution. These factors have different influencing ways upon women. Likewise, the effects these have upon women have varying degrees as well. Seeing these factors does not only imply knowledge of the issue, but brings forth the need to deal with it.
The ...

More Information about affiliation, research grants, conflict of interest and how to contact.

Influence of Culture on Substance Abuse
Introduction
Culture significantly influences the lifestyle and habits of a person. Thus, it also has a role to play in the substance abuse behaviour among adolescents. The paper attempts to understand the influence of culture on substance abuse in adolescents. The paper is divided into six sections. The first section highlights the knowledge, skills and attitude pertaining to cultural competencies. The second section mentions the dimensions of culture that impact adolescent treatment. The third section indicates the cultural groups that influence adolescent attitude and behaviour. The fourth section discusses explanatory models of substance ...

In January 2013, there were a total of 610,042 homeless people in the US (Henry, Cortes & Morris, 2013). 394,698 of the homeless individuals lived in sheltered locations while 215,344 of them lived in unsheltered locations (Henry et al., 2013). According to the US Conference of Mayors (2008), the leading causes of family homelessness in 25 cities surveyed include lack of affordable housing (72%), poverty (52%), unemployment (44%), and low-paying jobs (36%). For single adults, the leading causes of homelessness are substance abuse (68%), lack of affordable housing (60%), mental illness (48%), and poverty (44%) (US Conference of ...

Background information on substance abuse in nurses

A number of conditions are believed to cause substance abuse especially among nurses. Most of the contributing factors towards substance abuse by nurses include some of the nursing specialties. Some of the specialties which have been highly associated with substance abuse among nurses include anesthesia, critical care nursing as well as the oncology and psychiatry nursing. Most of the nurses working in these specialties are believed to account for big percentages of drug abuse due to their intense emotional as well as the physical demands (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010).
A number of registered nurses irrespective of their specialty ...

Legal and Ethical Issues of Substance Abuse and Addiction

Substance abuse and addiction has for a long time already been a topical issue in many countries around the world. Schools are important sites, where governments and various organizations concentrate their preventive efforts, as it is a key of health promotion in these institutions. It is important to realize such prevention programs in this environment, as schools provide its students with important models of behavior, various possibilities to bond with people of different interests and views (Strang et al., 2012).
National research of tobacco policies in schools in different developed countries show that the prevailing majority of institutions have adopted policies ...

Introduction 3

Behavioral and Cognitive Therapy 3
Summary of Model 4
Strengths and Weaknesses of Treatment 6
Medication Treatment Approaches 7
Medication Assessment Treatment 8
Strengths and Weaknesses of Treatment 11
Therapeutic Modality use with a patient with a Substance Disorder 11
Ethical, legal, Individual and Socio-Cultural Implications 12
Conclusion 12

References: 13

Addiction Treatments
Introduction
In the past, there were times when the society actually looked at drug addiction as some kind of a flaw that was moral. Research shows that popular "treatments" did things much different than they did today. For instance, it involved ...

Introduction

The paper will examine the effects and solutions of substance abuse among the teens in America. A brief history of substance abuse in America is analyzed to give the audience the present situation in America. The preceding section involves examining how substance abuse has led to the lives of American teenagers. Drugs cause nausea, liver damage, and malfunctions the damage. In addition, teens that abuse drugs lose concentration, and compel them to miss classes and these results in high school dropouts. American youths under the influence of narcotics are deceived that the crimes may be a potential opportunity to ...

Introduction

Nowadays, the struggle against the use, dissemination, and production of drugs is quite severe. Despite the fact that so-called War on Drugs has been launched in 1971, it seems like there was no serious developments in this direction. Since the development of this campaign, loads of taxpayers’ funds were invested to this fight, a lot of people were detained, and tons of substances confiscated. The War led to the militarization of the police and involvement of the military into the raids on multiple occasions. One of the main issues here is the focus of the authorities on a specific ...

Introduction

Kahn, Kernan, Arnoff and Griswold (2008) scrutiny culture as a set of behaviors and beliefs that typify, characterize and distinguish a particular age, social or ethnic group. These behaviors and beliefs that are put together are learnt or taught by associating with precise groups. According to culture, persons should conduct themselves in accordance to set rules and regulations. Consequently, culture becomes a very strong contributor on substance abuse by the adolescence. Griswold et al. (2009), states that cultures permit the consumption of prohibited substances as a cultural practice. They go ahead to give examples of some countries in Middle East and Somali cultures that ...

Effect on the Youth category of campus substance abuse

Crime in many campuses is mainly related to acts of drinking and other substance abuse. Most of the students that have been victims of crime in campuses tend to report of being intoxicated at the time the crime was committed. Further, substance abuse increases the aggressiveness of the students who in the end may engage in violent activities such as fights looting and destruction of property. In cases of intoxicated women students, the situation may involve sexual assault and rape. Additionally, campus students are more likely to be involved in risky sexual behavior that may contribute to transmission of ...

Introduction

The co-occurrence of substance abuse and mental disorders is a common and growing problem among Americans that should be given attention as it impairs the life of those affected. One of these is the co-occurrence of substance abuse disorder and generalized anxiety disorder. In this regard, this paper provides an overview of this co-occurring disease in terms of its criteria for diagnosis, its incidence, causes, treatment, and the considerations for assessment.

DSM-IV Criteria for Generalized Anxiety

“Generalized anxiety disorder is a chronic and impairing disorder, independent of its substantial comorbidity with other mental disorders” (Andrews et al., 2010, p. 134). According to DSM- IV (Andrews et ...

Sociological causes of drug use & abuse among college students: An Introduction

The college students, particularly those between the age-group of 18 and 24 are normally registered in colleges and universities. They are at increased risk for involving in risk drinking and other substance use than their non-college peers. These students have a tendency to involve in binge drinking and other drugs than other age-groups, whether or not they are registered in college. Normally, this predisposition arises because of:
- Developmental traits of puberty and maturity, consisting of ongoing brain maturity through in the early 20s and the progress towards greater freedom and independence
- Social and cultural standards of ...

The U.S. has made many attempts over time to restrict access to addictive and dangerous drugs and medications in order to protect its citizens. The result was more than 200 drug and medication laws that were impossible to monitor and was not effective in solving drug problems in the country. Compliance with the numerous state and federal laws which often differed substantially was hard to enforce and those dealing substances illegally could often get off by dealing in a different state and pleading ignorance if they were caught. Due to the major differences in numerous large and small details related ...

Introduction

Drug abuse, or drug addiction, is over dependence on a medication or a drug, legal or illegal. When the mild use transforms into uncontrolled craving, it begins to cause serious problems. The overuse of the drugs begins to alter the way the body and the mind behaves (SAMHSA, 2009). The physical and mental health deterioration is a given, relationships are also affected and the law of the land can pose long-term consequences. The overall costs of drug abuse, including crime-related costs and productivity costs, in United States are estimated to exceed $600 billion annually (Drug Facts, 2012).
Among the population abusing ...

Substance abuse Health Centers in Goldsboro area

- Waynesboro family clinic
This is a private family clinic that offers comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to the entire family. The clinic provides substance abuse treatment and in home services. The clinic utilizes mental health Practitioners like psychologist, psychiatrists, mental health counselors and substance abuse counselor. The clinic utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatment modalities in the treatment regimes. This clinic is a day Centre that does not provide prolonged in patient services to substance abuse clients (Waynesboro family clinic, 2013).
- Wayne county treatment Centre
This is a critical access behavioral health agency (CABHA). The ...

Introduction

Most educated people are aware that substance abuse – using recreational drugs or regularly consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can lead to addiction and/or cause a number of harmful effects. This paper discusses those effects which are wide ranging, can affect the health and the safety of the subject and the subject’s family and friends, and can lead to criminal activity and even the death of the subject.

The Research

- General definition of the problem.
Excessive use of drugs and/or alcohol is collectively termed “substance abuse” – a recognized disease. A Florida Institute of Technology article “Facts about Alcohol and Drug Abuse” ( ...

Introduction

Consumption of addictive psychoactive substances can be traced back to the earliest records of the human history. In ancient past, these psychoactive substances were consumed in various occasions: some priest consumed the substances during religious ceremonies; some substances such as opium were used for medicinal purposes; were consumed by the general population as they were socially accepted. People later devised various potent compounds which were easier to administer. As a result of high administration, addiction and abuse of these substances began. As early as in the 17th century, the concern of overuse of these substances and the loss of ...

Initiation of substance abuse by schoolchildren

How does the behavioral influence of peers influence substance abuse in schoolchildren? The first experience of an individual on active interactions with society begins at school. The initial relationships forged in school often determine a child’s confidence and self-esteem. No relationship is more important in the social circles of a school than peer acceptance. This acceptance often comes at a cost. The criterion for peer acceptance involves participation in all of the group’s activities. In due course, this participation leads to initiating substance abuse. There are numerous studies on this subject with a variety of recommendations from ...

Development in any stage is crucial in some way to a child’s life, though the first and most important pertains to the likelihood that the child will ever see the light of day intact and with all functions working as they should. While many factors can be cited as having a definite effect upon a still-growing fetus, not the least of which are variables that affect the mother in some way, substances taken during pregnancy can often cause the most adverse effects. More than that, such substances can cause effects that might very well go unnoticed until later ...

Introduction

Relationship between drug and crime
Drug abuse occurs as a result of maladaptive habits of drug use. It is manifested by recurrent and significant impact associated with repeated intake of the drugs. These problems occur repeatedly during the period of 12 months. The criteria include; harmful impacts of repeated use rather than tolerance and pattern of compulsive use. Drug abuse leads to addiction and drug dependency. The dependency raises the maladaptive pattern of substance abuse, resulting to cluster of behavioral and psychological phenomenon that develops after several drugs intakes. Drug dependency includes a strong urge to take the drug; difficulties in ...

(Course/Major)
(School/University)

Incarceration or Intervention: Costs and Benefits

In the work of leading global research organizations RTI International, by sending substance abusers to community-based programs rather than hauling these people to jail, the United States criminal justice system stands to save billions of dollars, in a study of the RTI International and Temple University. In the study of the groups, almost one half of the prisoners in the Federal and state prison system are incarcerated for drug abuse or substance addicts. However, even with the high rate of drug and substance abusers in the prison, it is estimated that only one out of ten get ...

Gustafsen Lake Standoff was a direct action campaign because of a dispute involving Secwepemc people and other people from the native groups in British Columbia (CBC, 2012). This dispute lasted for three months between June and September 1995. The secwepemc people and other native people started a sacred sun dance at Ts’Peten, which they referred to as Gustafsen Lake. Their occupation at Ts’Peten was followed by continued struggles to be recognized through legal processes. The direct action started when the former arrangements of holding sacred sun dances broke down after the threats of eviction (CBC, 2012). The natives constructed fences ...

Abstract

Social workers perform a range of services that touch on many disciplines within the greater health and human services field. Case management, which is closely identified with social work, features a skill set that can be applied to many areas within the discipline of social work, ranging from child protection to substance abuse. These skills include problem assessment, treatment formulation, coordination and counseling. There are considerable career development opportunities, and new skill development paradigms provide important resources for professional growth.

Keywords: Social workers, health and human services, case management, child protection, substance abuse

A Career in Health and Human Services

Social ...

Introduction

Adolescence is a time when a person’s physical, psychological, social and cognitive growth is of great importance. During this time, the person is not a child and they are not yet an adult and some of the choices made at this time in regards to their health, lifestyle, and attitudes can be continued into adulthood. People in this stage are greatly influenced both academically and socially by social interactions. Some relationships established in academic institutions with peers and authority figures are said to be major socializing agents, especially for middle school students. Even though school is considered a ...

Brief Strategic Family Therapy and Multidimensional Family Therapy

Peter is 15 year-old teenager who lives with his parents. His father is a mechanic whilst his mother does casual jobs. His father is a chronic alcoholic. Peter started drinking when he was 12. Most of his associates also drink. Peter has been arrested twice for stealing cash from groceries shops. Both times he had been taken to the court and ordered to do community service. He has never been sent to jail although he is under supervision by the juvenile system. He has been suspended from school severally and his grades are below average. He is being treated at the ...

Question 1

Substance misuse is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using substances that cause significant distress or problems (Gordon, 2013).Primarily, substance abuse entails the use of all hazardous psychoactive substances which significantly lead to dependence syndrome.
According to Gilchrist et al. (2012), continued use of these drugs by an individual causes overdependence and a cluster of behavioural,psychological and cognitive phenomenon that include difficulties in the controlling the use of the substances, development of a strong desire to take the drug, persistence in the use despite the inherent harm which is well known to the ...

Substance abuse has become a very big problem in the United States leading to the emergence of many different substance abuse treatment programs. It has caused significant health problems affecting families and the whole community at large (Aday, 2003). Where I live in Arkansas, there is the Arkansas Rift Valley Area Council which helps people with substance abuse problems with the services they are in need of. Moreover, there is also the BCD Hoover Treatment Centre which is a community based substance abuse treatment program facility. These two facilities provide substance abuse treatment and halfway housing for monitoring people with heavy ...

Marijuana raises controversial debate from time to time on the significance of its legalization. Although, many people attach massive demerits to the substance, others find exclusive benefits in the substance. The benefits of the drug may range from medical to economical. There are unique medicinal benefits that come with the use of marijuana. The economic benefits of the substance may be attached to the tax revenue that the drug attracts to an economy.
The first medical benefit of marijuana is that it acts as the pain reliever. There are some diseases that cause extensive pain to the patient, ...

Crum et al. (2004) mentioned that the relationship between alcohol use and sleeping disturbance is complex, due to existing evidence that shows the effects of alcohol in individual’s sleeping patterns. Brower mentioned that sleep problems are more prevalent among alcoholics than non-alcoholic individuals. In a statistical point of view, in the general population, insomnia in the last six months affected 18 percent of alcoholic people while only affecting 10 percent of non-alcoholic individuals (Brower, n.d). However, the hazardous effect of alcohol abuse encompasses beyond one type of sleeping disorder. Literature will prove the existing link between alcohol abuse and ...

A description of the psychological test (SASSI-3)

The Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI-3) is a measure that is easy and brief to use during identification of people who are likely to be suffering from substance abuse disorders. It contains both the noticeable and indirect items, but more likely it is suitable in detecting individuals who are facing challenges with substance abuse and are reluctant or incapable to concede them. The test takes about a quarter of a hour to complete, and it entails about 67 true-false items. Besides, it also entails a section of about 26 item self-report on substance use (MIS, 2013). It is a clinical assessment tool that ...

Adolescent substance abuse refers to dependence on or overindulgence in addictive substances (e.g., drugs or alcohol) by young individuals. There are many reasons why adolescents resort to the misuse and abuse of substances. Some authors and experts in the field consider the theoretical perspectives on the interrelationships between substance abuse and emotion while some laypersons view addiction as evil in itself and that the addict is a bad person . There are those of the opinion that drug abuse is caused by unfavorable familial and cultural influences whereas in the medical and health sectors, addiction is a disease caused by neurochemical imbalance. ...

Analgesics and opioids have been widely used for the treatment and management of chronic pain in the healthcare sector. Opioids provide better and faster relief to patients with chronic pain compared to non-opioid analgesics. However, the long-term effects of opioids can be devastating. Cancer patients often require comprehensive treatment with respect to pain management. Opioids is considered as the gold standard for most cancer patients with chronic pain which may relate to improved quality of life and improved patient satisfaction. Opioids have a history for substance abuse and the same appears to be a risk to cancer patients. Based ...

Impacts of Substance Use Disorders on Family Systems

Origin
Different Types and Degrees
Depression
Anxiety Disorders
Schizophrenia
Personality Disorders
Symptoms
Behavioral
Physical
Social
C. Family Systems (Brown, n.d)

Definitions

Elements
Disruptions
Causes
Effects
Solutions
IV. Conclusion

Impacts

Physical
Behavioral
Social

Solutions and Interventions

Medical Intervention
Social Intervention (Khantzian, 1996)

References

Brown, J. (n.d.). Bowen Family Systems Theory and Practice: Illustration and Critique. Retrieved August 31, 2016, from http://www.thefsi.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Bowen-Family-Systems-Theory-and-Practice_Illustration-and-Critique.pdf
Dickey, B., Normand, S. T., Weiss, R., Drake, R. E., & Azeni, H. (n.d.). Medical Morbidity, Mental Illness, and Substance Use Disorders. 861-867. Retrieved August 31, 2016, from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Barbara_Dickey/publication/11280072_Medical_Morbidity_Mental_Illness_and_Substance_Use_Disorders/links/56979fba08aec79ee32b3b6a.pdf.
Khantzian, E. J. (1997). The Self-Medication Hypothesis of Substance Use Disorders: A Reconsideration and Recent Applications [Abstract]. ...

Introduction

American youths between 18 and 25 years register the highest prevalence of illegal drug use, with 60.5% for lifetime rate of drug use (SAMHSA, 2004). This percentage represents a considerable rise from values of the period between 2002 and 2013 (SAMHSA, 2014). According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HSDUH, 2010), young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 abuse prescription drugs the most in the United States. Results from studies indicate contradictory statistics regarding factors of race on drug abuse prevalence. However, studies such as McCabe et al. (2008) indicate that white and Hispanic ...

This paper considers the links between drug addiction and crime rates. As described by Gottfredson et al. (2008), they are “two of the most intractable social problems facing the United States.” Extensive research into the relationship between drugs and crime has produced three explanations. The first is that the use of drugs leads to criminal activity. The second is the reverse of that; i.e. that crimes lead to people using drugs. The third explanation offered is that the relationship between drugs and crime has a series of common causes. The objective of this research paper is to establish that drugs ...

Teratogens are genotoxins that can potentially disrupt the genetic makeup of developing cells, resulting in aberrations that can manifest disabling physical and mental abnormalities in a fetus. Teratogens can cross the placenta and reach the fetus, which quashes the popular belief that a fetus is shielded from external harmful influences. This indicates that the placenta is incapable of blocking teratogenic metabolites from reaching the fetus. Teratogenesis can be defined as birth defects or congenital malformations occurring in utero due to exposure to external factors. Such factors could be environmental, chemical or biological in nature. Factors such as the time of exposure, ...

Abstract

The research paper deals with the problem of whether or not cannabis and cancer are interrelated. There are arguments provided in favor of cannabis stimulating the growth and proliferation of cancer and counterarguments, claiming that not only has marijuana consumption no negative impact on human health, but it also has the potential of being used for medical purposes for treating brain, breast, lung, prostate, blood, oral, liver, and pancreatic cancer inasmuch as it serves as a natural inhibitor of tumor growth as well as providing apoptosis of malign cells. Cannabis treatment may also be used as a legitimate, harmless and far ...

Keeping Prison Drug Treatment an Option

Keeping Prison Drug Treatment an Option

Introduction

Understanding the social benefits of keeping prison drug treatment an option as part of prisoner rehabilitation engages increasing support in the ongoing debate about its efficacy. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) of the 211,150 total prison population, over 50 percent have drug related convictions (2013). From 1990 and well into the first decade of the 21st century, America's controversial "war on drugs" contributes to the continued overcrowding in the nation's prisons (VanderWaal, Taxman, & Gurka-Ndanyi, 2008, p. 127). According to van Wormer and Persson (2010), " A large percentage of inmates ...

Introduction

Substance abuse among pregnant women is a problem that is still a health issue. Estimated figures show that roughly 4% of all births in the U.S happen in women who abuse prescription or illicit drugs which include barbiturates, opoid pain relievers, benzodiazepines and stimulants during pregnancy. In addition to abusing prescription and illicit drugs, women also use tobacco and alcohol during pregnancy. Of course this has effects. According to Economidoy et al (163), maternal drug abuse can have an effect on pregnancy outcomes as well as childhood development and health. Children who are born to women who used such substances during ...

and Alcohol Knowledge

The Effectiveness of Prevention Programs on Underage Drinking

and Alcohol Knowledge
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2007) considers underage drinking a major public health problem. In 2008, emergency rooms treated around 190,000 juveniles for injuries related to alcohol abuse (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2011). Alcohol is the most widely used drug by minors in the United States, accounting for 11% of all alcohol consumption. Binge drinking accounts for more than 90% of juvenile alcohol abuse. According to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), even though the level of alcohol use among juveniles has dropped significantly ...

Abstract

This paper evaluates several sources to try and determine whether the needs of youth in juvenile detention facilities are being met. While most youths consider counselling to be effective, more than half of them do not have the pleasure of working with professional mental health personnel. The education system used in most of these facilities tends to be ineffective because the needs of detained youth are different from the needs of their counterparts in the general population. Further, there are various disruptions, including court proceedings and security procedures that take up plenty of time that would be used for ...

Mental disorders take a toll on a person’s life, affecting not only their emotional and psychological health but also by imposing negative effects on their physical health and well-being. This is the reason why it is very important to treat mental disorders very keenly and to take extra care in the kind of treatment which is being given to people with mental illnesses. Doctors and specialists compose a very balanced proportion of medication for the patients so they can heal properly and their drugs can have positive, curative effects on their mental health. Along with medication and various ...

Criminal Justice: Women in Prison

In this paperwork, I am going to discuss issues in the incarceration of women such as mental illness, pregnancy, substance use, separation of family, as well as the environment.
When the term Prisons is mentioned, we automatically switch our mind to young men, since approximately ninety percent of inmates are male, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is important to note that the proportion of imprisoned women is small, but this proportion consists of hundreds of thousand women, at present, living behind bars in the United States. Currently, the number of women wedged in the criminal justice ...

Introduction

Marijuana is a significant topic throughout the United States. It can be considered one of the hottest topics regarding the general public and the Legislature. There is a growing reform when it comes to legalizing marijuana. Today, more than half of the country is in favor to legalizing the use of marijuana. The Drug Policy Alliance believes that marijuana should be treated and regulated like alcohol and tobacco and that it should be completely removed from the criminal justice system. Over the past two years, several states have legalized the recreational use of marijuana. This paper analyzes the arguments ...

Analysis of alcohol abuse from sociological perspective

Annotated Bibliography
Kissin, B. (1983). The biology of alcoholism, Volume 6: The pathogenesis of alcoholism psychosocial factors. New York, NY: Plenum Press.
The book of Benjamin Kissin (1983) examines the natural history of alcoholism. The author defines the reasons and factor that cause or can lead to the alcoholism. There are various factors that can contribute to the contemporary social issue, such as “moral turpitude, willfulness, and role modeling, urbanization, environmental, stress, oral personality, genetic predisposition, and biochemical defects. The source will be very valuable since it makes the connection between the poverty and alcoholism. causes of the alcoholism ...