Literature Review on African American Substance Abuse
Literature Review
Literature Review
Literature presented in this review reflects research conducted during the past five years, 2007 - 2011, and addresses the phenomena of adolescent substance abuse in the African American demographic. Additionally, this literature review will address documented causes of adolescent substance abuse as presented by psychologists, psychiatrists, educators, government officials, urban-policy researchers, addiction counselors and human service professionals. Opposing views will be presented by various experts on the subject of substance abuse among the African American adolescent population. This review will further address current theories, studies and perceptions of the magnitude of the impact of substance abuse among the African American adolescent population, barriers, along with specific strategies for improvement and interventions tried. Suggested solutions and implications for further research will also be addressed.
Studies Proving Existence of Problem
For about 10% of American adolescents, substance use escalates into the development of a substance use dependency (Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, 2010). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), in 2010, 10.1 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users, with 7.4 percent current users of marijuana and in 2010, rates of current alcohol use were 3.1 percent among persons aged 12 or 13, 12.4 percent of persons aged 14 or 15, 24.6 percent of 16 or 17 year olds (SAMSHA, 2010). Researchers state, “A study of United States schools show that 15% of 8th graders have tried marijuana at least once, and increasing to 43% by 12th grade” (Johnston et al., 2008). Researchers discovered that both frequent alcohol and marijuana use significantly affected the adolescent mind. As drinking intensity increased, individuals demonstrated a significant decrease in attention and executive function which is involved with
Literature Review
Literature presented in this review reflects research conducted during the past five years, 2007 - 2011, and addresses the phenomena of adolescent substance abuse in the African American demographic. Additionally, this literature review will address documented causes of adolescent substance abuse as presented by psychologists, psychiatrists, educators, government officials, urban-policy researchers, addiction counselors and human service professionals. Opposing views will be presented by various experts on the subject of substance abuse among the African American adolescent population. This review will further address current theories, studies and perceptions of the magnitude of the impact of substance abuse among the African American adolescent population, barriers, along with specific strategies for improvement and interventions tried. Suggested solutions and implications for further research will also be addressed.
Studies Proving Existence of Problem
For about 10% of American adolescents, substance use escalates into the development of a substance use dependency (Substance Abuse Policy Research Program, 2010). According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA), in 2010, 10.1 percent of youths aged 12 to 17 were current illicit drug users, with 7.4 percent current users of marijuana and in 2010, rates of current alcohol use were 3.1 percent among persons aged 12 or 13, 12.4 percent of persons aged 14 or 15, 24.6 percent of 16 or 17 year olds (SAMSHA, 2010). Researchers state, “A study of United States schools show that 15% of 8th graders have tried marijuana at least once, and increasing to 43% by 12th grade” (Johnston et al., 2008). Researchers discovered that both frequent alcohol and marijuana use significantly affected the adolescent mind. As drinking intensity increased, individuals demonstrated a significant decrease in attention and executive function which is involved with
References: Associated Psychologists & Therapists. (2007). Drug addiction. Retrieved from http://psychologists.org/help_drugaddiction.html Bass, L Gilbert D.J. , Harvey A.R., Belgrave F.Z., "Advancing the Africentric Paradigm Shift Discourse: Building toward Evidence-Based Africentric Interventions in Social Work Practice with African Americans," Social Work 54.3 (2009), Questia, Web, 3 Mar. 2012. Gray R., "Shame, Labeling and Stigma: Challenges to Counseling Clients in Alcohol and Other Drug Settings," Contemporary Drug Problems 37.4 (2010), Questia, Web, 1 Mar. 2012. John F. Kelly, Sarah J. Dow, and Cara Westerhoff, "Does Our Choice of Substance-related Terms Influence Perceptions of Treatment Need? an Empirical Investigation with Two Commonly Used Terms," Journal of Drug Issues 40.4 (2010), Questia, Web, 6 Mar. 2012. Newman, B. M., & Newman, P. R. (2009). Develop through life a psychosocial approach. (11 ed.). Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, Cengage. SAMSHA. (2009, September). Adolescent behavioral health: In brief. Retrieved from http://www.samhsa.gov/data/StatesInBrief/2k9/OASTeenReportOH.pdf SAMSHA Substance Abuse Policy Research Program. (2010). Barriers to treating alcohol and drug problems among adolescents. Retrieved from http://www.saprp.org/KnowledgeAssets/knowledge_results.cfm?KAID=20 Substance Abuse Policy Research Program Terry-McElrath Y.M., O 'Malley P., Johnston L.D., "Reasons for Drug Use among American Youth by Consumption Level, Gender, and Race/ethnicity: 1976-2005," Journal of Drug Issues 39, no. 3 (2009), http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5035350516. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (2008, March). Principles of drug dependence treatment. Retrieved from http://www.unodc.org/documents/drug-treatment/UNODC-WHO-Principles-of-Drug-Dependence-Treatment-March08.pdf Wechsberg, W Williams H.J., Davis L.E., Johnson S.D., Williamson T., Saunders J.A., Nebbitt V.E., "Substance Use and Academic Performance among African American High School Students," Social Work Research 31.3 (2007), Questia, Web, 5 Mar. 2012.