Substance Abuse In A Diverse Society

Substance abuse is a devastating issue that can be found in almost every society. Though this is not a household problem, it is definitely neither an uncommon problem across the world today. The issue often starts in the teenage years and can escalate to various lengths of severity well into adulthood. Substance abuse has a negative outcome and also has many adverse effects on the abuser and on those around them, like their families and other impressionable youth. Drugs and alcohol provide the user with an instant gratification, making them feel better about themselves and momentarily relieving them of any insecurities. However as the drugs start to wear off, the individual may feel intense anxiety, or panic, breaking out into cold sweats,
with feelings of immense discomfort which can only be extinguished by taking another dose. Not only is this intoxication severely harmful for the body, but also to the user’s surroundings, causing errors in judgement and triggering harmful behavior. Substance abusers develop emotional and physical withdrawal symptoms such as depression, insomnia, heart palpitations and dilated pupils, which aid medical professionals to identify the problem. Other serious withdrawal symptoms include heart attacks, strokes or seizures, which may also be indicators of a substance abuse problem. Studies have shown that approximately 10% of the people who try drugs and alcohol become addicted (Genetic Science Learning Center, 2010).
Substance abuse can be classified under psychological, social and emotional outcomes, since factors which influence the initial experimentation with drugs and alcohol include environmental, psychological and emotional pressures. These are fairly common in society and affect every individual in a different way. Biological factors also play a role, since genetic influences may increase an individual’s vulnerability to addiction (NIDA, 2008). Each person has their own way of dealing with the different levels of stress, insecurity or mental instability that are associated with the above mentioned factors. For example some may consider talking to friends or family, or perhaps a therapist, while others seek more instantaneous results such as alcohol and drugs in an attempt to achieve instant relief from their current state. These substances, for a short period of time, allow the abuser to live in a world where everything seems more composed and they feel more in control of everything around them. “I felt invincible, like I could do anything. I felt like the best-looking, funniest, most perfect person I could be.” (Sweetin, 2009). In the book ‘UnSweetined’ a memoir by Jodie Sweetin, Sweetin expresses why she had resorted to drugs and
alcohol. Growing up in the 1990’s, Full House was a popular show among most kids in North America, myself included. Staphanie Tanner won over the heart of millions with her perfect child, ‘goody-two-shoes’ character on television however grew up to be far from what she portrayed. Television actress Jodie Sweetin, famous for her role as Stephanie Tanner on ABC’s sitcom Full House, in the 1990‘s, is a recovering drug addict. Despite being raised like any other child in America, Jodie’s life was influenced heavily by the fact that she was five years old and having to go to work in a mature environment, coupled with the lack of normalcy in her life, such as the lack of friends her own age due to irregular schedules and missing important school events (Sweetin, 2009). Sweetin was full of confidence on set, however off set she had begun to develop insecurity issues which triggered the need for drugs and alcohol in her later years.

i) Search for 2 to 3 journal articles that relate to the chosen public figure and that make clear reference to your outcome of interest.
Based on these articles, write a 2 page double-spaced 12pt font proposal that elaborates on this outcome and that discusses your interest in this topic. Identify clearly the outcome of interest and state whether this is a positive or negative outcome and whether is classified as a physical/ social/ emotional/ cognitive/ behavioural/ psychological outcome. Make sure you describe the positive / negative aspects of this outcome / condition, any causes, its consequences, main measures / tools that are used by health professionals to identify this condition, and any related outcomes. Why is this topic important to you? Ensure that you hand-in a copy of these journals. Be sure to include your name, student number, and the name of your TA on a cover page. Your assignment (including title page/references) must be written in APA format. You must attach a title page that includes your student number, your name, tutorial section, name of your teaching assistant, the date, etc. Your assignment must have an introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion
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Genetic Science Learning Center (2010, October 8) Environmental Risk Factors for Addiction. Learn.Genetics. Retrieved October 11, 2010, from http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/addiction/factors/environment.html

National Institution on Drug Abuse (2008, June)NIDA InfoFacts: Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction. The Science of Drug Abuse & Addiction. Retrieved October 04, 2010, from http://www.drugabuse.gov/infofacts/understand.html

Uhl, G.R., Elmer, G.I., LaBuda, M.C., Pickens, R.W., (2000) Human Substance Abuse Vulnerability and Genetic Influences. Genetic Influences in Drug Abuse - Psychopharmacology:4th Generation of Progress. Retrieved on October 04, 2010, from http://www.acnp.org/g4/GN401000174/Default.htm