Substance Related Disorders
Substance Related Disorders | By: Kendra Neeley | Substance related disorders are a very common form of disorder which causes severe medical, social and psychological problems with the individuals that abuse the substance as well as individuals involved with those individuals. In this paper, we will discuss history, symptoms, influences and treatment. | |
Kendra Neeley
Substance Related Disorders
Substance related disorders are a very common form of disorder which causes severe medical, social and psychological problems with the individuals that abuse the substance as well as individuals involved with those individuals. In this paper, we will discuss history, symptoms, influences and treatment.
In the United States alone, a staggering 13.8% of Americans will have an alcohol related substance abuse disorder in their lifetime. “An estimated 7.1% (15.1 Million) of Americans 12 years or older were current users of illicit drugs in 2001. The cost to the nation exceeds $275 billion annually” (Mack, Frances, 2003).
The DSM describes several substance abuse disorders. Substance abuse disorders occur when an individual is intoxicated by a substance, withdrawing from a substance, using a substance, abusing a substance or dependent upon a substance. “The two most common forms of substance related disorders are substance abuse and substance dependence” (Sparknotes Editors 2005). Dependence and alcohol abuse are two very different concepts that are often misinterpreted. The difference is quite simple. In terms of treatment the individual that is dependent upon a substance must abstain from using that substance and the individual that abuses the substance may or may not become dependent. It is important to make the correct distinction because the treatment plan is incredibly different.
When speaking about alcoholism, two terms to become familiar with include primary and secondary alcoholism. Primary alcoholism refers to dependence that has
Kendra Neeley
Substance Related Disorders
Substance related disorders are a very common form of disorder which causes severe medical, social and psychological problems with the individuals that abuse the substance as well as individuals involved with those individuals. In this paper, we will discuss history, symptoms, influences and treatment.
In the United States alone, a staggering 13.8% of Americans will have an alcohol related substance abuse disorder in their lifetime. “An estimated 7.1% (15.1 Million) of Americans 12 years or older were current users of illicit drugs in 2001. The cost to the nation exceeds $275 billion annually” (Mack, Frances, 2003).
The DSM describes several substance abuse disorders. Substance abuse disorders occur when an individual is intoxicated by a substance, withdrawing from a substance, using a substance, abusing a substance or dependent upon a substance. “The two most common forms of substance related disorders are substance abuse and substance dependence” (Sparknotes Editors 2005). Dependence and alcohol abuse are two very different concepts that are often misinterpreted. The difference is quite simple. In terms of treatment the individual that is dependent upon a substance must abstain from using that substance and the individual that abuses the substance may or may not become dependent. It is important to make the correct distinction because the treatment plan is incredibly different.
When speaking about alcoholism, two terms to become familiar with include primary and secondary alcoholism. Primary alcoholism refers to dependence that has
References: SparkNotes Editors. (2005). SparkNote on Psychological Disorders. Retrieved March 7, 2013, from http://www.sparknotes.com/psychology/psych101/disorders/ Wu, L., Woody, G., Yang , C., Pan, J., & Blazer, D. (2011). Racial/ethnic variations in substance-related disorders among adolescents in the united states Mack, A., & Frances, R. (2003). Substance-related disorders. FOCUS: The journal of lifelong learning in psychiatry, 1(2), 125-146