In 2007 Harvard study reported that out of 3,000 adults 40% of binge eaters and those with eating disorders were male. Only a couple of years ago eating disorders were characteristic for women only with cases involving men being so few that doctors rarely turned attention to them. These days, however, things have changed significantly, and out of five million Americans who suffer from eating disorders each year the percentage of males is tangible. Eating disorders may be defined as a group of conditions that involve dysfunctional eating habits, body image disturbance, and weight change (Sloane, Slatt, Ebell, Jacques, and Smith 207); they usually include anorexia, binge eating, bulimia, and eating disorder not otherwise specified. (Sloane et al. 207) Earlier, a man with bulimia or anorexia was a rare occurrence but the present-day statistics are simply shocking. How come that the cases of male eating disorders became so numerous? Plausible causes for eating disorders in males are the clothes they wear and the time they spend to make themselves look better; the second cause may be regarded as an alternative because it can be objected to.
What should be mentioned above all is that the clothes which men tend to wear make it easy to disguise any problems with their weight. This is true for both exceed and insufficient weight for any of these may be hidden under baggy T-shirts and pants; such clothes suits anorexics perfectly because they can hide their hated bodies under layers and layers of baggy clothes. (Langley 18) Not all women have such a possibility because they have to wear skirts that leave their legs open and which let everybody judge which shape the woman is in, as well as tight blouses that parade the womans imperfections. It is namely because of these clothes that women have to stay in shape all the time; if men were made to wear tighter clothes some decades ago, they would have cared more about their bodies, which would have raised the problem with male eating disorders much earlier. Thus, baggy clothes make it possible for the men to hide the imperfections of their bodies, which accounts for the fact that their eating disorders are not easy to notice.
Secondly, most men are not preoccupied with their weight and the way they look in general. There is hardly a man, who can spend several hours in the bathroom or front of the mirror, as well as there are a few men who care whether they have cellulite; even those who do care are ready to peacefully live with it and enjoy their lives to the fullest extent. The case is different with women because certain beauty standards regarding their body proportions exist for them (or at least they keep to this idea). Women are constantly under social pressure; they always think about how they look and what other people think about them, which serves as a motivation for their constant diets and visits to beauty centers. Men, on the contrary, face the absence of this incessant social pressure to be slim, (Andersen 179) which deprives them of this motivation and results in their indifference about how they look. Therefore, the absence of social pressure and mens indifference about their weight may be a possible cause for the increasing number of male eating disorders.
However, there exists an objection to the last cause, though this objection may be considered a plausible cause as well. The last cause is limited by the phrase most of the men . The matter is that lately, the media started portraying men no less often than women, which results in some mens increased interest in their body images. Television and modern fashion magazines never depict men-models with exceed weight, or, if they do, these men are rather an example of how not to look. This led to some of the men being preoccupied with the same issues as women are. Young men with perfect bodies are depicted in the magazine front covers and are the main characters in TV advertisements; they are portrayed as handsome, attractive, and having several women fans. Such a portrayal may lead to an inferiority complex in some of the men who look less attractive, which may make them go on a diet and get an eating disorder. So, it is perfectly plausible that changing images of men portrayed in the media might be at the root of the growing epidemic of male eating problems. (Morgan 57)
Taking into consideration everything mentioned above, it can be concluded that eating disorders in males became no less frequent than in females. One of the plausible reasons for these disorders is the clothes that men wear and which gives them a possibility to hide the imperfections of their bodies. One more cause is the indifference of men about the way they look due to the absence of social pressure; this cause can be objected to because some men started caring about the way they look due to the portrayal of young attractive males by media. This objection presents the possible cause of male eating disorders, namely the mens desire to resemble mens models and their dissatisfaction with their body images as a result. These causes are plausible this is why thorough research is needed to prove that they can be real.
Works Cited
Andersen, Arnold E. Males with Eating Disorders. Psychology Press, 1990.
Langley, Jenny. Boys Get Anorexia Too: Coping with Male Eating Disorders in the Family. Paul Chapman Publishing, 2006.
Morgan, John F. The Invisible Man: A Self-Help Guide for Men with Eating Disorders, Compulsive Exercise and Bigarexia. Routledge, 2008.
Sloane, Philip D., Slatt, Lisa M., Ebell, Mark H., Jacques, Louis B., and Smith, Mindy A. Essentials of Family Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2007.
Psychologists define the term attachment as a situation whereby an individual feels emotionally attached to another individual. The attachment is common among children who are below five years of age. Several reasons are responsible for the attachment.
Psychologists have revealed that caregivers who devote a lot of time to their children help to instill an aspect of security for them. Thus, children who feel threatened usually seek a haven from their caregivers (Berger, 2009). The context provided is an appropriate example of showing how children are attached to their parents.
Although the mother of this child has become pregnant, the two-year-old son keeps disturbing her. The child demands to put on diapers despite his growth in age. Therefore, it is crucial to know the provisions of the attachment research on how the mother should respond to the child’s behavior.
The process of child rebirth
Sources have exposed some of the difficulties that parents of children with the attachment disorder encounter. This is because they have a responsibility of bestowing their children’s love and trust thus experiencing normal life. Literature has illustrated the complexity linked with the child’s healing process (Bradley, 2007).
Although the process is time intensive, parents ought to devote themselves to enhancing their children’s wellness. Numerous psychologists have argued that the sole way to regenerate a child’s attachment would be through rebirth. They further clarify what the rebirth procedure entails.
They describe rebirth as a process that bestows the love and care that such parents once showed to their children after birth. Therefore, for success in achieving the parent’s intentions, sources show the importance of both parents working unanimously (Schaffer, 2003).
Reactive attachment disorder
The scenario given provides enough attestation that this child suffers from “Reactive Attachment Disorder” (RAD) (Berger, 2009). Recent attachment research has shown the effect of such a disorder on children. The research has revealed that such a disorder affects the child’s personality development. In addition to their personality, the literature links this experience with difficulties in establishing effective relationships with others.
For instance, the scenario provided in this study supports the above proposition. Therefore, even though the mother has become pregnant for another baby, the child depicts an excessive attachment. This is evident as the child clings to the mother persistently, demands to wear diapers, and has hit his mother severally.
The level of attachment or detachment
As depicted by the research, an increased attachment, as well as detachment does not facilitate a child’s growth. Sources further designate that, for healthy growth in children, it deems necessary to smack a balance amid the attachment and the detachment. Therefore, excessive clinginess observed in this child, if allowed to continue would not allow his healthy development.
A study that involved several children together with their parents was used as the sample for the study. The study incorporated children with attachment and detachment experiences. The study aimed to reveal some of the resultant consequences of such attachment and aloofness on a child’s life (Berger, 2009).
The study reveals that children who encounter such attachments and detachments are likely to experience troubles while instituting relationships with both family and outside members. Also, a study conducted in the Netherlands showed the significance of the child-parent attachment for both emotional, as well as their psychological growth.
Furthermore, a balanced child-parent attachment significantly enhances the growth of the child’s self-concept. Therefore, in case of neglect depicted by a large proportion of parents, an onset of a negative self-concept may crop-up thus witnessing some abnormalities in the activities entrusted on such children.
Recommendations
Therefore, the mother of the child ought to focus on some activities which might help to lower the amount of attachment depicted by the child for healthy development. Psychologists have specified the significance of putting limits to the level of attachment with their children (Bradley, 2007).
Such boundaries are essential as they support the child while developing significant virtues in life. Thus, for the healthy development of the child, it would be necessary for the mother to limit her child’s freedom a little. Since children are the victims of the attachment disorder, the mother will have to undergo some counseling to cope with the child’s behavior easier (Schaffer, 2003).
Therefore, it will be significant to let her understand the advantages of putting some boundaries on the child’s attachment level. In addition to the limits, it would be necessary to enlighten her on the significance of involving both parents in the child’s healing process.
Conclusion
Therefore, the above paper touches on some of the propositions of the attachment research in resolving issues of the child’s reactive disorder. The research has stressed the significance of striking a balance between the degree of attachment and detachment between parents and their children.
As it is evident from the scenario provided, it would be necessary for the mother letting the child understand that some behaviors are unacceptable. It would also be necessary to involve all parents in the practice of raising the child.
References
Berger, K. (2009). The developing person: through childhood and adolescence. New York, NY: Worth Publishers.
Bradley, S. (2007). Enhancing early attachments: theory, research, intervention, and policy. J Can Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry, 6(1), 33–36.
Schaffer, R. (2003). Introducing child psychology. Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.
Normality is a concept that can be understood in different perspectives. Sociologically speaking, normality can be differentiated from the norm which refers to the acceptable behaviors in a society. Normality refers to the adherence to the acceptable standards set by a society. Normality is closely guarded by the social constructions of a particular society in the sense that what is considered normal is determined by the forces of the society.
This means that what is normal in one society may not be necessarily normal in another (Smolak, Levine & Striegel-Moore, 1996). Therefore, issues of eating disorders can be understood from a social cultural perspective as the culture of a specific society determines its eating patterns, thus, influencing the possibility of either the existence or otherwise of an eating disorders. This paper examines how the understanding of the concept of normality in the society affects conditions of the existence or otherwise of an eating disorder.
The whole concept of eating disorders can be explained through the sociological understanding of the concept of normality. Among the dominant sociological understanding of normality that will be used to argue through the concept of eating disorders in this paper are the views such as; what is considered normal can be differentiated from the abnormal even if it may not be the norm, what is normal is a social construct that is imposed by the society, people struggle to fit to the ideals that are set by the society which may affect their eating patterns and lastly, how social change has contributed to the existence of eating disorders.
Normality can be defined differently by different people since different things are normal in some communities and abnormal in others. However, different aspects of normal behavior can be used to indicate normality (Weiten 2010). However, this view is still directly regulated by the cultural belief of the society.
The agents of socialization can be used to express the concept of normality in a number of ways. People grow in a structured society that determines what is normal against what is abnormal. The set standard influences the behavior of a person in all cultural facets as they determine what will be adopted against what will be transgressed. Eating patterns being a culturally controlled concept’s and directly affected by the cultures that exists in a specific society.
According to Treasure, Schmidt and Furth, (2005), human beings evaluate their standards in the society based on specific societal standards. This means that a specific society has what it considers ideal as well as what it considers abnormal. These social standards run across a spectrum of measurements that affect all facets of culture.
In such cases, there is what is considered normal eating patterns. A good example of how societal ideals can influence the eating disorders can be the explanation of the importance that is placed on the concept of body size. According to Taylor and Muller, (1995), all members of the society should strive to ensure that they conform to the “normal” standards of their society.
Despite the fact that bodies have genetic differences that determines their shape and size, the need to strive to conform to the ideal body size forces many members of the society, especially women to adopt to specific eating habits that may characterize certain disorders (Sheridan, 2007).
Another issue that is of paramount importance in understanding the concept of normality in regard to eating disorders is that normality or abnormality is a social construct (Morgan & Bhugra, 2010). There are no universal standard to define what is normal or abnormal. Each culture has its own conceptualization of normality and abnormality, which makes something to be normal in one culture and abnormal in another.
Similarly, the conceptualization of eating disorders varies from one society to the other as there are no strict universal disorders that run across the spectrum of societies. It is also evident that there are disorders that are associated with specific cultural basis due to the regionalization of specific food to specific regions (Wonderlich, Walsh and Mitchell, 2011).
Normality as a social construct can be used to explain some eating disorders, especially those associated with teenagers. As noted by Hales, Yudofsky and Gabbard, (2008), teenage girls have a misconceived concept of ideal body shape and size where being extremely thin regardless of the means towards this course is seen as fashionable and ideal. The notion held by these teenage girls has forced most of them to deliberately avoid eating or to induce vomiting (Bloomfield, 2006).
This behavior has led many teenage girls to adopt risky health paths in pursuit of what they conceive to be normal. Beside the identified issue that deals with teenage girls, the other group that is greatly affected by the societal constructs is that of the entire female gender where women may be classified as overweight while their male counterparts may pass without acquiring the label of being overweight, even when they are overweight in the real sense.
Thus, more women will strive to conform to the society’s ideal size, a fact that has contributed to various forms of eating disorders. This shows that the concept of what is seen as normal or abnormal towards eating disorders does not necessarily need to be actually healthy, but a construct of the society (Harper-Giuffre and MacKenzie, 1992).
Media as an agent of socialization has a lot of influence to the menace of eating disorders. As noted by Sheridan, (2007), the media plays a significant role in determining what the ideal body size is especially for women. These ideas that are transferred to the masses through commercials and other programs in the media influences the perception of people towards certain body sizes where contemporary cultures have viewed the slim bodies as the ideal ones.
However, when this issue is juxtaposed with the commercials of food known to have high fat content such as fast food products and ice creams, the perception of healthy eating among the members of a population get distorted which forces majority of the people to indulge in unhealthy eating habits as they are “normalized” by the media.
Social change is another aspect that affects or understanding of normality. In most contemporary societies, consumption of fast food is considered normal today than it was considered five decades ago (Gentile, 2006).
The changing social forces such as the rise of the consumerism culture have led to the rise of the number of people who consume fast foods as well as other readymade meals offered in fast food restaurant.
Although many people may have the notion of how unhealthy the fast foods may be to their health, they continue consuming them as the consumption of these products is seen as “normal” in the society. This means that the society understands that eating fast food is a normal issue, a fact that contributes to the current eating disorders.
In conclusion, it is evident that the sociological understanding of the concept of normality can be used to explain various eating disorders. The paper has managed to explain the views of eating disorders in three perspectives, which are the perception of what is normal versus what is abnormal, normality as a construct of the society and finally, personal understanding of normality and eating disorders and how this personal understanding affects people’s conceptualization of their conditions.
Reference List
Bloomfield, S. 2006. Eating Disorders: Helping Your Child Recover. Oklahoma. Beat Publishers.
Gentile, K. 2006. Creating bodies: eating disorders as self-destructive survival New York: Routledge
Hales, R, E. Yudofsky S, C. Gabbard, G, O. 2008. The American Psychiatric Publishing textbook of psychiatry. New York: American Psychiatric Publications
Harper-Giuffre, H. MacKenzie, K., R. 1992. Group psychotherapy for eating disorders Carlifornia: American Psychiatric Pubbications
Morgan, C. and Bhugra, D. 2010. Principles of Social Psychiatry. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Sheridan, K., E. 2007. Eating disorders as a case study of cultural maladaptation. California: American Psychiatric Publications.
Shils M. and Shike, M. 2006. Modern nutrition in health and disease. Chicago: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Smolak, L., P., Levine, M. and Striegel-Moore, R. 1996. The developmental psychopathology of eating disorders: implications for research, prevention, and treatment. New York: Routledge,
Taylor, J., and Muller, D., J.1995. Nursing adolescents: research and psychological perspectives. London. Wiley-Blackwell.
Treasure, J., Schmidt, U. and Furth, E. 2005. The essential handbook of eating disorders New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Weiten, W. 2010. Psychology: Themes and Variations. Upper Saddle River: Cengage Learning.
Wonderlich, S. A., Walsh, T. and Mitchell, J. E. 2011. Developing an Evidence-Based Classification of Eating Disorders: Scientific Findings for DSM-5. California: American Psychiatric Publications.
Cocaine and methamphetamine abuse is a health challenge affecting many people across the globe. In terms of etiology, there is no relationship between genetic constitution and substance dependency. However, some scholars argue that there are genes characterized by allelic variants that encourage drug abuse. These two substances inhibit the re-absorption of catecholamines. They also activate the body’s DNA to produce high quantities of calmodulin-kinase II. This results in increased quantities of calcium in the cytosol and myocardial hypertrophy. When it comes to prevalence, these substances are taken the most by individuals aged between 12 and 25 years of age. People aged 18-25 years are widely affected by these substances at 5.6 percent. The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) indicates that around 0.6 percent of individuals aged above 12 years begin to use cocaine and methamphetamine annually.
Differential Diagnosis
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)
Acute Coronary syndrome
Anticholinergic toxicity
Amphetamine toxicity
Dilated cardiomyopathy
Hallucinogen toxicity
Hypertensive emergencies
Myocarditis
Seizures
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Sympathomimetic toxicity
Pediatrics, Tachycardia
Personality disorders
Stroke, Hemorrhagic
Stroke, Ischemic
Toxicity, Thyroid hormone
Evaluation
Individuals who are addicted to alcohol, marijuana, and other addictive drugs should be evaluated for cocaine and methamphetamine use. When evaluating the abusers of these two substances, physicians should begin by monitoring their health histories. Some of the common signs include poor personal hygiene, odor, anxiety, weakness, and tiredness. Urine toxicology should be done to identify the presence of these substances in the body.
History
Physicians should query suspected patients about their use of methamphetamine and cocaine. Addiction treatment information should also be gathered. It is also appropriate for caregivers to monitor the social, medical, or family history of every drug abuser.
Physical Examination
Cocaine and methamphetamine abuse/toxicity in a given patient can be identified with the help of efficient physical examination. Cocaine and methamphetamine abuse can result in immediate effects such as increased heart rate, irritability, and anxiety. Individuals who use these substances might appear sweaty or tired. Prolonged use of methamphetamine and cocaine can result in increased blood pressure. Body temperatures also increase significantly. The drug abuser will have a reduced appetite. Other short-term effects include hyperactivity, wakefulness, and increased respiration. Chronic use of these substances can affect a person’s hygiene and nutritional status. Some physical signs such as bruises, lacerations, jaundice, physical injuries, rashes, and needle marks are common in users of the drugs. These signs and symptoms should be used to inform the best care delivery and treatment models for targeted individuals.
Diagnostic Studies
Laboratory Evaluation
Laboratory examinations are important when diagnosing abusers of cocaine and methamphetamine. The common laboratory evaluations test blood and urine samples to come up with adequate medical inferences. A complete blood count (CBC) is done to assess electrolyte and renal function. Levels of serial troponin are examined to detect myocardial ischemia. Childbearing women can qualify for pregnancy tests. Laboratory toxicological screens are used to study a patient’s drug history.
Imaging
Neuroimaging has become a common practice in the field of medicine to study the behavioral and cognitive components of addiction. This form of imaging is currently being done by researchers to investigate the behaviors of persons addicted to different substances such as cocaine. Some of the common imaging techniques include electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Future imaging techniques are expected to be personalized in an attempt to aid in the delivery of quality patient care.
Treatment
Therapies are used as powerful treatment methods for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction or toxicology. Personalized counseling, drug testing, family education, and empowerment are also useful treatment methods. Another model known as Motivational Incentives for Enhancing Drug Abuse Recovery (MEIDAR) has been observed to promote cocaine and methamphetamine abstinence. Drugs such as bupropion, naltrexone, and modafinil encourage patients to reduce the use of these addictive drugs.
Expected Outcome/Follow-Up Needs
Physicians embrace the use of different interventions to meet the needs of patients who are addicted to methamphetamine and cocaine and those who have developed toxicity. Doctors usually expect their patients to show positive results within a short period. Some of the expected outcomes include reduced use of these substances, improved personal hygiene, and desire to pursue personal goals. The targeted beneficiaries should be able to re-pattern their lives and avoid these addictive substances. Follow-up needs include education, provision of appropriate drugs, and monitoring of every patient’s progress. Evaluation should be done continuously to identify patients who might not be using specific drugs effectively. The ultimate goal of such interventions is to empower more addicts and encourage them to stop the malpractice.
Patient Education
It is appropriate for patients to consider the above laboratory and physical examinations. Follow-up for clinical and laboratory sessions is recommended. Counseling and behavioral therapy should be taken seriously. Training sessions should focus on the dangers of these drugs, the best medicines to take, and appropriate behaviors that can encourage individuals to abstain. Patients should inform their family members and relatives about their health gains. Medications should be taken as prescribed. Family members should seek immediate medical attention whenever their patients’ conditions get out of control.
References
Forray, A., & Safuoglu, M. (2014). Future pharmacological treatments for substance use disorders. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 77(2), 382-400. Web.
Keyvanara, M., & Monadjemi, S. A. (2016). Simulating brain reaction to methamphetamine regarding consumer personality. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence & Applications, 6(4), 63-72. Web.
Robinson, S. M., & Adinoff, B. (2016). The classification of substance use disorders: historical, contextual, and conceptual considerations. Behavioral Sciences, 6(18), 1-23. Web.
Research indicates that Impulse Behaviour is a cause for addictive disorders and relapse. Such behavior is mostly exhibited through drug addiction which is defined as a condition of intermittent or persistent intoxication i.e. as a result of frequent use of a particular drug which may be either natural or artificial and has several features such as; an overwhelming wish or necessity or pressure to carry on consuming the drug and get access to such drug by all manners, a propensity to augment the prescribed dosage, physical and psychological reliance on such drugs i.e. on the impact of the used drug and it causes harmful effects on a person and on the general public.
Impulsive behavior is a principal, persistent, neurobiological disorder with hereditary, ecological and psychosocial aspects that impacts its symptoms and developments in a human being. Usually the drug addicts have physical reliance on certain drugs which is a condition of alteration that is noticeable by a drug category definite withdrawal syndrome that may be able to be created by abrupt termination, speedy dose lessening, lessening blood level of drug and in certain circumstances involvement of an antagonist e.g. nalmefene and naltrexone antagonists have been in the past utilized effectively in dealing with certain drug addictions. Drug tolerance on the other hand is the body’s reaction to requiring greater amounts of certain drugs at particular times i.e. the body is used to certain drugs or adapted such drugs intakes.
Introduction
Research reveals that there actually exists a relationship between impulsivity and addiction disorders such as drug addiction, impulsivity is defined as an act of an individual responding to the various stimuli surrounding him whether they occur externally or internally without considering the out of the reaction to his or other peoples’ well being.
Many researchers have been found to be concerned about this impulsivity behavior which earlier on recognized to come up as a result of the individuals’ craving but it has actually led to the person to be involved in a number of addictive behaviors such as drug addiction, this has led to many concerns towards this issue by the psychologists, sociologist and even biologists who say that it will be of great importance people come to the knowledge as to why some people practice impulsivity towards particular drugs and substances after which they become addicted to them without recognizing the effects of the substance on their health. (Krauth, 2006)
According to the studies conducted I find that this impulsivity behavior come up as a result of genetic, social and psychological influences. Therefore this research is to discuss whether these factors are lead to substance addiction.
Literature Review
Personality is shaped by both internal and external factors. Current research reveals that many people have developed an interest in knowing why people are characterized with particular behavior and also in knowing why they are easily influenced by those around them. Thus in this psychological view we find that the following factors are considered to have led to people coping with those around them by indulging in impulsivity
Sociological Factors
This research indicates that the other factors that may lead an individual to indulge in impulsive behavior and get addictive disorders are as follows;
Idleness
There is a famous saying that an idle mind is the devil’s workshop. Research shows that some people are found to be very idle over the days and there is very minimal follow up of what they do during their free time. This has been one of the reasons as to why many people are getting involved in addictive behaviors such sexual addiction, drug abuse and alcohol addiction. One finds that they are quite idle where drug abuse becomes their only better option.
Peer pressure
This is also a factor that makes people especially the youths to be involved in substance abuse. In this case we find that many youths meet their peers in schools and in social gatherings who are involved in substance abuse. Those who are not part and parcel of this are viewed as outcasts. Therefore to fit into their social groups they join gang violence so that they are not ostracized by their peers.
Internet and television
Very many youths are watching internet programs and television a great deal. Research indicates that eighty five percent of the youths in United States use their leisure time watching television or internet programs. These programs show movies and music of young people engaging in substance abuse. Youths see those youths who engage in such movies to be heroes. Within a short time, they start to emulate what they have seen so that they can also be considered as heroes.
This makes them to automatically get involved in drug addictive groups in their neighborhood. Surveys carried out in the United States shows that many youths have access to internet everyday and most have their personal television sets in their bedrooms. They therefore watch what they want without their parents easily knowing. Before long, they become involved in various addictive behaviors such as gang violence, sexual immorality and alcohol abuse among others. (Krauth, 2006)
Stress
Another reason as to why youths get involved in impulsive behavior and relapse is because of stress. There are many youths who have stress emanating from various avenues like their social life. Others are stressed with lack of unemployment even though they are qualified. This makes them to engage in impulsive behavior such as drug abuse and alcoholism as a way of releasing this stress and also to get attention so that they can give their views.
They may be disappointed by the government and the only way they think they can get attention so that they give their views is by getting involved in impulsive behaviors such as drug addiction. Some of them are stressed by school work among other factors.
When youths join the addictive group in their society, they do it for various reasons. The association with peers that are delinquency is one of the strongest reasons for joining such groups. There are also other factors like rebelliousness, alienation and early antisocial behavior. When youths get involved in gang violence they become less committed to education and school. This results in less caring family environments. These are just but some of the reasons as to why youths are involved in impulsive behaviors that lead to addictive disorders. It is our responsibility as parents, government and teachers among other stakeholders to come up with prevention solutions so that youths stop carrying out gang violence. (Progress Report, 2008)
Environmental factors
There are various environmental factors that may lead an individual to indulge in various addictive behaviors without considering the effects that will occur afterwards one of the factors is that of child abuse.
Child abuse
Most children are reported to be victims of various types of violence such as verbal abuse. Verbal child abuse is said to come up as a result of poverty, gender inequality and even socio-economic factors. This type of abuse is commonly known as the emotional violence that include the humiliation of the child, controlling what an individual can do, it may also be practiced by withholding the victims information this act is usually applied to make the victim embarrassed, isolated and denied the right to enjoy his personal rights. (Krauth, 2006)
According to various research studies conducted we find that child abuse is caused by; the psychological factors which involve that personality and the characteristics of the stated offender and this may also carry a form of social hypothesis that normally consider the factors that are created externally in the offender’s surroundings, this may include the family structure, stress or even social classifications.
In many cases we find that the abuser creates a negative impact on the child, whereby the child may end up attributed to low self- esteem, and the child may be found to be affected psychologically and suffering from the following disorders.
Phobia
Phobia is referred to as an unusual, irrational and persistent fear of a particular situation or a condition that forces a child to do away with the situation resulting to his or her abuse despite the fact that such a situation may not be dangerous in any way. Such a child with fear or a phobic person will always find it difficult to mingle with other people in the society, work with other people and carry out his/her normal life responsibilities in the desired way and this may lead the child to be impulsive and engage in various addictive behaviors.
Mood disorders
Mood disorders are considered as the most prevalent psychological disorder typified by low moods, lack of interest when achieving normal responsibilities and declined potential to experience contentment. In real meaning, mood disorder is a transient reduced mood by individuals when they are distressed or anxious. Mood disorders can easily develop into impulsivity and clinical depression which is a severe illness and individuals with this disorder usually shows indications such as bad moods and profound reflections that are hard to evade. (Dakai, 2003)
Mood disorder has many endings for example the presence of emotional pains, dilapidating of work effectiveness, distressing the lives of several individuals especially those affected and their relatives, adversely affecting the normal way of living of friends and relatives and in the long-run it may lead to negative outcomes to the economic expansion. Mood disorder is a psychological disorder that changes an individual’s mode of philosophy and his/her feelings.
Genetic predisposition
Under genetic predisposition we find that the individuals’ genetic components are dominant and usual as the person is vulnerable to the chemical dependence that alcoholism and drug addiction are taken as inherited disorders where the genetic components or psychoactive substances. A genetic predisposition is a dormant vulnerability to addictive factors which can be activated under specific circumstances. A genetic predisposition is a genetically dominant and recessive phenotype of the organism in an individual which is responsible of total physical appearance or specific symptoms or traits or behavior which are varied in the individual; this brings in the idea of various psychological theories that are used to study the behaviors of an individual.
Trait theory
This is one approach of personality theory. Personality is normally referred to as the thoughts, emotions and behavior pattern that every person has. Personality trait can have immense variations between individuals. Many research hypotheses concur that personality has aspects that are prominent. Research indicates that personality can be reduced to three traits that are quite major.
The trait theory is based on various assumptions one of them is that people are normally born with traits that are inherited. The trait theory asserts that these traits are quite different from one person to another though some people may have similar traits that they inherited from parents or even grandparents etc. Some of these traits that are inherited may be disorders such as addictive disorders or even those that are suited for carrying out leadership responsibilities. Research indicates that inherent traits can be diverse such that one person may have many different traits. There are people who may have minimal traits that are inherited while others may have so many. (Progress Report, 2008)
Psychodynamics theory
This is actually a psychodynamics correlation of transitory functions of the mind. They are simply drawn from the principles of thermodynamics and neurology practice. Research reveals that psychodynamics is the study of human behavior in relation to drives and motivation. This also largely depends on emotion that is based on an individual’s personality that may lead him to indulge in impulsive behaviors such as drug addiction. This theory concurs that a person’s reaction at a specific time is due to the existing interaction between his or her genetic constitution, unconscious or conscious mind and the environment that are around.
In this case there is a great emphasis on the interaction of the conscious and the unconscious motivation and the emotions as a functional significance. It is actually the study of the interrelationship of the diverse parts of personality, mind or the psyche and how they recount to the emotional, mental and motivational forces leading to a particular personality such the impulsive behavior of drug abuse. This mostly occurs at the unconscious level. These mental forces in most cases are divided into two parts. One of them is the emotional force interaction while the other one deals with inner forces that affect various behaviors. (Krauth, 2006)
The emotional force interaction constitutes of the interaction of both the motivational and emotional forces that affect a person’s behavior. These factors also affect an individual’s mental states and in most case those that exist in the subconscious level of the brain. The inner forces include both the motivational and emotional forces that make a person to behave in a certain way. All these factors are based on the principles of closed systems and thermodynamics. Research reveals that the energy in the psychological component of a person’s brain is normally constant. It indicates that the emotional changes just exist in the form of displacements. All these tend to rest during discharge. (Krauth, 2006)
In general terms psychodynamics deals with the exchanges and transformations of the psychic energy that exists in an individual’s personality. The main focus is the connection that exists between the emotional states and the energetic. The emotional states include the superego, ego and the id and their relation to the developments in a child during the early or the first days studies show that the ego fights with various forces. These include the outside world, super-ego and the id.
Therefore the focus of the psychodynamic model is on the interactions that are quite dynamic consisting of the superego, ego and the id. In fact the theory of psychodynamics interprets an individual’s behavior as that emanating from the emotional processes of forces. (Buskist and David, 1990)
Unconscious- This is the part of the brain that develops first in life. It is responsible for controlling parts of the brain throughout an individual’s lifetime. The psychodynamic theory best accounts for depression. Research emphasizes that various factors greatly affect depression and mental illness. These factors are regarded as the psychological processes that exist within the unconscious part of an individual. According to psychologists, a person’s psychosexual instincts and primary beliefs form the basis of depression that makes him to be impulsive in one way or another. The psychodynamic theory also asserts that an individual’s behavior is affected by the behavior.
This means that, if the environment is stressing it can make a person to be depressed. In this theory there is the explanation that a person’s psychosexual instincts are actually the basis of instincts. This affects the way individuals solve conflicts. This means that an individual who is not in a position to solve conflicts will automatically end up getting depressed and indulge in addictive behaviors such as substance abuse.
Methodology
Research Design
This study necessitated the researcher to identify the impulsive behavior is the main cause of drug addiction. The researcher mainly concentrated on the issue concerning the addiction disorders. Given that this study was an exploratory research it was based on; desired activities and time-based plans, research questions, selection of sources and types of information required, outline of procedures for every research activity was carried out and also it was based on the framework that specified the relationships among the samples identified for this research purpose. (Dale, 2001)
Techniques for Data Collection
Since a sample of the population was identified the researcher utilized both open and closed questionnaires to collect the required information from the respondents who were selected from the sample identified. This method was considered and found to be effective and efficient to the researcher since he was only required to drop the questionnaires to the respondents and collected them at a later date. The reason for choosing both open and closed questionnaires to be administered was that it gave the respondents an opportunity to answer freely to set of questionnaires that were administered to them during the study.
Recommendations and Conclusion
The study reveals that impulsive behavior is actually the causal factor of addictive disorders in an individual and therefore the society at large is given the mandatory to ensure that the following are put into considerations in the management of impulsive behavior that leads to addictive and relapse towards many individuals
Communication/Education
Research shows that many youths are getting involved in media miseducation because of the lack of prior information. It is therefore very important to educate youths when they are still at an early age concerning the repercussions of getting involved in pornography, drug abuse and violence. This has to be carried out by all the stakeholders including parents, teachers and the government. First of all, parents need to take time and talk to their children concerning the disadvantages of getting information from the wrong type of media. (Progress Report, 2008)
Knowing the Child’s Friends
This is also one of the ways through which parents can use to prevent their young children from engaging in various impulsive behaviors in the society. It is highly known that many parents are just too busy that they don’t have the time of knowing who the friends to their children are. When parents get to know the friends to their children; they will be in a position to advise them accordingly on the right friends. It is very easy for parents to notice wayward friends to their children. If parents just take time to know their children’s friends, they can advise them accordingly and therefore help in preventing youths from getting involved in such vices.
Censorship of Internet and Television Music Programs
There is need to censor internet and television use both in schools and at home because some internet information really harm children in very many ways. Research shows that children who watch music, program and movies that are vulgar showing other youth engaging in gang violence, sexual misbehaviors and substance abuse may not be affected in the same way but in one way or another there will be negative effects.
Most of these negative effects may not be seen the same day that a child watches these movies but they are rather quite progressive in nature. This is mostly associated to a person who drinks beer. This person may not become an alcoholic immediately but the effects will be very visible in the long run. That is why when censorship of internet should be carried out; this will help prevent young children from getting involved in such vices. (Krauth, 2006)
Pharmacotheraphies
In this research we find that certain drugs have been manufactured and developed to assist in solving issues of relapse development. These drugs include opioid medications such as methadone, buprenorphine, morphine, oxycodone among others which have been used as remedies of relapse.
One of the most successful ones include bogaine which, according to medics, can help reduce the temptation of going back to drug abuse and is specifically suited for narcotics and alcohol It is believed to interrupt both psychological cravings and physical dependence on stimulants, nicotine and alcohol. In order to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused, especially by extreme drug abuse, it is evident that other antidepressants are found to be moderating substance abuse predominantly narcotics. All these Pharmacotheraphies have helped in the reduction of relapse of substance abuse for all genders. (Moeller, 2002)
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is found to be another method that is used by most of the judicial systems to convict substance abusers to rehabilitation programs and to cope with withdrawal symptoms. The detoxification process of relapse involves the abrupt cessation of drug use and physical tolerance of the temptation. Medical practitioners usually promote the use of rehabilitation strategies to minimize effects of substance relapse since it is found to be a slow but sure process of withdrawal. The method involves the use of psychological dependency which attempts to teach and train the victim new methods of freely interacting with a drug-free environment and avoid relapse.
This is always done by the isolation of victims or patients of relapse from people who are still substance abusers this is very important as it prevents them from admiring the impulsive behavior of drug abuse and relapse. In some organizations, moderations are utilized to allow substance abusers to re-examine their habits and compare themselves before and after stopping the practice. Many other programs utilize rehabilitation initiatives to make their initiatives more effective. (Krauth, 2006)
Justice systems
Research indicates that many drug addicts have frequently been cycled through the judicial system whereby the substance abusers have become common to probation officers and police officers. This is an evidence that relapse is common and that the judicial system is doing very little to address it. According to a report by American Psychiatric Association, 1999, “As jails, prisons, juvenile detention centers and other correctional facilities get congested, all stakeholders in the medical field are examining newer solutions to prevent relapse” One of the methods is the criminal justice settings where substance abusers who are most likely to be criminals are only allowed to re-enter back into the community when they have completely recovered from substance abuse and are not likely to be affected by relapse (Buskist and David, 1990)
Counselling
Counseling is regarded as an essential factor in dealing with people who have been affected by this impulsive behavior. This practice is usually used in helping such people to handle issues which are found to be causing factors of the psychological disorders that ultimately causes impulsive behavior. Occasionally, this practice of counselling requires skilled professionals who can deal with issues ranging from education, marriage, individuals and families.
To do this the practitioners are therefore required to have the following prerequisites in their practices in order to understand the person’s problems. The counselor dealing with individuals suffering from psychological disorders as a result of impulsive behavior should have good listening skills, empathy, and be genuine which will require the practitioner to tell the truth even if the subject matter is not that good to the patient. Therefore one is required to bring out the truth in a way that the patient will be able to handle and understand his situation; the counselor should give unconditional positive regard and also should have concreteness in providing any information about the psychological disorder. (Progress Report, 2008)
In this case of impulsive behavior treatment, we find that many counselors indulge in a number of activities that usually assist the sick person to come back to the normal status. The following are the methods that are used by counselors in order to resolve such issues; Therapeutic relationship; under this we find that a better relationship between the client and the counselor is established. The client is therefore required to build trust and safety on the counselor although sometimes it is argued that the patients finds it hard to build trust on the counselor thus they end up not giving full information about the causative factor of the illness.
According to the counseling practices safety is considered as a leading factor to a safety therapeutic trauma work. In this case the patient may be found to be having a number of characteristics that may hinder him from building trust and safety on the counselor. These factors may include personality temperament. We may also find that when the patient is found to have undergone a number of traumas, the chances of him or her building his trust on the counselor are always high. (Buskist and David, 1990)
The other method used in counseling in order to solve the negative effects of impulsive behavior is the concept of Dialectical Behavior Therapy which has an objective of dealing with individuals who are known to be suffering from the personality disorders. This therapy indicates that individuals are always found to be responding to the emotional stimulation not normally; this may come up as a result of biological factors and also the way the individual was brought up.
This therapy is usually carried out in two forms; that is the weekly psychotherapist that involves the addressing issues that are said to have affected the individual during the week and also coming up with the best resolutions for such factors leading to psychological disorders.
The second form is the group therapy which is directed towards the handling of the interpersonal skills, the regulation of emotions and also enabling the individual to accept and also tolerate the effects of impulsive behavior. The importance of the Dialectical Behavior Therapy in solving impulsive behavior effects is that, it helps the individuals to respond to such conditions positively and also bringing up a number of characteristics that includes; self-esteem, having and looking for more goals in life and also learning of new methods of behaving. (Hoepfl, 1997)
Family therapy is regarded as the best method used of helping people who suffer from psychological traumas as a result of impulsive behavior. This is because many dysfunctions such as traumas resulting form drug abuse, child abuse and other family matters are easily handled by using the patients’ family members who produce a number of information such as personal characteristics that may help the counselor in handling the person affected by the disorders.
This is a treatment that may be used by many counselors and that they are advised to pertake this therapy with regards to carrying a number of methods used in counseling. One of them is the supportive method of counseling which is applied in the counseling with an objective of relieving pain caused by depression on the individual. By doing this the patient is also allowed to recognize himself as an important member of the society. Most of the disorders make an individual to feel lonely and discriminated from the rest of the people in the society thus such technique is important.
The second method is the cognitive therapy; this is a method used to make the patient recognize himself with the social problems he is facing in the society whereby the counselors are put in a position of teaching them on how to recognize minor and major problems that may lead to the occurrence of the psychological disorders.
The third method is the behavioral therapy; this is a type of counseling that specializes in the creation of changes in the individuals’ personal life whereby the person is always at a risk of being attacked with psychological disorders. This method is found to be working hand in hand with behavioral therapy which brings an establishment of the skills that may be applied in the solving of such problems.
In many cases we find that the counselors, prefer this method since it creates a distinction between external problems and internal changes to be made by the person, the internal changes are meant to help in the assessment of the problems the person is facing, this is usually done by self-evaluation, including the evaluation of other people surrounding the sick person and the expectations of the person in his life. External changes are usually used in the handling of the existing problems by the use of various management skills including, communication, life management and those required to develop a better relationship with those who are not affected by the disorders. (Dakai, 2003)
Exposure in counseling plays a major role in helping the people with impulsive behaviors; it is usually identified in two forms, one being exposure to the feared solutions which is a method that involves tackling repeatedly a situation that is said to be causing a particular disorder every time it indicates its reappearing. This is found to be making the person suffering to get used to such a problem until it doesn’t cause more traumas. (Anderson, 2006)
The second form is the exposure role plays which is said to be a bit similar to that of the exposure to feared situations. The only difference is that this practice is done on a simulative basis; that is one can repeatedly do the activity which is similar to what is causing the disorder.
Prevention of impulsive behaviors and relapse
Reports have been put claiming that it is possible that prevention efforts in community and schools settings be strengthened to curb impulsive behaviors leading to addictive behaviors such as drug addiction and relapse. Recent programs championed by the office of Drug Abuse and Prevention in U.S have focused more in educating vulnerable groups such as women and children. We therefore find that these programs are intended to teach resistance skills and how to fully keep away from drugs. Through education and the media, support and service groups are seeking to educate all members of the society on the importance to support their families and help their children keep off from drugs. (Hoepfl, 1997)
Psychologists believe that individuals are well positioned to handle relapse among themselves because of the interactions and hormonology factors. The programs should therefore be focused on first helping people understand the consequences of drug abuse and then on how to deal with relapse. Effective treatment and prevention of relapse has been in the past very difficult but recently, through research, the behavior has been finally understood and that it is clear that prevention aimed at children and adolescence and drug education offers not only a better method of eliminating substance abuse but also the best chance to prevent relapse
Impulse behavior and Relapse prevention over time
This impulsive behavior such as drug relapse can be prevented over time by helping victims of substance abuse to cope with the effects of relapse in an effort to achieve non-addictive behaviors. Therefore it is suggested that many episodes of drug abuse can be managed without seriously interrupting the treatment process, thus bringing in the main prevention method of relapse being the cognitive and behavioral therapy which is only applicable to victims who are willing to undergo moderation and serious abstinence.
We also find that the therapists working with the impulsive behavior victims such as drug addict have identified nine steps that may be applied in recognizing and stopping early warning signs of relapse and they include
Stabilization
Assessment
Relapse education,
Warning sign identification,
Warning sign management,
Recovery planning
Inventory training,
Family involvement, and
Follow-up.
Drug abuse management
Research indicates that the World Health Organization is playing a major role in the management of impulsive behaviors such as drug addiction and relapse and their prevention especially among the vulnerable groups. The WHO has supported countries to reduce and prevent problems caused by the use of psychoactive drugs in terms of regulations and policy implementation.
The organization has its main mandate which is to recommend reduction and prevention mechanisms that can be able to prevent impulsive behavior such as drug addiction, relapse and assess substance that highly contribute to relapse hence advise the United Nations on what regulations to pursue in this case of substance abuse. The department of Mental Health and substance Abuse under it has been mandated to overlook issues of curbing relapse and also substance abuse in general. (Progress Report, 2008)
Scientific research conducted indicates that effective treatment for relapse on drug abuse can help people completely recover from destructive behaviors after undergoing treatment or recovery process from drug addiction. This means that people can successfully remove themselves from a life of substance abuse through effective treatment and long-term commitments. This can actually be achieved through the formation of organizations to handle issues of drug addiction and relapse among people in a particular community. This will be more efficient as it will be having all the necessary resources and time to look at individual clients and victims. Closer monitoring of patients will go a long way in reducing incidences of relapse occurring.
We can therefore conclude that various approaches have been applied in the prevention and controlling of impulsive behaviors such as drug addiction and relapse. However, recent surveys reveal that there are other modern psycho-educational approaches that are used to integrate modalities and outpatient treatment programs to enable people suffering from impulsive behaviors such as drug addiction to completely recover and reduce any chances of developing relapse.
The best approaches according to mental researchers must centre on the 12-step programs developed by the United Nations, this 12-step programs are brought up to account for behavioral change and its treatment format is structured to focus on individual’s responsibility of preventing and monitoring relapse episodes. Relapse prevention should be able to include skills training and didactic components that encourage intensive counseling and understanding of the fact that substance abuse has adverse consequences (Anderson, 2006)
It can also be noted that impulsive behaviors causes psychological disorders which in some instances can be very severe and during such chronic stages it is usually debilitating which results to inability of an individual affected to perform the usual routine practices for example household matters effectively and efficiently. There are also specific signs of these behaviors and include extreme anxiety. The key symptoms of impulsive behaviors are manifested through drug addiction and relapses which are the main causes of psychological disorders and may comprise of being unnecessarily exhausted, restless, low concentration, being temperamental and in some cases sleep disorders.
Such impulsive behaviors causes major stress and may cause bad image in the societal aspect as well as in the work-related environment contexts and other significant parts of operation in an individual’s daily life. We can also deduce that such turbulences caused by impulsive disorders to a very large extent are related to psychological causes such as drug abuse and relapse (Moeller, 2002)
References
Anderson, M (2006), Genetic Predisposition: Is the Human Organism Predisposed to Addictive Disorders, Journal of Addictive Disorders. Web.
Buskist, W and David W (1990) Psychology: Boundaries and Frontiers. New York: HarperCollins Publishers Inc.
Dakai, S.H. (2003), Addiction Counseling: Examination of various Addiction Counseling and Therapy Approaches, Journal of Addictive Disorders. Web.
Krauth, K (2006) Identifying Adolescent Problems of Substance Abuse and Caregivers Approach for Treatment, and Prevention, Journal of Addictive Disorders. Web.
Moeller, F. (2002), Addictive Disorders and Their Treatment: Volume 1 Pp 3-10, Impulsivity and Substance Abuse: What Is the Connection? (Article review). Web.
Ohio State University Medical Centre Substance Abuse/Chemical Dependency (2007). Web.
Progress Report (2008) Psychiatric, Behavioral, and Addictive Disorders, on Brain Research. Web.
Russell, M (2008). Web.
Ryan, K (2006). Nutrition and Exercise in a Recovery Milieu. Journal of Addictive Disorders. Web.
Open and Closed Questionnaires
The researcher utilized the following closed and open questionnaires in order to achieve the best possible findings about whether impulsive behavior a cause for addictive disorders. The following are the questionnaires that were administered:
Please tick the appropriate answer for each question provided or indicate your answer in the spaces provided;
Part A
What is your name? (Optional)————————————————–
What is your occupation? ——————————————————–
Please indicate your gender.
Male
Female
Please indicate the age bracket you fall in
Below 20 years.
20-30 years.
30-40 years.
41-50 years.
Above 51 years.
Part B
Do you have any idea on what is impulsive behavior?
Yes
No
Do you believe that impulsive behavior causes addictive behaviors in an individual?
yes
No
No Response
What do you think is the cause of such behaviors?
___________________________________________.
Do you think there is any treatment for such behaviors in an individual?
Yes
No
If yes then what do you think is the best method of treatment for this behaviors? ___________________________________________________________________.
Chronic diseases affect many people from different parts of the world (Wiens and Walker 9). Such conditions can produce numerous disabilities and deaths. Chronic illness is therefore “defined as a long-lasting condition that can have detrimental effects” (Heyman 12). According to different medical practitioners, chronic diseases might have disastrous implications on the society. Such illnesses can affect different individuals and their respective families. To begin with, the condition makes it impossible for the affected person to execute his or her daily activities. The “condition also results in dependency” (Wiens and Walker 5). The affected person is also supposed to get specific medications or therapies. Such approaches will significantly change the individual’s life. Chronic conditions are known to present copious psychological and emotional imbalances. The illness also “interferes with a person’s financial position, relationship with others, career, and even emotional stability” (McKay and Hiller-Sturmhofel 360). Some people with such conditions might also become suicidal.
The family of an individual with a chronic condition will also encounter numerous challenges. For instance, parents and guardians will have to offer long-term care to their disabled children. Individuals with such conditions require continued support from their family members. This kind of support can be physical, emotional, psychological, or financial (McKay and Hiller-Sturmhofel 362). As well, chronic illnesses affect the functioning of the whole family. For instance, the family’s income becomes strained thus affecting the welfare of the other individuals. Some people might be forced to sacrifice their careers and savings in order to support the targeted patient. Heyman also believes that “such illnesses can affect a family’s communication process, belief system, multigenerational pattern, and organizational structure” (24). The emotional wellbeing of the family also changes completely.
Addictions as Chronic illnesses
Heyman states clearly that “addiction is a chronic disease comparable to other conditions such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and type II diabetes” (39). This is the case because different forms of addiction are evident in specific families and communities. This fact explains why addiction is closely associated with specific environmental factors and human genomes. For instance, drug addiction is usually inherited from one individual to another thus making it a major social problem. Addiction is “a major disorder that can be transferred from a parent to a child” (Wiens and Walker 8). The environment is also responsible for the development of different types of addiction. That being the case, people should become responsible and transform their behaviors. This practice will make it possible for them to attain their objectives.
The problems produced by addiction are similar to those associated with various chronic illnesses. To begin with, drug addicts will have plentiful troubles and problems in their lives. Many victims of addiction become irresponsible and unproductive. They also engage in inappropriate behaviors thus threatening their livelihoods. Their behaviors also affect the wellbeing of every immediate sibling or family member. The family will also be forced to use the best strategies in order to take care of the affected person. Tai and Volkow argue that “drug addicts demand the same kind of attention availed to an individual will a chronic illness” (167). The long-term nature of addiction makes it a major social concern that should be addressed from a clinical perspective (Turner and Kelly 125). These arguments and discussions explain clearly why every form of addiction should be taken seriously. The important thing is to ensure the most appropriate care is availed to the affected individuals.
Preserving Relationships During and After Treatment
Victims of substance abuse should get the best psychological support and care. Appropriate therapies should be offered in order to re-pattern the lifestyles of the targeted persons. Therapists should “use the best approaches to preserve the relationships of such individuals during and after treatment” (Torregrossa and Taylor 7). It is appropriate to equip such people with powerful skills that can support their future relationships. During the treatment process, psychotherapists should explore the expectations of the individuals in the targeted relationship. Therapists should know when to promote faithfulness, trust, and honesty. Such values are critical towards preserving relationships during treatment. The therapist can also use the concept of compromise to deal with delicate issues.
The targeted parties should also be encouraged to appreciate and trust one another (Turner and Kelly 125). The sober person should also be allowed to understand the challenges affecting the addict. The affected person should also acquire new competencies and values in order to focus on the best achievements. The therapist should ensure the existing differences are tolerated and balanced. New values such as love, respect, and trust should be embraced in order to deal with chaos (Tai and Volkow 168). These aspects explain why addiction disorder is similar to a chronic disease.
The targeted individuals should acquire new problem-solving and decision-making skills. They should be equipped with proper listening and communication skills. Such competencies will make it easier for them to establish the best interpersonal relationships. Members of the family and relatives should also acquire similar skills in order to interact with the patient in a proper manner (Torregrossa and Taylor 9). The concept of teamwork should be embraced in the family. This strategy is relevant because it deals with distrust, fear, and anger. The individual will eventually re-pattern his or her ideas thus establishing better relationships with other people.
Long-Term Treatment Process and Support Systems
Drug abusers and addicts should get appropriate treatment in order to realize their potentials. A long-term treatment approach is appropriate in order to get the best outcomes. That being the case, psychiatrists and therapists should use combined strategies whenever treating various addiction disorders. Behavioral therapy and medication can work effectively towards getting the best results. The therapeutic process should focus on the three major stages of treatment. These stages include “detoxification, treatment, and relapse prevention” (Turner and Kelly 126). The therapist should use the best medicines to ease some of the withdrawal symptoms associated with the targeted condition. Heyman argues that “a continuum of care is relevant in order to prevent various episodes of relapse” (72). This method should address the physical, environmental, medical, and mental aspects of human life.
Proper support systems are also “critical towards ensuring that the addict remains on the best spiritual journey of recovery” (Heyman 102). Medical practitioners should therefore offer evidence-based care in order to support the spiritual wellbeing of the targeted patient. Family and religious-based support practices will re-pattern the beliefs of the individuals (Torregrossa and Taylor 11). The person should also acquire appropriate spiritual values in order to promote the healing process. The values and beliefs of the patient should also be considered during the long-term treatment process. The provision of culturally-competent care will eventually support the victim’s spiritual journey.
Works Cited
Heyman, Gene. Addiction: A Disorder of Choice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2009. Print.
McKay, James and Sussane Hiller-Sturmhofel. “Treating Alcoholism as a Chronic Disease: Approaches to Long-term Continuing Care.” Alcohol Research & Health 33.4 (2011): 356-370. Print.
Tai, Betty and Nora Volkow. “Treatment for Substance Use Disorder: Opportunities and Challenges under the Affordable Care Act.” Social Work in Public Health 28.1 (2013): 165-174. Print.
Torregrossa, Mary and Jane Taylor. “Learning to forget: manipulating extinction and reconsolidation processes to treat addiction.” Psychopharmacology 1.1 (2012): 1-14. Print.
Turner, Jane and Brian Kelly. “Emotional Dimensions of Chronic Disease.” Western Journal of Medicine 172.2 (2000): 124-128. Print.
Wiens, Thomas and Lawrence Walker. “The Chronic Disease Concept of Addiction: Helpful or Thankful.” Addiction Research and Theory 23.4 (2015): 1-14. Print.
A substance use disorder is a term that refers to a condition when a person takes one or several various substances and experiences clinical impairment, including the need to take more substances to function normally (Berger par. 1). The paper examines risk factors that lead to a substance use disorder, methods that may help to prevent its development, and steps of evaluation of a patient’s condition on the example of the case scenario about Marcella.
Marcella is a 15-year-old biracial (Caucasian and African-American) female who has been brought to the local community hospital because of an overdose of prescription pain pills, which, according to her own words, she has taken intentionally in order to kill herself. The girl possibly has a substance use disorder and is at risk of future problems with substances.
Considering Marcella’s family history, it can be concluded that she indeed has many risks for developing a substance use disorder. Marcella was raised primarily by her grandmother and her husband, who both drank alcohol throughout their adult lives and experimented with various drugs while were younger. Her grandmother’s husband also smokes marijuana every day and says that he needs it to cope with the pain from a back injury. Marcella’s mother, in its turn, used various substances, which started at the age of 14, when her father shot himself, and rapidly progressed. As Thatcher and Clark state in their article, a presence of a parent suffering from a substance use disorder greatly increases the risk for an adolescent to do the same (169). In Marcella’s case, not only her mother had problems with substances, but her grandparents as well. Even though the grandmother’s husband is not related to Marcella, she could have received an indirect message about the substance use from him because of his use of marijuana.
Antisocial behavior, which Marcella demonstrates (she is able to name only two friends and says that she does not like people), can also be associated with a substance use disorder (Thatcher and Clark 170). According to Dodgen and Shea, individuals with antisocial personality disorder, which the girl can have, also develop a substance use disorder in 83% of cases (104). In addition, Marcella’s grades have been steadily going down during the previous four years, and an academic failure can be considered as a risk factor as well (National Institute of Drug Abuse par. 2). Finally, the lack of parental supervision has its influence in this case (National Institute of Drag Abuse par. 5).
On the other hand, Marcella’s self-report regarding the substance use history does not reveal any problems with substances, except the recent incident with pain pills. She states that she drinks alcohol only on special occasions, has never been intoxicated and has never used non-prescribed drugs before. To evaluate Marcella’s condition and conclude if she does have problems with substances, a series of steps should be made. Firstly, blood and urine samples should be taken to make drug tests. If other substances, except painkillers, have been taken, those should be withdrawn. Secondly, there is the need to talk with Marcella’s grandparents to find out more about her condition. Thirdly, since the substance abuse among peers could have affected Marcella’s use of drugs (National Institute of Drag Abuse par. 5), some of Marcella’s friends should be contacted. If what Marcella has said in her self-report about the substance use history is true, then her problem is more psychological, and she needs the help of a psychologist.
Finally, to guard the development of a substance use disorder, the girl should be instructed to visit some of the support groups or prevention programs. Those can be easily found on the Internet. In the process of prevention, the role of parents and schools is also significant. They should educate adolescents about the risk factors and consequences of a substance use disorder. Schools can also implement anti-drug use policies.
Works Cited
Berger, Fred K. Substance use disorder 2014. Web.
Dodgen, Charles E. and W. Michael Shea. Substance Use Disorders: Assessment and Treatment, San Diego: Academic Press, 2000. Print.
National Institute of Drag Abuse. Preventing Drug Use among Children and Adolescents (In Brief): What are risk factors and protective factors? 2003. Web.
Thatcher, Dawn L. and Duncan B. Clark. “Adolescents at Risk for Substance Use Disorders.” Alcohol Research & Health 31.2 (2008): 168-176. Print.
Eating disorder as a severe health condition that can be manifested in many different ways may tackle a person of any age, gender, and socio-cultural background. However, adolescents, especially when it comes to female teenagers, are considered to be the most vulnerable in terms of developing this condition (Izydorczyk & Sitnik-Warchulska, 2018). According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP, 2018), 10 in 100 young women struggle with an eating disorder. Thus, the purpose of the present paper is to dwell on the specifics of external factors causing the disorder as well as the ways to deal with this issue.
To begin with, it is necessary to define which diseases are meant under the notion of an eating disorder. Generally, eating disorders encompass such conditions as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, binge eating, and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) (AACAP, 2018). Although these conditions have different manifestations in the context of eating patterns, all of them affect teenager’s nutrition patterns and average weight. According to the researchers, there exist common external stressors that lead to an eating disorder, such as:
Socio-cultural appearance standards. For the most part, modern culture and mass media promote certain body images as a generally accepted ideal, which causes many teenage girls to doubt their appearance and follow the mass trends.
Biological factors. Some teenagers might have a genetic predisposition for certain disorders if anyone in the family struggled with the disease at some point in the past.
Emotional factors. Children, who are at risk of being affected by such mental disorders as anxiety and depression, are likely to disrupt their nutrition patterns.
Peer pressure. Similar to socio-cultural standards, peer pressure dictates certain criteria for the teenagers’ body image, eventually impacting their perception of food and nutrition (Izydorczyk & Sitnik-Warchulska, 2018).
With such a variety of potential stressors, it is imperative for both medical professionals and caregivers to pay close attention to the teenager’s eating habits. Thus, in order to assess the issue, any medical screening should include weight and height measurements. In such a way, medical professionals are able to define any discrepancies in the measurements over time and bring this issue up with a patient. When working with adolescents, it is of paramount importance to establish a trusting relationship with a patient, as teenagers are extremely vulnerable at this age. After identifying any issue related to weight and body image, nurses and physicians need to ask the patient whether they have any problems with eating. In case they are not willing to talk on the matter, it is necessary to emphasize that their response will not be shared with caregivers unless they want it. It is also necessary to ask questions regarding the child’s relationship with peers carefully, as they may easily become an emotional trigger.
In order to avoid such complications as eating disorders, it is vital for caregivers to talk with their children on the topic of the aforementioned stressors. Firstly, they need to promote healthy eating patterns by explaining why it is important for one’s body instead of giving orders to the child. For additional support, they may ask a medical professional to justify this information. Secondly, the caregivers need to dedicate time to explain the inappropriateness of body standards promoted by the mass media and promote diversity and positive body image within the family. Lastly, caregivers are to secure a safe environment for the teenager’s fragile self-esteem and self-actualization in order for them to feel more confident among peers (Boberová & Husárová, 2021). These steps, although frequently undermined, contribute beneficially in terms of dealing with eating disorders external stressors among adolescents.
Boberová, Z., & Husárová, D. (2021). What role does body image in relationship between level of health literacy and symptoms of eating disorders in adolescents?. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(7), 3482.
Izydorczyk, B., & Sitnik-Warchulska, K. (2018). Socio-cultural appearance standards and risk factors for eating disorders in adolescents and women of various ages. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 429.
The podcast under discussion is “substance use disorders” by Dee S. Owens. This podcast is the fifth episode of a six-part series from the Mental Health and Substance Abuse Service Administration. It aims to inform policies on building resiliency against addictions in people and village members during and even after a disaster. The series facilitator is Dee S. Owens, who has served numerous disasters, including 9/11, and has certifications in disaster response. Being the present Assistant Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Behavioural Health, she bravely talks about resiliency against substance abuse, which is highly beneficial for policy formation and learning.
Discussion
In the discussion, it can be learned that people who suffer from substance abuse have specific needs. This attribute makes it crucial for response teams to be aware of the particular needs of each person suffering from substance abuse. Her podcast shows that recovery takes different dimensions of time depending on the level of substance abuse (SAMHSA, 2022). For instance, abusers who are not yet addicted are prone to overuse in disasters. In contrast, those new to drug and substance use may take up to half a year to fully recover (Kopak & Van Brown, 2020). Other specific needs include those continuing treatment who may suffer defaulting because of the unavailability of medication whenever a disaster strikes. Notably, there is a need to account for all the specific needs of the different subsets of abusers.
Dee S. Owens provides that several factors play a role in fostering resiliency. A shorter recovery time for most abusers who are continuing treatment may result in a relapse. Victims with significant support networks do well in their resiliency compared to those with weak network support (SAMHSA, 2022). Another vital factor in fostering resiliency is diversifying access points for medication items. Owens dictates that having an access point reduced to a national stockpile alone is disastrous. Policymakers enhancing resiliency among abusers should factor in these elements for great success.
When disaster strikes, it is prudent to have first responders on the ground who functions to help the immediate needs of the vulnerable population. Notably, the role of first responders is imminent and inevitable in helping disaster victims (SAMHSA, 2022). Engaging first responders to bear more fruits should they be involved in the planning processes rather than ambushing impromptu. Engaging them in the planning processes allows for evaluating their competency and qualification in handling people with substance use and abuse problems. Naser & Saleem (2018) discuss that adjustments like training and education can be provided in advance if the evaluation shows the need for the same. Security officers do not take seriously interventions that they find deficient of a year’s experience in handling any population during disasters. Training first responders, educating them, and engaging them in planning are vital policies for helping substance abusers.
Conclusion
There is a lot to learn from the valuable education provided by Dee S. Owens in the fifth segment of the six podcast series on policy formation for resiliency on victims of substance use disorders. Among the thoughts that were presented, three particular ones stand out. There is a need for policy informers to understand that each substance abuser has a specific need that must be understood and met. Several factors are influential in determining resiliency and recovery, which the policy influencers must also understand. There is a need for collaboration with first responders, who must be educated and trained.
The most common root cause of substance use disorders (SUD) is sociocultural factors. The rate of substance abuse is prevalent among the people living in abject poverty, females in abusive relationships, and children whose parents are constantly fighting (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). With habitual substance usage for any purpose, however, the consequences are unbelievably grave. Many families have lost their members through traffic accidents involving substance-impaired drivers (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). Moreover, there are medical conditions that are associated with substance abuse; and one of the common illnesses is low-grade hypertension which is linked to alcohol consumption (Nolen-Hoeksema, 2019). Inarguably, the effects on substance abusers such as addictions, withdrawals, hallucinations, and hand tremors, are to blame for some tragedies in society.
The Bible indicates that self-indulgence contributes to man’s sinful ways, especially on flesh-related issues. In Romans 8:8 (King James Bible, 1769/2017), believers learn that those who walk on the flesh cannot please God. Further, Paul gives drunkenness as one of the examples he gives as the obvious acts of the flesh (King James Bible, 1769/2017, Galatians 5:19-21). In the prevention of SUD the Bible talks of knowing God’s word as a key to gaining self-control which is a gift of the Holy Spirit. Nonetheless, Christianity recommends counseling for cases of drug dependency with a strong focus that is hopeful and a strong conviction on redemption by the blood of Jesus Christ (Lund, 2016). Therefore, the Bible does not propagate the notions of personal struggle with innate tendencies.
Due to the prevalence of SUD and addiction in society today different treatment facilities and recovery groups are sprouting. For instance, DE Addiction Recovery Center (DEARC) is primarily offering substance rehabilitation treatment programs for its patients across the American society. Essentially, DEARC treats addictions related to alcohol, marijuana, Ambien, heroin, valium, and Xanax through its in-patient treatment facility. Notably, treatment facilities such as DEARC are restoring hope to drug addicts.