Substance abuse problems

Although ADHD generally is considered a childhood disorder, symptoms can persist into adolescence and adulthood. The prevalence of adulthood ADHD is estimated to be 4%, with 60% of adults having manifested symptoms of ADHD from childhood.8,9 Further, problems associated with ADHD (e.g., social, marital, academic, career, anxiety, depression, smoking, and substance-abuse problems) increase with the transition of patients into adulthood. 

Considering that over one s lifetime more than one fourth (27%) of the entire population will suffer from a substance abuse problem (Kessler et al., 1994), many family members and all human services providers will, sooner or later, be confronted with these problems. Unfortunately, few have received any training to prepare them for this challenging task. 

Once chronic insomnia has developed, it hardly ever spontaneously resolves without treatment or intervention. The toll of chronic insomnia can be very high and the frustration it produces may precipitate a clinical depression or an anxiety disorder. Insomnia is also associated with decreased productivity in the workplace and more frequent use of medical services. Einally, substance abuse problems may result from the inappropriate use of alcohol or sedatives to induce sleep or caffeine and other stimulants to maintain alertness during the day. 

Partial hospitalization programs for both AN and BN patients, can provide a transition from inpatient treatment for patients with a history of repeated hospitalizations and severe chronic illness or with severe com-orbid personality disorder or substance abuse problems. It is also suitable for patients who have had a recent relapse of weight loss and a return of poor anorectic behavior causing a severe impairment of function. Bulimics who are nonfunctioning from bingeing and purging may require a day program. 

Jeffrey W. Dailey and his colleagues use animal models and imaging to show that the physiological state of dopamine neurotransmission may be an important factor in substance abuse problems. 

Dailey, Jeffrey W., Tim D. Fryer, Laurent Brichard, Emma S. J. Robinson, David E. H. Theobald, Kristjan La e, et al. Nucleus Accumbens D2/3 Receptors Predict Trait Impulsivity and Cocaine Reinforcement. Science 315 (March 2,2007) 1,267-1,270. The researchers report on evidence that indicates the state of dopamine neurotransmission may be an important factor leading to substance abuse problems. 

The emphasis here is on families with a member addicted to opiates. However, similar principles apply to families with other substance abuse problems. 

AMERSA is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to improving the education of medical professionals in the care of individuals with substance abuse problems. It holds conferences and distributes information to medical educators. 

One of the biggest substance abuse problems in recent years has involved prescription drugs that have legitimate medical applications but are being used for nonmedical reasons (that is, are being abused). 

Several treatment programs in the United States have been designed for healthcare professionals with substance abuse problems. Facilities like the Talbott Recovery Center in Atlanta, Georgia have customized rehab programs for physicians, pharmacists, dentists,... 

Mandatory state board reporting requirements for pharmacists who have substance abuse problems but are not receiving treatment... 

Although the proscriptive model remains popular with some, it has not made any significant contribution to the prevention of substance-abuse problems. It is well known that Prohibition was less than successful in alleviating problems associated with alcohol use, and other substance-use problems also have continued. Perhaps the major difficulty with the model is that it is too simple to tackle a complex problem. 

Cohen, S. (1981). Ihe substance abuse problems. Binghamton, NY Haworth Press. 

License suspension or revocation can occur if the healthcare professional acknowledges a substance abuse problem. 

A child is at increased risk of suicide if.. . the child has substance abuse problems. . . Alcohol increases the risk of suicidal behavior by worsening feelings of depression and by diminishing self-control. About half of those who attempt suicide are intoxicated at the time of the attempt.. . Drug overdose is the method most frequently used in suicide attempts." (See Suggested Reading, Merck, pp. 413414.)... 

If you suspect that a colleague has a substance abuse problem ... 

Innovative research is also ongoing to characterize natural product-derived substances that prevent the gastrointestinal absorption of alcohol, and limit CNS receptor super-sensitivity responses to chronic methamphetamine abuse. Development of pharmacologic treatments that could effectively and safely achieve either goal would be of enormou spotential consequence in the management of two of the most intractable and costly substance abuse problems in the U.S, namely alcoholism and methamphetamine abuse. 

Nursing implementation may focus on managing the patient s acute intoxication and withdrawal and then monitoring the effectiveness of therapy to treat the patient s substance abuse problem. 

What the 2002 NDCS strategy does not mention is that the National Household Survey found that only 13 percent of children who started to use marijuana at age 14 or earUer developed a substance dependence or abuse problem. So, 87 percent didn t. Looking at the differences between those who developed substance abuse problems later in life and those who did not would probably tell us something about whether delaying the age of initiation of drug use has any value in preventing the incidence of later dependence or abuse. 

Fxirly initiation of the problem behavior— The earlier a child begins to use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs, the greater the risk of later substance abuse problems. 

To understand how the problems of so many people not acknowledging a substance abuse problem, the failure to retain people in treatment, and the frequency of relapse relate to the controversial issues that have been discussed, examples of... 

By its nature, a self-admission program is at odds with a zero-tolerance policy. Once a driver admits to having a substance abuse problem, you have actual knowledge that they have used drugs or abused alcohol, and a zero-tolerance policy would dictate that you release the employee immediately. 

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