Substance abuse is a mental disorder that has numerous negative effects to everyone involved. When a person has an addiction they turn into someone different, their brain chemistry is changed and brain cells are lost. From a nursing standpoint there are many things we must consider when caring for a person who has an addiction.
Keywords: Substance abuse, Addiction, Effects
Substance Abuse
I am suddenly awakened in the middle if the night by my phone that is ringing with a desperate tone, I answer to hear the dreaded words, “I 'm in the back of a cop car and need you to come get me.” This is just part of what it’s like to live in the house of a substance abuser. In this situation it’s hard to remember that although many
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Substance abusers seek this impairment for a variety of reasons such as to get away from reality or to escape their problems. In the process of getting this “high” their brain chemistry changes and they become addicted. “Addiction is the repeated compulsive use of a substance even after the person suffers from the physical, mental, and legal consequences” (Williams, 2011). Substance abuse causes many negative effects to the person who is addicted as well as their loved ones. Even though these effects are devastating, the person continues to use because their brain and body are reprogrammed to need the substance. When the person isn 't using the substance they begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. “Withdrawal is a physical response to the sudden cessation of a substance that has been used over a period of time; these symptoms are specific to the substance” (Williams, 2011). When a person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms they have mental and physical effects. These effects can range from sweating to seizures. Physical symptoms are usually the first step followed by mental symptoms, these two steps together can last up to a few weeks. (Melemis, 2016). I was recently able to observe at a substance abuse rehabilitation facility where I witnessed a client withdrawing. This client seemed to be agitated and anxious. Also he was very red in …show more content…
The patient may be able to sense if you have a negative opinion of them. Also, many patients with addiction may have ineffective coping, personal identity disturbance, and altered family coping along with many others. The patient will need support and access to resources. As nurses we must advocate for our patients, so in these situations we need to be actively doing this. The patient may need information about treatment and groups. During my observation at a rehabilitation facility, I saw firsthand that these patients need support. We need to provide the support and care that they need. (Observation, March 1,
Many of the problems associated with early sobriety do not stem directly from psychoactive substances. Instead they are associated with physical and psychological changes that occur after the substances have left the body. When a person regularly uses psychoactive drugs, the brain undergoes physical changes to cope with the presence of drugs in the body. When the drugs are removed from the body, the brain craves the drugs that it has become accustomed to and as the brain attempts to rebalance itself without the presence of psychoactive drugs the person often experiences feelings of confusion, pain, and discomfort. The symptoms that are experienced immediately after stopping drug use are called acute withdrawal. But often the symptoms do not stop at acute withdrawal. After the body makes initial adjustments to the absence of drugs, the changes that have occurred in the brain still need time to revert back to their original state. During this period, a variety of symptoms known as Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) begin to occur. In the book Uppers, Downers, All Arounders, published by CNS Productions, authors Darryl Inaba and William Cohen define PAWS as “a group of emotional and physical symptoms that appear after major withdrawal symptoms have abated” (Inaba & Cohen, 2011).
Substance addiction is becoming an epidemic. While some people can quit using a substance without any help, most people need help to their recovery. Narcotics anonymous is an important support group for our society. There are many different narcotic anonymous programs to join that have meetings throughout the week. The members of the support group all share one thing in common, they suffer from different types of chemical dependency. Members help each other because they have the same problems and worries that everyone in the room has. Though they may be struggling with different stages in their life, for the most part, they all relate to what each is going through. Just as AA, NA focuses on the 12-step program. The members of
This experience helped me to recognize the internal struggle that a substance abuser faces on a continuous basis. In addition, I know that an individual can have a difficult time changing their behavior even when they have a strong desire to change; the smallest thing can cause a person to relapse.
A nurse is required to exercise appropriate clinical judgment and respond safely and quickly in order to effectively care for a patient. Substance abuse among nurses is an issue that compromises the delivery of quality care and professional standards of nursing. Many nurses are not recognized as having a problem until a patient has been endangered (Clark and Farnsworth, 2006). It has been estimated that 10-...
From the individual perspective, the client was a victim of child abuse, which led to feelings of fear and sadness and a desire to avoid these emotions. Socially, she came from a family of alcoholics giving her easy availability. There was also the pressure of keeping up appearances due to her mother’s status in society. The initial individual consequences of the client’s alcohol use were reinforcing. She felt invincible, warm, and it helped her avoid the thoughts in her head. Everything was right with the world as long as she was intoxicated.
The consequences of substance abuse as a practicing nurse are endless. According to the Alabama Board of Nursing Administrative Code, the Board will take disciplinary action toward a nurse who is proven to be negligent from the use of alcohol or has been proven to be addicted to any habit-forming drug (2017). Either of these criteria render the nurse unsafe and or unreliable to practice as a nurse (Alabama Board of Nursing, 2017). Depending on the extent of the offense, the Board may discipline the transgressor in several ways including reprimand, fine, and suspending or revoking their license (Alabama Board of Nursing, 2017). Any nurse facing these charges also must endure the embarrassment of having their name permanently put on the Disciplinary Action Reports page of the Alabama Board of Nursing website for all of the public to review (Alabama Board of Nursing, 2017). Thus, if said nurse loses his or her job in the process, future employers will access this database for hires, leaving the nurse to be scrutinized by any possible employer. Not only do nurses risk their own credibility, they also risk the lives of their patients when under the influence. A study recorded by Cares shows that substance abuse rates were highest among nurses working in specialty fields (2016). The nurses working in the fields such as adult critical care and
Over the years, substance abuse in the United States has become a persistent issue affecting many individuals. In 2008, it was estimated that 17.8 million Americans over the age of 18 where substance dependent (Epstein, Burns, & Conlon, 2010). Many of these individuals being affected are nurses. Ponech (2000) stated that "approximately 10% of the nursing population has alcohol or drug abuse problems, and 6% has problems serious enough to interfere with their ability to practice" (as cited in Talbert, 2009, p.17). Studies show that nurses have a 50% higher rate of substance abuse compared to the rest of the public (Epstein et al., 2010). Among the many factors that contribute to the nurse’s issue of substance abuse, accessibility to drugs in the work environment has played a significant role. Substance abuse among nurses is an arising issue in need of attention, it is alarming to know that patient safety and care is in danger when a chemically impaired nurse is in the workplace.
These physiological changes result in withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, anxiety, toxic effects on nerve cells, and altered perception of alcohol’s effects. Any of those symptoms may increase the patient’s potential for relapse and vulnerability to brain damage. With a drinking pattern of repeated bingeing and abstaining, the imbalance occurring during withdrawal may intensify with each successive episode and may culminate in a state of persistent CNS hyperexcitability seen as a augmented withdrawal response.
Alcoholism is a mental illness that is very destructive not only to an individual that has it, but also to the people that surround him or her and the community. It is a “chronic disease, progressive, and often fatal”, according to James D. Torr, author of the book called Alcoholism (19). Alcohol, when consumed, causes the person to feel pleasure and other desired effects, because of the chemicals it contains. The continuation of consuming alcohol causes the brain and the body to develop tolerance or addiction which leads to alcohol dependence or alcoholism.
The chances are that we all know or have loved ones with an addictions to either drugs or alcohol. Still today, one of the biggest challenges is being able to talk to that person about their addiction. Even though I personally have not had the opportunity to speak to a loved one or acquaintance about an addiction. Research shows when confronting a person with a problem; it takes preparation, patience, and being totally honest with that individual. Talking to someone with a dependency is something that most people avoid because people like myself would not want others mending in our lives; we, even, tend to believe that it is not our problem how much our f...
Main Point: The effects on a person after they become addicted to something can be small, or they can be great, depending on the length of time they are exposed to the addictive behavior or substance and what caused it. The addiction affects the addict’s health, career and relationships. I can tell you from personal experience with having family members who were addicts, that I was traumatized growing up. (Personal story about couple arguing here.) According to Roxanne Edwards of Medicine.net, “In terms of effects on the body, intoxication with a substance can cause physical effects that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing …to the rapid heart rate...” In addition, psychologically they can have suicidal thoughts or elation depending on the addictive substance or behavior. This is why it is important for the addict to seek help because they cannot get rid of the issue on their own. Most of the time, addicts go through some sort of rehab treatment and when they are released they are instructed to go to meetings that help with the aftermath of addiction. Just a few of these groups are places like Alcoholics/Narcotics Anonymous, or even Celebrate Recovery. Although some places believe that these programs do not work, it is well worth mentioning that the success rates depend on the want to of the person working them. They have to want to remain sober or free from the addiction or they will go right back to it. Alcohol Rehab.com puts it this way, “Failure to
Working in the Behavioral Health Unit, I’ve had dealt with many patients who had the addiction to alcohol, benzos, pain killers, and others drugs.
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.
There are many addictions in the world, and drug addiction is the biggest. People may experiment with the drug for many reasons. “If your drug use is causing problems in your life, then you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem”.(Lawrence Robinson pg.1) Many people start out using drugs by peer pressure or out of their own curiosity. Stress, anxiety, lows self-esteem and depression could be another factor to start using drugs. The drug takes over your body and gives you a good feeling that many people tend to enjoy. The urge to use the drug can keep increasing rapidly after the first use. The urge can become so severe that your mind can find many other ways to deny the factor of addiction. Very few drug addicts can feel and realize when they have crossed the line with drugs. A drug addicts mind can build up a very large tolerance for the drug that they start to abandon the activities they used to do on a daily basis like showering, hobbies, socializing and even being associated with family members. The person with the addiction will continue to use the drug knowing that it is harming there body, but they don’t have any remorse. A drug addict will often try to hide their problem, so they can continue to use without anyone’s input. Family and friends may try to use preaching methods or tell the user that they need to stop using the drug. This method is not ...
Abuse can cause countless medical problems to the body. A person who is addicted will continue to stimulate themselves regardless if they are aware of the negative chain reactions. Once addicted, it becomes difficult to stop due to how the body has become dependent. Health will be harmed the more a stimulant is used. Health effects include: cardiovascular disease, strokes, cancer, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, lung disease, mental disease, birth defects. Mental health is what keeps a person in the right mind to make better decisions and have better control in life. Drugs have the ability to change mood and behavior. If drugs have affected the brain already, the desire increases which changes mental health. Some may not realize that they have been affected their health negatively. “A person who abuses drugs may not realize they have a problem until pronounced effects of drug abuse are seen, often physically. While drug abuse effects on the body vary depending on the drug used, all drug abuse negatively impacts one 's health (Addictions Community). Since drugs create many health issues, treatment is not a simple task. Treatments are hard to obtain and addictions often go