Substance Misuse

Substance Misuse

Table of Contents

Introduction1

Discussion1

Substance Misuse1

Dangers of Substance Misuse2

Critical Evaluation of Theories2

Gateway Drug Theory2

Substance Use2

Community and Discipline3

Crime and Legalities5

Social Exclusion6

Decisions Making6

Housing6

Opportunity6

Education7

David Nutt's list of 20 most dangerous drugs Legislation8

Symptoms9

Suicide9

Mental Illness9

Central Nervous System Effects10

Epidemiology10

Cost10

Treatment11

Pharmacological Therapy12

Awareness of Substance Misuse12

Conclusion12

References14

Substance Misuse

Introduction

This paper has been written with regards to the critical evaluation of various theories as well as explanations of substance misuse that have been made. Furthermore, the links between substance use, misuse, community, crime and social exclusion have also been discussed. Besides this, the Gateway drug theory has also been discussed as well as the impact that substance misuse has on the society and culture. Moreover, since drugs have their own dilemmas, it has also been revealed in the research that the families who are high on discipline and low on warmth are less prone to have drug problems rather than those who are low on discipline and high on warmth. This is the reason why substance misuse results in issues such as violence, divorce, sexual abuse and other traumatic events. However, there are some other factors too, that contribute to drug problems. Decisions that are involved on substance misuse also include housing, opportunity and education that have also been discussed in the paper. Furthermore, David Nutt's list of 20 most dangerous drugs Legislation contains the names of the most dangerous drugs that have been mentioned too.

Discussion

Substance Misuse

Substance misuse results in negative effects on the people with regards to mental health. There are people who use drugs which are legal such as alcohol and caffeine, and these are socially acceptable. However, the use of these drugs becomes substance misuse when they start having a negative impact on the individual who uses them. It can further be defined as intoxication because excessive consumption affects the brain negatively because of which social, psychological, physical or legal problems occur. The most misused drug is alcohol that people tend to over consume more often (Noddings 2011, pp. 100).

Dangers of Substance Misuse

The three main dangers of substance misuse are that individuals can become addicted to drugs, they could cause someone physical or psychological harm and negatively impact the quality of life. Besides the harm that substance misuse has on the individuals, it also has a negative impact on the society and the community. This is because it increases crime in the society and increases social exclusion.

Critical Evaluation of Theories

Gateway Drug Theory

The theory uses deleterious drugs that serve as a risk for the individual who use drugs. The theory has been attributed to the use of different drugs that include tobacco and alcohol. Research has shown that the hard users of drugs are the ones who start consuming harder drugs before opting for substances that are harder. This is more evident in the drug histories that show that drug users who are hard are the ones who progress from one drug to another (Murphy 2009, pp.1).

Substance Use

The pattern of the use of harmful substances for the purpose of altering the ...