This report discusses the effects of alcohol and drug use among youths, including the social determinants that contribute to addiction. It also examines how the Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan addresses these issues.
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ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE2 REPORT ON THE USE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS AMONG THE YOUTHS Introduction The reports discusses the effects of use of alcohol and drugs among the youths. It also discusses on the social determinants that causes inequalities among the youths which end up promoting the use of alcohol and drugs among them. For example, the environment that one lives in may greatly influence one to start alcohol and drug use. For example friends and family may influence one to begin drug use additionally, the economic status of an individual and general life quality. Causes such as peer pressure, abuse both sexually and physically, early drug exposure, parental guidance and stress can highly influences a person’s decision of alcohol use and drug use addiction. Buy and selling of drugs requires high cost which affects the individual, social and economic financial stability. This is because the money is irresponsibly spent. The report also concentrate how wellVictorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2015-2019 addresses this determinants among the youths and the different gaps and strengths that they have. Discussion In most cases a lot of people do not understand how individuals in the society become addicts to drugs or alcohol. People in most societies think that individuals that use drugs and alcohol lack moral goodwill or principles which is not the case. Additionally individuals also think that the groups of people that use drugs can choose to stop or not which is very difficult if one has become an addict (Manning, Smith, &Mazerolle, P., 2013). Drug use and alcohol use is considered a disease (complex disease), and normally, trying to quit the use takes more than just willpower and intentions that are good (Cockerham, Hamby, &Oates, 2017).Use of drugs and alcohol changes the way the brain operate, which makes quitting very difficult even though one wishes to. Researchers however are able to understand how the brain is affected by the use of drugs and alcohol and thus come up with proper ways of treatment to solve the problem (Manning, Smith, &Mazerolle, P., 2013).Thus drug use addiction can be defined as a chronic disease that comprise of seeking of drugs and compulsive use, or challenging to control regardless of its harmful outcomes. For drug and alcohol users changes in the brain can be persistent, for this reason drug and alcohol addiction is a seen as a relapse disease. This implies that individuals that use drugs and alcohol are at a
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE3 higher risk of returning to the use even after a long period of time of not using the drug (White, Chan, Quek, Connor, Saunders et al., 2013)It is normal for a person to relapse and this does not imply that the treatment does not work. Just like other chronic illness treatment should be adjusted and ongoing founded on the response of the patient to that treatment. The plans involved in treatment should be appraised and improved to suit the patient’s mutable needs (Roxburgh, Lea, de Wit, & Degenhardt, 2016). Drugs and alcohol normally affect the circuit of the brain which ends up causing what is known as euphoria, additionally it ends up filling the brain with a chemical known as dopamine. A proper brain circuit motivates individual to repeat certain behaviors required to thrive for example having a good time with the family or even eating (Roxburgh, Lea, de Wit, & Degenhardt, 2016).The chemical dopamine on the other hand, makes individuals the same effect however the habits are unhealthy, thus the drug and alcohol users keep on taking drugs because they find pleasure in doing so. The more one continues to use the drug, then brain is able to adapt and therefore reduces the cells ability in the circuit to respond to it. This decreases the high that the individual feels paralleled to the high they sensed when first they took the drug, an outcome known as tolerance. The users might continue to take the drug or alcohol attempt and attain the same high (Livingston, Dietze, P., Ferris, Pennay, Hayes, & Lenton, 2013).These adaptations of the brain often lead to the individual becoming less and less able to develop desire from other things they once loved, for example food, sex, or social activities. Drug and alcohol use has server effects to the body and also the social life of the individual for example the user of the drug finds it difficult to relate with people around, it also affects one’s ability to learn, make decisions, judge what is wrong and right, memory loss and change in behavior of a person (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013).In addition the use of alcohol and drugs may result to stress. The users might be aware of the harmful outcomes but they continue to use the drugs which is the nature of addiction. Drug use can be successfully cured and managed. For example visiting rehabilitation facilities and therapy sessions (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013). What promotes the use of drugs? The environment that one lives in may greatly influence one to start alcohol and drug use. For example friends and family may influence one to begin drug use additionally, the economic status of an individual and general life quality (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013).Causes such as peer pressure, abuse both sexually and physically,
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE4 early drug exposure, parental guidance and stress can highly influences a person’s decision of alcohol use and drug use addiction. Buy and selling of drugs requires high cost which affects the individual, social and economic financial stability. This is because the money is irresponsibly spent. Drug use is a major problem facing the world which needs critical attention to be able to solve the problem adequately. Most affected groups are the young adults because of their daily changing habits placing them at a greater risk. Australia, when it comes to drug addiction cannot escape this world problem (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013). According to statistics Australia is ranked the number one country of drug users. Most users of drug and alcohol in Australia are the young adults. Consequently the most used drugs in Australia is cannabis sativa, followed by painkillers, amphetamines and lastly cocaine. Other drugs include hallucinogens such as Magic Mushrooms and LSD (BANKING, 2014).This illicit drugs are easy to find on the streets and places that are popular, Australia being a nation that is thriving and holiday resort nation around the globe. Studies also depict that the most abused drugs are not the illegal but the legal ones for example over the counter drugs such as painkillers. Most teens start drug use at the age of 15-19 (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013).Most painkillers are used for purposes of recreation. Subsequently, more than 4500 students in Victoria of age 12-17 years use drugs for example alcohol, over the counter drugs, tobacco and other illicit substances. It is also seen from the study that most children in Victoria tend to steal painkillers from their homes to try out new experiences, as a result they develop drug addiction at a very young age. The government in Australia has design out programs to deal with the effect of drug use especially by young adult being the most vulnerable. They should also create and spread awareness in schools where most youths are found (Esbati, Barnes, Henderson, &Taylor, , 2018). Vulnerable population group The youths are the most vulnerable group to drug and alcohol use. This is because during this life stage, it is a period where the young adults want to experiment, irrespective of the nurturing influence and skills (de Andrade, Pellegrini Filho, Solar, Rígoli et al., 2015).The most commonly use drugs by the youths is cannabis sativa (with around one in five having tried it at least once) (Bachman, Wadsworth, Malley, Johnston et al, .2013).Most parents across different countries across the world are worried about their children alcohol and drug ues (mostly illegal substances such as cocaine, cannabis, methamphetamines, heroin and
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ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE5 ecstasy). Nonetheless, the most used drugs threatening youth life is the legal drugs such as tobacco and counter drugs such as painkillers. Young adults in most cases use drugs and alcohol to change how they feel and also in order to feel different from the rest and be better. Most factors promoting this include: friends and family may influence one to begin drug use additionally, the economic status of an individual and general life quality (Bachman, Wadsworth, Malley, Johnston et al, .2013).Causes such as peer pressure, abuse both sexually and physically, early drug exposure, parental guidance and stress can highly influences a person’s decision of alcohol use and drug use addiction (Krumpal, 2013). According toNational Drug Strategy HouseholdSurvey, Young adults mostly use alcohol, tobacco and cannabis especially in Australia (age between 12-17 years) (Dasgupta, Beletsky, & Ciccarone, 2018).According to statistics 72.3% choose to avoid drinking and 8.7 % at least in a month take more than four standard drinks. At least 14.8% of have tried youths marijuana , young adults that have not used tobacco range from 94.7 % and 3.7% smoke on a daily basis (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013). The environment especially in the City of Darebin greatly influence once ability to start alcohol and drug use. For example friends and family influence one to begin drug use additionally, the economic status of an individual and general life quality (Benotsch, Snipes, Martin, & Bull, 2013).Young adults using the drug finds it difficult to relate with people around, it also affects one’s ability to learn, make decisions, judge what is wrong and right, memory loss and change in behavior of a person. In addition the alcohol and drug use may result to stress. In order to avoid the use of drugs among the young adults’ parents and guardians should create a strong bond with their children from an early age for the purpose of creating and supporting positive behaviors (Benotsch, Snipes, Martin, & Bull, 2013).Additionally, creating and spreading awareness in schools where most youths are found. The government should design out programs to deal with the effect of drug use especially by young adult being the most vulnerable. Figure 1. The link between determinants drugs use and youths
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE6 Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan(MPHWP) City of Darebin The government funds in Victoria has a catchment based entry points to drugs and alcohol services across the state. People can both access intake and treatment. It includes receiving counselling and referral 24-hour, for 7-day (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013). Teenagers in the City of Darebin can receive treatment from local providers (from a range of human and health service providers. The services of the youth gives out support and treatment to the young adults at risk mostly age between 12-25 years. It also includes their families and friends to assist in addressing their drugs and alcohol issues. This also integrates a series of other different services such as education, housing, mental health, family services health and child protection found (Esbati, Barnes, Henderson, &Taylor, 2018). The government in the City aim to reduce consumption of harm alcohol to young individuals, it also aim to reduce use of illegal drugs by the young adults and alcohol consumption during pregnancy. Additionally, they minimize the impacts of use of illicit drugs and misuse of pharmaceutical drugs. Different actions in City of Darebin include: assisting schools through their achievement programs to impact changes in their environment, policies and cultures to encourage responsible consumption of alcohol, bringing a series of creativities using Vic Health so that extra individuals and backgrounds upkeep an in effect decrease in unsafe use of alcohol, operating with individuals that have mental illness that is co-occurring and dangerous drug use and alcohol use, their supporters and relatives, to offer superlative run- through care and sustenance found (Esbati, Barnes, Henderson, &Taylor, , 2018). The Victoria Public Health and Wellbeing Plan looks at different determinants affecting the youth adults when it comes to drug use and alcohol use. People’s health inCity of Darebinis not only affected by behaviors, lifestyle and genetics, individuals health is affected by where the individual was born, grew up, studies, works and even age. The Victoria Public Health and Wellbeing Plan concentrate and also modifies healthcare services, housing, and education, social and ecological factors to influence the well-being of the youth. To address the population group which are the youthsfound (Esbati, Barnes, Henderson, &Taylor, 2018).The Victoria Public Health and Wellbeing Plan identifies the status and the needs of the whole population. This permits improvement and application of intermediations to encourage health and minimize unhealthiness across the entire population.Once the Source: Hanson et al. [8]. Figure reprinted with permission by the Health Promotion Journal of Australia.
ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE7 interventions of public health looks at the economic, cultural, social and environmental determinants of health, utmost inhabitant’s wellbeing consequences can be accomplished .They experienceSeveral gaps which they try to close up to improve the life of youths. This will encourage better future for young adults. Additionally, have several strengths which include community consultations, plan review, and data analysis of the information acquired which helps to understand and encourage better future for young adults (Manning, Smith, & Mazerolle, 2013). Conclusion In most cases a lot of people do not understand how individuals in the society become addicts to drugs or alcohol. People in most societies think that individuals that use drugs and alcohol lack moral goodwill or principles which is not the case. The most affected groups are the young adults because of their daily changing habits placing them at a greater risk as discussed above. Several determinants causes inequalities among the youths which end up promoting the alcohol and drug use among them. This include environment that one lives in. other social determinant include friends and family, the economic status of an individual and general life quality. Causes such as peer pressure, abuse both sexually and physically, early drug exposure, parental guidance and stress can highly influences a person’s decision of alcohol use and drug use addiction. TheMunicipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan address this issues adequately to solve the occurring from drug and alcohol use. Reference Aldridge, J., Measham, F. and Williams, L., 2013.Illegal leisure revisited: Changing patterns of alcohol and drug use in adolescents and young adults. Routledge. Bachman, J.G., Wadsworth, K.N., O'Malley, P.M., Johnston, L.D. and Schulenberg, J.E., 2013.Smoking, drinking, and drug use in young adulthood: The impacts of new freedoms and new responsibilities. Psychology Press. BANKING, I., 2014. TRENDS AND ISSUES. Benotsch, E.G., Snipes, D.J., Martin, A.M. and Bull, S.S., 2013. Sexting, substance use, and sexual risk behavior in young adults.Journal of Adolescent Health,52(3), pp.307- 313. Browne, G.R., Davern, M. and Giles-Corti, B., 2017. What evidence is being used to inform municipal strategic planning for health and wellbeing? Victoria, Australia, a case
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ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE8 study.Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice,13(3), pp.401-416. Browne, G.R., Davern, M. and Giles-Corti, B., 2017. What evidence is being used to inform municipal strategic planning for health and wellbeing? Victoria, Australia, a case study.Evidence & Policy: A Journal of Research, Debate and Practice,13(3), pp.401-416. Cockerham, W.C., Hamby, B.W. and Oates, G.R., 2017. The social determinants of chronic disease. Dasgupta, N., Beletsky, L. and Ciccarone, D., 2018. Opioid crisis: no easy fix to its social and economic determinants.American journal of public health,108(2), pp.182-186. de Andrade, L.O.M., Pellegrini Filho, A., Solar, O., Rígoli, F., de Salazar, L.M., Serrate, P.C.F., Ribeiro, K.G., Koller, T.S., Cruz, F.N.B. and Atun, R., 2015. Social determinants of health, universal health coverage, and sustainable development: case studies from Latin American countries.The Lancet,385(9975), pp.1343-1351. Esbati, A., Barnes, M., Henderson, A. and Taylor, J., 2018. Legislation, policies and guidelines related to breastfeeding and the Baby Friendly Health Initiative in Australia: a document analysis.Australian Health Review,42(1), pp.72-81. Krumpal, I., 2013. Determinants of social desirability bias in sensitive surveys: a literature review.Quality & Quantity,47(4), pp.2025-2047. Livingston, M., Dietze, P., Ferris, J., Pennay, D., Hayes, L. and Lenton, S., 2013. Surveying alcohol and other drug use through telephone sampling: a comparison of landline and mobile phone samples.BMC medical research methodology,13(1), p.41. Manning, M., Smith, C. and Mazerolle, P., 2013. The societal costs of alcohol misuse in Australia.Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, (454), p.1. Manning, M., Smith, C. and Mazerolle, P., 2013. The societal costs of alcohol misuse in Australia.Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice, (454), p.1. Roxburgh, A., Lea, T., de Wit, J. and Degenhardt, L., 2016. Sexual identity and prevalence of alcohol and other drug use among Australians in the general population.International Journal of Drug Policy,28, pp.76-82. White, A., Chan, G.C., Quek, L.H., Connor, J.P., Saunders, J.B., Baker, P., Brackenridge, C. and Kelly, A.B., 2013. The topography of multiple drug use among adolescent Australians: Findings from the National Drug Strategy Household Survey.Addictive Behaviors,38(4), pp.2068-2073.