Substance Abuse: Impact, Theoretical Perspective, and Intervention Programs

Running head: SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse
Name of the student:
Name of the university:
Author note:

1
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Introduction:
Among a variety of different public health priorities, substance abuse can be
considered as one of the most influential one (Segal, Morral & Stevens, 2014). When
considering the target group of young adult population and adolescents, substance abuse
represents a huge and deliberating health priority for the society. Substance abuse represents
one of the most alarming health condition, especially among the young generation, the
alarmity of the situation has attracted the attention of not just the local health authorities, but
also global health guiding authorities (Segal, Morral & Stevens, 2014). According to the
report by World Health organization or WHO, substance abuse can be defined as the harmful
orb hazardous utilization of the psychoactive substances that includes alcohol and illicit drugs
(who.int, 2019). Substance abuse is facilitated by the victims or users consuming or using
psychoactive substances which in turn leads to dependence syndrome, which is the major
health concern requiring intervention and treatment. This assignment will attempt to discuss
the status of substance disorder in the target demographics of Prince Edward islands, the
statistical data revealing the alarmity of the situation, possible intervention program and the
status of the existing services for substance abuse and addiction.
Statement about the issue/disorder:
As mentioned above, the health issue or disorder chosen for this assignment is the
substance abuse and addiction syndromes affecting the society at large. The target population
chosen for the discussion on substance abuse will be based on the target population of the
adolescents and young adults. The WHO defines the substance abuse to be the health disorder
which is facilitated by the victims consuming uncontrolled amount of psychoactive
substances for a prolonged period of time which finally culminates to the dependence
syndrome (who.int, 2019). In order to understand the impact of the issue chosen on the health
and welfare of the society, it is crucial to explore the exact nature of the issue and the range

2
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
of impacts it may facilitate on the society. First and foremost, dependence syndrome can be
described as a cluster of physiological, behavioural and cognitive phenomenon that develop
due to repeated consumption of the psychoactive substances, which gradually develops a
strong desire to continue consuming the drug even with encountering difficulties in
controlling the consumption and harmful consequences (Das et al. 2016).
Now substance abuse might be a disorder of choice, there are a variety of factors that
play a fundamental role in facilitating substance abuse in target population of young adults
and adolescents. First and foremost, the socioeconomic determinants of health such as early
life, employment, physical environment, education and social status has a huge impact on
facilitating the basis for the disorder and propelling the target population to acquire the
disease. In terms of substance abuse, the impact of employment, physical environment and
social status has a huge impact on the likelihood of the young adults or adolescents
succumbing to substance abuse (Reed, Nugent & Cooper, 2015).
Theoretical perspective:
Although a health disorder of magnanimous proportions, substance abuse is also a
behavioural disorder (Goldbach et al. 2014). Alike any other psychosocial or behavioural
disorder, the substance abuse or addiction also can be explained with behavioural theories.
The theoretical approach helps us to understand the trajectory of development of the
particular issue, how it grasps on to the society and the impact it leaves behind. There are a
variety of different addiction theories which can be taken into consideration to illustrate the
phenomenon, the moral theory, behavioural theory and sociocultural theory can be
incorporated, Moral theory states addiction or substance disorder to be the outcome of moral
weaknesses, and according to this theory, recovery is attained through use of willpower and
dedicated efforts. Similarly, disease theory states that addiction is a physiological deficit
which leads to intolerance of the victims to psychoactive substance. This theory bears the