Problematic Substance Use

Running Head; Problematic Substance Use
Problematic substance use
Introduction
Substance Abuse according to World Health Organization (2016) is the dangerous use of
psychoactive substances which can result to a syndrome known as dependence syndrome.
Mostly abused substances include illegal drugs such as cocaine, nicotine, marijuana and many
other harmful drugs, inclusive of alcohol. Dependence syndrome is characterized by cognitive
behavioral and physiological changes on user after a repeated use of these drugs. It involves
irresistible desire to take the drug and continuous use regardless of the fatal outcomes. The used
of drug then becomes more important that other responsibilities, tolerance increases and physical
withdrawal sometimes creeps in.
Identification of the chosen issues
Drug addiction, otherwise known as substance use disorder is therefore an illness that
changes a person, the user’s normal behavior and brain functions leading to leading to
uncontrolled use of illegal, legal drugs and on a larger scale, the medication. Health care taking
parts in health problems arising from substance abuse has helped in the restoration of health of
affected persons and significantly reduce cases of addiction (Centre for Addictions and Mental
Health, 2012) From the video of Mark, the three issues that may have contributed to substance
abuse and addictions are bad past experience (trauma), mental unwellness and peer pressure.
Addiction stems from experimental drug use for fun maybe during social activities such as
parties or exposure to defined medications then later becomes a habit. The speed at which an

Running Head; Problematic Substance Use
individual enters the addiction “trap” is dependent on the drug abused. For instance, opioid pain
relievers cause fast addiction than other.
Discussion of the chosen issues
The variation of experience of substance abuse and addiction in Mark is seen to be as a
result of social, factors such as cultural influences, trauma, previous experience, poverty,
biological factors such as the genetic makeup of an individual and psychological factors. From
the video of Mark, psychological factors are the greatest contributors. Strategic Prevention
Framework (SPF) application guides health experts to develop care plan and establish common
factors with huge effects on a particular target group and how to reduce the encounter of the
problem. The approach in public health that postulates that the probability of a person having a
previous history of trauma is higher than not is called Trauma-Informed Care (TIC). The
approach acknowledges the symptoms and the part played by trauma in substance addiction. The
aim of trauma informed care is to provide and make accessible services that are important to the
affected individuals. The principles of trauma informed care are safety, choice, collaboration,
trustworthiness and empowerment. Emotional safety of the patient is key in the process of
rehabilitation. It is important that the patient to be sure that the provider can be trusted with
whatever detail is provided. This is shown by continuous bond and clarity of the expectations.
The collective participation of the patient and the service provider is vital for effective service
delivery. Lastly, the provider must focus on the strengths of an individual and try empowering
them (Centre for Diseases Control, 2018, Hari, Johann. 2015).
According to American Psychological Association (APA) trauma is an emotional feeling
that a person has as a result of a negative event. Trauma is a normal response to horrible

Running Head; Problematic Substance Use
happenings however, its effects can prove disastrous to an individual. The traumatic events
reappear in the victim’s memory hence likely to abuse substances in hope of forgetting the
happening neglect verbal abuse physical abuse, just like the case of Mark. Events such as
terrorism, sexual abuse, negligence, natural disasters, and accidents among others may lead to
trauma. In dealing with mental illness as a risk factor for substance abuse, collaboration and
burying the levels of power is important. In this case, the nurse and the patient are equal to
encourage the patient and make him feel that he matters. Recovery happens faster when
relationships between these people are not compromised. Everybody has a role to play in a TI
approach. There is a strong link between mental illness and substance addiction. According to
the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2016), cases up to more than a half of drugs abusers are
struggling with mental health. They use these drugs to relieve stress or pain that are related to
their sickness. While numerous individuals associate peer influence strictly with children and
young adults, it does manifest itself in grown-ups as well. All things considered; the impact is
generally encompassing who they live with. Planning to re-experience that first high, a calm
accomplice may participate and uncork to vituperate drugs with their life partner. Others
consider it to be an approach to unfasten harmony in their relationship. While supplanting
battling with utilizing medications may appear to be an answer at the time, a backslide is
basically not justified, despite any potential benefits (Whitesell, Bachand, Peel, & Brown, 2013).
The nurses are obligated to empower the emotions of their clients and let them believe that there
is hope in the end. In a nutshell, the relationship between addiction management and trauma
informed care is very close and almost the same as that of recovery and resilience in the sense
that they translate to proper care of suffering from addiction and trauma.