Challenges in Addiction Treatment: A Public Health Perspective

This report critically analyzes the challenges associated with addiction and access to government-funded treatment, focusing on the Australian context. It highlights the discrepancy between the number of individuals seeking treatment and those receiving it, emphasizing the inadequacy of current funding and policies. The report discusses the challenges faced by nurses in treating addicted patients, including negative attitudes and lack of knowledge, which hinder the effective delivery of care. It provides statistics on government treatment services, illustrating the increasing demand and the insufficient investment in AOD treatment compared to the actual need. The report concludes by emphasizing the need for improved planning, increased funding, and a focus on prioritizing those in urgent need of treatment to reduce mortality rates, advocating for a more effective and accessible system to address the issue of addiction within the framework of the common good.

Addiction and Access to Government Funded Treatment 1
Addiction and Access to Government Funded Treatment
Name of the Author
Name of the University

Addiction and Access to Government Funded Treatment 2
Introduction
This edition is written to represent a very serious issue “Addiction and access to the
government-funded treatment”. Addiction is the most common issue which has been faced by
many individuals every year. It is physical and psychological inability to stop taking a drug,
chemical, substance, or activity, even when it starts harming the person physically or
psychologically (Vara Saripalli, 2018). There are a large number of treatments available which
has been funded by the government. However, half of the population seeking treatment is unable
to access appropriate treatment in Australia (Ritter & Stoove, 2016). The total number of social
conditions that fulfil people’s needs easily and perfectly is defined as the common good. When
the issue in providing treatment to the addicted people compared with the principle of the
common good, it has been observed the political authorities are not able to provide treatment to
the people who require it most. However, according to the principle of the common goods, it is
their responsibility to make it accessible to most of the people to fulfil their needs ("Catholic
Parliamentary Office", 2019).
One of the most common challenges in the treatment for addiction is the attitude of
nurses towards the patients dealing with addiction. According to several types of researches, it
has been observed that the nurses believed that it is hopeless and of no use to treat such patients.
Another challenge that contributes to this kind of behaviour of nurses is the lack of knowledge
about how to provide care to such patients. Due to the incompetence of the nurses, they feel
negative and anxious throughout the treatment of addicted patients. One more challenge that the
nurses face is the absence of support which is much required in changing their attitude towards
the patients. According to the principle of common goods, it is the moral responsibility of the

Addiction and Access to Government Funded Treatment 3
people to support the well-being of others. Thus, nurses must improve their attitude towards
patients with addiction for their well-being (Tierney, 2016).
Alcohol and other drug treatment services provided by the government is a way to assist
people to reduce their drug consumption. This also helps people in improving their social and
personal functioning. In the year 2017-18, around 130,000 individuals of age more than ten
received treatment. This shows an increase of 9% since the 2013-14. This population receiving
treatment included 66% of the male and about half of them were of age 20-39. The government
treatment agencies provided about 208900 closed treatment incidents ("Alcohol and other drug
treatment services in Australia 2017–18, Summary - Australian Institute of Health and Welfare",
2019).
More than 400,000 people in Australia seek AOD treatment every year. However, only
200,000 people receive AOD treatment funded by the government in Australia. The annual
investment of Australian government in AOD treatment is around $1.26 billion, which is very
small as compared to the required investment that costs around $24 billion per annum. In
Australia, there is no constant and strategic planning for AOD treatment nationally. Additionally,
the roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth and state government are also not clear
(Ritter et al., 2014).
Due to the lack of policies and proper funding in Australia, most of the people struggling
to get AOD treatment are deprived of it. This results in the death of individuals suffering from
any kind of addiction. Through this edition, this has been observed that there is an utmost need
for proper planning and funding for delivering appropriate treatment to all those who require this
treatment urgently. Additionally, it is also important to serve those people first who are in urgent
need of the treatment to reduce death rate (Ritter, 2016).

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Conclusion
Based on the above report, it has been observed that the current policies for AOD
treatment funded by the government are not sufficient as compared to the number of cases
registered every year for the treatment. This raises a question that whether the funding provided
by the government is reaching to the individuals who require it most ("Adelaidenow.com.au |
Subscribe to The Advertiser for exclusive stories", 2019). Another issue found in providing care
to patients with addiction is the attitude of nurses towards these patients, which must be
improved to enhance the care plan.

Addiction and Access to Government Funded Treatment 5
References
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