Discussion: Social Network Involvement

NOW F OR AN ORIGINAL PAPER ASSIGNMENT:Discussion: Social Network Involvement

Social Network Involvement

Therapy that involves the family has proved to be most effective in aiding recovery.

Family and friends

Highly influential or aid and abet

Codependency and enabling

Effects on the family

Functional or dysfunctional families

Psychological and financial burdens

Professional enablers

Treatment of symptoms by medication

Reluctant to bring up this taboo subject

Vulnerable Aggregates: Preadolescents and Adolescents

Times of experimentation, searching, confusion, rebellion, poor self-image, alienation, and insecurity

Use of legal substances (e.g., tobacco, alcohol) almost always precedes use of illegal drugs.

Poor school performance and drug use among peers are strongest predictors of subsequent drug involvement, followed by lack of strong family bond.

The younger the initiation, the greater the probability of prolonged and accelerated use.

Feeling of powerlessness; selling drugs seen as a viable economic solution to poverty.

34Vulnerable Aggregates: Preadolescents and Adolescents (Cont.)

Primary prevention focuses on:

Advocating for these vulnerable children

Educating teachers on the vital importance of maintaining a validating, nonjudgmental attitude toward these students

Supporting strong families in the community

Improving knowledge through education and media

Early detection of predisposing factors

Providing structured clubs and organizations

Facilitating school success, career skills, family communication skills, and conflict resolution

35Vulnerable Aggregates: Elderly

Elderly experience

Diminished physiological tolerance

Increased use/misuse of medically prescribed drugs

Cultural and social isolation

Misuse of prescription drugs may be the most common form of drug abuse among the elderly

Use prescription medications approximately three times as frequently as general population

36Vulnerable Aggregates: Women

Alcohol use and abuse affects women much differently than men.

Women absorb and metabolize alcohol differently.

Body composition differences and production of less gastric alcohol dehydrogenase

Metabolize alcohol at a different rate

37Vulnerable Aggregates: Women (Cont.)

Increased risk stems from economic, social, and cultural factors.

Marginalization of certain groups

History of child abuse

Physical and medical problems related to reproductive systems

Use during pregnancy has long-term developmental consequences for the newborn

38Vulnerable Aggregates: Ethnocultural Considerations

African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans—increased risk for substance abuse.

Economically disenfranchised groups

Discrimination and racism

Socioeconomic, political, and historical realities

Myths and stereotypes

Social support—positive effect on treatment/outcome

Environmental cues and conditioned reinforcement

Treatment poses special challenges.

39Vulnerable Aggregates: Other Aggregates

Substance abuse is most common psychopathological problem in the general population.

Dual-diagnosis individuals

Psychiatric disorder + substance abuse disorder

Risk for multiple vulnerabilities in one individual

Impact of substance abuse on STDs

Substance abuse among health care professionals