Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS BRANCH

DRUG ABUSE: A Reflective Essay

Drugs are chemicals that affect the body and brain. Different drugs can have different

effects. Some effects of drugs include health consequences that are long-lasting and permanent.

They can even continue after a person has stopped taking the substance. There are a few ways a

person can take drugs, including injection, inhalation and ingestion. The effects of the drug on the

body can depend on how the drug is delivered. For example, the injection of drugs directly into the

bloodstream has an immediate impact, while ingestion has a delayed effect. But all misused drugs

affect the brain. They cause large amounts of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that helps regulate our

emotions, motivation and feelings of pleasure, to flood the brain and produce a “high.” Eventually,

drugs can change how the brain works and interfere with a person’s ability to make choices,

leading to intense cravings and compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn into a

substance dependency, or drug addiction.

Today, more than 7 million people suffer from an illicit drug disorder, and one in four

deaths results from illicit drug use. In fact, more deaths, illnesses and disabilities are associated

with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition. People suffering from drug and

alcohol addiction also have a higher risk of unintentional injuries, accidents and domestic violence

incidents.

There are several models and theories of addiction and substance abuse. According to

the moral model, a person that possesses moral strength would have the required strength to stop

the addiction. Religion is required in order to be ethical and moral. This is why this model is similar

to the spiritual model. Temperance Model, an addiction was an involuntary disease. They believed

that alcohol is the addiction source and because alcohol is so easily obtainable, there was no

resistance to drink. Addiction was the end-result. The tenet of this model is; a person who drinks

moderately is no less guilty than a person who drinks heavily. They considered a person who

drinks in moderation worse than a person who drinks heavily (drunkard). The temperance model

BASA, JOHN IVER VELASQUEZ

BS Psychology 2-1
Introduction to Counselling
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS BRANCH

sympathizes with the person who drinks heavily and rejects the person who drinks moderately. The

temperance model feels that supporting the assistance of the person with the addiction is very

important. The American Disease Model is born. This theory contends that an individual is not

cured even if they are able to stop an alcohol addiction. According to the disease model, substance

addiction affects both behavior and the brain. The neurochemical and behavioral processes are

impaired during the development of the disease. They utilize this model in therapeutic settings.

This model believes the cause of behavioral dysfunctions is from being dependent due to a mental

or physical affliction. Psychological or Character Logical Model, this model of addiction

concentrates on what takes place in order for a person to start using substances. This model

emphasizes that biology does not cause a person to take that first drink or line of cocaine. It must

be psychologically motivated. This construct views everyone as being vulnerable to addiction.

According to this theory, a character defect and a learned behavior is addiction. An abnormal

character or personality trait is what causes a person to become dependent on chemicals. There

are degrees of personal and psychological defects that pre-dispose an individual to these

“addictive personality” traits. Poor impulse control, ineffectual coping mechanism to stress, being

manipulative, portraying a big ego, and having to be in complete control, but feeling powerless and

hopeless, are traits of an “addictive personality”. Assisting in changing the personality of these

individuals is the treatment of choice for (AODA).

Counseling is a mainstay of substance abuse treatment for many people. Cognitive

behavioral therapy, family counseling, and other types of therapy can help you stay clean.

Psychotherapy can also treat other mental health conditions that often play a role in substance

abuse. Several counseling therapies treat substance abuse. No one method is known to be better

than another. Likewise, no one approach works for everyone with opiate addiction. The right

treatment plan will be tailored to your addiction and individual needs. Individual vs. Group Therapy,

Outpatient vs. Residential Treatment, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavior Therapy,

Contingency Management Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Couples and Family Therapy, 12-Step

and Community Programs, and Maintenance Therapy.

BASA, JOHN IVER VELASQUEZ
BS Psychology 2-1
Introduction to Counselling
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS BRANCH

Substance use among adolescents ranges from experimentation to severe substance

use disorders. All substance use, even experimental use, puts adolescents at risk of short-term

problems, such as accidents, fights, unwanted sexual activity, and overdose. Substance use also

interferes with adolescent brain development. Adolescents are vulnerable to the effects of

substance use and are at increased risk of developing long-term consequences, such as mental

health disorders, underachievement in school, a substance use disorder, and higher rates of

addiction, if they regularly use alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, or other drugs during adolescence.

In modern Western society, substance use is an easy way for adolescents to satisfy the normal

developmental need to take risks and seek thrills. Not surprisingly, substance use is common as

adolescents get older, and about 70% of adolescents will try alcohol before high school

graduation. However, recurring or ongoing substance use is much less common. Even

occasional substance use is risky and should not be trivialized, ignored, or allowed by adults.

Parental attitudes and the examples that parents set regarding their own use of alcohol, tobacco,

prescription drugs, and other substances are a powerful influence.

Would you hospitalize a client against the client’s will? Why or why not? I think, I will

hospitalize my client if it is his will. But I will just recommend some medications and other therapy

for him/her to cope up with his/her problem. How do you believe we should educate youth about

substance abuse? Effective drug education is important because young people are faced with

many influences to use both licit and illicit drugs. Education can play a counterbalancing role in

shaping a normative culture of safety, moderation, and informed decision making.

BASA, JOHN IVER VELASQUEZ

BS Psychology 2-1
Introduction to Counselling
Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
STO. TOMAS, BATANGAS BRANCH

BASA, JOHN IVER VELASQUEZ

BS Psychology 2-1
Introduction to Counselling