Substance abuse and mental health Health, Medicine, Nursing Essay

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Substance Abuse
Substance abuse is defined as using hazardous psychotic substances, including tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs. These substances can cause dependence syndrome, which leads to several behavioral, mental, and physiological dysfunctions that are mostly related to stronger desires to take the drug and trouble controlling its use. All of the urges continue despite knowing the drug's negative impact on one's overall well-being CITATION Wor20 \l 1033 (World Health Organization, 2020).
Importance of Understanding Substance Abuse
Health Disparity
Generally, government policies primarily influence the use of psychotic substances because these acts are part of the public health problems CITATION Wor20 \l 1033 (World Health Organization, 2020). In 2005, around twenty-two million Americans suffered from alcohol or drug abuse, ninety-five percent of whom are unmindful or naïve of the existing health problem. Substance abuse affects all communities, and its impact is cumulative, making it affect several generations. It leads to many social problems, including teenage pregnancy, the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), child abuse, domestic violence, vehicular motor accidents, and an increase in the rate of crimes CITATION Hea20 \l 1033 (Healthy People 2020, 2020).
Effects on Mental Health
Diraditsile & Rasesigo (2018) studied the effects of substance abuse on the younger population's mental health in Botswana. The results suggest that substance abuse is positively associated with depression, mood disorders, suicidal tendencies, personality disorders, and psychotic disorders. The majority of the participants suffer from financial constraints due to the continuous search for psychotic substances. Additionally, females are six times more predisposed to suffering from depression than males, especially in ages sixteen to nineteen years old (Clearly & Thomas, 2016).
Evidence-Based Approaches
It is designing an approach to alleviating mental health issues secondary to substance abuse; it is essential to treat the "whole person" rather than following the traditional symptomatic treatment approach. Additionally, the changes must not be solely focused on the clinical setting because it should cover the whole community, especially healthcare delivery, education and training, payment and insurance, and societal and cultural perspectives. The following are the supported approaches: 1) Integration of behavioral health into primary care.; 2) Financial support from the public and private organizations to support behavioral health integration to the primary care setting.; 3) Strengthening non-discrimination laws in every state or local health community.; 4) Initiation of rehabilitation programs to help reduce the stigma against behavioral and mental health problems (Crowley & Kirschner, 2015).
One of the recommended clinical approaches is a modification in parenting where there should be an increased time spent with the children while growing up to promote a healthy child upbringing and proper nurturing. Additionally, it is vital to note nutritional intake beca...