U.S. Substance Use

Recommended APA 7th Edition Citation:

Grinev, L. (2024, September 18). U.S. substance abuse. In Articles. WellnessToday180. https://wellnesstoday180.net/blog#articles

In the United States, 16.5% of, or 46.6 million, Americans aged 12 or older, as of 2022, reported using illicit drugs (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], n.d.b). From illicit drug use, substance abuse claimed the lives of 107,941 Americans (Spencer et al., 2024). Of those deaths, the National Center for Health Statistics (Spencer et al., 2024) found that adults aged 35-44 were the highest impacted age group. For our client population, the 15-24 age group was the second lowest group for drug overdose (Spencer et al., 2024). Nevertheless, males were more likely than females to overdose (Spencer et al., 2024). Additionally, Native Americans and then Black Americans were the two highest overdose groups by race (Spencer et al., 2024). In other words, special attention and considerations should be brought forth toward case planning to ensure populations reported with higher potential substance abuse likelihoods are receiving adequate treatment within case planning.

Risk Factors

Risks factors have been compiled into three prominent domains: individual, familial, and community (Nawi et al., 2021). By being able to identify these common risk factors, clinicians can properly inquire and recognize the potential of substance abuse, thus allowing necessary consequential interventions to occur to secure the health and safety of clients. Common individual-level risk factors that proliferate the potential for illicit drug concern their psychiatric diagnosis, emotional regulation impairments, or having low levels of self-worth or high levels of curiosity (Nawi et al., 2021). Previous substance abuse and addiction history or prevalent comorbidity increases illicit drug use occurrences (Nawi et al., 2021).

Then, at the familial-level, those discovered to have had parents with low education levels or displaying unstructured or absent parenting styles are shown to increase illicit drug use occurrences (Nawi et al., 2021). Maltreatment of familial members also increased the potential of illicit drug use (Nawi et al., 2021). Also, pre-natal factors, such as in vivo exposure or genetic inheritance of disorders, can also influence illicit drug use later (Nawi et al., 2021). Otherwise, immediate influential factors, such as familial at-home drug use or poverty, may also encourage illicit drug use (Nawi et al., 2021).

Lastly, community-level risk factors surround peer pressure (Nawi et al., 2021). Indeed, individuals are susceptible to illicit drug use when fellow peers are also using or it is rather available to them locally (Nawi et al., 2021). As such, low community law enforcement in an indivdual’s area of residency can increase an individual's likelihood of using illicit drugs (Nawi et al., 2021). Additionally, those that have perceptions that are against authority, like those against community law enforcement officers, are those that have a tendency to also use illicit drugs (Nawi et al., 2021).

Substance/Drug Usership

The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (NCDAS; 2024) reported the most common substance usership among emerging adults is marijuana being at a 10.1% prevalence rate. Opioids and prescription pain medication tied for second most prevalent followed by prescription stimulants, LSD, and cocaine. Prescription sedatives and methamphetamines tied for least prevalently used at 0.1%. Insufficient data was indicated for heroin, meaning the prevalence rate of emerging adults’ heroin use cannot be stated at this time. Although alcohol, amphetamines (like bath salts), barbiturates (also known as depressants), crack cocaine, ecstasy, fentanyl, inhalants (such as paint thinner), synthetics, and tranquilizers, like other hallucinogens and prescriptions that were not explicitly found among emerging adult populations but are illicitly available, clinicians still need to be mindful of all types of substance abuse.

Symptomatology

Identifying substance abuse first requires knowing its symptomology. According SAMHSA (n.d.a), physical symptoms of substance abuse are change in normal capabilities and frequent sunglass wearing. A change in normal capabilities could be seen as increased levels of fatigue, repeated health complaints, and more frequent doctor visits. Individuals using illicit drugs may wear sunglasses more to hide red and glazed eyes or dilated or constricted pupils. Poor physical appearance, including inattention to dress or engage in hygiene appropriate routines, may also be physical indicators of substance abuse.

Emotional symptomology surrounding substance abuse can be exhibited by a user with changes in mood or personality, such as being more irritable or irresponsible or having lower levels of self-esteem, interest, or judgment. Depression also increases among substance abusers. Then, substance abusers will increasingly argue, rule-break, withdrawal in familial environments. In occupational and school settings, substance abusers will have changes in attendance or efforts. Lastly, substance users will further socially withdrawal by decreasing involvement with lifelong friends as they tend to gain new antisocial friends and associations, such as with drug dealers, or even engage in other illegal activities, prominently stealing (SAMHSA, n.d.a).

Signs of Overdose

  Acute and severe symptomology, known as overdosing, because of substance abuse may cause injury or death beyond other health-related problems. The National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics (2024) indicated the following five signs that an individual may be overdosing: cold, clammy skin, cyanosis, pinpoint pupils, slowed respiration, and unconsciousness. In the event of unconsciousness, it is recommended to place the overdosing individual in a recovery position.

To properly place an overdosed individual in a recovery position, place that person on their side and bend their knees to reflect a fetal position. Then, rest that person’s head on the top of their arm closest to the floor. This position also decreases the likelihood of aspiration and asphyxiation. Immediately call 9-1-1 so that the individual can obtain emergency transportation and receive dire medical treatment even if CPR or NARCAN can be administered at time of or instance of finding overdose (National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, 2024). 

Implications

Out of the 1.8 million emerging adults who were identified to have a substance abuse disorder, 97.5% of them did not seek treatment or think they should get treatment (SAMHSA, n.d.b). In other words, perceived recovery rates are low, thus making it crucial that clinicians promote support services, such as aligning clients to recovery coaches and specialists (SAMHSA, n.d.b). Inpatient and outpatient care options are also options provided to clients. As a result, clients can enter stages of detoxification (SAMHSA, n.d.b), which may include new or existing medical regimens. Assigned and supporting associates are responsible for coordinating care and treatment, including appointment setting, arranging transportation, and medicine adherence and monitoring.

Additionally, clients’ fear of repercussions and associated stigmatizations restrict crucial investigations that allows us to proliferate their wellbeing while they are in our care and placement. For example, clients using “club drugs,” like ecstasy, cocaine, and LSD (NCDAS, 2024), may not realize recreational intake may induce substance abuse disorder. Those identifying within the LGBT+ community may have sensitives or socializations surrounding substance abuse. 7% of LGBT+ adults struggled with illicit drugs (NCDAS, 2024).

Clients with suicidal thought and behaviors, much like those with depression, may be dismissive toward, irritated with, or can choose not to disclose pertinent health factors or events (SAMHSA, n.d.b). Consequently, identifying, diagnosing, and treating individuals that have or potentially have a substance abuse disorder may pose to be difficult (SAMHSA, n.d.b). Furthermore, comorbidity or masking of conditions and disorders can reduce proper investigations and treatment options (SAMHSA, n.d.b). It is up to clinicians to consider different situations and sociodemographic or –economic factors that may contribute to case planning and management deficiencies. Through allocations and proper considerations, clients placed towards proper care are expected to have proliferating wellbeing and more meaningful lives.

References

National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics [NCDAS]. (2024). Drug abuse statistics. https://drugabusestatistics.org/

Nawi, M. A., Ismail, R., Ibrahim, F., Hassan, M. R., Manaf, M. R. A., Amit, N., Ibrahim, N., & Shafurdin, N. S. (2021). Risk and protective factors of drug abuse among adolescents: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 21. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-021-11906-2

New York State Department of Health. (2017, July). How to use Narcan nasal spray for an opioid overdose. https://www.health.ny.gov/publications/12028.pdf 

Spencer, M. R., Garnett, M. F., & Miniño, A. M. (2024, March). Drug overdose deaths in the United States, 2002-2022. NCHS Data Brief, 491. https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc:135849

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. (n.d.a). Common signs of drug abuse. https://dhhs.ne.gov/DOP%20document%20library/Common%20signs%20of%20drug%20abuse.pdf

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. (n.d.b). Highlights for the 2022 national survey on drug use and health. https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt42731/2022-nsduh-main-highlights.pdf