Drugs of Use and Misuse
• How does substance use and misuse vary across populations?
• What role does the social determinants of health play in the development and maintenance of substance use and abuse?
There are patterns in the way people use substances. Some groups (e.g., socioeconomic, age, gender, race, locality, etc.) of people may be more likely to use specific substances compared to others based on numerous factors like availability, access, and drug high. It is important to consider how the social determinants of health may impact an individuals or communities access to and use of certain substances. After completing Reading #1, respond to the below prompt.
Instructions:
For this discussion board, you will write a brief report on a chemical substance of your choosing. Review the DrugFacts Sheets to select a substance of interest to you. Research this substance at the UTA Library to find a scholarly article(s) related to how use of this drug varies across populations. Your brief report should provide an overview of substance use and misuse specific to your selected drug. Your report should include:
• The prevalence of use among the population.
• Are some people more likely to use the substance than others? Who is most at risk?
• The patterns of use for this drug, how do people usually take it, frequency, etc.?
• Are there other drugs that people commonly use with this substance?
• The risk or protective factors that may affect use.
• You must site reference in APA Format.
Reading #1
The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health (Document attached to this order as PDF for you to read and understand)
This chapter reviews brain research on the neurobiological processes that turn casual substance into a compulsive disorder.
Citation:
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Office of the Surgeon General, Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General’s Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health. Washington, DC: HHS, November 2016.
Reading #2
DrugFacts Sheets
These drug facts sheets are plain language research summaries of the substance, its effect on the body, and current medical, legal, or societal issues.
Alcohol : Please click on this link https://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohols-effects-health/alcohol-basics
Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, Understanding the Dangers of Alcohol Overdose. Washington, DC: HHS.
Nicotine: Please use this link https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cigarettes-other-tobacco-products,
E-cigs (vaping devices) Please use this link https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/vaping-devices-electronic-cigarettes
Marijuana.) Please use this link https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/marijuana
Ecstasy: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/mdma-ecstasymolly
Opiates: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/fentanyl
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
Sedatives: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-cns-depressants
Stimulants: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/methamphetamine
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-stimulants
Synthetics: https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cannabinoids-k2spice
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/synthetic-cathinones-bath-salts
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/hallucinogens
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/anabolic-steroids
https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/inhalants
Citation: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), National Institute on Drug Abuse, DrugFacts. Washington, DC: HHS.
