The increase consumption of alcohol and drugs by adolescences is not just a problem for the United States it is a multicultural national problem. Separating by race, Native American teens had the highest level of drug use, with nearly 48 percent reporting having used substances in the last year. That group is followed by 39 percent of white teens, almost 37 percent of Hispanics, 36 percent of multi-racial adolescents, 32 percent of blacks and nearly 24 percent of Asians. "There is certainly still a myth out there that black kids are more likely to have problems with drugs than white kids, and this documents as clearly as any study we're aware of that the rate of substance-related disorders among African American youths is significantly lower," ( Dan Blazer from Duke's Department of Psychiatry, a senior author of the study, told the Raleigh News & Observer). Adolescents reported using marijuana more than any other drug, with 13 percent of those surveyed reporting marijuana use in the last year, followed by 7 percent reported having used prescription pain killers (Teen Drug and Alcohol use Lowest Among Blacks, Asians). A lack of cultural competence is identified as a major gap, as insensitivity to cultural differences can limit the ability to treat and retain minority adolescents, the researchers write in their report. Put together, these findings call for efforts to identify and expand prevention, assessment and treatment measures that are culturally effective and address the quality and acceptability of treatment for adolescents with substance use problems. A separate report released in June supported previous research that early substance use affects the likelihood of abuse in adulthood. The study... ... middle of paper ... ... consideration, such as her age, family life style, religious belief, social economic and cultural differences, in conducting our assessment. The reasoning for a young girl to feel the need to use substances as an answer for life is a difficult challenge. Going forward with help start with the adolescent, she must have the desire to walk away from the atmosphere of drugs. Putting the necessary steps into action also begins with the family, their cooperation and willingness to walk the extra mile is another key to the recovery process. The adolescent and her family working with the social are instrumental in the social worker using all of the resources available to start them on the path to recovery. Works Cited Meyers, R. J. & Smith, J. E. (1995). Clinical guide to alcohol treatment: The community reinforcement approach. New York: The Guilford Press.
About one out of five 10th graders and about 1 out of four high school seniors used marijuana in the past month (Facts for Teens, 1). It is the second most popular drug among teens in the US (Encarta, 1). Teens, ages 12-17, that use marijuana weekly are nine times more likely than non-users to experience with illegal drugs and alcohol (Fed. Study, 1). More 13 & 14 year olds are using drugs, fifteen pe...
Gorski, T. T., & Miller, M. (1986). Staying Sober: A Guide for Relapse Prevention. New
One is that drug use, or experimenting with drugs as an adolescent, have become a normative part of the teenage culture. Declines in the number of teens who view substance use as harmful and increases in peer approval for getting high are associated with increased use of substances in social situations and party environments. There are also media factors that expose adolescents to positive drug and alcohol messages, such as on the internet, are increasing. Also Dallas’, a female from European decent, is more likely to use alcohol or illicit drugs than African American
Rodriguez, C. Y. (n.d.). Hispanic teens more likely to use drugs, study says. In CNN Health. Retrieved September 3, 2013, from http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/31/health/hispanic-teen-drug-use
There are many contributing factors and political issues that address substance abuse. Throughout the years, many researchers have designed many interventions and social policies designed to treat people who have used, abused, and became addicted to substances. Today, there are many new studies that address substance abuse at the individual, group, family, and community or policy levels. Today, there are many services that are effective for decreasing recidivism in youth who have completed a substance abuse program. A substance abuse treatment program or center is the best way to treat individuals who have abused substances.
U.S. National Library of Medicine (2011, November 7) More Than A Third Of Teens Turning To Alcohol, Drugs: Study. Healthday: U.S. National Library of Medicine. Web. 2 Feb 2015.
Severe mood swings, violent rages, memory loss—each of these problems were a part of my family life during the past two or three years. These problems are the result of alcoholism. Recently, a member of my family realized his abuse of alcohol was a major problem to not only himself, but also to those around him. He would lose control of his temper and often would not even remember doing it the next day. Alcohol became a part of his daily life including work, home, and any other activities. His problem was that of a "hidden" and "high-society" alcoholism. When he was threatened with the loss of his job and the possibility of losing his family, this man knew it was time to get help. After he reached his lowest point, he took the first step towards recovery—admitting his problem.
While reading the short story “Clean” by Amy Reed I came to a better understanding on substance abuse, and what causes it to start. In her novel Reed portrays ordinary teenagers, then demonstrates how drugs and/or alcohol becomes such a factor in an average teenager’s life. In the beginning of the s...
In today’s culture, illegal drug use among adolescents is a significant issue. Usually when teens feel worried or strained they will turn to these actions for release. Prescription drugs, Marijuana use, and tobacco use has become the most commonly available and used drugs among teens. In fact, “CASA reports that more than one-third (8.7 million) of teens can get prescription drugs within a day and nearly one in five (4.7 million) can get ...
Wechsler, H., Nelson T., & Weitzman, E. (February 2000). From Knowledge to Action. Change [On-line], Available: www2.gasou.edu/library/ (Galileo)(EBSCOhost)(Search=Alcohol Abuse).
...y therapy in the treatment of alcohol-related problems: A review of behavioural family therapy, family systems theraphy and treatment matching research. Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly, (17)3, 13-23.
The decline in casual drugs use may be unrelated to the war on drugs. Furthermore, stressors at a macro level such as economic deprivation, inequality, structural discrimination, and other pervasive stressors in the environment may serve as risk factors for drug use. Also family and peer influence is a strong correlate of drug use. The widespread prevalence of use of marijuana among youth, continues to generate a moral panic, even though evidence states that marijuana usage causes few significant health or behavioral problems to vast majority of the people who consume
It is a common belief among today’s youth that marijuana is a low risk drug and that using it is harmless to their health (4). This widespread misconception is a large factor in why marijuana use is so regularly accepted by today’s youth. The percentage of young people using marijuana in Canada is one of the highest in the world, with Ontario sitting among the leaders in that percentage (CAMH). According to a survey done by the Canadian Public Health Association, “Marijuana use represents 90% of the illegal drug use among students” (CPHA), 2012 CP). With so many Canadian youth blindly abusing a substance with no real understan...
Zelman, K. (1995, Dec). Retrieved from The Alcohol Debate: Should You or Shouldn't You: www.medicine.net
After interviewing my teenage cousin whom has been in several altercations at home and school, enlightened me on the ways that teenagers in her age group gets involved in drug use. Kids start as young as ten years of age using, selling, and experimenting with drugs. My teenage cousin was expelled from public schools when she started experimenting with drugs. She was surrounded by many challenges when she enrolled in the alternative behavioral school. Many students, whom attend the alternative behavioral school use drugs, sell drugs, are on probation, have been arrested, engage in sexual activity and drink alcohol.