The Social Determinants Of Health

Addiction can be defined as the use of a drug or stimulus that has unreasonably taken control of a person’s behaviour. (Scollo & Winstanley 2012). It is a serious and complex issue hence the social determinants of health need to be addressed to the community and be used to guide nurses with knowledge to use in the nursing practice. Addiction to drug use has contributed to thousands of deaths, social and family disruption, violence, crime and workplace issues. In 2013, over 40% of Australians consumed alcohol, smoked tobacco or used illicit drugs at risky levels making them more likely to become addicted. (Claydon et. al 2014) The population in remote areas were found to be, twice as likely to have an addiction to tobacco, alcohol and drugs

The social determinants of health are social, economic and environmental factors that may influence the health of individuals. Social gradient, social support and family, early life and stress are some of the factors that can contribute to the use of a stimulus that can result in addiction. (Marmot & Wilkinson 2003) Tobacco addiction are significantly higher for people who are unemployed and those who live in socially disadvantaged areas. (Claydon et. al 2014) This population often result to tobacco and alcohol use due to poor education, financial difficulties, unemployment and no family support. Social gradient is one of the major factors that can contribute to addiction as poorer social and economic circumstances can lead to stress, thus individuals are more likely to become addicted to a stimulus, to distract them from their situation. (Marmot & Wilkinson 2003) Individuals who have lower social economic status tends to have lack of education which contributes to unemployment or insecure employment. Unemployment is a huge factor in addiction as the anxiety and hopelessness felt when individuals are unable to find a job, can result to individuals seeking relief from the stressful situation. Which can lead to long term use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco (Scollo & Winstanley 2012). Individuals are also more likely to

Also, changing their perceptions about their health and to overcome the issues that restrict them from having a healthy lifestyle. (Lapkin & Doab 2015) Moreover, nurses can prevent illness in the community to worsen and assist them to manage their health. Nurses will have a better understanding of the factors that may influence the patient’s behaviour which can be used to assess them to provide them with better treatment. Further, fulfilling the patient’s needs, preventing further damage to their health while promoting a healthy environment. (Stein-Parbury 2014) Nurses may also promote health equity effectively, in addressing the social determinants of health in public health policies and research to increase health of the community and educate others in taking responsibility of their health, to reduce illness and disease in the community. (Lapkin & Doab