Drugs and Alcohol Effects on College / Campuses
Current Literature On Drugs And Alcohol On College Campuses

Drugs and Alcohol Effects on College Campuses

The number of college students using the drug and alcohol in the United States of America has been on the increase. Binge drinking is the way most students in these colleges take alcohol. College students are a visible group where alcohol and drug abuse have become a common place. Effects of alcohol on college students cause social, legal, and academic problems. Students, on the other hand, engage in risky sex behaviors and other physical activities that might even result to death. Studies indicate that approximately four out of five college students in the United States abuse alcohol. About 1700 college students aged an estimate between 18-24-year die unintentionally because of alcohol and drug abuse. Most of these deaths are a result of motor vehicle accidents or injuries from assault…...

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References

Mohler-Kuo, M., Dowdall, G.W., Wechsler, H., & Koss, M. P (2004). Correlation of rape while intoxicated a national sample of college women. Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs,

65(1), 37.

Marshall, B.L., Roberts, K.J., Donnelly, J.W., & Rutledge, I.N. (2011). College Student

Perceptions

Drugs and Alcohol Issues
Many Americans have trouble getting to sleep. As a results they may turn to sleeping pills to help them get some ZZZs. How do you feel about the prescribing of sleeping pills for people to assist them with sleeping? Should our medical industry instead be writing prescriptions for vigorous activity which would also help people sleep better? How about a prescription for caffeine avoidance?

There is nothing wrong with physicians recommending non-pharmaceutical alternatives to insomnia or any other medical or health problem. However, the autonomous rights of patient make it inappropriate for the physician to substitute his or her values for those of the patient. The physician's duty is to disclose all relevant information and to provide good-faith advice; but the ultimate choice of modality to address a given problem must always remain with the patient.

On some level, the same criticism of using sleeping pills could be leveled…...

Drug Treatment and Prevention Program: The Local Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter
The primary function of the program:

The primary function of Alcoholics Anonymous is to private group counseling as a resource to alcoholics and recovering alcoholics. Often paired with community centers and local places of worship, the A.A. chapter in my community uses a nearby Protestant Church. According to the volunteer counselor whom I interviewed for this program profile, the local chapter has a rotating membership of roughly 70 nearby residents. The counselor indicates this they serve the program's primary function by organizing and moderating group meetings.

The clients served:

serves alcoholics and recovering alcoholics in 114,000 communities worldwide. The A.A. assesses its membership at roughly 2,000,000 members from a total of 170 countries. This makes it the largest and most widely utilized treatment organizations for addressing the disease of alcoholism. The clients served in the local community, the counselor tells, come from all walks…...

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Works Cited:

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). (2012). A.A. At a Glance. AA.org.

Arkowitz, H. & Lillenfeld, S. (2011). Does Alcoholics Anonymous Work? Scientific American.

Kurtz, E. (2002). Alcoholics Anonymous and the Disease Concept of Alcoholism. Silkworth.net.

[Shope, Jean T, 2004]
Cost of Addictive ehavior (individual and family implications)

Asides the fact that drugs and alcohol rehabilitation add billions of dollars to the nations health care costs, the addictive nature of these substances also implies direct costs to the families concerned. Adolescents have to spend hundreds of dollars for buying drinks and drugs and peer pressure would encourage them to engage in culpable actions. Typically, an alcoholic or drug-abusing adolescent would meet his financial needs by stealing from his own house. The next step is lying and borrowing from friends and in the worst case submitting to demands for sexual favors in order to sustain the costly habit. The individual surrenders his self-respect to the addiction and also losses trustworthiness in the society. As discussed earlier, alcohol and criminal behavior go hand in hand. Substance abusers have problems managing their emotions and typically show more aggressive behavior. This…...

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Bibliography

NIAAA. (2003), "Underage Drinking: A major Public Health Challenge," Accessed on March 2nd 2005,  http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa59.htm 

Janet C. Greenblatt, "Patterns of Alcohol use Among Adolescents and Associations with Emotional and Behavioral Problems," Accessed on March 3rd 2005, http://www.health.org/govstudy/adolemotion/

Shope, Jean T. (2004), "Adolescent Developmental Antecedents of Risky Driving Among Young adults," Journal of Studies on Alcohol, Vol 65, Number 1, Pg 84

Holly Harner (2003), "Sexual Violence and Adolescents," Accessed on March 3rd 2005, http://www.vaw.umn.edu/documents/vawnet/adolescent/aradolescent.html#id2634574

Health Science in egards to Drugs and Alcohol
Legalization of drugs

When Colorado and Washington legalized the use of marijuana for recreational purposes, issues related to legalization of all drugs became subject of public debate. Those who voted for legalization of Marijuana in these two states argued that legalization of these drugs would generate revenue, deter black market activities, and check against lose of tax resources used by law enforcement agencies (Will, 2012). These younger and liberal voters averred that drug enforcement unfairly targeted minority groups and that the current laws led to greater crimes because of the demand for illegal drugs.

Those of opposing view opined that criminalization of recreational drugs could help lower rate of use and abuse hence decrease in addictions and problems associated with it. Opponents of legalization of drugs were older and more conservative. The current policy detailing the war on drugs has failed to live to expectations…...

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References

Ennett S.T., et al. (2013). How effective is drug abuse resistance education? A meta-analysis of Project DARE outcome evaluations. Retrieved February 27, 2012 from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1615171/ 

Fareed Zakaria, (2012). Incarceration Nation. Retrieved February 27, 2012 from  http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2109777,00.html 

Fingarette, H. (1990). Why We Should Reject the Disease Concept of Alcoholism. In R.C. Engs,

(Ed.), Controversies in the Addictions Field. (P.48). Dubuque, IA: Kendall-Hunt.

Physical Abuse in Relationships Due to Drugs and Alcohol
Family violence has become a significant public health issue in the United States (ood pp). Many believe the reason for the problem of domestic violence within the United States is because the U.S. has the highest substance abuse rate of any industrialized nation (Drug pp). There have been numerous studies to support a relationship between substance abuse and domestic violence.

According to many researchers and physicians, such as Cathy L. Baldwin-Johnson, who spoke before the annual meeting of the American Academy of Family Physicians, partner violence is the most common form of domestic violence, and occurs within all ethnic groups, economic classes, religions, and age groups, as well as in homosexual relationships (ood pp). Ninety-five percent of all victims of violence are women, and approximately half of all women in the United States will be abused by a current or former partner sometime…...

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Work Cited

Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse. (2005). The Columbia Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 03, 2005 from HighBeam Research Library Web site.

Hien, Denise; Hien, Nina M. (1998, August). Women, violence with intimates, and substance abuse: relevant theory, empirical findings, and recommendations for future research. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Retrieved July 03, 2005 from:  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0978/is_n3_v24/ai_21154249 

Martin, Sandra L.; Beaumont, Jennifer L.; Kupper, Lawrence L. (2003, August).

Substance use before and during pregnancy: links to intimate partner violence. American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse. Retrieved July 03, 2005 from:  http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0978/is_3_29/ai_109351419

Drug and alcohol abuse is a serious problem among many young people for a variety of reasons. First, statistics show that drugs and alcohol are being abused by a large segment of the teen and young adult population, which can greatly increase their likelihood of a premature death. Secondly, many things can happen to young adults that do not lead to death, but can ruin their lives. Finally, drug and alcohol abuse can have a serious impact on relationships with friends and family.
According to the National Drug Statistics Summary, approximately 14 million Americans used illegal drugs in 2000. Among the teenagers interviewed for the survey, nearly ten percent had used drugs in the month before the interview. The findings for alcohol abuse were even higher. Nearly half of Americans over the age of twelve reported that they drank alcoholic beverages. This is a serious issue. First, the drugs in themselves…...

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References

Hafetz, David. Jacqueline and Amadeo: Chasing Hope. Austin American Statesman. 2002 May. February 13, 2010. < http://www.helpjacqui.com/pdf/jacqui.pdf>

National Drug Statistics Summary. Adolescent Substance Abuse Knowledge Base. 2007. February 13, 2010.

Substance use is frequently associated with child abuse and domestic violence. It also is a leading contributor to marital dissatisfaction, family breakups and rejection of family members. The importance of the family in understanding alcohol and drug use and abuse is underlined by these highly destructive consequences of alcohol and drug dependency on the abuser and the family. (Lala; Straussner; Fewell, 17)
Peer Group plays an important part in resolving the problem as they are able to take the drug or alcohol abuser more into confidence compared to others since most people associate themselves with their respective peer group in terms of habits, tastes and concerns. It has been demonstrated that a drug abuser will definitely abide by a member of the peer group to which he belongs and obey requests of abstinence more than anyone else. Educational system also plays an important role in tackling the prevalence of the…...

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References

Ammerman, Robert T; Ammerman, Peggy J. Ott; Tarter, Ralph E. (1999) "Prevention and Societal Impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse" Routledge.

Lala, Shulamith; Straussner, Ashenberg; Fewell, Christine Huff. (2006) "Impact of Substance

Abuse on Children and Families: Research" Haworth Press.

Laufer, William S. The Legacy of Anomie Theory: Advances in Criminological Theory.

And they can often escape into substance abuse and addiction" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn).
One of the most important ways in which an increasing rate of drug and alcohol abuse and addiction affects the economy is the spiraling cost of healthcare and rehabilitation. The increase in addictions also creates a gap between the need for treatment and rehabilitation and available resources. This in turn places economic pressure on state and local government. This is especially difficult to maintain in a recessionary economic climate. "States, local governments, and non-profits are all facing tremendous budget shortfalls -- and they are cutting the resources to help this growing group of addicts in trouble, just when they need it the most" (Study reveals rise in drug, alcohol abuse during economic downturn).

The following illustrations provide a clear indication of the amounts that have been spent on alcohol and drug…...

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References

Allen J. ( 2006) Drugs a Factor in Many Sexual Assaults, Study Says. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from  http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/501383/drugs_a_factor_in_many_sexual_assaults_study_says/ 

Bennet W. (1999) the Index of Leading Cultural Indicators. New York: Broadway

Books.

Drug addiction. Retrieved September 27, 2009, from http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Drug:addiction.htm

Army Substance Abuse Program, in terms of the program's history, its employment requirements, and the rationale behind them. It looks at various jobs within the hierarchy of this program, from the commanders responsible for implementing the program on the level of installations or garrisons, to the trained personnel taking urine samples. By way of demonstrating the utility of the continued education requirement even for the personnel collecting urine, the paper notes the existence of such widespread willingness to deceive testing, and then reviews recent peer-reviewed studies with potential relevance for successful implementation of Army Substance Abuse Program theories, curricula, and policies.
Introduction

The Army Center for Substance Abuse Programs was first established in 1971 in response to a law requiring the Secretary of Defense to identify, treat, and rehabilitate members of the U.S. military determined to be dependent upon alcohol or illicit drugs; similar legislation followed to require the same standards…...

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References

Lande, R.G.; Marin, B. (2009) Biomarker characteristics of alcohol use in the U.S. Army. J Addict Diseases 28: 158-163. DOI:10.1080/10550880902772506

Larson, M.J.; Wooten, N.R.; Adams, R.S.; et al. (2012). Military combat deployments and substance use: Review and future directions. J Soc Work Pract Addict 12: 6-27. doi: 10.1080/1533256X.2012.647586

McFarling, L.; D'Angelo, M.; Drain, M.; et al. (2011). Stigma as a barrier to substance abuse and mental health treatment. Military Psychology 23: 1-5  http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2011.534397 

Milliken, C.S.; Auchterlonie, J.L.; Hoge, C.W. (2007). Longitudinal assessment of mental health problems among active and reserve component soldiers returning from the Iraq War. JAMA 298: 2141-2148 doi:10.1001/jama.298.18.2141

Combat and Substance Abuse
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as a consequence of combat experience, is believed to be a significant risk factor for substance abuse. This theory has been undermined to some extent by recent findings which suggest mental illness, apart from PTSD, may be a stronger predictor. Although combat-related PTSD may significantly contribute to the prevalence of substance abuse among veterans, the dominant substance abuse risks are the same for both civilians and combat veterans. This conclusion suggests than combat may represent a minor risk factor for substance abuse.

The Association between Combat and Substance Abuse

Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are faced with many of the same problems that previous combat veterans have had to face, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). While most veterans suffering from these conditions will successfully cope with the challenges they face through treatment and social support networks, others…...

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References

Adamou, Marios C. And Hale, Anthony S. (2003). PTSD and the law of psychiatric injury and England and Wales: Finally coming closer? Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry Law, 31, 327-332.

Bagalman, Erin. (2011). Suicide, PTSD, and substance use among OEF/OIF veterans using VA Health Care: Facts and figures. Congressional Research Service. Retrieved 10 Jan. 2013 from  http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/R41921.pdf .

National Center for PTSD. (2011). PTSD and substance abuse in veterans. PTSD.VA.gov. Retrieved 10 Jan. 2013 from  http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/ptsd_substance_abuse_veterans.asp .

Nooner, Kate B., Linares, L. Oriana., Batinjane, Jessica, Kramer, Rachel A., Silva, Raul., and Cloitre, Marylene. (2012). Factors related to posttraumatic stress disorder in adolescence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 13(3), 153-166.

S. provide funds for staff development on drug use and alcohol use by school-age children. But only 26% of elementary school classes and required middle school and high school health education courses had a teacher that had received "staff development on alcohol or other drug-use prevention" (SHIPPS). Still, SHIPPS reports that 91.4% of high schools and 80.4% of middle schools surveyed teach the "benefits of not using alcohol" and 90.3% of high schools and 79.4% of middle schools teach the "benefits of not using illegal drugs." These data are based on schools that have "required instruction" in those areas of health education.
An article in the Journal of School Health (Summerlin-Long, 2008) details "tobacco-free school" (TFS) policies; the article references "positive reports" from "key informants" in 46 school districts in North Carolina that had passed TFS policies between December 2001 and August 2005. This article is particularly pertinent because of North…...

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Works Cited

Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly. (2002). Teenagers abusing cough syrup. Retrieved March 1, 2009, at  http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-2173465_ITM .

Brooks, Ashley, Gaier Larkin, Elizabeth M., Kishore, Sonal, & Frank, Scott. (2008).

Cigars, Cigarettes, and Adolescents. American Journal of Health Behavior, 32(6),

Bryant, Alison L. (2003). How Academic Achievement, Attitudes, and Behaviors Relate

Drug addiction is not merely a failure of will or weakness in character, however having this 'brain disease' does not absolve the addict of responsibility for his or her behavior, but it does explain why an addict feels compelled to continue using drugs (Leshner 2001). Environmental cues that surround an individual's initial drug use and development of the addiction, actually become "conditioned" to the drug use and thus are critical to the problem of addiction (Leshner 2001).
Therefore, when those cues are present at a later time, "they elicit anticipation of a drug experience and thus generate tremendous drug craving" (Leshner 2001). This type of cue-induces craving is one of the most frequent causes of drug use relapses, independently of whether drugs are available and even after years of abstinence (Leshner 2001).

In March 2006, it was reported that researchers from Liverpool, England discovered a gene that directly affects the risk…...

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Works Cited

Changeux, Jean-Pierre. (1998 March 22). Drug use and abuse. Daedalus. Retrieved November 06, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Eaves, Lindon J. (2005 July 01). Familial influences on alcohol use in adolescent female twins: testing for genetic and environmental interactions. Journal of Studies on Alcohol. Retrieved November 06, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Goldman, Erik. (2005 July 01). Genetic tests could improve future drug abuse treatment. Family Practice News. Retrieved November 06, 2006 from HighBeam Research Library.

Heroin Addiction Cuts Across All Social Boundaries, Caron Foundation Study Reports.

What further makes interpretation of results difficult to precisely define quantify is that the amount of drug stores depends on the nature of the drug itself, the duration of the ingestion of the drug, and the composition of the tissue holding the drug and the frequency of use. The greater the incidence of drug use the more permanent the level of toxins and chemicals in tissues throughout the body, and therefore the greater the probability of catching chronic drug users in drug testing. Thea difficult part of using drug tests periodically is the longitudinally there may be peaks and valleys to the incidence of drug abuse. Companies have begun surprise inspections of their workers in the most potentially dangerous occupations including forklift workers, construction workers, airline pilots, and heavy equipment workers.
Despite these shortcomings of tests, the advances made in drug testing technologies are gradually overcoming these obstacles related to…...

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References

Alleyne, B.C., P. Stuart, and R. Copes. (1991) Alcohol and other drug use in occupational fatalities. Journal of occupational medicine (Baltimore) 33(4):496-500, 1991.

Gerber, J.K. And G.S. Yacoubian, Jr. (2002). An assessment of drug testing within the construction industry. Gerber, J.K. And G.S. Yacoubian, Jr. J Drug Education 32(1):53-68

Koch, K. (1998). "Drug Testing." November 20, 1998

Kelly, T.H., R.W. Foltin, and M.W. Fischman. (1991) Effects of alcohol on human behavior: implications for the workplace. Drugs in the workplace: research and evaluation data. Vol. 11, National Institute on Drug Abuse. Rockville, Maryland 1991. pp. 129-146.

Drug Control
"Prevention is better than cure" is an age-old and time-tested maxim. It has been proved correct in many different situations. None more so than in the area of drug abuse: it being far easier and more cost effective to prevent drug use than drug treatment. This essay explains why drug treatment is far more expensive than drug prevention.

A study by the Lewin Group for the National Institute on Drug Abuse estimated the total economic cost of alcohol and drug abuse in the U.S. was $245.7 billion for 1992. ("NIDA InfoFacts" 2005) This includes productivity losses (losses from premature death, drug abuse-related illnesses), health costs, and other, primarily crime-related, costs such as losses due to incarceration and criminal careers. If we consider a hypothetical case in which we prevent all alcohol and drug abuse in the United States, we would theoretically save $245.6 billion.

On the other hand, by treatment of…...

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References

"Alcohol and Drug Services Study (ADSS) Cost Study." (2004). The DASIS Report. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved on August 27, 2005 from  http://oas.samhsa.gov/2k4/costs/costs.htm 

'NIDA InfoFacts: Costs to Society." (2005) National Institute on Drug Abuse. Retrieved on August 27, 2005 from  http://www.nida.nih.gov/infofacts/costs.html 

Keen, Judy. "Bush Plans Hit on Drug Abuse" (2002). USA Today. Retrieved on August 27, 2005 from  http://www.usatoday.com/educate/ondcp/lessons/Activity5.pdf 

The 1992 cost estimate had increased 50% over the cost estimate from 1985; hence the current economic cost due to drug abuse must be much higher.

1. The Influence of Cognitive Distortions on Mental Health:

- How do cognitive distortions, such as catastrophising, overgeneralisation, and black-and-white thinking, contribute to the development and maintenance of mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and PTSD?
- Explore the role of cognitive restructuring techniques in challenging and modifying dysfunctional thought patterns, thereby improving mental health outcomes.

2. Attachment Styles and Their Impact on Relationships:

- Elaborate on the different attachment styles, including secure, anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, and fearful-avoidant, and their formation during childhood.
- Analyse the effects of attachment styles on romantic relationships, focusing on how they influence communication, trust, intimacy, and....

Social exclusion can greatly impact a person's mental health and overall well-being in various ways.

1. Reduced self-esteem and self-worth: Being excluded from social groups or activities can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem. This can lead to feelings of worthlessness and negatively impact a person's mental health.

2. Increased feelings of loneliness and isolation: Social exclusion can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, which can have detrimental effects on mental health. Loneliness has been linked to increased rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders.

3. Lack of social support: Being socially excluded can prevent a person....