Global Problem of Substance Abuse - Essay Example

More and more people across the world today are experiencing problems with using chemicals, whether it is alcohol, drugs or some other type of chemicals. Two of the most common problems are substance abuse and dependence. The former means overuse of a psychoactive which leads to detrimental effects on the individual's mental or physical health, or on the welfare of others. The latter occurs when the individual is regularly using the substance and experience unpleasant symptoms (withdrawal symptoms) if he stops using it. Research of substance abuse and dependence sheds light on the epidemiology of these problems. It shows that there are many determinants, including "individual, familial, neighborhood, community, population-specific, and societal factors". For instance, it shows that substance abuse is hereditary, or that the environment and conditions in which a person lives in directly affect it. ("Epidemiology of Drug Abuse", 2004) Furthermore, the extent and scope of the problems were revealed in a study done by Zweben in 1995, which found that about one in every ten adults in the United States attended an AA meeting once. Two-thirds, though, did so out of concern for another person, but this still means that 3.1% of the adults in the US did so because of having an alcohol-use problem (as cited in Doweiko, p.446, par.1). It is undoubtedly obvious from this information that these problems are very serious. This is why many support groups have been created in order to try and cope with these problems. The most known of all these groups is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), which inspired the creation of many other groups, most of which use 12-step programs. These groups have regular meetings which aim at helping the person suffering from the problem. The meetings are held in different formats. Due to the anonymity principal of the group, which is firmly kept, most meetings are closed. However, there are some meetings which are open. In these meetings, any person who is interested may attend. One or two volunteers speak, and the visitors are encouraged to ask questions about the organization and the way it works. Contrary to this, almost all meetings are closed, meaning they are meant for AA members only. These closed meetings are divided into three types. In the first type of closed meeting, someone is designated to speak. He or she will lengthily speak about his or her life, substance abuse, and what led him or her to join AA. The second form of closed meeting is called a discussion meeting. In this type of meeting, a problem or theme that is of interest to the members is identified and each member can talk about it and how it affected him or her. The third and last type of closed meeting, which is called the "step" meeting, is one where the group focuses on one of the 12 steps for a month every time, and each member who wants to, shares his understanding of the step and how he implements it in his program to recover. Generally speaking, "in AA, speakers share their own life stories… each individual tells of the lies, the distortions, the self-deceptions and the denial that supported his or her own chemical use" (Doweiko, p.451, par.1). By admitting the weakness to the group, the speaker seeks to gain strength, and by sharing it with the group, he reminds it to himself the reason why he should not go back to drinking (Doweiko, p.451, par.2). The format of the meetings encourages newcomers to admit their problems not only to others, but first and foremost- to themselves. The first step of the 12 steps in the program asks the person to recognize in the deepest level that the person is powerless against the chemicals, something which requires measure of humility and the beginning of the realization that it cannot be battled alone. That is why every member is assigned a sponsor, which helps him cope with the problem by sharing his battle with chemicals, what he did to fight against it, and the perspective of someone who has been dealing with this problem for a long time and has been able to abstain from the chemicals (Doweiko, p.452). This gives the member hope, and shows him that in spite of what he previously thought, not all is lost, and he still has a second chance to change things. It is important to mention that while the sponsor takes interest in the newcomer's progress, he does not take responsibility for that progress. It is made clear to the new member that he is the only one responsible for working towards his recovery (Doweiko, p.452-453). Berenson (1987) says that the format of the meetings and the program is "a planned spontaneous remission" that is "designed so that a person can stop drinking by education, therapeutic change, or transformation" (as cited in Doweiko, p.453). It was speculated by Berenson (1987) that the meetings provide social support and a refuge that enables people to "explore and release their suppressed and repressed feelings", and by doing so- dealing with them. This is extremely important since, as AA claims, the chemicals are actually not the real problem, but only a symptom of the real problem, which are in fact those feelings. Different feelings like depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness and other negative feelings are often the real cause of people's addictions. Therefore, if they're treated, it is possible for the person to stop using alcohol or other drugs as a way of dealing with those feelings. Also, the meetings and the social outlet they provide, as the people confess and share those feelings, are an alternative way to dealing with those feelings, and consequently, the chemicals aren't needed (or needed much less). In my opinion, the meeting aligns very well with the description in chapter 34. The principals and guidelines behind the whole concept of the meetings and of AA in general are drawn from Psychology. They offer psychological and social solutions to the problem, which is very much a psychological problem. It is partly due to the negative feelings and pressures people experience that they become addicts to different chemicals such as alcohol and drugs. Hence, by dealing with those feelings, giving them a positive and alternative outlet, one can rise above them and truly fight them. It also does this by giving hope to the people and making them realize that many others are going through what they are going through. Also, it helps newcomers restore their identity and self-esteem, and by doing so strengthens and empowers them, something which certainly helps them in their battle against their addictions. Due to all of the above, I firmly believe that that the meetings are a good and effective way for people to deal with their emotional problems and abstain from alcohol. Having said that, I think the participants should regularly attend the meetings and become active members who speak in meetings and share from their experience. If they don't keep attending these meetings, or rather attend them but sit in the back and not talk and interact with others, it will do them little good, if any. Only those who will persist, bond with the group and become an active member of it will really benefit from the experience and be less susceptible to using alcohol or drugs. References Doweiko, (date). (Name of book). "Epidemiology of Drug Abuse". May 3, 2004. Retrieved December 24, 2006, from http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/pa-04-100.html Read More