Substance Misuse of Nonmedical Prescription Drugs - Term Paper Example

Substance Abuse Name Institution Date Substance Abuse Introduction Health psychology mainly involves the study of behavioral processes in health, healthcare and illnesses (Chater, 2011). Health psychology also entails understanding how some of the psychological as well as the cultural practices have impacts on the health of individuals. Psychological factors also play a significant role in terms of determining the health of the individuals. This is because some of the psychological factors have a direct impact on the health of the individuals. Biospychosocial approach is usually used for the purposes of solving the health problems being faced by individuals. Biological factors contribute to health problems among the individuals. The improvements in the health of individuals and groups can only be achieved if the psychological factors are well understood and determined. Psychologists are usually highly trained professions for the purposes of ensuring that they adequately address the issues of health psychology. This is also considering that they have to work closely with other medical professionals like the doctors. Substance abuse is one of the major problems affecting the society. The problem has impacts on the health of the people abusing the substance and hence its importance in health psychology. Substance abuse has also resulted to deterioration of the health of individuals as well as a high number of deaths. Different approaches have been used to deal with the problem although it has continued to persist. The paper thus discusses the concepts of health psychology in relation to substance abuse. Substance abuse Substance abuse is mainly defined as the use of substance in unsupervised manner by medical professionals. On the other hand, it is also important to note that substance abuse is sometimes referred to as drug abuse. The use of psychoactive drugs is also considered as substance abuse and hence the importance of psychological health intervention. Mood altering drugs may also be considered as substance abuse. This is because it has the potential of changing the moods of the consumers when it is used without control or advice by medical professional. The use of some of the substances is also illegal in most of the countries. This is because of the harmful effects that it has on the individuals. Such drugs may also include alcoholic substances. Excessive consumption of alcohol is also referred to as substance abuse. Dependency on the substance is one of the negative impacts of substance abuse. Most of the consumers of such drugs always find it difficult to live without consuming the drugs. Failure to consume the substances may also impact negatively on the individual. On the other hand, it is important to note that illegal use of some substances like steroids may enhance the performance of the consumers in physical activities. However, it has a negative impact on their health as it may cause death or heart problems. Antisocial behavior or criminal activities can be performed the consumers of certain illegal substances. Personality change may also occur in the long tem due to the abuse of substances. How health psychology is involved in dealing with substance abuse Conducting research on substance abuse Health psychology plays an important role in equipping the health psychologists with knowledge regarding substance abuse. It improves on their methods of conducting research and hence enabling them to answer important questions regarding substance abuse. The research questions are important in terms of establishing health risks that are posed by substance abuse. The question of what influences the individuals to abuse drugs can be answered through the use of psychological health concepts. Health psychology has also played an important role in terms of establishing the relationship between substance abuse and lifestyle diseases. It is through the use of health psychology concepts that substance abuse was linked to heart diseases which causes sudden death among the consumers. Research about emotional effects among the individuals who abuse substances was also established through the concepts of health psychology. This is an indication that health psychology plays an important role in ensuring that researchers understand the issues relating to substance abuse. Changing the health behavior of individuals is an important issue when dealing with substance abuse. This is also considering that substance abuse is responsible for behavior change among the individuals. Improving the health of the people is important in terms of dealing with substance abuse. Research using the concepts of health psychology therefore answers the questions of behavior change and hence the improvement of health among the individuals who abuse substances. Health psychology therefore plays an important role in the research related to substance abuse and it has led to important findings that have contributed in controlling substance abuse in the society (MacInnis, 2009). Preventing illnesses caused by substance abuse Health psychology is focused on the prevention of illnesses caused by substance abuse. The concepts of health psychology equip the psychologists with knowledge and experience of combating illnesses caused by substance abuse. In most cases, the health psychologists are trained on how to organize campaigns for the purpose of sensitizing the members of the public on the illnesses and dangers of substance abuse. The campaigns are also for the purposes of promoting health practices among the people. Sensitization campaigns by the health psychologists have also played an important role in reducing substance abuse among the people in the society. This has seen the reduction in the people suffering fro illnesses caused by substance abuse. The campaigns which are aimed at behavior change has played an important role in enlightening the members of the public and hence the prevention of illnesses (O'Donohue, 2006). One of the most successful campaigns by health psychologists in most countries is the campaign against the use of tobacco. Health psychologists have also campaigned against public smoking which has negative health implications on the non smokers. The campaigns have thus led to prevention of diseases related to tobacco which is one of the substances that is highly abused in the world. It is thus evident that health psychology has played an important role in terms of preventing illnesses and diseases caused by substance abuse. The enlightenment of the members of the society has also seen a reduction in substance abuse. Screening is one of the processes that enable the individuals to know their health status. This process is usually ignored by most of the individuals who abuse substances. Health psychologists therefore play the important role of encouraging the individuals abusing substances to undergo screening. It is thus easier for prevention of illnesses to be achieved through the process of screening. This is also considering that heart problems are associated with the use of drugs and substance abuse. The process of enlightening the members of the public and encouraging screening has played an important role in preventing heart diseases. This is because behavior change is usually witnessed once the individuals became aware of their health status. The concept of health psychology is thus important to individuals and communities in terms of preventing illnesses associated with substance abuse. Health psychology concepts also play an important role in terms of breaking the communication barriers between the individuals abusing drugs and the health professionals. This is because the health psychologists are also equipped to train other medical professionals with adequate knowledge of how to communicate with the individuals abusing drugs. The communication process enables the individuals to learn of the dangers of abusing substances and hence the prevention of illnesses associated with it. It is also important to note that most of the individuals abusing substances always visit medical facilities. This makes the training of the medical personnel important in terms of addressing the issue of preventing the illnesses related to substance abuse. Investigating effects of diseases caused by substance abuse Substance abuse is a major cause of serious illnesses like heart diseases which are fatal in most cases. Health psychology is therefore concerned with the effects that such diseases has on the individuals. Most of the individuals will end up being stressed which leads to other diseases. This is mainly because the individuals always loose hope as their chances of survival is usually low. Health psychology therefore investigates such effects in a bid to seek the best possible solution to assist the patients. Several measures have always been suggested for the purposes of dealing with such situations. The therapeutic services are some of the proposed measures of dealing with the patients facing the situation. This is an indication that the investigations by health psychologists is also for the purposes of supporting the patients with diseases caused by substance abuse. The investigation of the effects of the diseases has also brought to light the plight that the patients suffer. Some of the patients are usually disowned by their family members and hence leading to stress. This is also responsible for the suffering of the patients and it also contributes to the poor recovery pattern. The finding regarding the effects of diseases caused by substance abuse is thus important to the medical professionals who are directly involved in the care and treatment of such patients. It is also important to note that health psychology has contributed positively to the care and treatment of patients with substance abuse related illnesses. Understanding behavioral issues in relation to substance abuse The concept of health psychology is also important in terms of is also concerned with understanding the behavioral issues in relation to substance abuse. It identifies the behaviors that promote the substance abuse in the society. This is considering that substance abuse is enhanced by various factors including the urge to win in some sporting events. Some of the substances enhances muscular development and hence its abuse among the sportsmen. On the other hand, poverty levels have also been identified as one of the factors that promotes the substance abuse as the people have lost hope in life. The concepts of health psychology also recommend intervention measures in relation to the behavioral problems associated with the substance abuse. Methods of improving the healthcare services provided to the people with problems associated with substance abuse have also been recommended due to the understanding of the behavioral issues. It is also important to note that the policies regarding the control of substance use has also been enhanced due to the behavioral understanding courtesy of health psychology. The ways to reduce smoking is one of the initiatives that have been developed by health psychology due after understanding the behavioral issues related to smoking. This has positively contributed to the enhancement of the heath of individuals. The study of the relationship between illnesses and individuals has also played an important role in terms of promoting good health among the individuals. This is because most of the illnesses associated to substance abuse are directly linked to the behaviors of the individuals. Emotional disturbance and depression are some of the behavioral issues that are associated with substance abuse. It is for this reason that practices like high risk driving is common among the people abusing substances. High risk driving is also a leading cause of accidents and deaths among the road users. The economy and lifestyle factors are also known to influence the habit of individuals and it contributes to substance use. This has been highlighted from research on behavioral issues among the people abusing substances. Understanding the behavioral issues of people abusing substances has also led to the finding that some advertisements being carried out in the press is also responsible for addictive behaviors among individuals. Research on the behavioral issues related to substance abuse has also established that substance use among to the unemployed is high. On the other hand, substance abuse among the working and the well paid members of the society is low. However, this is only applicable to illegal substances that are commonly abused. Ensuring that the people stay healthy is also associated with behavior change. The study of behavior among the people abusing substances has thus played a leading role. The adherence to treatment by the patients who suffer from diseases related to substance abuse is important. This is one of the issues that are usually ignored by most of the people suffering from addiction. It is thus evident that understanding the behavior of people abusing substances makes the treatment and intervention measures easy to implement (Teter, 2009). Health policies related to substance abuse Health policies are important in terms of controlling the substance abuse. It is also important to note that the health policies are responsible for suggesting the methods of treatment that the patients with complications from substance abuse should be subjected. On the other hand, the policies are also responsible for suggesting the actions to be taken against the patients who are found to be abusing the substances. This is also considering that some of the substances are illegal. Allocation of funds for the treatment and prevention of substance abuse is also dependant on the health policies. The policy makers in the health sectors usually rely on the reports and research from the health psychologists. It is for this reason that health psychology plays an important role in the healthcare provision. Some of the policies like the ban on smoking in some of the countries is due to the adoption of the report by the health psychologists. The success of some countries in ensuring that the substance abuse is combated is mainly attributed to the works of the health psychologists. The effects of the substances being abused has also influenced the law makers in most countries to enforce laws to combat the abuse. This is also due to the reports by the health psychologists. The maximum limits for consumption of certain drugs have also been established by the health psychologists. This is after extensive research in relation to substance abuse. The ban on some substances and legalization of other substances has also been part of policies implemented after the adoption of recommendations from the health psychologists’ reports. This therefore indicates that health psychology plays an important role in terms of formulation as well as implementation of health policies on substance abuse. Enhancing the adherence to medical advice The people who abuse substances are usually required to undergo some form of treatment in order to solve the issue. This requires strict adherence to the medical advice. In some instances, the people abusing substances are usually prescribed some medication. However due to various reasons they do not adhere to the prescriptions. This may be caused by the side effects that the medication may have on them. In other situations, they may forget to take the medicine at the required time. This has a negative impact on the treatment of the patients. It also has a negative economic impact as it leads to the wastage of drugs. Health psychology is concerned about this issue and hence the intervention measures. The health psychologists always encourage the individuals to come up with reports regarding their use of the medicine prescribed to them (Lander, 2008). This is usually done in an encouraging manner for the purposes of gaining the trust of the patient. The use of track caps is also an initiative that was brought about by health psychologists. Through the use of this concept, the medical personnel are in a position to know the number of times the medicine bottles have been opened. This in turn enables the medical personnel to know whether the patient is adhering to the treatment or not. It is thus evident that the concepts of health psychology encourages the treatment of patients with substance abuse related illnesses and hence improving their health. Conclusion In conclusion, it is evident that health psychology is greatly involved in the issue of substance abuse. Health psychology plays an important role in leading the research on substance abuse. On the other hand, it also plays an important role in preventing the illnesses caused by substance abuse. This is through enlightening of the society regarding the harmful effects of substance abuse. Substance abuse also has some harmful effects on the patients. The investigation of the effects plays a leading role in establishing how to care for such patients. It is evident that health psychology enables the medical professionals to fully understand the behavioral issues related to substance abuse and hence the preventive measures. The establishment of policies related to substance abuse greatly involves the concepts of health psychology and it is aimed at enhancing the health of the people. Adherence to medical advice is also one of the concepts that is enhanced by health psychology. It is thus evident that health psychology plays an important role in terms of solving issues related to substance abuse. References MacInnis, D. (2009). Implementation of the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA) in a Long-Standing Addictions Outpatient Clinic. Journal of Behavior Analysis of Sports, Health, Fitness and Behavioral Medicine, 2(1)33-44 Lander, D. (2008). Love medicine for the dying and their caregivers: The body of evidence. Journal of Health Psychology, 13, 201–12. Chater, A. (2011). A healthy contribution. The Psychologist, 24 (12), 890-892. Teter, C. (2009). Subtypes of nonmedical prescription drug misuse. Drug Alcohol Depend 102 (1–3): 63–70. O'Donohue, W. (2006). Evidence-Based Practice in Psychology and Behavior Analysis. The Behavior Analyst Today. 7 (3): 335–350.  Read More