Adolescent Binge Drinking - Term Paper Example

Adolescent Binge Drinking Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Instructor Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date Introduction Reshma Anderson has been introduced as a patient having had her first sexual encounter but under the influence of alcohol. As a consequence she dreads of what other people will think of her and also fears that she might have contracted sexually transmitted disease (STD) or even gotten herself pregnant. The nurse is intended provide the strategies that will help her overcome this trauma. As a result of such adolescent behaviour, teenagers are likely to face particular risk factors such as STD’s and unwanted pregnancies (Mota et al 2010, p 24). The purpose of this paper is to explore binge drinking as a risk factor that almost the entire adolescent population is exposed to. The intention to explore its significance is because the use of alcohol among adolescents has become a significant health problem in the last few decades (Livingston 2008 p. 266). The paper will also examine the strategies that a nurse will employ in order to help Reshma Anderson overcome what has befallen of her. The same are strategies that could be used to address the problem of binge drinking that has affected many adolescents in Australia. In addition, the essay also discusses the legal rights accruing to adolescents and the nurse as related to seeking redress from violations of binge drinking. The knowledge is crucial to the development of specific prevention strategies that may be used to address the problem of binge drinking among the adolescents in Australia. PART A Binge drinking has no specific definition of what it actually means because people tend to have different understandings of what it entails (Gunby et al 2012). Essentially, most definitions refer to the act of drinking heavily over a short period of time or occasions of bouts of heavy drinking by young adolescents who are still dependent either on their parents or guardians. The clinical definition of binge drinking entails a lot of consumption of alcohol to too much intoxication that occurs in a short period of time (Gunby et al 2012). In recent articles, binge drinking has been defined as heavy and episodic drinking (Gunby et al 2012). The prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking among adolescents in the Australian continent has increased in the past decades at an alarming rate. In fact, this generation has been branded the “generation of drinkers” (Livingston 2008 p. 268). Interestingly enough, the people are not aware of the harmful and detrimental effects that come with too much of binge drinking. According to the available data bases in the 2007 Drug Strategy Household Survey, the prevalence of high risk drinking among adolescents in Australia affected over 5% of the whole population. 15%of these were at risk of facing both long and short-term harm related to binge drinking. The psychosocial construct of an adolescent, according to Erik Erikson’s theory allows the teenagers to indulge in particular behaviours such as binge drinking, smoking, aggression and unprotected sexual behaviours (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011, p. 588). During the adolescent stage, a 15 year old will undergo several physical, psychosocial and cognitive changes. Physically, puberty will approach. Physical changes include grown breasts, pubic hair, acne, body growth and first menstrual periods among others. Psychosocially, this stage is characterized by identity versus role confusion (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011). Adolescents try to re-examine their identity both sexually and occupationally. The cognitive changes include development of concrete thinking, early moral concepts, expansion of verbal abilities, application of logical operations and conventional morality just but to mention a few (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011). The significance of binge drinking in adolescent development however, is very crucial. Essentially, it is important for a nurse to understand growth and development as relates to adolescents as this will help them to effectively address its effects. It also provides them with a knowhow on the ways in which they could help curb the problem among teenagers. Notably, the physical effects of binge drinking are wide and varied. Like it happened to Reshma Anderson most teenager end up with unwanted sexual encounters that might lead to STD’s and unwanted pregnancies (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011 p 588). It might also lead to fatal injury caused by physical assault. In many cases, binge drinking also causes sudden and premature deaths through accidents and falls (Penny, Lubman & Maclean, 2011). There are also emotional effects that come with the aftermath of binge drinking. According it the 2007 Drug Strategy Household Survey (2007), the high risk drinkers experienced very high levels of psychological and emotional distress. Binge drinking causes memory deficits, delayed verbal and memory responses and may place adolescents at a risk of cognitive impairment (Courtney & Polich 2009, p 145). Nursing strategies A nurse must employ effective strategies to help Reshma Anderson overcome what she is undergoing. The nurse may explore and address the issues using a holistic approach as proposed by Wachtel & Staniford (2010). A holistic approach always proves to be significant in terms of the strategies that may be employed to manage binge drinking (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). One essential component of intervention is through education. The holistic approach involves three levels of care: managing the underlying physical and mental problems, dealing with the acute health problem that has affected the patient and addressing any possible drinking problems that may be underlying (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011 p 587). Watchtel & Stanford (2010) also discusses the effectiveness of using brief interventions by the nurse in a clinical setting in order to reduce the misuse of alcohol and binge drinking in adolescents. Accordingly, they assert that Australian adolescents are consuming alcohol at risky levels, an issue which must be addressed as a matter of priority. Brief interventions have been successful in reducing alcohol misuse among adults and the same could also prove to be successful in adolescents. Brief interventions include practices motivational interviewing style (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). This can be used as a means of discouraging the adolescents from continued habits of binge drinking. On the contrary, they are encouraged to engage in constructive activities that will contribute to their development and general well being (Elliot, Morleo & Cook 2009, p 18). Motivational interviewing has proved to be the most successful of all the interventions (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). The nurse also ought to focus on harm minimization tactics. It would include looking for symptoms such as abdominal discomforts, minor injuries, all the way to the life threatening injuries such as gastrointestinal bleeding (Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare, & Act Health 2009). This should be carried out by any nurse in charge of such a patient. Underlying chronic health problems nay include internal infections, malignancies, neurological and even cardiovascular complications (Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare, & Act Health 2009). The nurse in charge must be in a position to look out for any such possibilities so that the harm is substantially minimized. Alternatively, the nurse may use guiding and counselling tactics together with encouraging the patient to quit bad drinking habits. The significance of this is that young people may be encouraged or even persuaded to use alcohol responsibly without necessarily engaging in excessive drinking that may cause harm (Karam, Kypri & Salamoun 2007). One other strategy that the nurse may use to help Reshma overcome the distress and trauma is long term follow up. Follow up means assessing the gradual progress of the patient as they struggle to overcome the habit of binge drinking. It ensures consistency such that the patient is not tempted to indulge in heavy drinking again (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). Of importance to note is that Reshma Anderson is Hindu. There is some cultural significance pertaining to this as Indians have their own reservations when it comes to alcohol consumption. However, like many other populations, binge drinking is highly discouraged (Chikritzhs et al 2007). In certain circumstances, the nurse might be forced to employ strategies and interventions as to the Hindu culture. There is a trend towards the use of spiritual and traditional cultural beliefs in alcoholic therapy. The outcomes of the interventions must be culturally sensitive and appropriate. They need to be pragmatic and realistically achievable within the Hindu community (Elliot, Morleo & Cook 2009, p 6-12). The wider management strategies in the prevention of the effects of binge drinking include actions like reducing the availability and the affordability of alcohol. Moreover, traders in alcohol could help by employing responsible beer selling practices (Wachtel & Staniford 2010 p. 5). Moreover, as a nurse, I could participate in formulation of laws that restrict the marketing as well as the promotion of practices which intimate excessive drinking and intoxication as glamorous (Moodie & Australian Government National Preventive Health Taskforce 2008). In this manner, access to binge drinking by the young adolescents will be limited by a large percentage (Wachtel & Staniford 2010 p. 6). For Reshma Anderson’s case, she could be subjected to medical tests that will help detect any infections by STD’s and thereby prescribe the appropriate treatments. She is visibly depressed and upset that she might have contracted an STI or that she may be pregnant. Unwanted pregnancy may be avoided by administering emergency contraceptives before there are chances that it occurs (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). The psychological distress she is undergoing can be handled by professional guidance and counselling. She could also be referred to a specialist or an appropriate alcoholic organization for further aid (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011). Finally, the nurse ought to be in a position to advice Ms. Anderson to think twice about the outcomes of binge drinking before engaging in binge drinking. Counselling will help Reshma make the right choices for herself come the next time. PART B Legal remedies in the legal system and legal responsibilities on the nurse’s part are well placed in the nursing practice to provide remedy to victims of alcohol related harm such as Reshma Anderson. For instance, speedily and routine procedures are incorporated in the system to help people who have encountered non-consensual sexual incidents while under the influence of alcohol (Gmel et al. 2007 p. 337). The Children and Young People’s Act (2008), at Section 12 defines a young person as a person who is 12 years old or older but who is not yet an adult. Section 20(2) of the Act provides for a person who has long-term care of the child to give consent in medical procedures. Moreover the young person also has the right to give consent to their own health care treatment just as regards Reshma. The adolescent has a legal right to criminally sue the perpetrator under the Australian law if they are positively identified (Gunby et al. 2012). The Children and Young Persons Act (2008) also touches on matters of permission to disclosure and participation in decision making. The nurse has a core responsibility of maintaining confidentiality and secrecy in regard to any information disclosed to them by the patient (Penny, Lubman & Maclean, 2011). In this respect matters of sexual experiences are supposed to be kept very secret. Privacy and confidentiality promotes trust between the patient and the nurse. The concept of Gillick competency is what pertains participation of the young adolescent in decision making. Reshma Anderson is 15 years. The Gillick competence rules usually applies to young people under the age of 16 whereby in the Gillick case(1985), the House of Lords held that children under the age of 16 had the intelligence and understanding to be competent enough to give their own consent in matters of treatment or medical procedures (Carey 2009). In this case, Reshma has a choice to consent to whatever interventions she wishes could be effective to help her overcome the physical, emotional and psychological consequences that the ordeal has impacted on her. However, health care decision making for adolescents should not be entirely left to them (Carey 2009). The nurse must be aware of the complex legal issues that surround competence, giving consent as well as refusal to be subjected to particular procedures (Carey 2009). Significantly, the Australian and the law in Wales has considerably been amended to alter the legal landscape of sexual offences laws, especially those that are related to non consensual sex that happens while the victim has been intoxicated by alcohol (Gunby et al 2012). It is the legal responsibility of the nurse to report any such offence if the conduct was to grave to warrant criminal behaviour. Conclusion The paper herein has extensively explored binge drinking as a risk factor that has affected almost the whole populations of adolescents in Australia. The case scenario here is a 15 year old Reshma Anderson who has had her first sexual encounter but under the influence of alcohol. As a result she fears for STD’s, an unwanted pregnancy and the perception that her friends will have of her. It then remains my responsibility as a nurse to take her out of this trauma and psychological distress. Notably, binge drinking has become a major health problem in Australia in the past decade (Livingston 2008). Consequently, it poses immediate risks to teenagers including accidents, risky sexual and social behaviours, sexual and physical assault from unknown people and even friends as well as incurring injuries. The prevalence of alcohol use and binge drinking among adolescents in the Australian continent has also increased in the past decades at an alarming rate leading to this generation being branded the “generation of drinkers” (Penny, Lubman & Maclean 2011). The trend is also explained by Erik Erikson’s psychosocial theory of development. Despite all these, there are a number of nursing interventions that could be employed to curb the habit. Such are interventions like screening, effective anti-alcoholic interventions and positive management of the patients (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). The wider management strategies in the prevention of the effects of binge drinking include actions like reducing the availability and the affordability of alcohol, employing responsible beer selling practices and nurses participating in formulation of laws that restrict the marketing as well as the promotion of practices (Wachtel & Staniford 2010). These, together with the legal remedies provided by law will help in reducing practice of binge drinking among the Australian adolescent population. References Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare, & Act Health. (2009). Alcohol and other drug treatment services in the Australian Capital Territory 2007-08: findings from the National Minimum Data Set (NMDS). Canberra, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Available from http://www.aihw.gov.au/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=6442457139 Australian Institute Of Health and Welfare. (2007). 2007 National Drug Strategy household survey: detailed findings. 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