How science should inform drug policy - Essay Example

PSYCHOLOGY Psychology: How Science Should Inform Drug Policy Word Count: 2,000 (8 pages) Using the theories of Robinson & Berridge (1993) and Koob and colleagues (2000, 2006, 2007) write a report to the Home Office suggesting how science should inform drug policy. I. Introduction (200 words) This is a report to the Home Office regarding how science should inform drug policy. According to Rassool (2008), “A Home Office Survey (Matthews and Richardson 2005) found 44% of 18–24-year-olds (49% men, 39% women) to be binge drinkers” (pp. 76). Something must be done in order to stop the epidemic of alcohol and drug usage throughout the UK. Ideally, there are three steps that should be taken in order to ensure that drugs and alcohol are not used in a prevalent manner throughout the UK—bolstered by scientific research that has been done in order to malign the practices of drinking and using drugs within various social groups. It is proposed that there should definitely be more of the following: drug prevention for youth; drug intervention for young adults; and drug rehabilitation for older adults. This way, the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse can be severely limited or possibly even eliminated to a certain extent in reaching out to various age groups. Drug policy in the UK definitely has the potential to be influenced by the scientific research that is being done by Robinson and Berridge, as well as George F. Koob and his own colleagues, too. II. Drug Prevention for Youth (450 words) Drug prevention for youth should be put into place in order to prevent young people from sustaining neural damage due to drug usage. Alcohol and drug usage can severely impair brain function and cause neurological damage that is irreversible. According to Sussman and Ames (2008), “Robinson and Berridges (1993, 2000) incentive- sensitization theory focuses on the influence of neural adaptation (ie, sensitization) to drugs and drug-conditioned stimuli as the underlying mechanism perpetuating drug use” (pp. 81). Obviously, one of the concerns that plagues parents and teachers is the possibility that youth are exposed to alcohol and drugs early on—and as such, they are worried that their young charges and students may fall prey to peer pressure. Not only that, but it is a worry that the use of alcohol and/or drugs will be, unfortunately, used in order to stave off problems associated with reducing alcohol and/or drug usage. Additionally, it is a fear that young people will turn to alcohol and/or other drugs for recreational purposes. According to Munafò and Albery (2006), “…neither the initiation nor maintenance of drug-use behaviour are motivated by the desire either to get pleasure or to ease withdrawal symptoms” (pp. 8). Obviously, young people are more malleable and more susceptible to various kinds of peer pressure. Since young people are more impressionable and easily influenced, it is important to stress the importance of prevention. In order to stop drug and alcohol abuse, young people in the UK must be educated about the dangers of long-term effects that substance abuse can have on people. In order to do this, drug prevention programs should be put in place in order to persuade youth to avoid the negative effects of alcohol and/or drugs. Additionally, this drug prevention should begin early on in a child’s life—teaching him or her that alcohol and use of illegal substances are not only cause trouble in the lives of their users, but also that these substances can significantly harm one’s brain. In order to combat such harm from happening, it is thought that early prevention programs that are introduced to youth when they are in their formative years. This could prevent many unnecessary deaths from drug or alcohol abuse. An informed public would bode much better then, with the education of the people being of utmost priority. It only makes sense that the public should be made aware of the dangers these substances pose to youth—and, without the necessary prevention—it could become a countrywide health crisis. As it stands, the UK needs more programs in place in order to protect youth from the dangers of substance abuse and what can be done to prevent it—because substance abuse kills. III. Drug Intervention for Young Adults (300 words) It has been proven that drug and alcohol consumption have adverse effects. Studies have shown the detrimental effects of alcohol and drugs on animals in testing as well. According to Wiers and Stacy (2006), Robinson and Berridge’s research was “…based on work in animal models…” (pp. 3). Therefore, we know that their research has some credence with regard to learning about the value in this type of background investigation. What may exacerbate drug and/or alcohol use—but alcohol especially—is high anxiety. According to Begleiter and Kissin (1996), “Alcohol, used acutely, also has stress-reducing properties, and many anxious patients have taken advantage of this fact. Several observations suggest a possible relationship between anxiety and alcohol abuse” (pp. 477). Substance abuse is a problem that must be addressed with a variety of methods. According to Rassool (2006), “Research into a range of treatments from medicinal, to psychological, sociological and complementary approaches would lead the way to more holistic forms of treatment” (pp. 23). One of the methods that can be employed, especially for young adults, would be a drug intervention. Whether the substance abuse is due to drugs or alcohol, intervention at this stage in a person’s life is necessary—especially if there was no prevention in place to stop the person from entering into a downward spiral. Intervention is usually used when a person is known to have a substance abuse problem of which the person needs to be made aware. Usually—at an intervention—there will be close friends and family present in order to encourage the person who is being confronted with their drinking or drug problem. If this person is not confronted with his or her issues, this young adult or adults may have difficulty adjusting in society if drinking or drug usage spirals out of control. IV. Drug Rehabilitation for Older Adults (350 words) There are certain factors that increase someone’s likelihood of participating in substance abuse. According to Yoshida (2006), “When sensitised, the increase in incentive salience generates compulsive alcohol-seeking behaviour and craving (Robinson and Berridge, 1993)” (pp. 231). Sensitization to substance abuse varies depending upon the person. According to Manstead and Frijda (2006), “Neural sensitization occurs to different degrees in different individuals, depending on many factors ranging from genes to prior experiences, as well as on the drug itself, dose, and so on (Robinson & Berridge, 1993)...” (pp. 258). It is thought that drug rehabilitation is probably a better option for older adults who have experienced enough substance abuse to the point where it has become a daily habit. Rehabilitation is obviously one of the most salient options for individuals who have long histories of drug and/or alcohol abuse. Going to drug rehab may not be a favored option by those whom it seeks to help. Often, people who are brought into rehab may have several personal issues that they must work on. Drug and alcohol abuse affects the entire family of the individual affected by addiction—so this is not just an individual problem. Drug and alcohol abuse is a community problem. Until the community learns how to deal with such issues, people are at the mercy of their vices. It is important that communities in the UK become concerned about their neighbors. If people cared more about their families and friends, more people might be more willing to go to drug rehabilitation if they were known to have problems with drug or alcohol abuse. Certainly, what the facts do demonstrate is that rehabilitation is not only possible but it is necessary. Without the aid of communities in the UK, these people who are addicted to drugs and alcohol who are indeed older, might not get the precious rehabilitation services that they require. It is so important that these services are rendered and that care is given to those who need it most. However, it is only when the UK starts to implement programs such as these that people will rehabilitate. V. Conclusion (700 words) It is hoped that through drug prevention, drug intervention, and drug rehabilitation—that, respectively—youth, young adults, and older adults will all be able to reconcile themselves to heal through various methods. It is so important that people of all ages in the UK gain access to One must then ask, "Whats there to alcoholism? One of the main changes occurring in the body within youth and young adults, is that, there is the maturation of secondary sex characteristics driven by hormonal changes and the childs body becomes an adult body. The teenager must adapt to this new body. Another aspect that changes is that the teen leaves behind his attitude and the role of children and will accept new responsibilities. At the beginning of adolescence there is a large dependence and the adolescent needs much support and protection of their parents, as it is surprised by the changes of puberty. Little by little, try to be more independent, but at the same time is afraid of losing the protection that gives parents as a child. Many times between the rebellious behavior that seeks greater autonomy, and on the other hand, seeks to dependency and child protection. In this process of the construction of identity of adolescents, a group of friends is very important because it is a different space to the family, a reference to share experiences, to feel together, to discuss changes in the life of a student. Finally, we mention that all these changes are part of normal crises of adolescence, as has been called by some authors, and parents--oftentimes resulting in a time of crisis, is a time of great change for them, as acceptance that the child no longer needs them as a dependent and as a child. Obviously the effects of alcohol abuse can be extremely serious, and may be fatal for youth, young adults, older adults and those around them who are subject to witness substance abuse and its effects. Causes of alcoholism include but are not limited to: loneliness, fear, and lack of emotional control. Family problems that can harm a person to become an alcoholic are: guilt, resentment, insecurity, economic problems, and physical abuse. Can one blame society? Alcoholic beverages and the ability to use cocaine tend to appear associated with social success, in business or in sport. The most romantic moments are accompanied by wine, champagne and beer. In addition, many sporting events are most young people which used to publish different brands of alcoholic beverages. For most people, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate use of alcohol is not harmful for most adults. However, a large number of people have serious problems with their drinking habits. Effects include, but are not limited to: serious behavioral disorders and communication, both emotionally and socially, reduction of mental faculties and obsession with alcohol, sexual disorders, damage in the organs, and stomach ulcers, chronic pancreatitis, liver cirrhosis and irreversible damage to the central nervous system and are contiguous. As one can see, the results of alcohol abuse are serious. Alcoholism in teenagers is especially terrible, because statistics teach that the drug is present in many areas untouched before, mainly in children, is alcohol, which paves the way for the presentation by the excessive consumption of alcohol. The excessive use of alcohol is perhaps the first step before trying marijuana (known as “the gateway drug”) or cocaine. Youth is a very important stage of life where men and women discover many things about themselves quickly and spontaneously. Some do it without any major incidents, progress in the formation of personality that allows them to be more useful people in society of which they form part. Others, however, have a happy destiny versus being trapped in unfavorable circumstances, which are many times sad. Hopefully this disease does not become more prevalent. Alcoholism and drug addiction have here been investigated, which is--as it appears in youth, young adults, and older adults—necessary to treat the causes and effects of the disease as it happens in the UK. It is hoped that the Home Office will take all of these factors into account when considering adopting the UK’s drug policies well-informed by science. REFERENCES Begleiter H & Kissin B (1996). The pharmacology of alcohol and alcohol dependence. “Neurobiological substrates for the anti-anxiety effects of ethanol.” Article by GF Koob and KT Britton. US: Oxford University Press US. Manstead ASR & Frijda NH (2004). Feelings and emotions: the Amsterdam symposium. UK: Cambridge University Press. Munafò M & Albery I. (2006). Cognition and addiction. UK: Oxford University Press. Rassool GH (2008). Alcohol and drug misuse: a handbook for students and health professionals. US: Taylor & Francis. Rassool GH (2006). Dual diagnosis nursing. US: Wiley-Blackwell. Sussman SY & Ames SL (2008). Drug abuse: concepts, prevention, and cessation. UK: Cambridge University. Wiers RWHJ & Stacy AW (2006). Handbook of implicit cognition and addiction. US: Sage Publications. Yoshida, R (2006). Trends in alcohol abuse and alcoholism research. New York: Nova Science Publishers. Read More