Social Determinants and Addiction among Australian Adolescents - Literature review Example

Title: Social Determinants among Australian Adolescent: Addiction Student: Student Number: Email address: School/Department: Pharmacy Unit: Health and Health Behaviour 130 Lecturer/Tutor: Sarah Maen Date Due: 27/Sep/2013 I declare that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted in any form for any unit, degree or diploma at any university or other institute of tertiary education. Information derived from the published or unpublished work of others has been acknowledged in the text and a least of references is given. I warrant that any disks and/or computer files submitted as part of this assignment have been checked for viruses. Student signature: ____________ _________________ Date: __________________27.Sep.2013_____________________ Contents 1.0Introduction 4 2.0 Addiction as a Social Determinant of Health for Adolescents 4 3.0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia 5 3.1 Cigarette smoking 6 3.2 Alcohol consumption 7 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia 7 4.1 Gambling 8 5.0 Conclusion 9 6.0 References 10 Social Determinants among Australian Adolescent: Addiction 1.0 Introduction Social determinant of health is the surroundings in which people are born and interact with as they grow (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009). These conditions are shaped by policy choices, resources, power and money distribution at local, national and global levels and within communities and families. Adolescent’s health is sturdily affected by different factors from the national, community, family and personal levels. Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2008) analysis that, health and health behaviours are vital as adolescents grows to adult life. This essay will seek to address the impact of social determinants of health for adolescents as they are critical to the nation’s economic development and the whole population’s welfare. Secondly, it will focus on addiction as a social determinant and the impact of substance use such as cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption among the adolescents in Australia. Finally, the impact of compulsive behaviour such as Gambling and Television Viewing will be discussed. 2.0 Addiction as a Social Determinant of Health for Adolescents Wang, Henley & Donovan (2004) defines addiction as a behaviour arising from substance use and is listed as one of disorders arising from substance dependence disorder. (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009) defines substance dependence as compulsive taking of drug characterized by tolerance development for the substance, craving and withdrawal symptoms development. In addition, addiction has been applied to mean illegal drug; cigarette smoking, nicotine and alcohol use (CSDH, 2008). However, Andreasen (2006) also stated that playing video games, overeating and gambling form of compulsive behaviours are also addictive. In other words, the addictive notion has broadened its base to general uncontrollable human behaviour. Addiction carries different perception among the academicians and policy makers. Due to this fact, the policy makers are able to determine the approximate resources suitable to allocate to the needs of substance use or compulsive behaviour for prevention and prevent adverse effects (CSDH, 2008). How the general public views certain type of addiction is significant as it helps the adolescents in decision making on addictive behaviour or product highlights (Andreasen, 2006). Wang, Henley & Donovan (2004) adolescent addictive behaviour refers to drug use to control negative effect, handle stress, appetitive aspects of a certain way of life, compulsive behaviour with both psychological and physical effects like craving and withdrawal. In summative form addiction is any behaviour that is portrayed as excess (Cary, 2004). 3.0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia Substance use is a growing public health concern in Australia among all groups. Among the adolescents, illicit drug use and heavy drinking are the major cause of increased mortality and morbidity rates. According to (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008), adolescent at and above the age of 14 years do consume alcohol at high and risky levels. Tobacco smoking is on high consumption among the Australian adolescents. According to ABS, 2008 7% (58,000) adolescent aged 15-17 years were current smokers. During the survey, 30,000 (4%) teens said that they were ex-smokers. Both alcohol use and tobacco smoking exposes the consumers to different health problems as highlighted here in. 3.1 Cigarette smoking According to Andreasen (2006), addictive behaviour is common to both active and passive smokers. Some commonly reported behaviours for those addictive to tobacco smoking include lack of control to smoking even in prohibited zones, frequency in smoking upon waking up. In his study Andreasen (2006), cigarette smoking affects the individual’s health, mental functioning and the need to use money. Tobacco smoking leads to increased rates of morbidity such as cancer of the skin, lungs and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, Quality Adjusted Life Years has also faced tobacco smoking effects. Economist analysis shows that rather than inputting $4million shillings to other useful activities within households, this has been diverted to tobacco purchasing (de Meyrick & Yusuf, 2006). In Australia, antismoking campaigns with emphasizes to the dangers of smoking did prove to reduce smoking rates from 2000-2005 to 24%. Some of physical effects of tobacco smoking include; (Leather 2009) stomach ulcers, liver diseases and liver carcinoma, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Tyas and Pederson (1999) adolescents involved in tobacco smoking find it hard to quit smoking, distress, poor food consumption which is likely to lead to under nutrition, some adolescent break the law to get money to purchase cigarette, others feel worked up before doing any activity of importance to the general society. Consequently, suicidal lamentation, anxiety and depression and low-self-esteem are some of mental health factors arising from tobacco smoking among the adolescents. 3.2 Alcohol consumption In relation to world standards of alcohol consumption (Moodie, 2005), Australia reports high levels with 83% persons aged 14 years and above being consumers. In reference to the same study, this rates raises public health concern calling all levels for the government to take action. Alcohol consumption has not only raised the mortality and morbidity rates, but also morally harming passive drinkers. According to (National Preventive Health Task Force Alcohol Working Group, 2008) alcohol consumption affects the individual for example it result to liver diseases or heart related condition, sexual dysfunction, gastritis or ulcers; leads to increased rates of road accidents pressurizing the Australian economy, impacts household functioning, disrupts and reduces productivity in workplace, increases family violence and affects general public safety. Pascal, Chikritzhs, and Gray, (2009) Prolonged alcohol use among adolescents results into impaired brain function which in turn results to memory blackouts, impaired judgement which provokes adolescents to indulge in high risk behaviours and poor memory coordination a fact which may lead to suicidal ideation. 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia Andreasen (2006) highlights compulsive behaviour as an act of doing something repetitively. The act does not reward or provide the pleasure required. Compulsive behaviour when leads to obsession may cause a person to feel guilt, anxiety and stress. Compulsive behaviour obsession is quite disturbing because of its general gravity which may lead to family and social life ruin. Some forms of compulsive behaviour include TV viewing and gambling which are discussed in details here in. 4.1 Gambling Delfabbro & Thrupp (2003) states that gambling is a problem that needs to be addressed in Australia despite presence of structures and policies set to regulate the process. Gambling is common among young people, 18-35 years in un-predetermined relationship and those living in a low economic background status. Gamblers at this age are said to have started gambling early age or have been brought up by gambling families’. Delfabbro, Lahn & Grabosky (2005), gambling among the adolescent is prevalent with male group being the majority. Among the adolescent gambling is usually associated with greater chances of young generation indulging in other high-risk behaviours. Roberts (2008) such forms of behaviour leads the gamblers to collide with the law, fellow gamblers, and family members. This is because the gamblers may lack sufficient funds either to gamble or pay debts. Delfabbro (2008) mental health problems such as depression and reduced educational performance are some of consequences of gambling among the adolescents. Long-term practices of gambling started from childhood through adolescent may result to Roberts (2008) an inheritable psychological disorder. 4.2 Television viewing Cary (2004) demonstrated that TV addiction arises when one watches it for six hours or more daily. Non-viewers relate TV viewing as a form of depressant drug. This is because it limits someone from thinking and it is like a stimulus that nags a person to switch it on. However, most viewers say that TV is essential in releasing stress and offers a person a chance to relax. The same collection however, insists that TV viewing steals someone’s vital time which would have otherwise being invested in other technical and noble creative areas. Survey carried among college student showed that TV viewers experienced twice the following symptoms compared to non-viewers: unfocused daydreaming, boredom, distractibility and mind wandering (Carry, 2004) collection. TV addiction develops with time. It is worse for those who build this compulsive behaviour from childhood. Children aged between 11-17 years have neglected their homework and other house chores in respect to video game viewing. From different survey (Li, Mattes, Stanley, McMurray, & Hertzman, 2009) adolescents addicted to TV viewing did experience craving, withdrawal symptoms, sense of guilt and adapted heavy viewing techniques. In addition, TV viewing prejudices thinking capability among the adolescents and innovativeness. 5.0 Conclusion Social determinants are conditions shaped by policy choices, resources, power and money distribution at local, national and global levels and within communities and families. Addiction is any form of compulsive obsessive behaviour or substance use that is portrayed as excessive and is accompanied by craving, heavy consumption and withdrawal effects. To reduce substance and compulsive addiction among the adolescents in Australia, both the general public and the policy makers should work together to come up with the best strategy to avert addiction. (Word count 1480) 6.0 References Australian Bureau of Statistics (2008) retrieved 22/09/13 from Australian Bureau of Statistics http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Chapter5002008 Andreasen, A., R. (2006). Social Marketing in the 21st Century. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage Cary, W., H. (2004). Measuring television addiction. Journal of broadcasting and electronic media 48:3,378-398, DOI: 10.1207/s15506878jobem4803-3 Commission on Social Determinants of Health (2008). Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health. Geneva: world health organization Delfabbro, P., H. (2008). A review of Australian gambling research. Gambling Research Australia: Melbourne Delfbbro, P., H., Lahn, J. & Grabosky, P. (2005). Further evidence concerning the prevalence of adolescent gambling in Australia. Int Gambl Stud 5:209-228 Delfabbro, P., H. & Thrupp, L. (2003). The social determinants of gambling in south Australian adolescents. Journal Adolescent 26:313-330 De Meyrick, J., H. & Yusuf, F. (2006). The application of household expenditure data in the development of anti-smoking campaigns. Journal health education 106(3):227-237 Hastings, G., Stead, M. & Webb, J. (2004). Fear appeals in social marketing strategic and ethical reasons for concern. Psychological Mark 21(11):961-986 Leather, N. (2009). Risk-taking behaviour in adolescence: a literature review. Journal of Child Health Care 13(3):295-304 Li j., Mattes, E., Stanley, F., McMurray, A., & Hertzman, C. (2009). Social determinants of child health and well being. Health and Social Review 18:3-11 National Preventative Health Taskforce Alcohol Working Group technical report 3 (2008). Preventing alcohol-related harm in Australia: a window of opportunity; Canberra: Australian government preventative health Pascal, R., Chikritzhs, T & Gray, D, (2009). Estimating alcohol-attributable mortality among indigenous Australians: towards Indigenous-specific alcohol etiologic fractions. Drug and Alcohol Review, 96-200 Roberts, K. (2008). Problem Gambling Impacts; Gambling Impacts Society NSW: Sydney Tyas, S. and Pederson, L. (1999). Psychosocial factors related to adolescent smoking: a critical review of the literature. Tobacco Control 7(4):409-420 Wang, C., Henley, N. & Donovan, R. (2004). Exploring children’s conceptions of smoking addiction. Health Education Resources 19:626-634 Read More

0 Impact of substance use on physical health of the adolescents in Australia Substance use is a growing public health concern in Australia among all groups. Among the adolescents, illicit drug use and heavy drinking are the major cause of increased mortality and morbidity rates. According to (Australian Bureau of Statistics 2008), adolescent at and above the age of 14 years do consume alcohol at high and risky levels. Tobacco smoking is on high consumption among the Australian adolescents. According to ABS, 2008 7% (58,000) adolescent aged 15-17 years were current smokers.

During the survey, 30,000 (4%) teens said that they were ex-smokers. Both alcohol use and tobacco smoking exposes the consumers to different health problems as highlighted here in. 3.1 Cigarette smoking According to Andreasen (2006), addictive behaviour is common to both active and passive smokers. Some commonly reported behaviours for those addictive to tobacco smoking include lack of control to smoking even in prohibited zones, frequency in smoking upon waking up. In his study Andreasen (2006), cigarette smoking affects the individual’s health, mental functioning and the need to use money.

Tobacco smoking leads to increased rates of morbidity such as cancer of the skin, lungs and increased mortality rates. Furthermore, Quality Adjusted Life Years has also faced tobacco smoking effects. Economist analysis shows that rather than inputting $4million shillings to other useful activities within households, this has been diverted to tobacco purchasing (de Meyrick & Yusuf, 2006). In Australia, antismoking campaigns with emphasizes to the dangers of smoking did prove to reduce smoking rates from 2000-2005 to 24%.

Some of physical effects of tobacco smoking include; (Leather 2009) stomach ulcers, liver diseases and liver carcinoma, respiratory diseases such as bronchitis and lung cancer. Tyas and Pederson (1999) adolescents involved in tobacco smoking find it hard to quit smoking, distress, poor food consumption which is likely to lead to under nutrition, some adolescent break the law to get money to purchase cigarette, others feel worked up before doing any activity of importance to the general society.

Consequently, suicidal lamentation, anxiety and depression and low-self-esteem are some of mental health factors arising from tobacco smoking among the adolescents. 3.2 Alcohol consumption In relation to world standards of alcohol consumption (Moodie, 2005), Australia reports high levels with 83% persons aged 14 years and above being consumers. In reference to the same study, this rates raises public health concern calling all levels for the government to take action. Alcohol consumption has not only raised the mortality and morbidity rates, but also morally harming passive drinkers.

According to (National Preventive Health Task Force Alcohol Working Group, 2008) alcohol consumption affects the individual for example it result to liver diseases or heart related condition, sexual dysfunction, gastritis or ulcers; leads to increased rates of road accidents pressurizing the Australian economy, impacts household functioning, disrupts and reduces productivity in workplace, increases family violence and affects general public safety. Pascal, Chikritzhs, and Gray, (2009) Prolonged alcohol use among adolescents results into impaired brain function which in turn results to memory blackouts, impaired judgement which provokes adolescents to indulge in high risk behaviours and poor memory coordination a fact which may lead to suicidal ideation. 4.0 Impact of compulsive behaviour on mental health among the adolescents in Australia Andreasen (2006) highlights compulsive behaviour as an act of doing something repetitively.

The act does not reward or provide the pleasure required. Compulsive behaviour when leads to obsession may cause a person to feel guilt, anxiety and stress. Compulsive behaviour obsession is quite disturbing because of its general gravity which may lead to family and social life ruin.

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