Definitions of Substance Abuse
Substance abuse: the use of any drug (alcohol, street drugs, prescription and over-the-counter medications) that results in a loss of control over the amount taken and when it is taken
Dependence or addiction: present when there are physiological symptoms that occur with withdrawal of the substance
Scope of Substance Abuse
Illicit drug use
Use of alcohol
Use of Tobacco
Impact of Substance Abuse on Society
Preventable morbidity and mortality
Healthcare costs
Costs to society
Impact of Substance Abuse on the Individual
Loss of job
Divorce
Health problems (acute and chronic)
Nutritional deficiences
Low self-esteem
Depression
Anxiety
Death
Risk Factors for Substance Abuse
Society’s influence
The family’s influence
The workplace’s influence
Personal factors
Nursing Assessment
Nurses’ attitude self-assessment
Drug history
Recognizing the signs of substance abuse
Interventions
Society’s response
Healthy People 2020
Primary prevention
Secondary prevention
Tertiary Prevention
Interventions with special populations
