Running Head: ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE 1

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

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Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Summary

Alcohol and other drug abuse harmfully impact on health and the society in general in the

United States (Hillary, 2018). The impacts affect the economy negatively such as loss of

productive labor. Alcohol misuse refers to the consumption of alcohol in a way that put the health

and economy of the society in a risk. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and

Alcoholism (NIAAA), 15.1 million of adults who are of 18 years and above in the United States

are suffering from alcohol use disorder. The disorder is either alcohol dependence or alcohol abuse

(Hillary, 2018). These individuals suffering from alcohol use disorder are at an increased risk of

injury and suicide. According to this article, alcohol use is placed at the third position of the leading

causes of preventable deaths. In addition, alcohol and drug abuse seconds mood disorders in

causing suicidal behaviors in individuals. Individuals with substance abuse disorder are at a high

risk of medical conditions such as depression, cancer, liver cirrhosis, and HIV infection. Therefore,

there is need for early intervention and treatment to the victims of substance use disorders. An

early intervention prevents severe consequences and complications that may result from alcohol

and drug abuse as stipulated by the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment

(SBIRT) evidence-based practice. The most effective intervention is individualized patient contact

and group programs. SBIRT helps in reducing the effects of alcohol and drug abuse and cultivates

behavioral changes in the victims (Hillary, 2018).

My key takeaways from the article are that SBIRT is very crucial evidence-based practice in the

intervention substance abuse disorders as well as their associated complications. The practice is

also key in triggering behavioral change in the patients of these disorders.

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I have learned that alcohol and drug abuse does not only negatively affect the victim, but also the

entire society. It is therefore important to have an early intervention to prevents impacts of alcohol

and drug abuse.

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Reference

Hillary M. (2018). Core Measure: Substance Use – Alcohol and Other Drug Use Disorder

Treatment Provided or Offered at Discharge. Cinahl Information Systems.