SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND ADDICTION

DURING ADULTHOODLY D I A B E T S Y. M

2 N D Y E A R M S C H U M A N D E V E L O P M E N T

M O U N T C A R M E L C O L L E G E

INTRODUCTION

• People are most likely to begin abusing drugs including tobacco, alcohol, and illegal and

prescription drug during adolescence and young adulthood.

• By the time individuals reach their mid-twenties, many would have reduced the use of alcohol

and drugs.

• According to Johnson & others(2008), it was found that male young adults are more likely to

take drugs than their female counterparts.

• Older adults can increase the risks associated with consuming alcohol or other drugs.

• By the time they are seniors, almost 70 percent of high school students will have tried

alcohol, half will have taken an illegal drug, nearly 40 percent will have smoked a cigarette,

and more than 20 percent will have used a prescription drug for a nonmedical purpose.

• Different drugs affect the brain differently, but a common factor is that they all raise the level

of the chemical dopamine in brain circuits that control reward and pleasure.

• 1 in 4 Americans who first smoked, drank or used other drugs before age 18 has a substance

problem, compared to 1 in 25 Americans who first drank, smoked or used other drugs at age

21 or older.

CLASSIFICATION OF ADULTHOOD

• The transition from adolescence to adulthood that involves

experimentation and exploration.

• Ranging from 20yrs to 40yrs

EARLY

ADULTHOOD

• The developmental period that begins at approximately 40yrs of age

and extends to about 60yrs of age.

MIDDLE

ADULTHOOD

• The longest span of any period of human development. They face a

number of problems.

• Ranging from 60yrs to till death.

LATE ADULTHOOD

• Source: SAMHSA, Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2013.

WHAT IS ADDICTION?

Addiction is a behavior pattern characterized by an

overwhelming involvement with a drug and securing its

supply. Eg: Nicotine, alcoholism.

CYCLE OF ADDICTION

WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

According to WHO “Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive

substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs”. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

INCREASED RISK IN EARLY ADULTHOOD YEARS

• Adults may turn to addictive substances:

1. When coping with the stresses of child rearing,.

2. Balancing a career with family.

3. Managing a household.

PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ALCOHOL

• Two problems are associated:

1. Binge drinking: Consumption of an excessive amount of alcohol in a short period of time.

• According to Schulenberg & others (2000), chronic binge drinking is more common among

college men and women and students living away from home.

• In a national survey of drinking patterns on 140 campuses, almost half of the binge drinkers

reported problems that included missing classes, physical injuries, troubles with police and

having unprotected sex.

• Higher level of alcohol use have been consistently linked to higher rates of sexual risk taking,

such as engaging in casual sex, sex without using contraception and sexual assaults (Lawyer

& others, 2010).

• In a National longitudinal study binge drinking by 19-22yrs old women increased from 28% in

1995 to 34% in 2007.

EFFECTS OF BINGE DRINKING

2. Alcoholism: Alcoholism is a disorder that involves long term, repeated, uncontrolled,

compulsive and excessive use of alcoholic beverages and that impairs the drinker’s health and

social relationships.

• An estimated 50% to 60% of individuals who become alcoholics are believed to have genetic

predisposition for it.

• Studies also reveal that it is related to the environment factors which leads to alcoholism.

• A positive outcome and recovery from alcoholism are predicted by certain factors:

I. A strong negative experience related to drinking, such as serious medical emergency and

condition.

II. Finding a substitute dependency to compete with alcohol abuse, such as medication,

exercise or overeating.

III. Having new social supports.

IV. Joining an inspirational groups, such as religious organizations or alcoholics anonymous.

CIGARETTE SMOKING AND NICOTINE

• Smoking is linked to 30% of cancer deaths, 21% heart diseases deaths and 82% of chronic

pulmonary disease deaths.

• In US, the prevalence of smoking in men has dropped from 42% in 1965 to 20.6% in 2007.

However, more than 50 million Americans still smoke cigarettes today.

• Nicotine, the active drug in cigarettes, is a stimulant that increases the smoker’s energy and

alertness, a pleasurable and reinforcing experience.

• Nicotine also stimulates neurotransmitters that have a calming or pain reducing effect.

INCREASED RISK IN MIDDLE AGE YEARS

• New risks for addiction and substance abuse may emerge for individuals in middle age:

1. Financial pressures.

2. Divorce.

3. Empty nest.

4. Personal or family illness.

5. Economic and emotional stresses of caring for aging parents or the death of a parent or

other loved one.

INCREASED RISK OF LATE ADULTHOOD YEARS

• Older adults face additional life challenges that can lead to problems with addictive

substances:

1. Retirement.

2. Sudden or chronic illness.

3. Loss of independent living.

4. Financial woes.

5. Need to care for aging parents or grandchildren or the deaths of family members or

friends.

SUBSTANCE USE AND ABUSE

• A National survey found that binge drinking declines through the late adulthood years.

Indeed, a majority of US adults 65 years and older completely abstain from alcohol.

• The belief is that substance abuse often goes undetected in older adults, and there is concern

about older adults who abuse not only illicit drugs but prescription drugs as well (Segal,

2007).

• The consequences of alcohol abuse are depression, inadequate nutrition, congestive heart

failure and frequent falls.

• Late onset alcoholism is the label used to describe the onset of alcohol after the age of 65yrs.

It is often related to loneliness, loss of a spouse or a disabling condition.

• One study revealed better physical and mental health and increased longevity in older adults

who drank moderately compared with those who drank heavily or did not drink at all.

• Moderate drinking benefits involve better physical and mental performance, being more

open to social contacts and being able to assert mastery over one’s life.

C O N N E C T I O N B E T W E E N M E N TA L H E A LT H A N D

S U B S TA N C E A B U S E A N D A D D I C T I O N

MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

• Chronic use of some drugs can lead to both short- and long-term changes in the brain, which

can lead to mental health issues including paranoia, depression, anxiety, aggression,

hallucinations, and other problems.

• The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) reports that there is a “definite connection

between mental illness and the use of addictive substances” and that mental health disorder

patients are responsible for the consumption of:

38 percent of alcohol

44 percent of cocaine

40 percent of cigarettes

• In 2015, an estimated 43.4 million (17.9 percent) adults ages 18 and older experienced some

form of mental illness (other than a developmental or substance use disorder). Of these, 8.1

million had both a substance use disorder and another mental illness.

• Although substance use disorders commonly occur with other mental illnesses, it’s often

unclear whether one helped cause the other or if common underlying risk factors contribute

to both disorders.

• Drugs that can cause mental health problems: cocaine, inhalants, ketamine, kratom, LSD,

marijuana, MDMA, methamphetamine, PCP, prescription stimulants, steroids. (SAMHSA,

Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality, National Survey on Drug Use and Health,

2014 and 2015)

• Today, one in four deaths is attributable to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit or prescription drug

use.

TIPS TO HELP PREVENT SUBSTANCE ABUSE

UNDERSTAND HOW

SUBSTANCE ABUSE DEVELOPS

AVOID TEMPTATION

AND PEER PRESSURE

SEEK HELP FOR MENTAL ILLNESS

EXAMINE THE RISK FACTORS

KEEP A WELL BALANCED LIFE

CONCLUSION

• Substance abuse and addiction is very common during the young adulthood and late

adulthood years due to various reasons.

• It is very closely related to the mental health.

• Substance abuse and addiction affects the mental health of an individual and leads to various

mental illness.

• They can overcome when they take the appropriate treatment or receive good support from

friends circle or family.

REFERENCES• National institute on drug abuse. (2014, July). Retrieved from

https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-

addiction/addiction-health

• American Addiction center. (2014, March 18th). Retrieved from

http://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/five-tips-help-prevent-substance-abuse/

• Katehakis A (2011, April 11th). The cycle of Addiction. Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/sex-lies-trauma/201104/the-cycle-addiction

• World Health Organization (2002). Retrieved from

http://www.who.int/healthinfo/survey/ageingdefnolder/en/

• Adolescence and Adulthood. (2000) Retrieved from

http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/intropsych/pdf/chapter10.pdf