PLEASE USE APA FORMAT FOR POST !
This week, we focused on early and middle adulthood. One notable aspect of these stages, and also of adolescence, for many people is the experimentation of different types of substances, such as alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and so on. Some individuals may even develop various substance-related disorders as they try to cope with the stresses that adolescence and adulthood often involves. Some substances may be non-harmful or minimally harmful in moderation, but there is often the risk of physical and psychological dependence forming, and the use or overuse of even some of the ‘safer’ substances may have significant effects on an individual’s development.
In this discussion, you’ll examine these substance-related disorders in more detail. I recommend the use of a variety of different websites, including but not limited to:
https://medlineplus.govLinks to an external site.
https://www.mayoclinic.orgLinks to an external site.
https://www.drugabuse.govLinks to an external site.
https://www.psychdb.com/addictions/homeLinks to an external site.
https://psychcentral.com
Using the above websites, you can typically use a search feature to look for a specific drug, to find articles, descriptions, symptoms/diagnostic criteria, and information covering treatments. I’d also recommend checking some of the databases available through the Library Help tab over to the left. As always, be sure to incorporate proper APA citations
1) Choose to focus in one of the following substances: alcohol, nicotine, cocaine, amphetamines, opioids, cannabis, inhalants, sedatives, or hallucinogens. Briefly summarize any symptoms or diagnostic criteria associated with a substance use disorder/dependence for that drug.
2)Given the many developmental contexts of substance-related disorders, treatment must focus on the biosocial, cognitive, and psychosocial roots of these disorders. Briefly describe possible treatment options available for the substance-related disorder you chose in 1. Which have proven to be most effective? What is the general prognosis or recovery rates for the substance use disorder you focused on?
3) Considering all the information you’ve found on the particular disorder you focused on, how can you use this information to support a friend or family member who might be experiencing this substance use disorder?
