Research Paper on Substance Abuse Programs: Stigma, Weak Leadership, and Problematic Patients

Introduction

Substance Abuse Programs have witnessed drawbacks in American society despite their intent to combat substance abuse disorders. Some of the bottlenecks include stigma, robust tobacco and alcohol productions, weak leadership, skeptical members of the society, and problematic patients. The programs have, however, made strides in altering public attitudes, causing emergent of new and operative organizations, and championing innovations that are likely to change the society's perception of substance and drug abuse. The main problem with the existing programs is their capitalization on information dissemination, fear arousal, and moral appeal approaches as opposed to the application of social skills and a myriad of modalities. A plethora of challenges are witnessed as the substance and drug abuse programs are trying to address issues regarding the abuse of these substances. American society, therefore, needs to revisit the existing programs to make them more useful.

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Literature Review

Despite the establishment of programs to manage drugs and substance abuse, disorders emanating from these vices continue to pose a threat to American society. The seriousness of the issue stems from alarming death tolls experienced in the country with 440000 deaths in addition to more than 8,000,000 people who become disabled due to consumption of tobacco, 100,000 annual deaths from alcoholism, and 20,000 yearly deaths due to illicit drugs, raising eyebrows concerning the effectiveness of existential programs (Schroeder, 2005). A conflict of interest is clearly in existence between legal frameworks and the fight against drugs and substance abuse. People are accorded liberty to make their free will in an American culture that is pro-democratic. In this case, it becomes difficult to implement measures laid down as remedies.

The existing programs are not working on various levels. Deaths and other social issues still exist, suspicions are on approaches used by the plans in place. Most methods include prevention strategies that are limited by the number studied. It is, however, worth noting that several strategies have been considered, although a significant amount of them involve classroom instructional strategies, 78% include instructional programs (The National Academies Press, 2001; National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2018). Most applications, however, are focused on detoxifications. Unfortunately, detoxification alone does not curb issues arising from the consumption of substance and drug abuse. Thus, resulting behavioral changes are devoid of permanency.

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a popular program meant to help people struggling with alcoholism. A 12-step procedure is introduced to all attendants; the process is deemed as a de facto solution; thus, if it fails to work, patients are branded as flawed. It is a monolithic program that offers minimal, if any, help beyond the stipulated 12 step procedures. Adult alcoholics are limited in terms of choices since AA is the most recognized correction alcoholic correction program in existence in the United States. Despite its rigidness, AA has previously received a boost after the Affordable Care Act was passed (Glaser, 2015). The act necessitates insures and Medicaid plans to pay for alcohol and substance-abuse treatments. Patients can now receive treatments that have detoxification in the AA program; this results in the completion of the treatment process.

Challenges

Various literature indicates that drugs and substance abuse, alongside its associated issues, are far from being solved in the United States of America. Death tolls are still high. Most programs are limited in their approach, with most of them adopting instructional techniques that have yielded minute outcomes. AA, in particular, is rigid in its methodologies, thus, offering limiting solutions to patients. The 12-step procedure stipulated by the program is deemed as a must work procedure that does not always produce adequate results. Social issues such as stigma and conflicts of interest are also a stumbling block to efforts made by the programs. Drug addicts are, in some cases, stigmatized in the society and their behavior castigated. Such practices have limited the capacity of correctional programs to combat substance and drug abuse issues. One of the reasons why substance abuse disorders have a minimal impact is because of low advocacy from leaders. Industries processing alcohol and tobacco are also powerful entities that make efforts targeted to bring down substance abuse disorder issues. Leaders have failed to push the agenda through their leadership forums. Judicial systems are inclined to jailing people rather than giving them a chance of rehabilitation. Medicaid does not ensure a significant number of citizens. Thus, leaving some people helpless after detoxification, a procedure that should be followed by medication.

Successes

The programs have, however, recorded some success stories. The U.S society, for instance, has experienced a significant fall in prevalence rates, morbidity, and mortality. A steady decline in tobacco and drug abuse, as well as a decrease in the number of accidents emanating from intoxicated driving, can be attributed to efforts made by the existing programs. Violent crimes such as homicides, which are associated with alcohol and substance abuse, have also decreased by 4.7 deaths per 100,000 population between 1980 and 2000 (Schroeder, 2005). Counter-marketing campaigns sponsored by American Legacy Foundation have regularized their activities, and also, they have been credited to cause a significant drop in youths and adult smoking patterns. Studies have also been initiated detailing imaging and neurochemical methods that demystify specific areas that are altered by drug and substance addiction. Such studies have started a new wave of drug and substance abuse programs that lean on medical techniques.

People who have followed due diligence of the programs have claimed to have experienced positive changes in terms of an increase in the functionality of their families, workplaces, and society at large. Some also believe that the programs have helped them to eradicate bad habits of alcoholism, criminal activities, and their social life has also improved. Medical interventions have enabled patients to counter withdrawal effects that are stubborn; they are symmetrical to a chronic disease (National Institute on Drug Abuse, 2019). Recovering from drugs and substance abuse is a gradual process. Lapses, a common occurrence in the treatment of drugs and substance disorders, are therefore not indications of failure as claimed by some patients, and they instead indicate a necessity of reinstated or adjusted treatment schedule.

Recommendations

Specific measures in the control of drugs and substance abuse are dire if an overhaul is to be experienced by the existing programs. Better treatments are necessary, considering that existential medical cover plans do not insure over 45 million Americans. Medicaid programs should, therefore, include counseling durations, nicotine replacement medication, methadone for drug addiction, and bupropion for smoking cessation. Covering all the services mentioned above will increase the coverage of affected people. The American government should also dedicate more resources for research. Non-Governmental funding should also be encouraged to facilitate more stringent measures in combating the effects of the substance and drug abuse disorders. The leadership of the country should also unite in fighting drugs and substance complications. Women movements should, for instance, participate in the advocacy agenda. The criminal and judicial system should be reformed to form more flexible in an effort to reduce burden incarcerations. Thus, giving a chance to the incarcerated to get rehabilitated.

Conclusion

Despite significant success being made in combating drugs and substance abuse disorders, existing programs have fallen short of effectiveness. The Medicaid insurance cover, for instance, consists of loopholes, particularly regarding the protection of American citizens who are not covered by the public provision. Leaders have failed to vigorously champion for changes concerning disorders emanating from drugs and substance abuse. A massive number of citizens have succumbed to drugs and substance abuse disorders either through extreme complications or via road accidents. Some programs such as AA are rigid in their approach, thus leaving affected people helpless after the stipulated measures fail. Successes have, however, been experienced as a result of the programs. Some People who have gone through these programs have claimed positive results. The programs are, therefore, working to some extent. Criminal activities have dropped in a significant figure, and this is a score for the programs because illegal activities are linked to the consumption of drug and substance abuse. To make the applications seamlessly effective, leaders should find it worth to engage in advocacy of activities conducted by these programs. Non-governmental organizations should also come up in large numbers to support the government in combating drugs and substance disorders. Incarcerated people should also be granted a chance of rehab instead of being locked in prisons. The changes mentioned above can prove critical in salvaging drugs and substance disorders.

References

Glaser, G. (2015, March 17). The Irrationality of Alcoholics Anonymous. The Atlantic; The Atlantic. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2015/04/the-irrationality-of-alcoholics-anonymous/386255/

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2018). Types of Treatment Programs. Drugabuse.Gov. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/drug-addiction-treatment-in-united-states/types-treatment-programs

National Institute on Drug Abuse. (2019). How effective is drug addiction treatment? Drugabuse.Gov. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/principles-drug-addiction-treatment-research-based-guide-third-edition/frequently-asked-questions/how-effective-drug-addiction-treatment

Schroeder, S. A. (2005). An Agenda To Combat Substance Abuse. Health Affairs, 24(4), 1005-1013. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.24.4.1005

The National Academies Press. (2001). Informing America's Policy on Illegal Drugs: What We Don't Know Keeps Hurting Us" at NAP.edu. (n.d.). In www.nap.edu. Retrieved April 14, 2020, from https://www.nap.edu/read/10021/chapter/9#213