Public Health Unit 7: Health Concerns: Drug and Alcohol Abuse / Chronic Diseases (Essay Sample)

Public Health Unit 7: Health Concerns: Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Chronic Diseases – DB
Name
Institution
Public Health Unit 7: Health Concerns: Drug and Alcohol Abuse/Chronic Diseases – DB
Substance Abuse
Personal Attitude toward drug and substance abuse
Although it is possible to argue that drug and substance use have a pathological link and that treatment is the way forwards in place of rehabilitation, I believe incarceration and punishment of individuals associated with such activity is the best approach. This attitude stems from fact that drug and substance users often are associated with violent behavior, are commonly manipulative and consistently show a lack of motivation for seeking help and treatment as well. In my view it is their own misconduct which is responsible for use of drugs. In this case, felonious justice is best approach to help eradicate this problem (Bota, 2006). As a result of drug users’ behavior and conduct in general, use of treatment is not sufficient or beneficial to users. It only adds up costs to government in form of rehabilitation programs (Bota, 2006). Furthermore, users under treatment take advantage of available resources relating to drug and substance care (Bota, 2006). Further abuse arises when patients, for instance, refuse to follow care plans which have been rigorously established by health care professionals. Also, most drug users have capacity, on their own, to handle substance abuse (Bota, 2006).
Substance abuse may be defined as overindulgence of an individual in substance that may be considers as being addictive, particularly drugs and alcohol (Inciardi, 2009). Substance use refers to overall consumption and use of drugs or alcohol on a regular basis irrespective of harmful effects it imposes on an individual’s health (Inciardi, 2009). Dependency refers to extensive addiction to drug or substance due to prolonged usage. Addiction is compulsive and physiological attachment to and utilization of habit forming substances, such as alcohol, nicotine or heroine, and is associated with tolerance as well as well formed physiological characterization of need once substance is absent (Inciardi, 2009).
Chronic diseases within community
Home-health care is defines as care provided to adults convalescing from critical hospitalization and to individuals needing long-term nursing care. It involves a diversity of social and medical services dependent of needs of patient (McCall, n.d.).
Adult day care are programs which provide several different support packages for adults who are impaired, particularly the elderly, within an environment that is protective during day time (McCall, n.d.).
Hospice care is a program aimed at providing spiritual and emotional support to individuals who are terminally sick together with family members (McCall, n.d.).
Nursing home care is a service offering institutionalized care to those recuperating from acute sickness or those with chronic issues needing skilled attention (McCall, n.d.).
Supportive living care is a service offered in group-living context in which individuals are provided with personalized care as well as protective monitoring for those needing long-term support (McCall, n.d.).
Nursing role opportunities
Coordination of care is a role that nurses need to be involved in with respect to chronic illnesses in the community. There is need to involve nurses in public health care coordination protocols to assist in management of chronic illnesses such as hypertension within the community. Since it encompasses referral of patient, there is need for comprehensive communication between health bodies and clinicians and nurses will be effective in bridging this gap (Middleton, 2004).
Nurses are...