As a health care professional, I have personally seen and have interacted with those who have and still suffering from drug addiction. I have an obligation to make sure that I maintain an open mind, to be empathetic, to be honest, and to deliver patient-centered care. This class provided me with essential information that will allow me to provide the best care to my future and current clients with drug addiction. The materials and topics in the class not only covered the historical background of each drug, but it also provided detailed information about each drug, its components, chemical action, and physical effects. I believe that in order to fully comprehend complex and delicate topics such as substance abuse, the reader will have to be very well informed, and this class definitely made that happen. All-in-all, I really enjoyed this class. It allowed me to explore the topic of drug use and abuse in ways that I was not able to in nursing school. I believe my experience in this class will help me in becoming an excellent, holistic, and patient-focused nurse.
The topic for this weeks' discussion was about substance abuse prevention and treatment. Although availability of treatment programs, especially for a specific target population, poses as a problem in our society, the bigger issues lies behind the abuser and their willingness to seek help. I believe that most are reluctant to seek help because the people that are encouraging them to GET HELP doesn't really know exactly what they are going through. I guess what I'm trying to say is....maybe those with addiction will most likely ask or at least think about getting help if someone who has suffered for the same problem, gave them the advice to get help. To put simply, would you seek fashion advice from someone who likes to wear bright colors when you love dark colors? Substance abuse is undoubtedly more complex than bright and dark colors, but I believe those who have experienced the pain, torture, and darkness of substance abuse are better equipped at influencing other addicts to seek treatment. Also, people are more likely to participate when they feel they can relate with their peers. The video below is about a former drug addict who talks about his experience with treatment.
Reference:
YouTube (2011, November 16). Treatment for Substance Abuse [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/bVIyIP-zCLY
One of the topic for discussion in class this week was about public service announcements (PSA) about drugs. If you were to Google search "anti-drug psa" you will find tons of PSA's ranging from the early 60's to the present.
In the midst of the sea of options, I found one particular anti-drug PSA that said it all! It is simple, funny, sarcastic, and clear! It is, by no means, "artsy" or creative, and it doesn't contain a ton of words or cheesy messages...it is direct and to the point!
I recently completed an interpersonal communication's class and one of my assignment was to visit this website called "This I Believe"(thisibelieve.org) It is a non-profit organization that serves as an outlet for people (of any age) to freely express their core values, morals, and beliefs in life. After reading a few essays, I found one written by a former cocaine "crack" addict that tugged at my heart strings and empowered me..all at the same time. His name is Quique Aviles. Here is his story! http://thisibelieve.org/essay/22871/
I Will Take My Voice Back
Quique Aviles - Washington, District of Columbia
July 31, 2006
"I believe that addiction can kill me, but that writing and performing will save me. I am a poet and an actor. I am also a crack addict and an alcoholic,
and that’s how a lot of people see me: a pipe head, a drunk, a problem,
an epidemic, a disaster area. I came to Washington, D.C., from El Salvador in 1980 at the age of
15. When I told my mom I wanted to be an actor, she said, “You mean a
clown.” But I make a living — although meager — through my poetry and
performances. In the early ’80s, crack came to D.C. I saw my city change and me
with it. Crack is a killer. Crack turns a ladybug in your house into a
hungry rat. Crack transports you into paranoid obsession. You don’t
sleep. You don’t eat. Your high lasts 10 to 15 seconds so you need to
keep pumping your brain with this poison over and over again. Mine has been a life of duality. I can function on drug street
corners and at wine-sipping theater receptions. In 1995 I was part of a
show at the Kennedy Center, but I was sneaking beers into my dressing
room before the show and getting high after. I often feel a sense of
pride when I put my book and loose poems in my bag before going to do a
reading. And yet, I am also this other person — this shadow, this
vampire. I’ve just turned 41 and have finally realized that crack will kill me
if I keep on shoving it up my brain. The alternative is death and I
don’t want it. I want to get old. About a year ago, I completed my third rehab. I decided that I would
use writing and performing as a catapult for rebound. I decided to stand
on stage and share stories from my notebooks that have born witness to
my nightmare.
1992
I want to keep playing with verbs
Write letters to old friends
And ask them to keep writing
I want to hold on to the lives of consonants and vowels
In a world of zero tolerance, talking like this about my addiction —
even saying it out loud on the radio — may mean artistic suicide. But by
telling my story here and on stage, I will take my voice back. People
will bear witness to my life. I believe that crack can kill me, but that
in the end, that communication and direct human contact will save me" (Aviles, 2006). Reflect: Tell
me what you think about it? How did it make you feel? Do you empathize
with the author? why or why not? What does this say about addiction?
References: Aviles, Q.
(2006, July 31). I Will Take My Voice Back « Quique Aviles | This I Believe.
Retrieved from http://thisibelieve.org/essay/22871/
The objective about this weeks class discussion is to choose a drug an upper, downer, or all around and provide information about how it effects our health. I wanted to post this video to supplement my class discussion response and to provide a visual illustration of how marijuana effects the human brain.
I think it is important that everyone understands the chemical, mental, and physical effects this drug has on the human body. Now-a-days. with the increasing media attention marijuana has been getting and with the talks of legalizing the drug, it is even more essential that the public become well educated about this substance.
In addition to learning about how the drug alters our brain structure, it is essential that we learn about the proper uses of marijuana, particularly for medical purposes. The picture below from normal.org illustrates the various diseases that benefits from marijuana.
Cannabis has the ability to relieve pain, nausea, vomiting, induce appetite, and in general, allow the patient to live a normal and functional life. It goes without saying, however, that its use should be closely monitored to avoid significant, chronic, and long-term side effects such as dependence.
References:
Armentano, P. (2014, January 7). NORML Working to reform marijuan laws. Retrieved from norml.org/component/zoo/category/recent-research-on-medical-marijuana
AsapSCIENCE (2012, October 3). Your Brain on Drugs: Marijuana [Video file]. Retrieved from http://youtu.be/oeF6rFN9org
