Substance abuse is a term used to denote the risky or dangerous use of psychoactive substances, such as alcohol and illegal drugs. Using these substances can bring about the so-called dependence syndrome, which is a group of behavioral, cognitive, and physiological occurrence that develops after repeatedly using the substance which may include a strong craving for the drug, inability to control craving for the drug, persistence in using the substance despite the hazards, more preference for using the substance than other activities and obligations, improved tolerance, and sometimes withdrawal(World Health Organization, nd).
Here are some facts and figures concerning the state of substance abuse in the United States obtained from the 2006 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, which is conducted yearly by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)(SAMHSA, 2007). In 2006, approximately 20. 4 million Americans more than 12 years old were currently using drugs or took the illegal substance on the month prior to the survey. This comprise 8. 3 percent of the entire population of more than 12 years old(SAMHSA, 2007).
The present rate of illegal substance abuse among people more than 12 years old in 2006 (8. 3 percent) was almost the same with its 2005 rate (8. 1 percent)(SAMHSA, 2007). Marijuana was the most abused illegal substance at 14. 8 million users during the past month prior to the survey. Likewise, the rate of marijuana use in 2006 was similar to its 2005 rate(SAMHSA, 2007). There were 2. 4 million people aged more than 12 years old who are using cocaine. This was similar to 2005 figures but higher than the 2002 statistics at 2 million. From 2002 to 2006, the rate of using cocaine was constant(SAMHSA, 2007).
During the previous month, hallucinogens were used by 1 million people which is 0. 4 percent of the entire population of 12 years or older. 528,000 used ecstasy(SAMHSA, 2007). 2. 8 percent or 7 million people aged 12 years or over used prescription-type psychotherapeutic drugs in a non-medical way during the past month. The number of those who used pain relievers increased from 4. 7 million in 2005 to 5. 2 million in 2006(SAMHSA, 2007). Among Americans more than 12 years old, slightly over fifty percent are currently drinking alcohol.
This represents 125 million people which is almost close to the 126 million in 2005(SAMHSA, 2007). In 2006, 23 percent or 57 million of the population of 12 years or over have taken part in binge drinking (drinking alcohol more than five times on one occasion)(SAMHSA, 2007). In that same year, 6. 9 percent of individuals aged 12 years or over are heavy drinkers. The rate of alcohol use among teenagers aged 12 to 17 is 16. 6 percent in 2006. The rate for binge and heavy drinking was at 10. 3 and 2. 4 percent, respectively. These rates remained constant from 2005(SAMHSA, 2007).
Tobacco smoking is prevalent in 72. 9 million Americans who are more than 12 years old. This is 29. 6 percent of the population of that age group(SAMHSA, 2007). From 2005 to 2006, the rate of tobacco use among individuals 12 years and above has remained unchanged(SAMHSA, 2007). There are other illnesses that occur alongside bipolar disorder. Based from research, substance abuse can be related to bipolar disorder. The primary reason why a patient will abuse substances such as alcohol and drugs is because for them it serves as a form of self-medication.
In the total treatment of bipolar disorder, cure for substance abuse is likewise necessary(Read & Purse, 2006). During the 1996 U. S. Psychiatric & Mental Health Congress, Kathleen Brady, who is an associate professor of psychiatry at the Medical University of South Carolina, revealed that substance abuse co-occurs in 30 to 60% of patients suffering from bipolar disorder. Likewise, it is likely to be the only bipolar illness associated with Axis I psychiatric disorder(Read & Purse, 2006). In addition, Dr.
Brady reported that 2 to 4% of alcohol drinkers and 30% of cocaine abusers qualify for the diagnostic requirement for bipolar disorder. Dr. Agnes Hatfield, further stated that close to half of the people with mental disorders suffer from substance abuse problem(Read & Purse, 2006). In January 2007, two significant studies provided vital insights on the relationship of bipolar disorders and substance abuse. The aim of the twin studies is to determine the effects of comorbid anxiety disorders on bipolar disorder patients as well as what conditions are related to cocaine and alcohol use.
Here are the findings that were revealed in the two studies(Read & Purse, 2007). The first study involved 44 treatment-resistant patients currently in a state of depression. 50% or 22 of the patients are suffering from multiple disorders such as panic, obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic stress, as well as bipolar disorder while the remaining twenty two had no disorder of some kind. The patients were evaluated using four standard tests used to measure severity of depressions and another test that measures their ability to function well.
The results yielded three significant differences(Read & Purse, 2007. 1. The mean age of prevalence of symptoms of bipolar disorder for patients with comorbid anxiety disorders was 13 years as compared to 22 for those without any condition. 2. Over 56 percent of patients with anxiety disorders have prior history of attempting to commit suicide. In the other group, only 24 percent had a history of committing suicide. 3. The likelihood of substance abuse for the group with anxiety disorders was considerably greater than in the group without the disorder.