Running Head: VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

Vulnerable Population: Substance Abusers Carol Zinn Ferris State University NURS 340

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to identify the vulnerability of persons who are drug seeking and identify personal biases of myself and others who come in contact with them. This paper will also analyze how this bias affects my own and other health care professionals delivery of care to this population of substance abusers. I will address need for additional education and support for healthcare professionals regarding care of substance abusers.

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

Substance abusers Definition of Substance Abuse and Dependence Substance abuse: the dependence on and abuse of substances. Substance abuse is the use of alcohol, illicit drugs and nonmedical use of prescription medications.(Harkness and DeMarco, 2012, p.304). Substance dependence is the need for a larger amount of the substance one is addicted to in order to obtain the desired effect. Withdrawal will occur if one ceases to take the substance. Stereotypes The public perceives substance abusers as people who are long-haired, hippie-type, poorly groomed, with low incomes and low education levels. They are also often perceived as criminals. Personal Bias My personal perception of substance abusers is that they may be from all different walks of life, but most are in the younger population, below fifty. I feel that they are one of the most difficult populations of patients to care for. They are very needy and demanding, they are selfish, and often argumentative, and confrontational. They take time away from the patients who are often more ill than them. They will stop at nothing to get the medication they seek. They will go to the emergency department for many different complaints, seeking medication. This population can be rude and disrespectful. Sometimes they are on Medicaid which makes me upset as I help pay for their care and they are often rude to me. Tax dollars are being misused for this population that is desperately needed in other areas. Also, I myself cannot afford to go to the emergency

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

department unless it is medically necessary. I find this population to be one of the biggest challenges in my nursing career to care for. Factors that Cause Vulnerability According to Harkness and DeMarco 2012, p. 306, substance abuse or dependence is correlated to mental disorders and psychological distress with the highest population being in young adults ages eighteen to twenty five, Native Americans, and college age persons. It is perceived that by 2020 drug abuse for the population between the ages of fifty to fifty nine will increase. Substance abuse affects men more than women. Other factors that may cause this vulnerability are failure to meet work, family, or social obligations, legal problems, anxiety, depression, low frustration tolerance level, and impulsivity. Risk factors are affected by culture, age, socioeconomic status, family, and social dynamics. Other factors are addiction to a prescribed medication for a medical condition. Self-Reflection Based on Knowledge Acquired after Research and how this Knowledge Can Improve Care for Substance Abusers After reviewing the data, I realize that there is a social stigma attached to substance abusers which often prevents them from seeking treatment and often affects their care in the emergency department and hospital units as other health care professionals feel the same as I about this population. Since substance abusers are so demanding, nurses stay out of their room to avoid confrontation and the multiple needs these people often have. They are time consuming and emotionally draining. I think the social stigma also affects the public policy and programs for these people. There is a lot of push to get funding for mothers and children. There is a lot of

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

support for diabetes, cardiovascular conditions, and pulmonary conditions. There is a lot of emphasis on nurses education and treatment of these conditions as well. I do not feel there is enough support, and education for care of substance abuse. When I look up the policy at my institution, there does not seem to be enough information. There needs to be booklets and brochures that we can give these patients with available resources they can utilize after discharge. There needs to be more funding available for clinics and treatment centers for substance abusers. Nurses and other health care professionals need more education on treatment and care of this population. I do not feel there is enough support for nurses on this condition. Physicians need to be aware of the population most vulnerable to be substance abusers and be aware of the early symptoms of substance dependence. More limits need to be set on the amount of medication that is prescribed. I felt that substance dependence and substance abuse were the same. I did not realize that substance dependence was the physical need for the drug either legal or illegal. It could be medicine that is prescribed for them. Substance abuse is taking medication or other substances not prescribed for them or other than indicated by the prescription. Substance abusers may also misuse alcohol or illegal drugs. If health care professionals are more aware of the vulnerable population, we may be able to educate and work with them so that substance dependence does not become substance abuse. In conclusion, I am glad that I had the opportunity to research this subject of substance abuse to educate myself. I feel that I can better educate my patients that are dependent on scheduled medications on the potential for abuse. I feel that I will be more sympathetic to those that have the potential for substance abuse, however; I continue to be biased for those that are substance abusers. Abusers take time away from other patients that may need me more, they are

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

a financial burden, and often use valuable tax dollars which I help to contribute. I do feel sympathy for those that are substance abusers due to emotional or physical abuse they have suffered. This population will continue to be a challenge for me to care for, but I feel I am able to put my own feelings aside while caring for them as I have had years of experience caring for difficult patients.

VULNERABLE POPULATION: SUBSTANCE ABUSERS

References Frosch, W. & Speaker, S. (2008). Addictive Personality and Psychological Tests. Encyclopedia of Drugs, Alcohol and Addictive Behavior, 1(3).Gale Nursing Resource Center Retrieved from Gale Nursing Resource Center: http://0find.galegroup.com.libcat.ferris.edu/nrcx/start.do?prodId=NRC Harkness, G. A., & DeMarco, R. F. (2012). Community and public health nursing evidence for practice. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. Pham-Kanter, G. & Odle, T. (2011). Substance abuse and dependence. Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 5(4).Retrieved from: http://0find.galegroup.com.libcat.ferris.edu/nrcx/start.do?prodId=NRC Sternberg, B., Willingham, E., Asenjo, B., Wells, K., & Alic, M. (2011). Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 1(4). Retrieved from: http://0find.galegroup.com.libcat.ferris.edu/nrcx/start.do?prodId=NRC