Community Wellness: The dangerous hidden costs of Use vs. Abuse
Friday, September 26, 2014
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IONIA COUNTY, Mich.
In the ongoing efforts to manage illicit drugs and their negative impact on the community, what can get lost in the discussion is the devastating effects of abuse of a legitimate drug (alcohol) on individuals, their families, employers, friends and the general communities. It has been estimated that about 40 percent of all hospital admissions and up to 25 percent of all deaths in the United States each year are substance use (including alcohol) related.
Dr. Jerry Johnson, of Grand Valley State University, in his benchmark book, "Fundamentals of Substance Abuse Practice," defines substance use as "the ingestion of substances (alcohol or drug, legal or illegal) that results in little or no significant negative consequences," but substance abuse is a "Pattern of negative life consequences resulting from their use."
In fact, if using alcohol causes someone trouble in a relationship, in school, at work, or in social activities, or if a person is arrested as a result of it, an assessment for alcohol abuse is warranted and should seriously be considered.
Dr. Johnson cautions that "not every victim or perpetrator of a substance related accident is chemically dependent." He does not, however, excuse the negative behaviors of a person under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. In the end we are responsible for the choices we make about using legal (alcohol) or illegal substances — including the negative impact our choice to use has on others.
The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta report that, "Excessive alcohol use has immediate effects that increase the risk of many harmful health conditions. These are most often the result of binge drinking and include the following:
n Injuries, such as motor vehicle crashes, falls, drownings and burns.
n Violence, including homicide, suicide, sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
n Alcohol poisoning, a medical emergency that results from high blood alcohol levels.
n Risky sexual behaviors, including unprotected sex or sex with multiple partners. These behaviors can result in unintended pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
n Miscarriage and stillbirth or fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) (www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/fasd/index.html) among pregnant women."
The Centers for Disease Control also report that, "the long-term health risks, over time, of excessive alcohol use can lead to the development of chronic diseases and other serious problems including:
n Cancer of the breast, mouth, throat, esophagus, liver and colon.
n High blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, liver disease and digestive problems.
n Learning and memory problems, including dementia and poor school performance.
n Mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
n Social problems, including lost productivity, family problems and unemployment."
It is becoming more recognized that alcohol addiction is a medical condition. It is also widely accepted that, with appropriate diagnosis and commitment to change, alcohol abuse can be successfully treated.
If you believe that you, or someone you care about, has an alcohol or other substance abuse problem, help is available locally. You can contact the Ionia County Substance Abuse Initiative at 616-527-5341, call Ionia County Community Mental Health's Access Department at 616- 527-1790, or view local and regional Alcoholics Anonymous meeting times on-line at grsaa.org.
Robert Lathers has been the CEO of Ionia County Community Mental Health Authority since 2001. He has 40 years of experience in human services in both private and public agencies. Lathers is a Licensed Master Social Worker with Clinical and Administrative Certification. He is a graduate of Grand Valley State University and Western Michigan University and is an adjunct professor at the GVSU Graduate School of Social Work.
Read more: http://www.sentinel-standard.com/article/20140926/News/140929185#ixzz3EpoATAYP
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