Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment

Drinking and Drug Use among Young Adults

Introduction

Alcohol and drug abuse among young adults is a global phenomenon affecting all societies. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), more than half of the world population has used alcohol in the past one year. A comprehensive study of all the world nations shows an increased intake of alcohol and drugs among young adults aged between 15-24 years who make up most of the world’s population (WHO, 2019). The trend of drug use among youth is primarily due to vulnerability to peer pressure, massive production of drugs, promotion, the popularity of drugs, and their availability. Among the drugs that are abused include alcohol Khat, bhang, cocaine, nicotine, heroin and transcription drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and cannabis. Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment

Background of the Study

A recent survey by  Abuse (2019) reported that in the US by 2018, 164.8 million youths aged 12 or older had used alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs.  Among them were 139.8 million who abused alcohol. In 2018, 19. 4% of young adults had used illegal drugs in the previous year, and an estimated 47 million smoke cigarettes. Among other drugs used in the US were opioids, marijuana prescription pain relievers, cocaine, heroin, hallucinogen, inhalant.

The National Institute for Drug Abuse (NIDA) (2018) reported that the use of marijuana had skyrocketed to 43% amongst the youths and that one in 17 college students had used marijuana daily. Close to 25% of youths had had binge drinking in 2018. Nicotine use had increased from 6% in 2017 to 15.5% in 2018. Cocaine use had significantly increased from 5.2% in 2018 to 2.7 in 2013.  According to Knopf (2020), “This is a worrisome trend given the health risks associated with vaping.” He says that the previous decade had shown a decline in drugs and alcohol, but the trend has changed with many young adults indulging in drugs and drinks for the last two years. These statistics are a clear indicator that there has been a growing trend of substance use among youths use which necessities, this study.

Scope the Problem

The prevalence of drug use has doubled and tripled in the last two years. Alcohol and drug abuse among youth is a matter of national concern mainly because of the health risks. According to NIDA (2020), drug and alcohol abuse cost the nation approximately $232 billion annually in healthcare costs due to alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug abuse. The study is based on a narrow scope of only the young adults of 18-25 years. The research cuts across the entire youth population of the nation.

Target Population

The target population for this study is the young adults in the US. Young adults include age 18-25 years. The US Census Bureau, Population Division (2019), estimated that 21.05 million of the US population is made up of young adults. This population’s choice was inspired by the understanding that the target population is vulnerable to health risk behavior, sexual behavior, risky driving, risky media use, aggression, and substance abuse (Debska et al. 2016).

Causes and Consequence of Drinking and Drug Abuse

Causes of substance use vary from one individual to another. Some of these factors include peer pressure, cultural and religious reason, easy availability, imitation, celebrations, rapid urbanization, and conflict. There are also biological factors such as biochemical factors, genetic predisposition, reinforcing and withdrawal effects, personality disorder (Ahad et al. 2017).

Consequences related to alcohol abuse are dire. A substance such as tobacco has been linked to cancer deaths. There is a connection between heart disease and cocaine, steroids, tobacco, ecstasy, and amphetamines. Cases of HIV and Aids infections have been connected to injection drugs. Drug users are more exposed to brain damage, liver damage, low bone development, delayed puberty, a weak immune system, vulnerability to infection and illness, heart conditions, stroke, seizures, and strained liver.  Furthermore, drug use causes behavioral problems such as hallucinations, paranoia, addiction, aggressiveness, impaired judgment, paranoia, insomnia, and convulsions (Abuse, 2019). Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment.

Significance of the Study

It is imperative to study the issue of drug abuse among young adults. Firstly, as discussed earlier, the problem is ever-escalating and has had negative consequences all over the world. The study is to create awareness of the challenge and the society the study will enlighten them on the dangers of drug abuse. To the youth, it is a forewarning of the dangers of drinking and drug abuse. The course is a wake-up call to policymakers and educators to formulate and implement more strategies and preventive programs. Shedding light on the issue of drugs may lead to a positive change in young adults.

Conclusion

Drug abuse and drinking are harmful to young adults and an escalating health problem to society. A significant reason for substance abuse is their availability. Given the risk factors involved in the abuse, intervention measures should be put to prevent further injurious health behavior.

References

Abuse, S. (2019). Mental Health Services Administration. (2018). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States: Results from the 2017 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (HHS Publication No. SMA 18-5068, NSDUH Series H-53). Rockville, MD: Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Retrieved from https://www. samhsa. gov/data. Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment.

Ahad, A., Chowdhury, M., Kundu, I., Tanny, N., & Rahman, M. W. (2017). Causes of Drug Addiction among Youth in Sylhet City of Bangladesh. IOSR Journal Of Humanities And Social Science (IOSR-JHSS), 22(5), 27-31.

Dębska, U., Guła-Kubiszewska, H., Starościak, W., & Kałwa, M. (2016). Health behaviour of Young Adults in a Globalizing World. Journal of Education, Health and Sport, 6(13), 82-95.

Knopf, A. (2020). Vaping nicotine and marijuana more than doubles among college‐age students. The Brown University Child and Adolescent Behavior Letter, 36(11), 6-7

NIDA, (2019) Monitoring the Future 2019 Survey Results: Overall Findings: US department of Health and Human Services

US Census Bureau, Population Division. (2019). Annual estimates of the resident population by single year of age and sex for the United States, States, and Puerto Rico Commonwealth: April 1, 2010, to July 1, 2018.

World Health Organization. (2019). Management of substance use: Facts and figures 2019. World Health Organization. Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment.

 Barriers To Healthy Behaviors

Work plan

Learning Objective

Upon completing the study, one should know factors that make individuals consume more drugs and challenges associated with their health. Models related to medicines should be dispensable to individuals trying to withdraw from these contents. Individuals should know the psychological and genetic reasons for abusing drugs and establish policies and regulations protecting adults from such abuses (Mincey, Brown,& Maurice, 2017). Drug and alcohol abuse at an early age alters the thinking and causes more damage to individuals with rates of consumption; for instance, educational and social challenges are the most outstanding. Behavioral theory suggests that an individual’s decision to consume alcohol and drugs depends on price availability, and time will drive an individual to abuse the substances.

Behavioral Objective.

To determine prevalence, trends, and attitudes of the Young substance abusers in varying contents and conditions among apart from caffeine and tobacco, what other substance do the youths consume most? What is their attitude to other drugs? Their willingness to consume drugs or get influenced, the behavioral study determines the initiation and patterns of drug consumption with its risk factors (Mincey, Brown,& Maurice, 2017). The most important aspect of the research is to show the social exclusion of young adults and reintegration with society and their response to such circumstances that affect the early livelihood that exposed them to drugs. Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment.

Learning Objective Of Drug Abuse Among Adults

Evidence-based programs that prevent the consumption of alcohol and policies.

Prevention of drug consumption is essential in reducing the misuse of substances and its damages associated with adults’ lives (Hawkins, 2012). Evidence that is scientific shows that prevention is working better for young adults.

Behaviour management and modification-When individuals’ behavior is modified, they are encouraged to change from harmful or destructive behaviors by rewarding those that show a positive response to these intervention measures, and those that depict acts of right actions should be reward first (Hawkins, 2012). Behavior management motivates people to address destructive behaviors by persuading them and teach people to behave in a better way that is pro-social.

Home visiting of individuals experiencing the struggle with substance abuse by training professionals that will be meeting homes of those selected that have young children and families get educated on parenting skills and good relations with children. It will help to reduce children to know about drug abuse. Through good parenting skills, children’s relationship will improve the relationship between parents and children; hence, communication skills will improve among them (Hawkins, 2012). Providing diverse information will help the parents have knowledge of health issues and provide referrals to those who are affected after conducting screening to attend clinics that will address the issues of postpartum depression. By identifying the challenges at an early stage will help to reduce the spread of substance abuse.

Emotional and social skills education. It is a powerful tool used to curb and prevent alcohol consumption among young adults (Hawkins, 2012). It teaches children and adults to manage their emotions by setting goals, having empathy for other human beings, establishing good relationships among the individuals, and reducing the increase of consumption among adults. When trained on these skills, youths develop social competencies that help them communicate effectively, resist substance abuse, and become more assertive.

Classroom management. It is a practice that involves students’ expectations and behavior. By recognizing those students who are ready to work and listens carefully through applying them and identifying their success by rewards will help prevent substance use (Blocker,  Thomas, & Campbell, 2006). By emulating such good behaviors among their fellow peers, attract much attention and respect among themselves.

Evaluation Criteria For Implementing Program And Intervention.

Experimental design: All strategies will require a random trial design or a quasi-experimental design that will guide in making comparisons to develop research that is scientific and experimental among young adults (Blocker,  Thomas, & Campbell, 2006). Most prevention will compare individuals or groups from receiving or have ever received intervention prevention measures and those that do not receive at all.

Out-come assessment: The program and intervention measures will entail; posttest and findings of the individual’s follow-ups. Follow-up strategy is proven to be essential for frequently checking the results of posttests. Positive impact, there should be an excellent follow up on the clients (Blocker,  Thomas, & Campbell, 2006). If the follow-up is conducted within six months, the components of intervention work properly. Evaluation criteria are perfect for such groups, and evaluating learning institutions and programs that are based are the only exempted group of follow-up policies.

Reference

Blocker, D. E., Romocki, L. S., Thomas, K. B., Jones, B. L., Jackson, E. J., Reid, L., & Campbell, M. K. (2006). Knowledge, beliefs and barriers associated with prostate cancer prevention and screening behaviors among African-American men. Journal of the National Medical Association, 98(8), 1286.

Hawkins, V. (2012). Smoking, drinking and drug use among young people in England in 2011. E. Fuller (Ed.). London: Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Mincey, K., Turner, B. L., Brown, A., & Maurice, S. (2017). Understanding barriers to healthy behaviors in black college men. Journal of American College Health, 65(8), 567-574. Health Behavior Problem and Target Population Assignment