Patients with History of Substance Use, 2nd Edition

Course Description

Course Description:

Addiction affects people of all ages, sexual orientation, races, ethnicity, social classes, religions, educational status, and family structure. The increasing rates of drug overdose and death from substance misuse and addiction is a serious public health issue that requires addressing. Substance use and addiction often results in hospital admissions and readmissions, and incarceration in jails or prisons. The economic toll of lost wages, and rising healthcare costs result in financial hardships. Additionally, substance misuse and addiction can cause disruptions and distress between families and friends as they experience the harmful effects of the disorder. Most importantly, recovery is more than abstinence or sobriety. Individuals affected by the deleterious consequences of substance use and addiction need to develop new roles, routines, and habits for participation in healthier lifestyles, including self-regulation/coping skills, rediscovering their purpose, and re-engaging with their families and communities (Cruz, 2019). 

According to the results of the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, approximately 20.3 million people aged 12 or older had a substance use disorder related to alcohol or illicit drugs in the past year, including 14.8 million people who had an alcohol use disorder and 8.1 million who had an illicit drug disorder (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2018).