Psy 108 Final Project
Final Project
Candace L. Browning
Southern New Hampshire University
Getting Started
In the United States, we know, as evidenced by substance abuse treatment submissions, that the problem with popping pills to alter moods has become a rampant problem (Nieves, 2012). I have chosen to look at the problem of prescription drug abuse specifically among rural teens. Many people associate the problem of drug abuse with larger, more urban areas, yet this is not the case. Teens living in rural areas abuse prescriptions the most (Gever, 2010). Painkillers and anti-anxiety prescription drugs have invaded these regions like wildfire as “pill mills” spew them out like candy (Nieves, 2012). Reasons for this may be due to the lessened availability of illicit drugs or because a prescribed medication is perceived as less dangerous. This action plan will delve into the problem at hand and make recommendations to address it further.
A study in the Journal of Child Psychiatry revealed that thirty-five percent of teenagers, double the number of marijuana users and ten percent more than smoking cigarettes admitted to non-medical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) (McCauley et al., 2009. Further insight from a nationwide survey of nearly 18,000 adolescents revealed that thirteen percent acknowledged NMUPD (Texas A&M University 2016). Steps must be taken to tackle this growing problem that is levelling entire communities. Prescription drugs are just as addictive as “meth,” cocaine, and “crack.” Intervention in young people’s lives can be an answer.
The first primary source, "The Role of Traumatic Event History in Non-Medical Use of Prescription Drugs" addresses the correlation of traumatic events, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), other substance abuse, and delinquent behavior with the abuse of non-medical prescription drugs in a person's lifetime. The goal of this research is to show that risk reduction efforts among adolescents is warranted to prevent to the abuse of prescription drugs (McCauley et al., 2009). The researchers accomplished this goal by taking a national sampling of adolescents. They then obtained parental and adolescent consent before conducting a private telephone interview. Respondents used one-word answers so their answers would not influence their response based on who was in the room with them. Nearly a quarter of those who admitted use at least once met the criteria for PTSD. Almost a third had experienced a major depressive episode, and over half had a history of delinquency. As an explanation for this behavior, the study posits negative reinforcement may be the culprit for prescription drug abuse among teens. This is part of the theory of operant conditioning in psychology. The individual avoids something that discomforts them as the authors’ postulate because of past traumatic events (McCauley et al., 2009). Prescription drugs which can alter moods offer an escape for teens as they seek to define themselves.
Using credible sources will make my Action Plan more reliable. McCauley and associates had their study published by the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, a scholarly journal in 2010. The authors have related doctorates and are affiliated with the Medical University of South Carolina Psychiatry Department or the Ralph M. Johnson Medical Center. Because we are looking at factors that cause adolescents to misuse prescription drugs this source is relevant. It shows that teens exposed to violence or had abused other substances were at a higher risk for taking prescription medication inappropriately. This study conformed to the ethical guidelines of the APA by obtaining parental and adolescent consent while maintaining privacy and confidentiality. In addition, the article demonstrated acknowledgement of other intellectual property by citing references and so fulfills the ethical guidelines of giving proper credit where it is due.
The second primary source, "NMUPD Among Youth in an Appalachian Population" considers what norms affects teens potential use of prescription drugs. The goal of this research was to consider whether individual factors, family disapproval, as well as school and community domains affected prescription drug abuse among adolescents (Collins, Abadi, Johnson, Shambien, & Thompson, 2012). In finding that lifetime NMUPD was higher than any other substance besides alcohol, the research concluded that gender, race, and age were not significant predictors of prescription drug abuse. However, recreational use by friends and its availability were a factor in whether the adolescent chose to take the drug. The study also found that parental disapproval, school, and community norms affected the student’s choice. The authors mention concepts like “norms,” “parental monitoring,” and “public policies.” These look at how a person behaves based on how society and culture affect them (Collins, Abadi, Johnson, Shambien, & Thompson, 2012).