Community Health Nursing Drug Addiction

Community Health Nursing

Drug addiction

There are various theories fronted by Smith on the understanding of the other person particularly in the psychological aspect. In the topic of drug abuse and the nursing approach to it, the theory that fits in well is that which deals with "of the sense of propriety" particularly 'of the pleasure of mutual sympathy' (Adam Smith, 1790). Apparently this is theory deals with an aspect that is usually a virtue in nursing practice. The theory indicates that there is mutuality in the sadness or joy between the affected and the observer. The nurse will often look at the drug addict with sympathy and attract sorrow as the nurse is well aware of the right position and state of health that the individual should be in. This is what will drive the nurse to take an appropriate step toward rehabilitating the individual.

The main determinants in the issue of drug abuse in line with nursing practice are lifestyle and environment. These are the main focus in the bid to solve the problem of drug addiction particularly among the teenage population. According to the social learning theory, people learn by observing hence the shaping of their attitudes and behaviors (University of South Alabama, 2013). One can learn the habit of drug abuse from the society and can as well change the habit and be drug free with the help of a nursing practitioner. It is also fundamental to note that the type of environment a child grows up in can fundamentally affect the behavior and lead to drug abuse and even dependence on these. Even though a child may not be living with a person abusing drugs but in an environment that leads to dependence on drugs to cope, for instance living with a depressed mother may lead to lack of self-esteem hence predisposition to being lured to drugs for self assertion and confidence (though this does not turn out to be true) (Rebecca D., 2013).

The change in environment and the people that the individual interacts with, hence learns from can fundamentally change the perception on drugs that the patient has. The drug abuse trend is due to the influence surrounding the individual, hence if the person is surrounded by people who don't use drugs and is aided in withdrawing from them (like in a rehabilitation home) then the individual is bound to imbibe this from the environment and the people finally quitting the habit.