Addiction and Dependency

M5 Discussion B: Reflections on Learning
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M5 Discussion B: Reflections on Learning
Based on the course, there are various takeaway lessons that one can attain. Personally, there are different “take away” learning points that I have achieved from this course. First, there is still high use of illegal substances among the people. Even with drive by the public policy to change state regulations in the integration of addiction and mental health services, cases of addiction are still on the rise. Socioeconomic status also plays a vital role in addiction cases. Such groups of individuals usually face both social and even political barriers to advancement, such as institutional discrimination. They, therefore, resolve to high dependency on drugs leading high level of addiction. Secondly, harm reduction is essential in addressing the conditions of substance users (Marlat et al., 2012). Through proper harm reduction, addiction and various consequences of substance use can be reduced.
Thirdly, accepting that substance use is part of our current world is an essential part towards reducing their dependency and addiction levels. There is a need to understand that substance abuse is a complex and multi-faced phenomenon is essential towards coming up with ways of reducing addiction. It is only through acceptance that addiction and dependency levels on substance use can be reduced. The fourth “take away” lesson involves understanding the risks associated with exposure to various infections or diseases, such as through the use of needles or other risky sexual behaviors.

Buning (2013) indicates that public policy, through harm reduction should, therefore, focus on reducing the likelihood of various substance abusers getting exposed to various diseases. Proper mechanisms need to be put in place to address the increasing rates of diseases, such as HIV, which is either sexually transmitted or caused by injections.
Even though that is an immense effort to apply various methods of harm reduction in reducing risks of illnesses, one thing that surprised me is the assumption that is based on the hidden moral. Many communities and even politicians still feel that harm reduction encourages “bad behavior” and does not address addiction. There is still the perception that addiction is primarily self-imposed and is caused by lack of morals. The community members still hold the belief that resources should not be channeled to help the afflicted people. To community members, such individuals deserve their intended fate. The assumption poses a severe challenge towards the community’s collaboration with public policy stakeholders in ensuring that addiction and dependency of substance use are reduced. The part that challenged me is the rising rate of HIV and other STIs in both the US and other countries despite the awareness created through harm reduction. I believe that there is a need to change the community perception towards addiction and dependency on substance abuse before embarking on pushing them to change their actions.
Academically, understanding various causes of infections is essential towards coming up with ways of reducing them. The course has, therefore, played a substantial role in enlightening me on multiple modes of applying harm reduction in addressing the issue of addiction on substance abuse as well as high dependency levels on them. Personally, the course has offered me a clear depiction of the perception that still lies in my community. This area is crucial to me towards bringing change in society to reduce addiction and dependency on substance abuse. It, therefore, offers a clear picture of how I can push for the public policy to create awareness towards the attainment of harm reduction.
References
Buning, E. (2013). The Reduction of Drug-Related Harm. London: Routledge.
Marlatt, G. A., Larimer, M. E., & Witkiewitz, K. (2012). Harm Reduction: Pragmatic Strategies for Managing High-Risk Behaviors. New York: Guilford Press.