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Substance Abuse among the Disabled
Name
Institution
Substance abuse among the disabled
Substance use disorders occur when the persistent consumption of alcohol or drugs triggers clinically substantial impairment, including health problems, and failure to meet major responsibilities at home or at work (“Mental and Substance Use Disorders”). About 56.7 million people in the United States live with a physical disability (“U.S. Census Bureau Disability Statistics Facts for Features,” 2017). 50% of individuals with physical disabilities have common and wide spread cases Substance misuse. What is more, people with disabilities suffer substance abuse rates that are double to quadruple that of people in the general population (Weiss, 2017).
It is unlikely for persons with physical disabilities to receive treatment (Murray, 2018). A large percentage of disabled individuals with a disorder of substance use begin using either drugs or alcohol as an alternative to cope with their disability and any physical or mental side effects that accompany it. In addition, individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) such as bipolar disorder may have a reduced ability to reason clearly and may end up using drugs to enhance their social interactions.
There is heightened concern about substance use among the disabled; this is due to the interference with prescription medications. Prescription medications for pain used by patients with disabilities tend to have a high potential for addiction (Murray, 2018).

Individuals with a disability are therefore at a higher risk of substance misuse especially when these opioids are used together with alcohol or drugs; this further impairs coordination, making an already hard task harder. It is also important to consider the emotional support that disabled people may experience as loneliness and isolation can make a person vulnerable to misusing drugs.
The Americans with Disabilities Act, recognizes that physical and mental disabilities in no way diminish a person’s right to participate in all aspects of society. Federal accessibility guidelines enforce access to public places for people with disabilities (“ADA Standard for Accessible Design,” 2010). Accessible facilities are optimal for success in treatment.
References
2017 U.S. Census Bureau Disability Statistics Facts for Features (2017, June 13). Retrieved from https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/statistics/cbfff.phpWeiss, T.C. (2017). Addiction and Substance Abuse among Persons with Disabilities (2017, November 24). Retrieved from https://www.disabledworld.com/medical/pharmaceuticals/addiction/serious.php
Mental and Substance Use Disorders Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/disordersADA Standard for Accessible Design Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/2010ADAstandards_index.htm
Murray, K. (2018). The Relationship between Disability and Addiction HYPERLINK “C:\Users\001\AppData\Local\Temp\Retrieved from https:\www.addictioncenter.com\addiction\disability\”Retrieved from https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/disability/