Week 4 - Lifespan Population groups & drug use

Question 1

When is the most common onset of substance use and why?

Answer 1

Youth are the most common population group, due to lack of experience, being naive, risk taking behaviours. Using in adolescence mediates use in adulthood.

Question 2

State one trend about a pattern of smoking use among youth.

Answer 2

Fewer secondary students reported smoking use compared to 2011:
2011 = 4%
2017 = 2%

Fewer secondary students are also drinking alcohol:
2011 = 74%
2017 = 66%

Question 3

When do patterns of risky alcohol consumption begin to change in youth?

Answer 3

Trends show that Year 10 is when risky alcohol consumption and patterns of behaviour begin to change.

Question 4

Why can young people drink longer than adults?

Answer 4

Youth are less susceptible to the sedative effect. Adolescents have fewer GABA receptors from which alcohol can act. Final levels of GABA are not reached until early adulthood.

Question 5

What impact does substance use have on psychological development?

Answer 5

• managing stress
• coping mechanisms
• cognitive thinking processes
• social skills
• brain development: prefrontal synapses (inhibition). During adolescence is when the brain also begins developing abstract thoughts.

Question 6

Explain why you think older people might be more susceptible to alcohol and drug problems.

Answer 6

• difficulties with pain (medication management)
• isolation
• poor health
• significant life events (e.g. loss of family member, or job) which may be risk factors
• most interventions & strategies are not reaching these groups

Question 7

What could be an alternative treatment for this older age population group?

Answer 7

Developing social connections, to prevent isolation, and also keep them busy with other hobbies.

Question 8

What do we know about Injecting Drug Users in Australia?

Answer 8

• 80% experience discrimination in health care settings
• Australia is in the top % of IDU compared to other countries
• However, Australia is low on HIV % because the strategies we use are highly effective (safer for users)

Question 9

What do we know about women and drug use in Australia?

Answer 9

• Smoking rates have peaked for middle aged women
• 2.5% increase in cannabis use
• Women respond to drugs differently
• Women metabolise alcohol differently
• Women are most likely to have first used substances with their male partner

Question 10

Why are linguistic and culturally diverse people immediately seen as more at risk?

Answer 10

• PTSD and trauma from immigrating from war torn countries.
• Struggling with unemployment (risk factor)
• Language barriers (risk factor)

Question 11

Describe the risk factors associated with substance use among Aboriginal and Torres Strait islanders.

Answer 11

• socioeconomic disadvantage; leading to more at risk health issues
• inability to access appropriate services
• intergenerational trauma
• racism
• family break downs