Supporting clients in the grip of addiction, getting to know more about substance abuse
Valokuvaaja: MART PRODUCTION Pexelsistä: https://www.pexels.com/fi-fi/kuva/ihmiset-tumma-riippuvuus-poyta-7230243/
"Substance use disorder is a cluster of physiological, behavioral, and cognitive symptoms associated with the continued use of substances despite substance-related problems, distress, and/or impairment, such as impaired control and risky use."
(APA Dictionary of Psychology, referred from a website post: Substance use, abuse, and addiction)
Why did I chose this topic of all the possible ones?
It is quite a tabu and people don't talk about it. For addicts it might be very hard to let other people know while in recovery, because of the stigma.
The Ministry of Social Affairs and Health is responsible of running services for substance abusers. Muncipalities are responsible for organising services (arranged according to needs).
Services:
- general social and health care
- specialist services for substance abusers
- a specific level of level of medical treatment
- outpatient care
- inpatient care
- rehabilitation
- housing and support services
In the digital media environment they use mostly informative posts, links to different substance abuse social work sites for example EHYT (the Finnish Association for Substance Abuse Prevention). There a person can find information about substance abuse, social workers can get tips and info about how to connect with substance abuser. What methods are effective and what are not. In EHYT web page, education tab says quite amazingly: "Through open discussion, we are more able to help students build a healthy and safe set of values that support their personal ability to make good choices." So why don't we use the same phrase for addicts as well in the field of social work with substance abusers. That could be our guideline, to support their pesonal ability?
If a client is living Helsinki and near, there are Stoppi (Stop Huumeille ry) that has very informative Instagram page. You can find information there about their meetings. It is for substance abusers in recovery. Based on volunteer work. This is more likely for people in recovery.
I think that we could use more social media, to make services easier to access or to be the first step on the road of rehabilitation. To "poach" clients there and give them straight and easily information on rehabilitation and different options. It is very wide ground to find information, where to seek help and how. So social media could be the stepping board, to give easily help and connect with low social pressure.
Substance abusers in Finland:
In the year of 2022 there were a questionnaire of substance abuse for 15-69 years old. 29% said that they've tried at least once in their life some substance. )% said that they've used substances in a past year, 4% said they've used in a past month some sort of substance. Proportioned to population it means 320 000 in a past year, and in a past month it means 160 000. It is quite a big number. I used following link as a source; Huumeiden käyttö Suomessa — Päihdelinkki
How I think about this is, there is so much potential going down the drain and so many broken people that needs help. Also this would be great time to find a solution to this problem. What are your thoughts?
Sources:
Services for substance abusers - Ministry of Social Affairs and Health
Great writing, Emma. I agree with you that substance abuse and addiction are topics that are not discussed enough. Media is definitely a helpful tool for creating awareness around this topic.
ReplyDeleteI agree that increasing the accessibility of substance abuse services through social media could reduce stigma and provide more support, helping individuals take the first step toward recovery.
ReplyDeleteThe digital approach is crucial to widespread awareness regarding this matter since there's discrimination against this community.
ReplyDeleteGood post! It's truly sad how much stigma surrounds substance abuse and the work related to it.
ReplyDeleteI would agree if there is a heavy addiction of a client and the client is willing to change then the most useful way is to get informed about how possible solutions for help could look like . Instagram pages who offers help for drug abused clients are often the easisest first step to achieve help from professionals. Thanks for the asking of opinion.
ReplyDeleteA crucial and thought-provoking topic! Addressing stigma and improving digital outreach could make support more accessible. Social media has great potential in guiding people toward recovery.
ReplyDeleteIt’s heartbreaking to see so much potential lost due to addiction. The digital space offers a great opportunity to reach people where they are, without judgment.
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