Social workers are change agents. According to our Vision statement, “University of New England SSW envisions a world where social workers are at the forefront of advocating with individuals and communities for human dignity and social inclusion by mobilizing efforts to end inequities, exploitation, and violence. As a social worker, what do you believe to be the greatest social determinants of health outcomes for individuals, families and communities with substance use disorders?

Why should social workers be concerned with epidemiology and etiology? How do these inform social work? What kind of individual, community and/or society level interventions can you imagine that would improve the situation? Where do you think social workers can intervene in order to have the greatest impact?

400 words. APA format

Readings:

The Etiology and Epidemiology of Addiction

MODULE OVERVIEW/INTRODUCTION

Epidemiology is the study (scientific, systematic, and data-driven) of the distribution (frequency, pattern) and determinants (causes, risk factors) of health-related states and events (not just diseases) in specified populations (neighborhood, school, city, state, country, global). (Source: Principles of Epidemiology (3rd ed.), Center for Disease Control).

Epidemiologic information is important in social work as it provides us with a lens to understand possible determinants of health and risk factors that may be traced to social exclusion. These studies also provide vital data to be utilized for advocacy at the community, state or national level to improve access to services, develop effective primary prevention, as well as address public policy regarding substance use disorders.

Etiology is a branch of medical science specifically concerned with the underlying cause or origin of disease. Social workers must be concerned with both the extent and risk factors of a social or medical issue as well as the underlying cause(s). Most people do not understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs and/or alcohol. It is often assumed that substance abusers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, substance use disorder is a complex disease. Getting sober takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs and alcohol change the brain in ways that foster compulsive substance abuse and quitting, even for those who are ready to do so, can be quite difficult. Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs and alcohol work in the brain than ever. We also know that addiction can be successfully treated.

• Textbook: Wormer, K. & Davis, D. (2018). Addiction treatment: a strengths perspective. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning. ISBN-13: 978-1305943308. Chapter 3, pp. 89-149.
• Textbook: Sheff, D. (2013). Clean: overcoming addiction and ending America’s greatest tragedy. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. ISBN: 978-0547848655. Part II (Chapters 3-4).
• NIDA Material: The Science of Addiction
• Merikangas, K. R., & McClair, V. L. (2012). Epidemiology of substance use disorders. Human Genetics, 131(6), 779-789. doi:10.1007/s00439-012-1168-0
• NIDA Material: Drug Facts Nationwide trends
• Results from the Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2016 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (review the report to understand the trends, statistics and the scope of the problem in the US).
• Optional: Vaughn, M. & Perron, B. (2013). Chapters 2-3, pp. 23-46.

Multimedia

• The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction: Watch slideshow “The Reward Pathway and Addiction”
• How Addiction Hijacks the Brain: Read the article

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