Description of the Group
Towards the end of the 20th century, most of the studies focusing on substance abuse focused on the needs of men. This means that the percentage of women affected by substance abuse remained unknown for several decades. In the recent past, studies have been done to analyze the psychological, health, and economic challenges affecting women who abuse different substances (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015). This marginalized group has been selected in order to understand the major health problems and experiences affecting them. By so doing, the information obtained from the study can be used to design evidence-based care models to support the target population.
Current statistics indicate that over 6 million women in the United States are affected by alcohol use disorder (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015). Teenage girls have also been observed to struggle with substance use or abuse. Although men have higher chances of abusing illegal drugs, women are also “prone to a wide range of drug-related problems” (Shen, 2014, p. 312). Over 60 percent of women who use illicit or addictive substances face tougher obstacles or challenges (Shen, 2014).
The progression to addiction is usually higher in women. The existing gender differences have continued to affect the nature of healthcare delivery. This topic has also been selected in order to present new ideas to support women who use addictive substances. A study by the Substance Abuse and Mental health Services Administration (SAMSA) showed that around 4.5 million women aged 20 years and above misuse prescription medicines or drugs (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015).
Substance abuse is a major challenge that influences the health outcomes of women negatively. As mentioned earlier, women tend to become addicts much faster. A study conducted by the World Health Organization in 2014 indicated that over 15 million have been using illicit drugs (Shen, 2014). Women have “more drug cravings compared to men” (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015, para. 6). Chances of relapse after any form of treatment are usually high among women. Women who abuse drugs will encounter different psychological problems such as anxiety and trauma. Chances of divorce are usually high among members of this population. Depression, panic attacks, and confusion are common in women who use illicit drugs.
Psychological Needs of Substance Abuse Women
The above statistics show conclusively that substance in women in a major challenge that should be addressed by psychologists and healthcare professionals. The first consideration is ensuring that the social, biological, mental, and environmental factors are taken care of (Burns et al., 2012). Psychologists should begin by understanding the unique environmental issues affecting women who abuse drugs. This is the case because there are unique environmental conditions and motivations that encourage women to use addictive drugs.
The experiences and circumstances associated with the surrounding environment explain why some women take such drugs. The abusers will also require appropriate support. This is the case because women might experience sexual or physical trauma. Psychologists should therefore consider the mental health problems affecting the targeted women. Economidoy, Klimi, and Vivilaki (2012) indicate that post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological problem affecting women who abuse drugs. This knowledge can guide psychiatrists to offer the best psychological support.
The targeted group requires continuous or long-term psychological support. This is the case because substance abuse is a risk factor for various disorders. For example, anxiety and mood disorders tend to affect more women than men. Those who have substance-use conditions will have higher chances of developing various psychological problems. Psychologists can go further to re-pattern the experiences and relationships between the targeted women and their chidlren (National Institute of Drug Abuse, 2015). This is the case because the chidlren of substance abusers might be at risk of numerous economic and psychological problems.
Townsend (2014) observed that “substance abuse in women is associated with a numerous problems such as lack of awareness, social stigma, homelessness, and victimization” (p. 46). That being the case, these patients should be provided with adequate psychological support in order to lead better lives. Family members, husbands, and chidlren should be supported using multidisciplinary approaches. The practice will ensure the barriers affecting the health outcomes of the targeted substance abusers are alleviated.
Issues Impacting Culturally Competent Care Delivery
Women who abuse various drugs and prescription medicines can benefit from culturally competent care. Medical practitioners and psychologists should develop evidence-based models to support the health needs of this vulnerable population. Cultural competence approach is a powerful model that can address the issues affecting different patients (Pauly et al., 2013). Biases and differences are identified because they can affect the quality of care available to members of this population. A powerful culturally competent approach is necessary because it demonstrates specific values such as empathy whenever diagnosing and providing the required care.
Unfortunately, there are numerous issues or gaps that can impact culturally care delivery to women with substance abuse disorders. To begin with, the knowledge and cultural competencies of the caregivers will determine the quality of care available to such patients. Professionals who have such competencies will ensure every patient receives quality care (Pauly et al., 2013). Caregivers who do not have such competencies will find it hard to tackle the unique needs facing their patients.
The nature of treatment models or methods can also dictate the quality of patient care. Treatment methods that focus on the unique expectations and values of the substance abusers can deliver positive results. Failure to have adequate treatment methods will affect the quality of medical and psychological support (Economidoy et al., 2012). Inclusion of multidisciplinary teams is a powerful concept that has the potential to transform the experiences of many women who abuse drugs. The individuals or professionals in the team will dictate the outcomes of the patients.
Gender issues and differences have been observed to affect the quality of care available to women with drug abuse or misuse disorders (Burns et al., 2012). This is the case because women tend to face discrimination or victimization in their respective societies.
Unless these issues are addressed in a professional manner, it can be impossible for the affected women to receive quality medical support. It is therefore necessary for administrators and healthcare providers to ensure their staff members embrace open-minded approaches in order to support the diverse needs of the targeted population (Pauly et al., 2013). This practice will ensure cultural competence is embraced as an ongoing process that supports the psychological needs of many women who abuse different drugs.
Ethically and Culturally Competent Care Methods
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) should be aware of the best care delivery models that can be used to support members of this population. A powerful caring model should be characterized by both ethically and culturally competent attributes (Townsend, 2014). The first example of a care delivery approach is known as an integrated cultural competent model. NPs should begin by understanding the unique cultural attributes and differences of the targeted substance abusers.
The practitioners should use the best skills to diagnose the unique problems affecting the targeted members of the population (Burns et al., 2012). NPs can focus on individuals who are at risk of different health or psychological problems. Throughout the process, the patients should be advised and guided in order to lead normal lives. Counseling should be provided based on the unique needs of the clients.
Transcultural nursing approach is the second example of a healthcare model that is appropriate for members of this population. The model will ensure NPs embrace the use of various concepts such as lifelong learning, cultural competence, and critical thinking (Shen, 2014). This approach will make it easier for them to understand the cultural attributes of every client. Language barriers, emotional responses, and backgrounds of the patients will be clearly understood. The NP will go further to attract the right professionals in order to form the best multidisciplinary team (Economidoy et al., 2012). This approach will ensure a personalized care model is developed for each client. Cultural intelligence is another concept that promotes the use of evidence-based care models.
Ethical issues should be taken seriously by NPs whenever providing quality care to members of this population. The concept of autonomy will ensure the patients are guided to be part of the care model. Justice and beneficence will be included in the model to enhance the patients’ welfare (Townsend, 2014). The most important thing is for NPs to embrace the best values and evidence-based support systems in order to meet the needs of every patient.
References
Burns, H., Puskar, K., Flaherty, M., Mitchell, A., Hagle, H., Braxter, B.,…Woomer, G. (2012). Addiction training for undergraduate nurses using screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment. Journal of Nursing Education and Practice, 2(4), 167-177. Web.
Economidoy, E., Klimi, A., & Vivilaki, V. (2012). Caring for substance abuse in pregnant women: The role of the midwife. Health Science Journal, 6(1), 161-169. Web.
National Institute of Drug Abuse. (2015). Sex and gender differences in substance use. Web.
Pauly, B., McCall, J., Parker, J., McLaren, C., Browne, A., & Mollison, A. (2013). Creating culturally safe care in hospital settings for people who use(d) illicit drugs. Bulletin, 11(1), 1-6. Web.
Shen, Z. (2014). Cultural competence models and cultural competence assessment instruments in nursing: A literature review. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 26(3), 308-321. Web.
Townsend, M. (2014). Psychiatric mental health nursing: Concepts of care in evidence-based practice. Philadelphia, PA: F. A. Davis.