Health Promotion Plan

One of the major public health concerns nowadays is drug and alcohol abuse which leads to numerous physical and mental health consequences, including addiction (McGinty & Daumit, 2020). Health promotion efforts focusing on preventive strategies, early intervention, and treatment are needed. In efforts to reduce drug abuse and its consequences, nurses can play a vital role in health promotion efforts including psychoeducation to patients and implementing early interventions. Health promotion strategies can fill the gap between healthcare services and populations at risk by implementing treatment strategies that are culturally relevant and effective (Merrill et al., 2020). This health promotion plan focuses on drug abuse in a hypothetical community, analyzes the underlying health concerns, and identifies the best strategies, keeping in mind the demographic characteristics of the targeted population. 

Community Health Concern

Drug and alcohol abuse leads to numerous health complications such as addiction, mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, liver diseases, respiratory issues, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and cancer, in turn affecting individuals, families, and communities  (Whiteford et al., 2015). This health promotion plan is ideal for young adults who are at high risk of falling into drug abuse. Drug abuse can be prompted by peer pressure, education stress, job insecurity, and figuring out the transition into adulthood  (Schulenberg et al., 2020). Combining all these stressful conditions with easy access to drugs and alcohol in urban areas increases the risk of drug and alcohol abuse in young adults (Gonzalez et al., 2021). Moreover, stressful situations can lead to mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety and young adults can seek drug abuse as a relief to neglect these stressful situations (Keyes et al., 2020).

Underlying Assumptions of Health Promotion Plan

Solution 

As stated earlier, this plan holds the assumption that preventive strategies such as early intervention can be useful in preventing drug abuse in young adults. It is because when a problem is addressed before it increases, it can reduce the chances of reaching more people and thus reducing the harm that can be caused to the community. 

• Role of Nurses
• Points of Uncertainty

Demographic Data of Target Population

This health promotion plan aims to target the hypothetical community of young adults aged 18-35 years, residing in an urban area. With a majority of the population being single (60%), only 40% are married or in a long-term relationship. The population is diverse, including only a few Asians and the majority of people are White and African Americans. People in this population have an average high school education, with only a small percentage completing college. Overall, the population’s income level is low. 

This hypothetical group is specifically selected due to its relevance to the target population that is more likely to engage in drug and alcohol abuse due to financial issues, peer pressure, easy access, and developmental challenges. Transitioning from the teenage phase to adulthood comes with numerous stressors and challenges, enabling young adults to engage in drug or alcohol abuse (Stone et al., 2021).

Predisposition to Health Concerns and Benefits of Health Promotion

Socioeconomic factors such as poverty and unemployment can lead the target population to drug and alcohol abuse to cope with them (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2021). Building a financially stable life is a goal of every human being. However, unemployment and lack of educational opportunities can reduce the chances of many people achieving this goal resulting in drug or alcohol abuse (Miech et al., 2020). Moreover, easy access to drugs and alcohol in urban areas promotes and normalizes the use and makes it easier for young adults to model adults and start abusing drugs and alcohol.

A research study by Volkow et al (2021) found that a lack of healthcare services such as mental health facilities, substance abuse treatments, psychoeducation, and early intervention can also promote drug and alcohol abuse. This is because people are unaware of its uses and its consequences. A health promotion plan targeting this population would be beneficial because it addresses the root causes of substance abuse and provides the tools and resources necessary for prevention and recovery. Providing education to young adults about the risks of substance abuse, offering coping strategies for stress, and connecting them with support groups can reduce the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in this population (Lee et al., 2020).

Importance of Addressing Drug and Alcohol Abuse

The prevalence of substance abuse among young adults has been rising in urban areas. According to recent data, approximately 37% of young adults in the United States reported alcohol abuse and 22% reported drug abuse in 2023 (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 2023). These statistics highlight the urgent need for a health promotion plan. 

Factors Contributing to Health Disparities

Numerous factors contributing to health disparities include socioeconomic status, which leads to a lack of educational and employment opportunities and limited access to healthcare facilities (Pampel & Rogers, 2021). Cultural and ethnic factors also contribute to drug and alcohol abuse because minority groups face barriers to treatment due to discrimination (Molina et al., 2012). Furthermore, genetic predispositions and family history of drug and alcohol use can also increase the risk of addiction (Meyers et al., 2022).

Identification of Potential Learning Needs

The target population faces a high risk of drug and alcohol abuse based on their socioeconomic and educational background. That is why it is important to direct health promotion plans on increasing awareness of health risks associated with substance abuse, developing healthy coping mechanisms for stress, and understanding the importance of seeking help. 

Collaboration on SMART Goals

The importance of establishing agreed-upon goals is crucial to ensure engagement, commitment, and success. Participants become more invested in the process when they are involved in the goal-setting process which can lead to a change in behavior. Collaborative goal-setting empowers participants because it enhances their self-efficacy (Bodenheimer & Handley, 2022). Following SMART goals can be established in collaboration with the hypothetical population:

Increase Awareness

Educational sessions can increase the awareness of participants about the consequences of drug and alcohol abuse. Bringing behavioral change is one of the most important steps in the treatment of drug abuse. Thus, increasing awareness about drug use and its consequences can spark this motivational change (Schulte et al., 2020). 

Coping Skills

Learning and practicing coping mechanisms is crucial to eliminating addiction from life. That is why, coping strategies are crucial for participants to help them develop healthy coping strategies whenever they face stressful situations later in life rather than abusing drugs for coping (Recovery Centers of America, 2024).

Reduce Drug and Alcohol Consumption

A drinking diary is one way to access the consumption of alcohol or drugs in a week. It can be utilized in treatment programs to make participants aware of their consumption so that they can make better-informed decisions about it. Moreover, it can help them reduce the quantity. One ulterior motive of this goal is to decrease the prevalence of drug abuse in urban communities and improve overall well-being (McLeroy et al., 2021).

Conclusion

It is crucial to make efforts to eradicate drug and alcohol abuse from all communities, particularly in urban areas. Health promotion plans can help achieve this goal as they include preventive strategies, early intervention, psychoeducation, and treatment. This plan can also fill the gap between healthcare facilities and urban areas’ access to it. SMART goals are the most important part of drug and alcohol abuse treatment because they help people get better and also improve their overall well-being. Detailed treatment plans like this one can reduce the prevalence of drug and alcohol abuse in the community (Merrill et al., 2020).

References

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Gonzalez, V. M., Reynolds, B., & Skewes, M. C. (2021). Substance use among emerging adults: A mixed-methods study of patterns, reasons, and consequences. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 123, 108260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsat.2021.108260

Keyes, K. M., Hatzenbuehler, M. L., & Hasin, D. S. (2020). Socio-economic stressors and substance use among young adults in the United States: The role of stress and mental health. Addiction, 115(6), 1072-1081. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14939

Lee, M. R., Jun, H. J., Widome, R., & Roberts, A. L. (2020). Cumulative burden of multiple social determinants of health and substance use risk among Black and White adults in the U.S. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 212, 108005. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108005

Martins, S. S., Fenton, M. C., & Keyes, K. M. (2020). Environmental factors and substance use in young adults: A cross-national comparison. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(8), 1023-1035. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-020-01871-4

McGinty, E. E., & Daumit, G. L. (2020). Integrating mental health and addiction treatment into general medical care: the role of policy. Psychiatric Services, 71(11), 1163-1169.

McLeroy, K. R., Bibeau, D., & Steckler, A. (2021). An ecological perspective on health promotion programs. Health Education Quarterly, 45(3), 361-377. https://doi.org/10.1177/109019819001700401

Merrill, J. O., Rhodes, L. A., Deyo, R. A., Marlatt, G. A., & Bradley, K. A. (2020). Mutual trust: A key element in community-based research on stigma and substance use. Substance Abuse, 41(1), 3-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2020.1765408

Meyers, J. L., Dick, D. M., & Agrawal, A. (2022). Genetic and environmental influences on adolescent substance use: A review. Behavior Genetics, 52(4), 350-364. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10519-021-10091-y

Miech, R. A., Patrick, M. E., & Keyes, K. M. (2020). Socioeconomic status and substance use among young adults: A comparison of the 1980s and 2010s. Social Science & Medicine, 255, 113019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2020.113019

Molina, K. M., Alegría, M., & Chen, C. N. (2012). Neighborhood context and substance use disorders: a comparative analysis of racial and ethnic groups in the United States. Drug And Alcohol Dependence, 125(1), S35–S43. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2012.05.027 

Pampel, F. C., & Rogers, R. G. (2021). Socioeconomic inequality and substance abuse: Evidence and implications. Annual Review of Sociology, 47, 179-196. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-soc-121919-054912

Recovery Centers of America. (2024). Developing New Coping Mechanisms in Recovery. https://recoverycentersofamerica.com 

Stone, A. L., Becker, L. G., Huber, A. M., & Catalano, R. F. (2021). Review of risk and protective factors of substance use and problem use in emerging adulthood. Addictive Behaviors, 121, 106666. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.106666

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). (2023). Key substance use and mental health indicators in the United States https://www.samhsa.gov/data/report/2022-nsduh-annual-national-report

Volkow, N. D., Han, B., Einstein, E. B., & Compton, W. M. (2021). Prevalence of mental health and substance use disorders among adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. JAMA Network Open, 4(3), e214064. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.4064

Whiteford, H. A., Ferrari, A. J., Degenhardt, L., Feigin, V., & Vos, T. (2015). The global burden of mental, neurological, and substance use disorders: An analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2010. PLoS One, 10(2), e0116820. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0116820