The Relationship Between Social Support in Socially Stigmatized Populations and Substance Use4/20/2020 An inverse relationship between perceived social support and substance Use frequency in socially stigmatized populations In Summary Researchers have recently attempted to elucidate the relationship between perceived social support and frequency of substance use in socially stigmatized groups revealing contextual differences. The two groups utilized in this study, substance-using male prison inmates and primary-methamphetamine using men who have sex with men, showed different results in the study, leaving the researchers with more questions than answers. In the inmates’ group perceived social support was negatively correlated to life-time substance use for alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis yet the methamphetamine-users only demonstrated the same negative correlation for a 30-day period. The authors are uncertain as to the differences in results but suggest that future research delves into the psychosocial or contextual differences behind these two groups. Looking into the substance use frequency and patterns of stigmatized or marginalized groups are not often done leaving many populations without specialized treatment or prevention programs. Our culture, peers, family, and environment all come together to shape who we are and mold how we think about the world and our place in it. People begin using substances for different reasons although some motivations are common among certain populations. By examining the underlying motivation for substance use frequency members of the healthcare community may be able to develop custom prevention or treatment methods by utilizing psychology or another science to drastically decrease the frequency of substance use disorders in all populations. The study is available for review or download here:
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Motives for cannabis use in high-risk adolescent users In Summary A recent article has revealed some of the motives behind adolescent cannabis abuse. Researchers found that cannabis is misused as a coping mechanism in individual adolescents who internalized behavioral problems which then leads to the development of a number of cannabis dependence symptoms. Participants who reported cannabis use for enhancement, social, and conformity purposes did not report similar issues with dependency. The gathered data suggests that the motivation behind cannabis use should be considered when addressing an individual's use and that targeted intervention tools should focus on the motivation of drug abuse to better educate at-risk youth. This article emphasizes the need to educate adolescents on the medical benefits and proper use of cannabis before it can be abused. If at-risk youth are using cannabis to mitigate feelings of anxiety they may be worsening their symptoms as tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the most abundant psychoactive component of cannabis, is known to exacerbate anxiety. If they knew about cannabidiol (CBD), which is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, which is readily available in most states within the United States and has been beneficial for most people dealing with anxiety. Cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids provide a myriad of medical benefits but a lack of education may allow teenagers to misuse those substances, including legal products, and worsen their symptoms, leading to continued misuse and may prevent them from seeking medical help for their ailments. The study is available for review or download here: View more studies like this in the CED Foundation Archive: http://bit.ly/drcaplan
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