Douglas High School Chemical Dependency Discussion

Chemical dependency is a difficult situation to overcome as an individual and as a clinical or rehab facility. As a person enduring the withdrawal of chemical dependency and as the individual or collective that is providing treatment, are met with some severe symptoms and painful consequences. There is very much data about the potential for fatalities to occur during a withdrawal. Though three clinicians from The National drug and Alcohol Research Centre have suggested that there isn’t enough evidence to suggest a real concern for people going through withdrawal from opiates, due to some of the symptoms, fatality could potentially occur. These symptoms include diarrhea and vomiting. (Darke, S., Larney, S., & Farrel M. 2018) Although these risks exist there isn’t significant evidence to suggest that this is a life threatening circumstance for the average or even above average case. For this reason, and because we are dealing with large scale emergencies and disasters which almost always pose real threats to life and health of people involved, I would say that this needs to be considered a secondary concern above the main objectives of the disaster and other vulnerable populations such as pregnant women, children, the elderly and the physically and mentally impaired. But in addition to this I would also suggest that there are withdrawal drugs available in small quantities that are made available in exceptional cases which would be determined by the chief medical and EMS staff in the field. This would be my primary solution to the problem as it goes direct to the chemical situation in the body and solves all of the following three problems that I have given attention to. Secondly is creating a small ‘ward’ for the individuals, providing them with attention, water and possible sedatives. This situation involves more cost, time and human hours. Third is establish an individual or group of individuals that work with those experience withdrawal symptoms and keep them safe and away from general populations when necessary. This, a more inexpensive route, can be used in succession with the first option as a plan A. The three situations I can foresee where this contingency would have to be executed would be; 1. 2. 3. If the individual is experiencing symptoms that are causinga life threatening situation. If an infant who was born addicted needs a continuation of treatment. This is very important as the child will not be as resilient as a full grown adult. (Bandstra, E. S., Morrow, C. E., Mansoor, E., & Accornero, V. H. 2010). If the individual becomes belligerent or psychotic and becomes a danger to themselves and others. References: Bandstra, E. S., Morrow, C. E., Mansoor, E., & Accornero, V. H. (2010). Prenatal drug exposure: infant and toddler outcomes. Journal of addictive diseases, 29(2), 245-258. Darke, S., Larney, S., & Farrel M. (2018) Yes, people can die from opiate withdrawal. UNSW Sydney. Retrieved from; https://ndarc.med.unsw.edu.au/blog/yes-people-can-die-opiate-withdrawal Q/ Discuss chemical dependency as either a primary or secondary concern for disaster management. List three potential concerns and identify a possible solution for each. Choose and defend which one is the primary solution. …