Risk of Misuse

Question 1

Drug abuse is becoming commonplace among youth worldwide. The implications of the misuse of alcohol and other substances include severe impairment to physiological, psychological, social, vocational, and spiritual lives, oftentimes leading to death. It is argued that the judgment center of the brain is not fully developed until adulthood, making it unrealistic to assume that young people can make the logical, rational decisions that adults make.

In a 3-4 page paper (not including the title and reference pages), include the following:

• In the first half of your paper, describe the reasons why young people are misusing substances, despite all of the prevention efforts that have been made over the last three decades.
• To support the assertions and claims you make in your paper, you must include at least twoscholarly journal articles and either one credible resource produced by a human services association or a government. Cite your sources using in-text citation and a reference page, according to APA style.
• In the second half of the paper, describe a possible scenario of youths involved in substance misuse and subsequent treatment in a human services setting. Apply the strength-based approach to explain how to treat the misuse and prevent further risk of misuse.
• Your paper must follow APA Requirements.

Question 2

Dean is 49 and has a brand new sports car, a new look, new interests, and has turned to extracurricular activities—he has become less interested in being with Leah, his wife of 25 years, and suddenly more interested in going to nightclubs to drink, dance, and gain the attention of younger women. After experiencing burnout a few years ago and being laid off from his job, Dean took time off to return to school. He earned a graduate degree and then had to begin his new career at a lower level and work his way up. Dean makes more money than he did in his previous career but does not yet have the same status he enjoyed on his old job. Retirement is still many years away, and he has plenty of time to succeed in his new role and even possibly become a partner in the firm.

Briefly describe and evaluate the concept of a normative crisis that occurs in middle age, addressing each of the following items in your response:

1. Refer to and apply Erikson’s theory and the commentary provided in this week’s textbook readings on midlife crisis.
2. Relate Erikson’s work specifically to personal priority rearrangements that may occur in middle adulthood.
3. Explain how the concept of midlife crisis relates to lives of midlife males, transgender individuals, and females.

Discuss and cite the course textbook and at least one additional credible source to support the knowledge and recommendations in your paper.