QUESTION:

In 5+ sentences, share how the questions and responses below (under context) reinforces your understanding of the case study. Provide constructive, thoughtful feedback designed to build an engaging dialog. To achieve this, you can expand upon the discussion through the sharing of addition of websites, articles, interactive tutorials, or videos.

AND give a response to the following question:

What are the subjective effects of the drug (i.e., what would a person taking this drug report feeling after using the drug)?

PLEASE INCLUDE REFERENCES.

CONTEXT:

Your roommate Bill has had chronic pain issues since he broke his jaw in a mountain biking accident about a year ago. You know that he finished his prescription pain killers four months ago, but you're concerned he's been taking something else. Quite frequently you find Bill passed out in his room, and when he is awake, he doesn't seem to care about much. He stopped volunteering at the animal shelter and says his pain is way better than it was a few months ago. Today you find on the bathroom sink a syringe and your landlord sends an email to say Bill did not pay his share of this month's rent. What drug is Bill on?

Q #6: Putting yourself in the role of a professional counselor or biological psychologist, what advice do you have for concerned family or friends of someone using this drug?

-I would advise friends and family members to be patient with their loved one suffering from substance use. It can be taxing and take a toll emotionally, mentally, and even financially. Cornering the individual could potentially have the opposite desired effect, making them defensive and not listen to what anyone has to say. Making sure to speak with them in a private place when they're not under the influence of drugs is also important. As a professional, I would encourage them to try and offer their loved one to seek out help and keep surrounding them with love and support until they hopefully agree to seek it out themselves.

Q #1: What drug has the individual in this case been using? What led you to believe this?

-Based on the scenario, I believe the individual is using heroin. Because he's lost interest in daily life activities such as his volunteer work at the animal shelter and is frequently passed out in his room I think heroin could be the drug he's been using. There isn't enough context for me to give more of an accurate answer, but I believe with the information given that heroin could be the one in this instance.

Q #5: Is this drug addictive? What are the consequences of continued use of this drug?

-Heroin is an extremely addictive drug and is one of the most commonly used opioids. Many users of the drug seek it out to experience a high and/or to take away pain. Not only is it highly addictive, but long-term use could have severely negative effects on one's health and wellbeing. Other consequences could potentially include contracting HIV from the use of dirty needles, collapsed veins, poor nutrition, and organ damage due to blood vessels being damaged (Department of Health & Human Services, n.d.).

Q #4: Provide at least one relevant website concerning the drug in question.

-This website has useful information regarding the drug and lists its effects, symptoms of its users, treatment options, and how it works in the brain to bring pleasure and a high to those who use it:

https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/heroin