1 Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse
Ashley Osborn
Southern New Hampshire University
Wellness IDS-402
2 Substance Abuse
Critically analyzing substance abuse in wellness has informed my individual framework
of perception. I had always known about substance abuse and how it affects those who are
around the abuser. I was unaware of how some people considered substance abuse as a "moral
failing". I have never thought of substance abuse as that, I always thought of it as a choice that
the individual made (which may be worse). Through analyzing substance abuse in wellness, I
found out more information on why this "choice" is made. So many individuals fall into
substance abuse because of other mental illnesses because they tried the substance one time and
they could not get themselves away from it, and/or because the individual was prescribed with
something that turned into addiction. Society tells us that these individuals are bad, dangerous
even and that they are the ones that put themselves in the situation. But that may not always be
the case. Most of the time individuals who cannot find their balance in wellness will turn to
something that they believe might help.
Examining my bias has altered the way I perceive the world. I had never thought about
my own biases until I learned about them in my psychology courses. When I realized what they
were, and I was able to figure out a good way to remove myself from them, I began to see the
world in a different light. It was almost as though I was removing all of the negative thinking
from my brain, and I became more accepting. Over time, I was able to notice other people's
biases and either point their biases out to them or I learned to ignore them. By removing myself
from both my internal and external biases, and not allowing other people's biases into my mind, I
have been able to create new thoughts and think more freely.
Critically analyzing diversity can positively influence my field of study and my
profession immensely. Diversity is when you have a group of people who are all different from
one another (race, culture, economic status, interests, etc.,) all in the same place. In psychology,
3 Substance Abuse
diversity is important because when we are different from the other people around us, our
feelings toward ourselves and the ways we interact with others may be influenced. For example,
think about when you were in elementary, middle, or high school, how many people were bullied
because they were "different"? That can leave a lasting effect on someone for the rest of their
life. People who do not feel it is necessary to conform to those around them are ridiculed for
being different. From the time we are young, we are not taught about the positives of diversity
how it is a good thing. Being different from everyone around you is how, as a society, we can
create and be innovators