Abstract
Many factors have been linked to domestic violence, including family modeling, culture and substance abuse. This paper provides an overview of several of these factors. It shows how alcohol and substance abuse are directly linked to spousal and child abuse and how this problem is carried to the next generation. The paper also examines the social learning theory which contends that boys who witnessed violence towards their mothers by their fathers are more likely to beat their own partners. Finally, the paper looks at the link between ethnic groups and domestic violence.

From the Paper
"One of the factors that has often been cited as leading to a propensity toward domestic violence as an adult is being the victim of violence as a child. The research on this seems to be ambiguous, however, with some studies showing a clear association and other studies indicated limited support for that theory. For example, Simons et al. (1995) explored four different sets of data in a study of Midwestern families and found only limited support for the idea that children who were subject to severe physical discipline were likely to be violent toward their spouses and children. On the other hand, Doumas et al. (1994) found association between both early child abuse and witnessing marital aggression and later adult domestic violence."

Tags:disinhibition, physical, discipline, Hispanic

Abstract
This paper discusses the condition known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) occurs when a pregnant woman drinks alcohol, an act that sends her baby a toxin that has been proven to hinder the growth of the baby's brain, cause birth defects, and rob the child of the chance to learn. It focuses on studies in this field and what research is still being performed.

From the Paper
"Until the 1970s, the traditional medical thinking was that the mother's placenta was a natural barrier protecting an unborn child from harmful substances (Streissguth, 1983). That belief changed in the 1950s, when researchers discovered certain diseases, such as rubella, could cross the placenta and cause birth defects. In the 1970s, research on animals confirmed alcohol was a teratogen, an agent that produces defects in a developing embryo."

Tags:embryo, substance, abuse, teratogen, criminal

Abstract
This paper stresses that problems with substance abuse in nurses affect more than the individual; they affect the whole work team. The author defines an impaired nurse as a nurse who is unable to meet the requirements of a professional code of ethics and standards of practice because cognitive, interpersonal, or psychomotor skills are affected by excessive drug or alcohol use. The paper states that many impaired nurses are super-nurses; unfortunately, when they are finally recognized as having a chemical dependency, it is almost too late for an appropriate intervention that may save them from losing their jobs.

From the Paper
"The problem is that little research is actually available on substance abuse among nurses. In studying the history and present problems with substance abuse, it is important to define the meaning of substance abuse among nurses or others. "Substance misuse is defined as maladaptive patterns of psychoactive substance use indicated by continued use even when faced with recurrent occupational, social, psychological or physical problems as well as/or use in dangerous situations.""

Tags:impaired, ethics, super-nurse, team, maladaptation

Abstract
This paper takes a look at cocaine abuse and how it effects the individual. The author looks at what cocaine is composed of, its short-term and long- term effects and how it effects the brain.

From the Paper
"Although it is known that cocaine became popular on the street, especially in big cities of the United States in the1970s and 1980s, it has a fairly long history. In fact, cocoa leaves (raw ingredient for cocaine production) have been used for more than five thousand years as a mild stimulant by some South American tribes. In the middle of the 19th century, cocaine was first extracted from cocoa leaves in South America. In the U. S., it was legal and widely used as an ingredient in medicines. Cocaine was introduced as an ingredient of Coca-Cola in 1888, though it was removed and replace with another stimulant, caffeine, in 1903. Today, cocaine is completely illegal in the U.S. except for medical uses such as a local anesthetic."

Tags:12, abuse, addiction, alcohol, behavioral, brain, chemical, cocaine, crack, dopamine, group, heroin, illegal, marijuana, neurotransmitter, recovery, relapse, speedball, step, substance, therapy, treatment

Abstract
This paper explains how binge drinking adversely affects students in many different aspects such as schoolwork, health, and safety.

From the Paper
" To most people, binge drinking is a self-destructive, uncontrolled, drinking session that last for at least a couple of days. This leads the heavily intoxicated drinker to "drops out" by not working, ignoring responsibilities, and engaging in harmful behaviors such as fighting and unsafe sex. The editor of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol emphasizes, that "binge" describes the extended period of time during which time a person repeatedly becomes intoxicated and gives up his or her usual activities and obligations in order to become intoxicated. Binge drinking is most common on college campuses, where nearly half of all college students "binge" drink."

Tags:binge, drinking, alcohol, suicide, disease, college, university, teenagers, abstinence, campus, sexual, fraternity, student, sorority, problems, drunk, driving, academic

From the Paper
"THC has a range of physiological and psychological effects on the body. Typically, it produces a mild euphoric intoxication, a sense of well-being, alterations in sense of space and time. Quite likely, THC reduces anxiety and relaxes your tension while it intensifies your sense of sound, touch ,or taste, which often stimulates your appetite. It is suspected that THC has something to do with the Lateral Hypothalamus that control the appetite. For this reason, marijuana is employed as an appetite stimulant for patients with serious illnesses such as AIDS or terminal cancer who need to eat in order to survive. In addition, marijuana is also medically beneficial for pain relief, control of nausea and the treatment of asthma and glaucoma."

Tags:drugs, addictive, brain, cannabis, dopamine, fatty, hemp, metabolism, pot, receptor, reward, smoking, system, thc

Abstract
GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) is known as a "party" or "club" drug and a date-rape drug, also called "Goop." This paper introduces, discusses and analyzes this drug. Specifically, it researches and discusses all aspects and information about this drug, including how the drug is produced, what its side effects are and how it came into existence. The paper also looks at the key geographic areas in the United States where the drug is used and any findings of any scientific research being done on this substance.

From the Paper
"GHB is commonly used in clubs and at rave parties (24 hour overnight parties). It can be mixed into a drink, and the drinker has no idea it is in the drink, because it is odorless and colorless. Some people say it does taste salty, but that is the only giveaway that it might be in a drink. It takes affect very quickly, in as little as fifteen minutes, and can cause many side effects, including nausea, unconsciousness, dizziness, amnesia, visual hallucinations, reduced blood pressure, decreased heart rate, hypnotic effects resembling petit mal epilepsy, convulsions, severe respiratory depression, and coma, and recently is has been found to be extremely addictive. "At rave parties GHB is often mixed with alcohol, which is thought to amplify the effect of GHB as much as 10 times. The combination depresses the central nervous system and the respiratory system simultaneously, with sometimes deadly consequences" (Barshay 01D)."

Tags:sodium, hydroxide, NIDA, MDMA

Abstract
This paper examines the pros and cons of lowering the legal drinking age from 21 to 18. The author looks at several issues including the issue of binge drinking, and the amount of alcohol consumed among 18 to 21 year old. The author points out the absurdity by showing that at 18 you can get married, vote, be drafted, assume debt and even buy a gun, but in many states, you cannot drink. The political debate over lowering the drinking age is also examined.

From the Paper
"The problems associated with driving and drinking have not decreased due to raising the legal drinking age to 21 years old.Among the "binge" drinkers (those consuming over five drinks at one sitting at least once a week), eighteen percent of students over age 21 classify themselves as heavy drinkers compared to twenty-two percent of those under 21 years of age (Engs 1b). So even though drunk driving problems have decreased over the last two decades, there has been an increase in lower grades, missing classes, getting into fights and vomiting after drinking (Engs 1b). Society's approach to controlling underage drinking is not working and is in fact counterproductive(Engs)."

Tags:drinking, age, federal, funds, wisconsin, alcohol, consumption, legal, beer, age, laws, marriage, voting, debt, military

Abstract
This paper takes a comprehensive look at alcoholism, starting with the telltale signs of a problem drinker, the physical and mental effects of alcohol, alcohol's effects on society, the causes of alcoholism, as well as treatment and prevention.

From the Paper
"When a person is intoxicated, he tends to do things he would not do under normal circumstances. He may harm himself or those around him, drive recklessly, and embarrass himself by saying and/or doing foolish things. There are signs that distinguish the differences between problem drinking and alcoholism, and although there is no exact pattern, some of the basic symptoms of advanced alcoholism are: drinking daily, a high tolerance for liquor, drinking alone, drinking in the morning, withdrawal symptoms upon quitting, "blackouts" or loss of memory, loss of social ties, and guilt about drinking. The person becomes completely dependent on alcohol, physically and emotionally, and the substance controls every aspect of his life (Berger 11). Some secondary signs, or problem drinker signs include: problems related to or while drinking such as quarreling with a loved one or DUI, a failed attempt at quitting, hording extra drinks at a party or keeping an eye on the supply, and lying about usage."

Tags:drugs, alcohol, binge, drinking, health, drunk, DUI, Alcoholics, Anonymous

Abstract
This paper discusses the influence of genetic and environmental factors on the development of alcoholism. The paper discusses the existence of genes in individuals that appear to make them more susceptible to alcoholism. It then looks at social-cognitive factors and their influence on alcoholism. The paper then describes family, twin and adoption studies and draws conclusions.

From the Paper
"Indirectly, it is also believed that a gene that causes a disposition to depression and mood-related disorders can be transferred from a parent to a child (Westen et al., 2006). A child who inherits a vulnerability to emotional disorders may, as a result, turn to alcohol for comfort, increasing their chances of developing alcoholism."
"Twin studies have shown that in both males and females, genetic factors appear to play a role in the development of alcoholism (Miles, Silberg, Pickens, & Eaves, 2005; Prescott & Kendler, 1999). Evidence has also shown that children whose biological parents are alcoholic may respond differently physiologically to alcohol than children of non-alcoholics (Gordis, 1996, as cited in Westen et al., 2006, p. 615).
Further to this, family history studies indicate that children of alcoholics are four times as likely to become alcoholics than children of non-alcoholics (Peele, 1986, as cited in Westen et al., 2006, p. 614). However, the heredity argument for alcohol does not account for why some children of alcoholics do not become alcoholic themselves."

Tags:depression, emotional, heredity