Drug abuse in adults - supporting the physical functional capacity.

Abstract

The thesis topic is drug abuse in adults - supporting the physical functional capacity. The goal of the thesis is to educate and assist nurses to have the basic information about what drug abuse is, recognizing the signs and symptoms of drug use and addiction, find out how daily physical functions are affected by the use of illegal drugs and how to assist patients to get the help they need so they can perform and maintain their ability to function physically on a daily basis. Data was collected using literature review and analyzed by using content analysis methods. The research question of the thesis was how can nurses support the adults with drug abuse problem from the view point of physical functional capacity? Result revealed some important points that can positively influence the life of adult users and steer them towards a healthy and normal lifestyle. . Authors believe that changes such as patients support when patients are in treatment, attaining and living a healthy lifestyle, getting the right treatment, avoiding relapse, daily exercise, getting a job and getting involved in recreational activities can affect patient’s life positively. Nurses make up for major part in public health. Therefore, they can as well make a substantial effect on reducing drug abuse by taking part in training and intervention programs that educate them about drug abuse and how they can help to improve the situation.