The impact of the findings in nursing and future research
Abstract
The study aims to examine the association between smoking and alcohol consumption among health workers. A high percentage of health workers have been reported to use these substances. Males are affected more than females. Several environmental factors contribute to the use of both substance abuse.
Introduction
Alcohol abuse and tobacco smoking are among the risk factors of leading preventable causes of deaths in the world. It is a WHO public health concern. About 46 million adults in the United States use alcohol and tobacco concurrently. Alcohol and smoking cause approximately four million deaths annually (Fernandes, Nitsche & Godoy, 2018, p. 205). The use of these substances starts at teenagehood and may last through a person’s life, resulting in their abuse. Health workers are part of the population affected by the use of the two substances. Research shows that dependency on the substances by the health workers affect their judgment and efficiency at work.
Health care workers have reported their use of alcohol abuse and smoking. Men are more likely to be associated with use than women. Staffs who work long hours probably locum staff tend to drink more alcohol than the managers. The social status of individuals affects the use of these substances. Low and middle-class individuals tend to abuse drugs more than the upper class. (Duaso et al., 2017, p.4). Nurses who take of patients are more likely to drink and smoke than those in managerial positions. Several factors at the workplace contribute to the rise of substance use.
There is a significant relationship between alcohol abuse and smoking. People who drink alcohol are three times more compelled to smoke than non-drinkers. Smokers are four times more to drink than those non-smokers. These substances have almost the same effects on the human body, including cancer, to the specific organs. Binge drinkers are more likely to smoke and use other drugs (La Fauci et al., 2019, p.4). An alcoholic will try new ways for leisure and thus will probably smoke. The pattern of drinking affects an individual’s use of another drug. Heavy drinkers are more likely to smoke than light drinkers.
Literature Review
A gap exists in the study of the association of alcohol consumption and smoking in the population. Research shows health workers, such as nurses, physicians, dentists, and Laboratory technologists who drink are more likely to smoke (Duaso et al., 2017, p.4). Females are more likely to quit and adhere to counseling procedures than males. Young people tend to be victims than older professionals.
Several factors affect the use of both drugs together. They are cheap and easily available, therefore tend to be used together. Both drugs have mutual cravings. According to Duaso et al. (2017, p.3), the group given nicotine-containing cigarettes performed difficult tasks harder than the non- nicotine-containing cigarettes to drinking more alcohol. Both drugs affect the same part of the brain involved in memory and emotions; thus, the users complement the drugs. In Fernandes et al. (2018, p. 206), an individual’s genetic variation can make them more or less susceptible to nicotine intake. A research conducted among 237 university nursing students’ shows that 24% were smokers and 82% consumed alcohol, with 98% used both drugs. Social context that prohibits and discourages the use of the drugs has fewer cases than the society that does nothing about it. Social context that prohibits and discourages the use of the drugs has fewer cases than the society that does nothing about it.
According to a study by Neall, Atherton, and Kyle (2016, p.198), high alcohol consumption is seen among healthcare workers at 21%. 31% of this is male, and 17% are female. Male doctors have a consumption rate of 35% while female nurses at 25%. In a sample of 260 nursing professionals, 18 professionals were smokers and also depended on alcohol. 11% were current smokers, 7.1% past smokers, and 27% have never smoked. (Buchvold, Pallese, Øyane, & Bjorvatn, 2015, p.1112)The non-smokers frequently counseled their patients to quit smoking than smokers. The current smokers were six times more to consume alcohol to non- smokers. The studies have covered more on the gender affected the most, the reason for the consecutive use of both substances. Still, there is a research gap on the effects of alcohol consumption and smoking on health workers.
Methodology
This is a case study methodology where different literature on the association of alcohol consumption and smoking among health workers was collected and reviewed from 2015 to 2020. The drug use on both genders was taken into consideration. The different consumption rate in professionals was reviewed. The cause of the use of both smoking and alcohol consumption was studied and deduced.
Implications for Nursing Practice
Nurses are among the healthcare workers affected by alcohol consumption and smoking. Affected nurses start this behavior before even joining college, thus making it hard to help them stop. (Fink, 2018) The drugs’ effect is on their health, making them lose their jobs or stay home due to unemployment. The nurses who use these products may not work efficiently in treating drug- abuse patients. They should be encouraged and be treated well by their workmates (Neall et al., 2016, p.198). They should not be judge and just be taken in like any other person trying to overcome the challenge. The management should plan for educational programs and create time for them to attend this training.
The impact of the findings in nursing and future research
It is important to understand the adverse effects of alcohol consumption and smoking in the nursing field. When students start nursing school, they should be taught the vital role they play in people’s lives and the importance of quitting substance abuse. (Fink, 2018)Further research should be conducted on improving healthcare welfare concerning drug use. The materials should be made available to the general public, including the medical personnel. The health behaviors of nurses affect health promotion in the future.
Conclusion
A variety of studies concluded a high rate of alcohol consumption and smoking among health workers. Male professionals are six more times to use these products than females. Those who smoke are more likely to drink alcohol and vice versa. Binge drinkers are more likely to smoke than light drinkers. Those that do not drink are more successful in guiding substance abuse patients. It is important that health workers are also human, and they can also abuse drugs. They should not be judged and hated but rather be supported to understand their role as they undergo the recovery process. Counseling services should be made accessible and available for healthcare workers undergoing substance abuse difficulties.
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