Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers Research Paper

Drug and Alcohol Abuse in Teenagers - Research Paper Example Some researchers have maintained that in the society, the percentage of cutters and percentage of individuals with eating disorders are similar. Compared with non-mutilators, self-mutilating teenagers were significantly more likely to have an eating disorder, and about 61% of the self-injurers may report current or past eating disorders. In a study of 2525 Australian teenagers Patton et al. (1997) found psychiatric comorbidity to be the clearest factor associated with extreme dieting with 62% of extreme dieters reporting high levels of both anxiety and depression. With the literature demonstrating evident relationships between these three disorders, namely, cutting behaviour, eating disorders, and alcohol and drug abuse, it appears these are comorbid conditions which originate early on life. If the parameters of these conditions and their interrelationships can be elucidated through the literature, this would enhance knowledge about these conditions. This enhanced knowledge can be then used in the school programmes directed to the teenagers, where the counsellors and teachers can make use of this information through specially designed training programmes for support in dealing with these issues in their students. Aim The aim of the study is to explore the comorbidity of three classes of self-harm within teenagers: cutting behavior, eating disorders, and alcohol and/or drug abuse. As a result of the study, develop a training program for school counselors and teachers to utilize for support in dealing with these issues. Objectives Identify the relationship between cutting behaviour, eating disorders and alcohol/drug abuse. Increase awareness and understanding between the relationship between cutting behaviour, eating disorders and alcohol/drug abuse. Develop an innovative training program with the aim of improving client outcomes. Evaluate the effectiveness of school counselors as a method of support to those who self harm and have eating disorders. Review of Literature Strategy Methodology is important to fill in the intellectual vacuum that may be associated with a research question, and therefore, there is a need to pinpoint the context of a research within the existing knowledge base. Since there is a considerable body of existing literature depicting the studies in several areas of science and practice, while performing a literature review, it is pertinent and important to perform the review in a systematic