Substance abuse is all too common among most populations, especially in a lower economic class. According to the text, drugs are the new fashion trend (Aguliera, 1998). Designer drugs are now attracting the attention of young adults and more of the older adult population (Aguliera, 1998). Some of the people you might pass on the street would probably be your typical users, but some drugs are used by your everyday "girl or boy next door" types. When it comes to helping people who abuse drugs, nurses can be on the front lines helping them provide care. The nurse can help these people find resources to help them, educate them on how to stop drug abuse and how the government can help these people as well. Nurses who are unfamiliar with people with substance abuse problems may be informed by laws, policies, their role in caring for these people and trying to get what the community itself offers them or what that the State in which they live offers them. .Explain the ProblemSubstance abuse is defined as a maladaptive pattern of use that manifests as recurrence over a 12-month period (Mauer, 2009). According to Mauer (2009), approximately fifty-seven million people over the age of 12 are addicted to some type of addictive substance. The main dimension of the problem is that it cannot be targeted at a single group; drug addiction can affect any age group, race, gender, culture or social class (Mauer, Smith, 2009). Many people are under the impression that drug addiction is easy to overcome, when in reality, for many, drug addiction is a difficult disease to cure. There are steps that an individual will have to go through before becoming dependent on a...... middle of paper ...... I should do my research to make sure I have the right one health promotion plan, the right education program. interventions, and I should make sure I find the most appropriate resources for them. All of these criteria are essential to help these individuals return to a “normal” life. Conclusion Throughout this article, I try to touch on a little about each topic that would be part of helping someone with addiction. These individuals need guidance from community nurses, in particular, to help educate them, help them find resources, and teach them about laws and policies related to substance abuse. The patient should also know that he or she must also be independent regarding their care. Substance abuse is defined as an illness that requires not only medical intervention, but also the power of the individual to stop..