At-Risk Populations

by | Jan 12, 2025 | Risk Management

 

Choose a special or at-risk population for any substance use disorder and discuss education, therapies, community resources, and treatment options. Include information regarding the special challenges they face. For example, teenagers and vaping, or the homeless population and alcoholism

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Focus: Pregnant Women and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

This population faces significant challenges due to the severe consequences of substance use during pregnancy for both mother and child.  

Special Challenges:

  • Stigma and Discrimination: Pregnant women with OUD often face severe stigma and judgment, hindering them from seeking help and accessing necessary care.  
  • Fear of Child Removal: Fear of child removal by child protective services can deter women from seeking treatment, even when it is in the best interest of both mother and child.  
  • Limited Access to Treatment: Access to specialized treatment programs for pregnant women with OUD can be limited, particularly in rural areas.  
  • Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions: High rates of co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, further complicate treatment and increase the risk of relapse.  
  • Trauma History: Many women with OUD have experienced trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect, which can increase vulnerability to substance use and complicate treatment.  

Education:

  • Prenatal Care: Comprehensive education about the risks of opioid use during pregnancy should be integrated into routine prenatal care.
  • Stigma Reduction: Efforts to reduce stigma associated with OUD among healthcare providers and the general public are crucial.  
  • Harm Reduction Strategies: Education on harm reduction strategies, such as supervised consumption sites and needle exchange programs, can reduce risks for pregnant women who may not be ready for full abstinence.

Therapies:

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Medications like methadone and buprenorphine are essential for treating OUD during pregnancy. These medications help stabilize withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse.  
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help women identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use.  
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Trauma-informed care approaches are essential for addressing the complex needs of women with OUD who have experienced trauma.
  • Family Therapy: Family therapy can support the entire family unit and address the impact of OUD on family relationships.  

Community Resources:

  • Specialized Treatment Centers: Access to specialized treatment centers for pregnant women with OUD is crucial. These centers should offer a range of services, including MAT, counseling, and social support.

Focus: Pregnant Women and Opioid Use Disorder (OUD)

This population faces significant challenges due to the severe consequences of substance use during pregnancy for both mother and child.  

Special Challenges:

  • Stigma and Discrimination: Pregnant women with OUD often face severe stigma and judgment, hindering them from seeking help and accessing necessary care.  
  • Fear of Child Removal: Fear of child removal by child protective services can deter women from seeking treatment, even when it is in the best interest of both mother and child.  
  • Limited Access to Treatment: Access to specialized treatment programs for pregnant women with OUD can be limited, particularly in rural areas.  
  • Co-occurring Mental Health Conditions: High rates of co-occurring mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety, further complicate treatment and increase the risk of relapse.  
  • Trauma History: Many women with OUD have experienced trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect, which can increase vulnerability to substance use and complicate treatment.  

Education:

  • Prenatal Care: Comprehensive education about the risks of opioid use during pregnancy should be integrated into routine prenatal care.
  • Stigma Reduction: Efforts to reduce stigma associated with OUD among healthcare providers and the general public are crucial.  
  • Harm Reduction Strategies: Education on harm reduction strategies, such as supervised consumption sites and needle exchange programs, can reduce risks for pregnant women who may not be ready for full abstinence.

Therapies:

  • Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Medications like methadone and buprenorphine are essential for treating OUD during pregnancy. These medications help stabilize withdrawal symptoms, reduce cravings, and prevent relapse.  
  • Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT can help women identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to substance use.  
  • Trauma-Informed Care: Trauma-informed care approaches are essential for addressing the complex needs of women with OUD who have experienced trauma.
  • Family Therapy: Family therapy can support the entire family unit and address the impact of OUD on family relationships.  

Community Resources:

  • Specialized Treatment Centers: Access to specialized treatment centers for pregnant women with OUD is crucial. These centers should offer a range of services, including MAT, counseling, and social support.
  • Support Groups: Support groups for pregnant women with OUD can provide a safe and supportive environment for women to share their experiences and connect with others facing similar challenges.
  • Childcare Support: Access to affordable and reliable childcare can be a significant barrier for women in treatment.
  • Housing Assistance: Stable housing is essential for recovery and can be a significant challenge for women with OUD.  

Treatment Options:

  • Residential Treatment: Inpatient treatment programs can provide intensive support and supervision for women with OUD.  
  • Outpatient Treatment: Outpatient programs offer flexibility and allow women to maintain their daily responsibilities while receiving treatment.
  • Home-Based Treatment: Home-based treatment can be beneficial for women who have childcare responsibilities or other barriers to accessing traditional treatment settings.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and discussion purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

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