UNCC300 Critically Analyse Drug Addiction And Overdose - Assignment Solution

Drug Addiction and Overdose

The common good is achievable when people work together to improve the wellbeing of everyone in society. The concept of common good emphasizes the unity of the community such that each individual realises their potential without compromising the welfare of society. For example, in sports, individual players need to be successful but each has a common goal of making the team a success. Therefore, the common good, in this case, is the success of the team which should not come at an expense of individual player but rather by combining the wellness of each player to see the team succeed. Therefore, the common good is a balance of personal possession, skills, and abilities and the community resources with the needs of the disposed and the disadvantaged.

In nursing, the concept of the common good is applicable when the nurse balances personal issues including challenges and skills with the welfare of the patient and the organisation to achieve the ultimate goal of the healthcare system which is better health for the community. Unfortunately, nurses are exposed to a working environment that increases the possibility of drug addiction due to the risk factors (Maher-Brisen, 2007). Nurses are at risk of compassion fatigue which is described as “the emotional and physical exhaustion that affects helping professionals and caregivers over time” (Jarrad et al., 2018). Compassion fatigue has a significant impact on the nurse such as "decrease in quality of care, an increase in clinical errors, higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders and rising rates of stress leave and a sense of humiliation in workplace climate” that lead to substance abuse. There is a significant relationship between compassion fatigue and substance abuse and overdose with nurses reporting increased use of alcohol, cigarette, anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs, as well as sleeping pills. Nurses experiencing drug addiction, substance use, and overdose of prescription drugs need assistance in a bid to balance their welfare and that of the community (patients and organisations). The best solution to address the problem is through Peer assistance programs and alternative to discipline (ATD) programs.