SAY NO TO

SUBSTANCE ABUSE
By: A M
Class: VIII
 Table of Contents

Substance Abuse........................................................................................ 3
Forms and Types of Substances Abused ................................................... 3
Stimulants .................................................................................................................... 3
Depressants ................................................................................................................. 3
Psychedelics ................................................................................................................ 3
Marijuana ..................................................................................................................... 4
Alcohol ......................................................................................................................... 4
Physiological and emotional effects of using substance abuse ................... 4
Effect of use of these substances on relationships...................................... 6
Secrecy ........................................................................................................................ 6
Trust Issues ................................................................................................................. 6
Anger and Abuse ......................................................................................................... 7
Reasons for resorting to use or abuse these substances ............................ 7
Legal implications of substance abuse........................................................ 8
Helping a person affected by substance abuse........................................... 9
Case Study 1 .............................................................................................. 9
Case Study 2 ............................................................................................................. 11

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Substance Abuse

Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,

including alcohol and illicit drugs. It means long term, pathological use of alcohol
or drugs, characterized by daily intoxication, inability to reduce consumption, and
impairment in social or occupational functioning.
Prolonged use of a drug causes the brain to change its structure and communication
method causing the addiction and effects. An addiction is a complex brain disease
causing physical and mental dependence of drugs.

Forms and Types of Substances Abused

Stimulants
Stimulants include illegal drugs like cocaine and methamphetamine, and legal
substances such as nicotine, caffeine and over-the-counter stimulants. Stimulant use
causes the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine,
stimulating the brain's reward and pleasure center. Abuse of stimulants depletes
energy and creates intense drug cravings and withdrawal symptoms. It can also
induce paranoia, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, aggression, violence and
psychosis. Stimulant abuse and addiction develop quickly.

Depressants
Depressants include opiates such as heroin, morphine and opium, as well as sedative-
hypnotic medications such as Xanax, Ativan and Valium. Depressants slow down
the central nervous system, diminish inhibitions, create relaxation and decrease pain.
Abuse of these drugs in combination with alcohol can be lethal.

Psychedelics
Psychedelic abuse includes using indole psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin
mushrooms; phenylalkylamine psychedelics including mescaline; and other types of
psychedelics such as ketamine, or "Special K," and PCP. MDMA, or ecstasy, acts
both as a psychedelic and as a stimulant, according to the National Institute on Drug
Abuse. Psychedelics, called hallucinogens in the medical literature, distort the user's
perceptions, thoughts and sensations. Abusers who have underlying mental health
issues face particular risks as these substances can trigger latent mental health
problems.
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Marijuana
The most commonly abused illegal drug, marijuana induces short-term euphoria,
physical relaxation, distorted perception and thought, increased appetite, and
impairment of memory and physical coordination. Because of the impairment in
coordination and thinking, driving and other activities while under the influence pose
a risk. Tolerance quickly develops so that those abusing marijuana need higher doses
to achieve the same high. Long-term marijuana abuse may cause respiratory
problems and immune system suppression.

Alcohol
Alcohol affects every organ in the body, and it is the oldest and most widely used
psychoactive substance. Alcohol abuse includes binge drinking and other
problematic patterns of drinking which fall short of addiction but meet the criteria
for abuse. Alcohol abuse is linked to increases in aggression, impaired judgment,
diminished inhibitions, mood problems such as depression and anxiety, health
problems, sexual dysfunction and relationship problems. Alcohol abuse differs from
alcoholism primarily in the lack of withdrawal symptoms when an alcohol abuser
stops drinking.

Physiological and emotional effects of using

substance abuse

 A person keeps taking a drug after it's no longer needed for a health problem.
 Affected people can't stop themselves from using the drug, even if they want
to.
 They may need more and more of a substance to get the same effects (called
"tolerance"), and they tend to take more to feel an effect.
 The person will feel strange when the drug wears off. They may be shaky,
depressed, sweat, or have headaches.
 People spend a lot of their time thinking about the drug: how to get more,
when will they take it, how good they might feel, or how bad they would feel
afterward.
 Affected people lose interest in things they once liked to do. They would start
having trouble doing normal daily things, like cooking or working.
 They would tend to drive or do other dangerous things (like use heavy
machines) when they are on the drug.

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 People borrow or steal money to pay for drugs. They hide the drug use or the
effect it is having on them from others.
 They will have trouble getting along with co-workers, teachers, friends, or
family members.
 They sleep too much or too little, compared with how they used to. Or they
eat a lot more or a lot less than before.
 They look different. They may have bloodshot eyes, bad breath, shakes or
tremors, frequent bloody noses, or may have gained or lost weight.
 People tend to have a new set of friends with whom they can do drugs and go
to different places to use the drugs.
 People go to more than one doctor to get prescriptions for the same drug or
problem. They look in other people's medicine cabinets for drugs to take. They
take prescribed meds with alcohol or other drugs.

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Effect of use of these substances on relationships

Many of the discussions surrounding addiction tend to focus on the physical and
psychological effects of substance use. The effects of drug addiction, however, goes
beyond these issues to encompass one’s social health and well-being. Social health
refers to one’s relationships and the ability to maintain healthy, mutually beneficial
relations. Social health and a healthy support system are correlated strongly with
individual’s success, self-esteem, and happiness in life.
Unfortunately, substance abuse and addiction can damage social health. All types of
relationships – family, friendships, and romantic relationships — tend to come under
a lot of strain when someone becomes addicted. Once a substance user progresses
from occasional use to addiction, they are likely to have a single focus: obtaining
and using the substance.
Since relationships often cannot compete with the euphoric experience of substance
use, the user will typically put less time and energy into maintaining the relationship,
allowing various damaging elements to begin to surface.

Secrecy
Someone that begins using alcohol or other drugs excessively may not be outwardly
open about their use due to strong feelings of shame, guilt, and fear of judgment.
They may think others will not understand or accept the situation, which breeds the
tendency to be secretive with their loved one. They may lie about: Where they are,
Who they are with, The events of the day, Why they are behaving differently, or why
money is missing.
At times, secrecy will increase to the point of the complete distancing or isolation.

Trust Issues
With increased lying and deception associated with secrecy, it is only a matter of
time until the significant other begins to notice differences between fact and fiction.
The loved one may begin to develop trust issues due to the perceived lack of respect,
honesty, and loyalty. Trust is essential to feelings of safety and care in a relationship
and reduced trust often leads to the emergence of a number of relationship-damaging
issues like jealousy, anger, fear, and resentment.

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Anger and Abuse
Anger and violence can become concerns as a relationship deteriorates. Frustrations
will be high, but if someone is using a substance that is known to cause aggression,
the situation may be even more dangerous.

Reasons for resorting to use or abuse these

substances

1. Some drugs are legal

Alcohol and nicotine are not only both legal drugs but they are the most commonly
abused drugs.

2. They get a Prescription for drugs

People think that just because a doctor prescribed drugs they are safe. Prescription
drugs are every bit as dangerous and addictive as street drugs
like cocaine and heroin.

3. Rebelling by abusing drugs, especially by young adults

4. Turning to drugs and alcohol to ward off loneliness

5. Peer Pressure

6. Drugs and alcohol can make you feel good

7. Easy availability: drugs and alcohol are more available than ever

8. Alcohol isn’t enough

Often times addiction starts with alcohol but when the effects of alcohol are not
what they used to be the addict turns to harder and stronger drugs.

9. Experimenting
Addiction often stems from a person being curious and experimenting with drugs. It
is a scenario that often starts with alcohol or marijuana but ends up with cocaine,
prescription medication or even crystal meth and heroin.

10. Self-Medicating

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People from all different backgrounds use alcohol to unwind at the end of the day or
prescription drugs to help them cope with stress of everyday life. Patterns like this
can quickly turn into addiction.

Legal implications of substance abuse

India passed the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, (NDPS Act) in
1985 which was subsequently and recently, in 2014. India’s leading anti-drug law
prescribes stiff penalties for drug traffickers and rehabilitation for the users. Framed
with the intent to combat drug trafficking, it forbids and criminalizes the cultivation,
production, sale, purchase, possession, use, consumption, import and export of
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. It provides immunity in situations
where the drugs are utilized for medical or scientific purposes.
The NDPS Act came into existence to envisage strict punishments for drug
trafficking, to augment implementation powers, enforce international conventions
that India is a party to and to regulate psychotropic substances. A predominantly
punitive statute, NDPS provides for the regulation of drugs. It states that death
penalty can be awarded as a form of punishment under the Act. The 2014 amendment
held that the decision to award death penalty lies at the discretion of the court and
instead stipulates 30 years of imprisonment as a substitute.
In order to supplement the NDPS Act, the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in
Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act came into force in 1988. It contains
provisions pertaining to the preventive detention of any and every individual who
suspected of or charged with drug is trafficking.
More than 46 percent –almost half—of federal arrests in the United States are on
drug-related charges. An arrest like this most often leads to significant jail time,
probation and a series of legal consequences that follow you permanently throughout
life.
Drug-related legal trouble can lead to a number of consequences, including the
following:
Criminal record – If you are convicted of a drug crime, you may have a permanent
criminal record. This record can follow you every time you apply for a job, make an
offer on a home and register to vote.
Difficulty obtaining a job – Many employers conduct background checks on
potential employees to ensure that their new hires are free of legal issues and

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liabilities. If you have a drug crime conviction on your record, this could be a red
flag for potential employers.
Arrest – If you are caught dealing, using or intending to deal drugs, you may be
arrested and could face jail time. Being forced to spend time in jail can be detrimental
to yourself and your loved ones.

Helping a person affected by substance abuse

If someone you care about has asked for help, he or she has taken an important first
step. If that person is resistant to help, see if you can at least convince him or her to
get an evaluation from a doctor.
You can always take steps to locate an appropriate physician or health professional,
and leave the information with your friend. You can call health professionals in
advance to see if they are comfortable speaking with their patients about addiction.
Emphasize to your friend or loved one that it takes a lot of courage to seek help for
a drug problem because there is a lot of hard work ahead. There is a great deal of
scientific evidence that treatment works, and people recover every day. Like other
chronic diseases, addiction can be managed successfully. Treatment enables people
to counteract the powerfully disruptive effects of drugs on the brain and behavior
and to regain control of their lives. Like many diseases, it can take several attempts
at treatment to find the right approach. But assure your friend or loved one that you
will be supportive in his or her courageous effort.

Case Study 1

Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/lifestyle/report-growing-up-a-24-year-old-
drug-addict-s-story-1706744
Growing Up: A 24-year-old drug addict’s story
“I only need love and acceptance, without discrimination for my drugs history,” says
twenty-four year old Ahmed Hussein. He went to the municipality school on
Dockyard Road in Mumbai for a short time; he didn’t learn to read or write and he’s
forgotten what he learned. He liked to sneak out most of the time to roam around
with friends, disregarding his family, his father, mother, elder sister and younger
brother. His father could have provided him with an education, but he left the house
at the age of seven with no intentions to return. He started smoking beedis, and

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wanted to be a “master of his own will;” he disdained the control his father tried to
exert, and the moral preaching he tried to impart.
He moved to live on the streets outside Victoria Terminus (VT) Station where drugs
were sold in abundance. He went without food and bath for days on end; all he
wanted was to satisfy his craving for brown sugar. “I did anything and everything to
get cash to buy drugs. Petty thefts, picking pockets, conning people, even charging
tourists to pose for their photos,” constantly running from the police. Ahmed spent
time at Arthur Road, Kolhapur, and Byculla prisons on several occasions. He says,
“VT was my favourite place as maal (brown sugar) was easy to find. I was beaten
up by people, bitten by street dogs, survived wounds without medication, as long as
I had my supply of drugs.”
When he was eighteen, he met a girl named Uma outside of the station; she had fled
her home in Orissa. They grew to like each other, “I protected her and we took care
of each other,” says Ahmed. She was also struggling with a drug addiction, and soon
her parents found her and took her away. When she told her parents about Ahmed,
they got furious, “They didn’t want their daughter to keep any relationship with me,
as I was totally immersed in drugs,” says Ramzan. “Now, I’m happy for her; her life
would have been worse if she had stayed with me in those dark days.”
Many Sankalp peer educators exchanged his used needles for clean needles, tried to
educate Ahmed about the available medical treatments and counselling services. But
Ahmed wasn’t quitting; he continued to fix, “To remove the physical pain,
sometimes I took drugs every two hours. It helped me forget, and I felt immense
peace and relaxation. This was one thing that brought me happiness.”
Then an outreach worker from the Mumbai Central Drop-in Centre (DIC) named
Hasmukh Shah, Ahmed’s former “using partner,” began to change his perspective.
Ahmed says, “Hasmukh used to be on the streets, submerged in drugs with me, and
what he became surprised me.” This inspired Ahmed to seek out the services of
Sankalp, and he started a course of Buprenorphine, the Opioid Substitution Therapy.
The significant turning point came when he became part of Project Hunar. He
received shelter from Sankalp, and visited a partner NGO, AMBA CEEIC in
Bangalore to meet intellectually challenged youngsters who were learning
computers. Ahmed thought, “If these young kids with such disabilities can learn
computers, then why I can’t?” This gave him the inspiration to go forward with the
programme.
Today Ahmed works at Sankalp’s Charni Road Centre where he is not only trying
his hands on data entry training but also learning English. He says, “I want to make
up for all of my lost days of learning. Anything I do, the foundation must be strong.
I want to get hold of life and do something for my family.” He learnt first aid and
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dressing in Sankalp, and enjoys dressing the clients under treatment. He enjoys
attending NA meetings, and thoughtfully says, “In the meetings, we can relate to
each other; the journeys of drug people are more or less the same.”
The admiration and value he gets from people around him encourages him to do well
in life, to pursue a good career, and rebuild relationships with his family.

Case Study 2
Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/juvenile-substance-abusers-in-
india-catching-them-young/story-wZa4Mj3eXisFW1zQisPTJJ.html
Prashant was seven years old when he first sniffed an inhalant. In the years to come,
he consumed a range of substances including cannabis and injectable drugs. “There
was a time when the powder was not enough for me. I had to use injection to get a
high,” he recalls nonchalantly, sitting in the campus of SPYM centre for children in
Delhi where he is being counselled for de-addiction.
Prashant, now 13 years, says it all began when he puffed a cigarette to emulate one
of his seniors in school. Gradually, he moved on to serious substances. Pocket
money- Rs 10 per day- was too less to buy him his daily dose.
He started stealing metal articles and selling them off to make money. “Burnt bronze
would get me Rs 350 per kilogram; brass was Rs. 250 per kilogram. I also stole
batteries from cars and motorcycles. Last year, I accompanied a gang of thieves. But
I was not the leader...just a member” he recalls.
After every such heist, Prashant and his gang would celebrate their success by trying
the latest drugs in the market, he says. With his little hands, he enacts the process of
preparing the powder, rolling it into a pipe, inhaling, holding it till it reaches the
lungs and then slowly releasing it. “Smack used to make us feel hungry and weak.
We had to eat bread and butter immediately after that,” he says. Prashant’s family
of six resides in a slum cluster in the Dwarka area. His father works in an export
company and is the only earning member in the family. His parents had no idea that
he was into substance abuse. Six months ago, one of the gang members tipped off
police about him which lead to his arrest. He was produced in front of the Juvenile
Justice Board which referred him to the center for de-addiction.
“His detoxification is over. Now, we are giving him behavioral therapy and making
him participate in group activities,” says Dr. Rajesh Kumar of SPYM center.

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