USE OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

What is Drug use?

Drug use refers to any scope of use of illegal drugs: heroin use,
cocaine use, tobacco use. Drug misuse is used to distinguish
improper or unhealthy use from use of a medication as prescribed or
alcohol in moderation. ... NIDA's use of the term addiction
corresponds roughly to the DSM definition of substance use disorder.

What is the Effects of Drug use?

Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage. Lung disease.

Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which make
daily living more difficult. Global effects of drugs on the body, such as
breast development in men and increases in body temperature,
which can lead to other health problems.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something about

their lives. Here are some of the reasons young people have given for
taking drugs:

To fit in;

To escape or relax;

To relieve boredom;

To seem grown up;

To rebel;

To experiment.

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become
the problem.
Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of
drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve
with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs
in the first place.

How Do Drugs Work?

Drugs are essentially poisons. The amount taken determines the

effect. A small amount acts as a stimulant (speeds you up). A greater
amount acts as a sedative (slows you down). An even larger amount
poisons and can kill. This is true of any drug. Only the amount
needed to achieve the effect differs.

But many drugs have another liability: they directly affect the mind.
They can distort the user’s perception of what is happening around
him or her. As a result, the person’s actions may be odd, irrational,
inappropriate and even destructive.

Drugs block off all sensations, the desirable ones with the unwanted.
So, while providing short-term help in the relief of pain, they also
wipe out ability and alertness and muddy one’s thinking.

Medicines are drugs that are intended to speed up or slow down or

change something about the way your body is working, to try to
make it work better. Sometimes they are necessary. But they are still
drugs: they act as stimulants or sedatives, and too much can kill you.
So if you do not use medicines as they are supposed to be used, they
can be as dangerous as illegal drugs.

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF DRUG USE?

Prevention is key. This may sound like a cliché but it’s nevertheless
true. Prevention is the best way to keep people from becoming
addicted to drugs. When it comes to drug and alcohol consumption,
holding the notion that “I’ll do it only once” may prove to be quite
dangerous. And for those that do it the first time, it’s equally as
dangerous to say “I can stop at any time.” Many people can, but
those unlucky few that can’t end up with a dependence that spirals
out of control.

Experimenting with drugs and alcohol can lead to addiction that may
ruin the physical and mental health of an individual. Staying away
from drugs and alcohol is the only way to positively prevent drug
addiction.

The question is, how to say no to drugs? While it’s difficult to prevent
someone from taking drugs, there are certain things that each one of
us should remember to prevent drug addiction.

Clearly, not every person that tries alcohol or drugs will become
addicted to them. Many people drink alcohol socially without having
a problem with it. The same goes for recreational drugs. But some
people have underlying factors such as genetics, mental health
disorders, and other issues, that serve as a stimulus for relying on
drugs or alcohol to get them through the day. The day becomes a
week, and then a month, and before they know it, they need to self-
medicate to get through life.

Nobody knows whether they can handle a little recreational

experimentation with substances or if it will overtake them until it’s
too late. So again, the best way to avoid addiction is to prevent it
from becoming a problem by abstaining from the beginning.

Ways to avoid relying on drugs to get through life.

1. Learn to Deal with Life’s Pressures:-

The inability to deal with normal life pressures is one of the major
reasons that drive people to drugs and alcohol. For many people,
drug and alcohol consumption is a way to escape the harsh realities
of life. Learning to cope with life’s pressures will go a long way when
it comes to helping people stay away from drugs and alcohol.

2. Don’t Give in to Peer Pressure:-

Some people, particularly teenagers and young adults, experiment

with drugs just to portray a cool image in front of others. They do it
to fit in among their circle of friends. Some kids wrongly believe that
doing drugs or consuming alcohol will make them more acceptable
and popular with other kids. Not giving into peer pressure can and
will prevent drug addiction.

3. Develop Close Family Ties:-

Research indicates that people who share a close relationship with

their families are less likely to become drug addicts. The guidance
and support provided by the family makes it easier for a person to
deal with life pressures and stay away from all types of harmful
substances. The same is true for having a close relationship with
good friends that are responsible and trustworthy.

4) Develop Healthy Habits:-

Eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is another way of

preventing drug and alcohol addiction. Being healthy and active
makes it easier for people to deal with life stresses. This in turn,
reduces the temptation to rely on drugs and alcohol to deal with
stress. A healthy diet and regular exercise promotes feel good
chemicals in the brain.

While these are just a few ideas that can help prevent drug and
alcohol addiction, it’s important for a person who has already
developed an addiction to seek drug and alcohol treatment. There
are many reliable treatment centres that may prove to be immensely
useful in this regard.
WHAT IS USE OF ALCOHOL?

Alcohol use and safe drinking:- Alcohol use involves drinking beer,
wine, or hard liquor.

Information: - Alcohol is one of the most widely used drug

substances in the world.

TEEN DRINKING:-

Alcohol use is not only an adult problem. Teens also use and they are
considered "problem drinkers." This means that they: Get drunk;
Have accidents related to alcohol use; Get into trouble with the law,
family members, friends, school, or dates because of alcohol

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL:-

Alcoholic drinks have different amounts of alcohol in them.

Beer is about 5% alcohol, although some beers have more.

Wine is usually 12% to 15% alcohol.

Hard liquor is about 45% alcohol.

Alcohol gets into your bloodstream quickly.

The amount and type of food in your stomach can change how
quickly this occurs. For example, high-carbohydrate and high-fat
foods can make your body absorb alcohol more slowly.

Certain types of alcoholic drinks get into your bloodstream faster.

Stronger drinks tend to be absorbed faster.

Alcohol slows your breathing rate, heart rate, and how well your
brain functions. These effects may appear within 10 minutes and
peak at around 40 to 60 minutes. Alcohol stays in your bloodstream
until it is broken down by the liver. The amount of alcohol in your
blood is called your blood alcohol level. If you drink alcohol faster
than the liver can break it down, this level rises.

Your blood alcohol level is used to legally define whether or not you
are drunk. The legal limit for blood alcohol usually falls between 0.08
and 0.10 in most states.

Below is a list of blood alcohol levels and the likely symptoms:

0.05 -- reduced inhibitions

0.10 -- slurred speech

0.20 -- euphoria and motor impairment

0.30 -- confusion

0.40 -- stupor

0.50 -- coma

0.60 -- breathing stops and death

You can have symptoms of being drunk at blood alcohol levels below
the legal definition of being drunk. Also, people who drink alcohol
frequently may not have symptoms until a higher blood alcohol level
is reached.

HEALTH RISKS OF ALCOHOL:-

Alcohol increases the risk of:

Alcoholism;

Falls, drowning, and other accidents;

Head, neck, stomach, colon, breast, and other cancers;

Heart attack and stroke;

Motor vehicle accidents;

Risky sex behaviours, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, and

sexually transmitted infections (STIs);

Suicide and homicide;

Drinking during pregnancy can harm the developing baby. Severe

birth defects or foetal alcohol syndrome are possible.

Here are some ways to drink responsibly, provided you do not have a
drinking problem, are of legal age to drink alcohol, and are not
pregnant:

Never drink alcohol and drive a car. If you are going to drink, have a
designated driver, or plan an alternative way home, such as a taxi or
bus.

DO NOT drink on an empty stomach. Snack before and while drinking

alcohol. If you are taking medicines, including over-the-counter
drugs, check with your health care provider before drinking alcohol.
Alcohol can make the effects of many medicines stronger. It can also
interact with other medicines, making them ineffective or dangerous
or make you sick.

If alcohol use runs in your family, you may be at increased risk of

developing this disease yourself. So, you may want to avoid drinking
alcohol altogether.

How to prevent use of Alcohol:-

1. Don’t Keep Alcohol at Home:-

Having alcohol at home makes it easy to drink without

accountability, especially if you live alone or have a tendency to drink
privately. By keeping your house alcohol-free, you can lower the
chances of alcohol abuse in the form of emotional drinking or
drinking out of boredom. Try to limit your drinking to social
occasions in public places with someone you can trust to help you set
limits.

2. Know Your Limits:-

According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism,

low-risk alcohol consumption equates to four or fewer drinks (14
grams of pure alcohol = one drink) in one day and fewer than 14
drinks per week for men. It’s important to note these guidelines DO
NOT apply to those who meet criteria for alcohol use disorder, are in
recovery, or have a strong family history of alcoholism. For women,
recommended guidelines equate to three or fewer drinks per day
and no more than seven drinks a week. However, variables, such as
weight and age, may cause you to have a lower alcohol tolerance
than these low-risk guidelines. As a way to keep track of your alcohol
consumption, use a drink tracker card or app.

3. Make Friends Who Don’t Drink:-

Think about your friends and ask yourself, “Are all or most of my
friends also my drinking buddies?” If so, you might need to make a
change if you want to decrease the chances of alcohol abuse, or stay
sober in your in recovery. Try making friends who don’t drink at all,
or spending more time with the ones who don’t drink often. After all,
it’s easy to drink recklessly if you have friends to do it with you. If you
socialize with people who don’t drink or don’t drink often, you may
be less likely to consume alcohol yourself, or have less than usual.

4. Find a Support Group:-

Whether you currently abusing or are addicted to alcohol, joining a

support group, such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), can help reduce
your chances of alcohol dependence or help you get sober again.
This group is intended for anyone who has current or previous
struggles with alcoholism or alcohol abuse by creating opportunities
for friendships, a support system and accountability partners to help
you keep your drinking in check. Regardless of the severity of your
alcohol use, consider a recovery support group.

5. En-roll in a Treatment:-

If you think you need professional help for alcohol abuse, many
professional Agencies, offer treatment to help you regain control of
your life. There are Centres, provide programs for alcohol addiction,
in addition to other substance abuse disorders. These programs
include an aftercare element to help you stay sober while keeping up
with the demands of your job.

Alcohol abuse is a condition that can have consequences, but it can

be prevented. Whether you choose to never start drinking, never
drink again or make a conscious effort to drink responsibly, it is
possible to live a life that isn’t ruled by alcohol abuse or addiction.