ASSIGNMENT

ON
CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
AMONG THE STUDENTS COMMUNITY

Submitted To, Submitted by,

Ms Fouzia ma’am Soma Bag
Lecturer 2nd year,bsc nursing
Indian Academy Indian Academy
College of Nursing College of Nursing

Submitted on :- 06/08/20
 What Is Substance
Abuse?
Substance abuse is when you take drugs that are not legal. It’s also when you use alcohol,
prescription medicine, and other legal substances too much or in the wrong way.

Substance abuse differs from addiction. Many people with substance abuse problems are able
to quit or can change their unhealthy behavior. Addiction, on the other hand, is a disease. It
means you can’t stop using even when your condition causes you harm.

Commonly Abused Drugs

Both legal and illegal drugs have chemicals that can change how your body and mind work.
They can give you a pleasurable “high,” ease your stress, or help you avoid problems in your
life.

Alcohol

Alcohol affects everyone differently. But if you drink too much and too often, your chance of an
injury or accident goes up. Heavy drinking also can cause liver and other health problems or
lead to a more serious alcohol disorder.One drink is:

 12 ounces of regular beer

 8-9 ounces of malt liquor, which has more alcohol than beer
 5 ounces of wine
 1 1/2 ounces of distilled spirits like vodka and whiskey

Prescription and Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicine

These can be just as dangerous and addictive as illegal drugs. You can abuse medicine if you:

 Take medicine prescribed for someone else

 Take extra doses or use a drug other than the way it’s supposed to be taken
  Take the drug for a non-medical reason

Types of prescription drugs that are most often abused include:

 Opioid pain relievers

 Medicine used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
 Anxiety medicine

The most commonly abused OTC drugs are cough and cold medicine that
have dextromethorphan, which in high doses can make you feel drunk or intoxicated.

Heroin

This illegal drug is the natural version of manmade prescription opioid narcotics. Heroin gives
you a rush of good feelings at first. But when it wears off, everything slows down. You’ll move
and think more slowly, and you may have chills, nausea, and nervousness. You may feel a strong
need to take more heroin to feel better.

Cocaine

This drug speeds up your whole body. When you use cocaine, you may talk, move, or think very
fast. You may feel happy and full of energy. But your mood may then shift to anger. You may
feel like someone is out to get you. It can cause you to do things that don’t make sense.

Using cocaine for a long time will lead to strong cravings for the drug.

Marijuana

A growing number of states have legalized medical uses of marijuana. A handful of states also
allow recreational pot. But in most states, it’s still illegal.

Marijuana can make you feel silly and laugh for no reason. Or you may feel sleepy and forget
things that just happened. Driving while high on pot is just as dangerous as drunk driving. And
heavy marijuana use can leave some people “burned out” and not think or care about much.

Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products

You may not think of these as drugs. But tobacco has a chemical called nicotine that gives you
a little rush of pleasure and energy. The effect can wear off fast and leave you wanting more.
You can abuse and get addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes, just like other drugs.

How to Get Help

Substance abuse affects every part of your life. It can hurt you and the people around you. It
can ruin relationships and your financial health. Abusing drugs can also lead to addiction and
cause
serious health problems and even death.
To stop, you may need counseling, medicine, or both. If you have a substance abuse problem and
want to quit, a doctor can help figure out the best treatment options for you.

Substance Abuse : The Cause & Effect

Work is still being done to

determine the direct causes of substance abuse and mental health issues. While there is
still much to be discovered, it is known that a number of factors play into the development
of these disorders, and many of these factors are similar across both mental health and
substance abuse issues.

Causes of Substance Abuse

Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to development of
drug addiction. The main factors are:

 Environment. Environmental factors, including your family's beliefs and attitudes and
exposure to a peer group that encourages drug use, seem to play a role in initial drug
use.

 Genetics. Once you've started using a drug, the development into addiction may
be influenced by inherited (genetic) traits, which may delay or speed up the disease
progression.
 Changes in the brain

Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your
brain feels pleasure. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells
(neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to
communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.

What Are the Symptoms or Effects

of Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can have an effect on a person’s physical and mental health, as well as
social relationships, family, work, school, and quality of life. The potential effects of
substance abuse include:

 Damage to organs, such as the heart, brain, and liver

 Diseases, such as heart disease, HIV, and cancer
 Development of other mental illnesses
 Permanent changes to hormonal or nervous systems
 Damage to social network or relationships
 Loss of job or other financial issues
 Legal troubles

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of

General Drug Abuse?
When a person’s behavior changes, loved ones may immediately suspect that substance
abuse of some kind is a factor. There are a number of signs that can be observed in a person
who is abusing or addicted to drugs or alcohol. It can be challenging to see outward signs of
substance abuse; however, there are some behaviors that can indicate that drug abuse or
addiction is occurring.

 Generally, if a person is abusing drugs or alcohol, the following signs may be observed:
 Decreased involvement in activities the person used to enjoy
 Trouble managing responsibilities at work, school, or home
 Problems with relationships related to substance use
 Increase in risk-taking behaviors
 A lot of time spent seeking the substance, or dealing with its aftereffects (e.g., being hungover)
 Inability to stop using the substance or change behavior, even when the problems above are present

 In some cases, physical or psychological signs may be observed as well:

 Slurring speech, clumsiness, and lack of balance
 Inability to focus
 Decreased or increased heart rate
 Trembling or sweating
 Mood swings
 Withdrawal symptoms if the person stops taking the substance
 Increased irritability, agitation, and paranoia
 Frequent bloody noses
 Injection marks on skin
 Bloodshot eyes
 Decreased hygiene
 Slowed breathing
 Very fatigued or difficult to wake up
 Seizures
 Lack interest in things you used to love
 Change your friends a lot
 Stop taking care of yourself
 Spend more time alone than you used to
 Eat more or less than normal
 Sleep at odd hours
 Have problems at work or with family
 Switch quickly from feeling good and bad
 Change in sleeping habits
 Signs of hallucinations (talking to no one, looking at nothing, scratching at skin)
 Dramatic change in pupil size

Risk factors
People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Certain
factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

 Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely
involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling,
with alcohol or drug addiction, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.

 Mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as depression,
attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're
more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs can become a way of coping
with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression and loneliness, and can make these
problems even worse.

 Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse
drugs, particularly for young people.

 Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents
or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.
  Early use. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain
and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.

 Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or opioid
painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. Smoking or
injecting drugs can increase the potential for addiction. Taking drugs considered less
addicting — so-called "light drugs" — can start you on a pathway of drug use and
addiction.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS

Substance use disorder affects students as well as adults. Statistically, students are
using fewer illicit substances than previous generations, but the issue continues to
result in tragedies, especially among teens and students who abuse prescription opioid.
The problem with students abusing illicit substances is not as easily identifiable as
drug trends in the past. Prescription drugs can be hidden in plain sight, under the guise
of over-the-counter pain relievers and common cold medications. Meanwhile, the
closing of the summer months increases the risk of drug use among students,
explains Jessica Harthorn of WWMT News.

Addiction Among High School and College Students

Tdolescents and young adults in high school and college face many unique pressures and
stressors in their lives. Coupled with an underdeveloped frontal lobe, the region of the
brain responsible for impulse control, decision-making, and mood regulation, these
particular age groups may be prone to substance abuse.

High school and college students may be more influenced by social pressures and more
likely to engage in risky behaviors than other age groups. According to the National
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), by the time individuals reach their senior year of high
school, 70 percent will have tried alcohol, 50 percent will have abused an illicit drug, 40
percent will have smoked a cigarette, and 20 percent will have used a prescription drug
recreationally, or for nonmedical purposes.

Alcohol is the number one substance of abuse for this demographic, with marijuana being
the top drug of choice, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS) Office of Adolescent Health. The Monitoring the Future (MTF) survey of 2014
reported the following statistics for use of an illicit drug in the past year or lifetime
prevalence of alcohol use among teen and young adults:
 Any illicit drug use:

 1 2th graders and college students:

39 percent
 Young adults aged 19-28: 38 percent
 10th graders: 30 percent
 8th graders: 15 percent

Young adults or teenagers may

feel that alcohol and/or drugs may help them fit in socially. Substance abuse can reduce
inhibitions, and raise self-confidence levels temporarily. Drugs and alcohol can potentially
numb or minimize difficult emotions for a short time and may provide a desired escape
from reality.

Some drugs, such as stimulants like amphetamines, may be used to boost energy and help
individuals stay awake and focused, making them popular as “study drugs,” especially for
college students trying to get ahead academically. Between 2008 and 2014, amphetamine
usage among college students in the year leading up to the MTF survey almost doubled
from 5.7 percent to 10.1 percent.

Using drugs or alcohol at a young age before the brain is fully developed can create a host
of emotional, physical, social, behavioral, and interpersonal issues, however. Abuse of
alcohol and drugs by high school and college student may present unique circumstances
wherein specialized treatment methods are ideal to foster a healthy lifestyle for a long-
term recovery.

Effects of Substance Abuse on Growing Brains

Research has shown that drugs and alcohol make chemical changes in the circuitry and
pathways in the brain related to managing emotions, making sound decisions, mitigating
risk-taking behaviors, controlling impulses, motivation levels, and the manner in which an
individual experiences pleasure and reward. Abusing mind-altering substances before the
brain is fully developed may lead to negative changes in the brain and its functional
capabilities that may have long-lasting effects, the journal Clinical EEG and
Neuroscience publishes.

NIDA reports that the brain may not be fully developed until about a person’s mid-20s or
so. Using drugs or alcohol before this point can lead to problems with memory and other
cognitive functions; increased risk for health problems or the potential contraction of an
infectious disease due to heightened hazardous behaviors that may include risky sexual
encounters; drop in grades and difficulties at school; strain on family relationships; lack of
interest in activities previously enjoyed; and possible mental health problems.

Overdose, accidents, injuries, and becoming the victim of assault are also valid concerns
when it comes to substance abuse in this demographic. This is exacerbated by the fact that
college or high school students may abuse large amounts of substances in one sitting.
The National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) publishes that four out of
five college students drink alcohol, and half do so through binge drinking (which is raising
the blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, above the legal limit of 0.08 g/dL). Similarly, for
high schools students, nearly 40 percent of 12th graders report drinking alcohol in the past
30 days, over 20 percent admit to daily binge drinking in the past two weeks, and almost
25 percent report riding in a motor vehicle with an impaired driver, according to the HHS
Office of Adolescent Health. Alcohol is illegal for those under age 21 in the United States,
partially because of how detrimental it can be to a young person’s physical and
psychological development.

Error! Filename not specified.Alcohol and drug usage before the brain is fully formed
may increase the risk for developing addiction as well. The National Survey on Drug Use
and Health (NSDUH) reported that in 2014, approximately 15.4 percent of individuals aged
18 and older who suffered from alcohol abuse or dependency had abused alcohol before
the age of 14, while only 3.8 percent had alcohol abuse or dependency problems when they
waited until at least the age of 18 to try alcohol for the first time. Results were similar for
marijuana abuse, with 11.5 percent of those age 18 or older abusing or dependent on the
drug after first using it before the age of 14, while only 2.6 percent of those dependent or
abusing marijuana had initiated usage of the drug after the age of 18, according to
the NSDUH. This shows a direct correlation between the age someone starts using a
psychoactive substance and future substance abuse or dependency issues. High school or
college student substance abuse may therefore be a path toward addiction.

What Drugs Are Students Abusing Today?

Keeping with trends identified over the past five years, the overwhelming majority of
students are using fewer drugs than ever before, explains the National Institute on Drug
Abuse (NIDA). But, concerns are growing over the use of electronic cigarettes and
softening attitudes toward the risk of abusing marijuana. While this seems promising,
the true statistics continue to indicate the problem is much larger than many realize.
Some of the most notable facts include the following:

 Up to 23.6 percent of high school seniors reported past-year use of illicit drugs.
 Marijuana and alcohol continue to be primary substances of choice for students.
 Amphetamines and Adderall, both prescription-grade medications, were abused by 7.7
and 7.5 percent of high school seniors respectively.
 The prevalence of abusing heroin and prescription opioids has decreased among 12th-
graders.
 The ability to obtain prescription opioids changed drastically. Up to 60 percent of high
school students reported obtaining prescription opioids was “very easy.”

The Impact of Addiction on Students

Drug abuse affects students differently than adults, especially younger students and
teens. Drug addiction results in permanent changes to the brain’s chemistry, which
impact a person’s ability to perform complex cognitive functions. In other words, the
brain becomes used to higher levels of chemicals present due to drug exposure, which
result in the buildup of a tolerance and dependence. Eventually, the addiction starts to
take over all parts of a person’s life.

If this explanation is combined with the currently developing neural pathways of today’s
teens, explains the NIDA, the risk of abusing stronger, more powerful drugs, such as
prescription opioids, increases with prolonged drug abuse of any kind. Unfortunately,
using substances has even worse consequences for students with pre-existing mental
health conditions.

Complications
Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking
some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them
with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples.
  Methamphetamine, opiates and cocaine are highly addictive and cause
multiple short-term and long-term health consequences, including psychotic
behavior, seizures or death due to overdose.

 GHB and flunitrazepam may cause sedation, confusion and memory loss. These
so-called "date rape drugs" are known to impair the ability to resist unwanted
contact and recollection of the event. At high doses, they can cause seizures,
coma and death. The danger increases when these drugs are taken with alcohol.
Other life-changing complications

 Getting a communicable disease.

 Other health problems.

 Accidents

 Suicide

 Family problems.

 Work issues.

 Problems at school.

 Legal issues.

 Financial problems.

Prevention
The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your doctor
prescribes a drug with the potential for addiction, use care when taking the drug and follow the
instructions provided by your doctor.

Doctors should prescribe these medications at safe doses and amounts and monitor
their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you
need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor.
Preventing drug misuse in children and teenagers

Take these steps to help prevent drug misuse in your children and teenagers:

 Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and misuse.
  Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive
of their efforts to resist it.

 Set a good example. Don't misuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents
who misuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.

 Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children.

 Stick with your treatment plan. Monitor your cravings. It may seem like you've
recovered and you don't need to keep taking steps to stay drug-free.

 Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get
your drugs. And stay away from your old drug crowd.

 Get help immediately if you use the drug again. If you start using the drug again, talk to
your doctor, your mental health professional or someone else who can help you right
away.

Specific Treatment Needs for Students

High school and college students may not have all the necessary cognitive tools to handle
some of the daily stressors that may surround them, and alcohol or drugs can seem like the
answer. Childhood trauma, genetic factors, and a person’s surrounding environment may
all contribute to future substance abuse and addiction.

Error! Filename not specified.Different age groups are likely to have different needs
when it comes to treatment methods. Teens and young adults are more likely to hide their
substance abuse and deny that treatment is necessary than older adults. They may also be
less likely to think they need help and recognize that their substance abuse and resulting
behaviors are cause for concern. NIDA reports that only 10 percent of those aged 12-17
who need treatment for drug or alcohol abuse actually get it with the large majority of
those who do receive treatment being referred through the criminal justice system. Alcohol
and drug usage may increase risky and dangerous behaviors, which may include engaging
in criminal behaviors as well as potentially heightening aggressive, violent, or erratic
actions.

Most treatment models for adolescents and young adults will likely use behavioral therapy
models and research-based methods that include both group and individual therapy
sessions with groups of peers. Specific medications for addiction may not be approved for
use in young people; however, teens may be less likely to suffer from withdrawal side
effects and drug cravings than older individuals dependent on drugs or
alcohol, NIDA publishes.

Treatment for drug or alcohol abuse may be performed in either an outpatient or

residential setting, depending on the specific needs of the individual. Someone who is
heavily dependent on drugs or alcohol, and has been abusing them for a long time, may
benefit from medical detox services and comprehensive residential treatment.

Error! Filename not specified.

Support services and continuing care are helpful for young adult or teenagers struggling
with substance abuse. Twelve-Step and peer support groups can provide safe places to talk
to others with similar circumstances, build a positive network of people, and help prevent
relapse. Family counseling, therapy, and support groups are often integral in adolescent or
young adult treatment plans as well since families may play a vital role in recovery and
sustained abstinence.

Co-Occurring Mental Illness

Both addiction and mental illness are often considered developmental diseases, as 50
percent of all chronic mental illnesses start before the age of 14 and 75 percent by age 24,
the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) reports. Mental illness may contribute to
substance abuse, and substance abuse may worsen symptoms of mental illness.

When both mental illness and substance abuse or dependency co-occur, specialized
integrated treatment is often the optimal care method. Ideally, medical and mental health
professionals work together to implement and plan a treatment model that takes care for
both disorders into account simultaneously.

Young adults and adolescents suffering from mental health concerns may think about or
attempt suicide. It is the third leading cause of death in this age group, according to
the National Center for Children in Poverty (NCCP).

Error! Filename not specified.Mental illness increases the odds that a person may abuse
or become dependent on drugs or alcohol, and substance abuse often interferes with
mental health treatment. Mood disorders, such as depression, anxiety disorders, and
bipolar disorder, may be common in individuals who also suffer from a substance use
disorder (SUD) at rates between 32 and 56 percent of the time, according to the
journal Addiction Science & Clinical Practice. Integrated treatment can help improve mental
health issues related to both substance abuse and a potential mental health disorder.

Behavioral therapies can help teach high school and college students better ways to
manage stress and cope with everyday triggers that may encourage substance abuse.

Adolescent and young adult mental health and/or substance abuse treatment should take
into account specific gender, cultural, ethnic, psychological development, and relations
with family, friends, and the community overall. No two treatment plans may be exactly
alike as each individual will have specific circumstances that may dictate the most
beneficial method of care.

Resources for Help

Young adults and teenagers may not feel that they need treatment, and families may
inadvertently enable individuals to continue patterns of problematic drug or alcohol abuse
in a misguided attempt to protect them. It may feel socially unacceptable to seek treatment,
or it may feel “normal” for teens to be experimenting with drugs or alcohol. While some
level of experimentation is to be expected, when drug or alcohol use gets out of control and
families start to notice behavioral or personality changes, help is needed. These changes
may include social withdrawal; secrecy and denial over substance abuse; drastic changes in
sleeping, eating, or physical appearance; grades slipping; and a lack of interest in things
that may have been important before.

Many times, treatment may begin with a visit to a primary care provider for information
on how to get help and a potential referral for services. Insurance may cover mental health
and substance abuse treatment services in many cases.

Some important resources for high school and college students in need of substance abuse
treatment, and their families, include:

Individual schools or colleges may also have resources for families, teenagers, and young
adults who may benefit from specialized substance abuse, addiction, or mental health
treatment, as may local state, city, or county health
 CONCLUSION
Substance abuse is a complex problem thought to result from a combination of
psychological, and environmental factors. Infants of abusers may suffer from neglect or the
effects of parental drug use. As they grow into childhood, they may demonstrate antisocial
behavior, and signs of malnutrition, poor self-esteem, depression, or attention deficit
disorder. Identification of drug abuse is a difficult first step on the road to recovery
because of the methods many abuses use to hide their addiction, the inability of family
members to recognize or accept the problem, and the relatives' enabling behavior.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

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Recovery
 https://www.ssrn.com › The Causes and Effects of Substance Abuse in Communities: A Case
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 .https://www.mayoclinic.org › Drug addiction (substance use disorder) - Symptoms and causes
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