UNDERSTANDING

DRUG ABUSE
HEALTH 9
What are the reasons of possible substance abuse in youth?

Young individuals have different reasons of misuse or abuse of drugs. They

probably do so because of the following:
✓ Curiosity – human nature of desire to experience something
new. This usually happens during ages of strong peer influence
when peers are experiencing drugs.
✓ Low self-esteem – several individuals have poor opinions of
themselves. Through influence of drugs, individuals try to avoid
coming to grips with their feelings of failure. Drugs serve as a
coping mechanism.
What are the reasons of possible substance abuse in youth?

✓ Peer pressure – mostly in stages of adolescence, individuals

have a strong need to belong to “the group”. If peers abuse
drugs, there is a strong pressure on group members to do
likewise.
✓ Adult modeling – young people try to be grown-ups, and they see
drug use as a form of adult behavior to be imitated. Smoking and
alcoholic drinking may be an early start of adult modeling.
✓ Mood alteration – some individuals use drugs merely to change
their emotions. Being calm or excited because of drug intake is
the reason for this behavior.
What are the reasons of possible substance abuse in youth?

✓ Boredom – young people who have no interest in childhood

activities but are not yet able to engage in adult activities may
fee boredom. This may lead them to try using drugs.
✓ Alienation – there are individuals who feel unwanted and
unloved. These people view themselves as social misfits. Drugs
then acts as instruments to exhaust feelings of alienation.
How will I recognize someone
using or abusing drugs?
Warning signs of drug use
and abuse:
● Showing no interest in activities
● Lying and cheating about drug use
● Having friends who are suspected
of abusing drugs.
● Giving up friends who do not use
drugs
● Getting into trouble
● Having slurred speech
● Changes in appearance
● Poor school performance
● Major changes in behavior
● Joining a gang
 EFFECT OF
DIFFERENT TYPES OF
DRUGS OF ABUSE
 The table below shows the effects and examples of the
different types of drugs of abuse
CLASSIFICATION SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
STIMULANTS Very high energy that users
forego sleep and food, loss of
appetite, sleep disorders,
repetitive behavior
DEPRESSANTS Poor coordination,
disorientation, slurred speech,
decreased alertness, nausea,
visual disturbances,
confusion, lowered blood
pressure
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Psychosis, paranoia, severe
dental problems, changes in
brain structure, stroke, heart
problems, increased blood
pressure, death
Mental disorders, sleepiness,
irritability, confusion, blood
and liver disease depression,
chronic fatigue, sexual and
sleep problems, insomnia,
diabetes, weight gain
 The table below shows the effects and examples of the
different types of drugs of abuse
CLASSIFICATION SHORT-TERM EFFECTS
NARCOTICS Restlessness, small pupils,
cold, moist and bluish skin
color, slowed breathing, and
death
HALLUCINOGENS Anxiety, vomiting, panic,
impaired memory, irrational
thought patterns,
hallucinations, changes in
sense of time, sleep
problems, loss of appetite
LONG-TERM EFFECTS
Constipation, temporary
sterility and impotence,
convulsions, coma and death
Delusions, severe changes in
behavior, memory loss,
speech problems, depression,
memory loss, weight loss
 The table below shows the effects and examples of the
different types of drugs of abuse

CLASSIFICATION SHORT-TERM EFFECTS LONG-TERM EFFECTS

INHALANTS Confusion, disorientation, Memory impairment, inability

aggressive behavior,
hallucinations and delusions,
impaired judgment, hostility,
lack of coordination, death
from suffocation
to think, muscle cramps and
weakness, abdominal pain,
damage to the brain, heart,
lungs, kidneys and liver,
death from heart failure
 EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE

01 02 03
FAMILY SCHOOL COMMUNITY
Effects of Drug Abuse on
the FAMILY
1. Family Pain
2. Physical health problems
3. Separation of family
members
4. Financial members
5. Negligence of duties and
responsibilities
6. Dishonor and
embarrassment to the
family
Effects of Drug Abuse on
the SCHOOL
1. Reduced academic
performance and
achievement.
2. Increased violence in
school
3. Disrespectful to school
policies and authorities.
Effects of Drug Abuse on
the COMMUNITY
1. High prevalence of crimes
2. Increased number of
accidents
3. Government fund loss to
drug-related operations.