DRUG AND

SUBSTANCE
ABUSE

BY PST. RAFFIAN SAMUEL

Contents
DRUGS.......................................................................................................................................................2
DRUG ABUSE AND STATISTICS...........................................................................................................3
STATISTICS IN KENYA ACCORDING TO NACADA..........................................................................3
TYPES OF DRUGS....................................................................................................................................5
CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS.........................................................................................6
CAUSES OF DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE..................................................................................7
HOW ADDICTION DEVELOPS...............................................................................................................8
SYMPTOMS OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE..............................................................................9
Common symptoms of drug abuse..........................................................................................................9
Common symptoms of drug intoxication...............................................................................................10
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition.......................................................10
THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION.................................................................................................11
RISK FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE ONE ABUSE DRUGS................................................................12
POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF DRUG ABUSE?..........................................................................13
COMMON TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSE........................................................................................14

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 DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

DRUGS
 In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of known
structure, which, when administered to a living organism, produces a
biological effect. A pharmaceutical drug, also called a medication or
medicine.
 A drug can also be defined as a chemical substance used
to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-being.
 Away from pharmacology a drug can also be defined as any substance that
causes a change in an organism’s physiology or psychology when consumed
 Drugs can also be defined as chemical substances that affect the function of
the central nervous system, altering perception, mood or consciousness.
 Drugs are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide
nutritional support.
 Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation, injection, smoking, ingestion,
absorption via a patch on the skin, suppository, or dissolution under the
tongue.

DRUG ABUSE AND STATISTICS

 Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-
counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be
used, or in excessive amounts.

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 It is excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as alcohol, pain medications
or illegal drugs.
 Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the
purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain.
 There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has
been increasing at alarming rates.

STATISTICS IN KENYA ACCORDING TO NACADA

 The prevalence of current usage of alcohol among respondents aged 15 – 65
years stands at 12.2%,
 Tobacco 8.3%.
 khat 4.1%
 bhang / marijuana 1.0%.
 Data on current use of multiple drugs and substances abuse among
respondents aged 15 - 65 years shows that the prevalence stands at 6.0%.
 Further, the study shows that the prevalence of alcohol use disorders among
respondents aged 15 - 65 years stands at 10.4%
 Tobacco use disorders stands at 6.8%.
 khat use disorders stands at 3.1%
 Bhang / marijuana use disorders stands at 0.8%.
 The burden of substance use disorders presents a serious challenge for the
country.
 Nairobi region had the highest prevalence of alcohol use disorders (18.4%)
followed by Western (13.1%), Rift Valley (10.7%), Eastern (10.6%),
Nyanza (9.6%), Coast (8.7%), Central (8.3%) and North Eastern (1.4%). The
prevalence of severe alcohol use disorders stood at 6.2%.

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 Analysis of tobacco showed that the prevalence of tobacco use disorders
among respondents aged 15-65 years stood at 6.8% in 2017. Nairobi region
had the highest prevalence of tobacco use disorders (10.4%) followed by
Coast at 9.2%, Eastern at 8.8%, North Eastern at 8.8%, Rift Valley at 5.9%,
Western at 4.9% and Nyanza at 4.4%. The prevalence of severe tobacco use
disorders stood at 3.1%.
 The prevalence of khat / miraa use disorders among respondents aged 15-65
years stood at 3.1% in 2017. North Eastern region had the highest
prevalence of khat / miraa use disorders (7.4%) followed by Coast at 7.3%,
Eastern at 6.9%, Nairobi at 5.2%, Rift Valley at 1.6%, Central at 1.0% and
Nyanza at 0.6%. The prevalence of severe khat / miraa use disorders stood at
1.6%.
 The prevalence of bhang / marijuana use disorders among respondents aged
15-65 years stood at 0.8% in 2017. Coast region had the highest prevalence
of bhang use disorders (2.8%) followed by Nairobi at 1.9%, Nyanza at 1.8%,
Western at 0.7%, Central at 0.3%, Eastern at 0.3% and Rift Valley at 0.2%.
North Eastern region recorded the lowest prevalence of bhang use disorders.
 Globally, the harmful use of alcohol resulted in some 3 million deaths (5.3%
of all deaths) worldwide.
 132.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) – i.e. 5.1% of all
DALYs came from alcohol related behaviors.
 Mortality resulting from alcohol consumption is higher than that caused by
diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and AIDS and diabetes combined.
 According to Degenhardt et al (2018), 3.7% of the global burden of disease
is attributable to tobacco use.

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 TYPES OF DRUGS
 Recreational drug use in Kenya is common among men, women, and youth
from both rural and urban environments.
 The drugs reported to have been used are 
 Cigarettes, 
 Tobacco,
 Kuber,
 Shisha,
 Packaged alcohol,
 Chang'aa,
 Hashish
 Bhang 
 Cocaine
 Heroin 
 Khat
 Inhalants 
 Prescription drugs (sedatives or sleeping pills
 Morphine 
 Codeine, pethidine)
 Synthetic drugs (amphetamine, hallucinogens, mandrax).

CHEMICAL CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS

 Opioids. Opioids are derived from the drug opium or synthetic versions
that mimic the chemical structure of opium. This class of drugs interacts
with neurotransmitters in the brain to block signals. Opioids are
powerful. They cause both intense feelings of pleasure and can block

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 pain. Opioid addiction is significant and is increasingly becoming the
most serious addiction crisis facing America today.

 Alcohol. Alcohol is one of the most widely abused substances across the

world. It’s legal to consume alcohol in the US, even though alcohol is a
central nervous system (CNS) depressant. It causes severe long-term
damage to the liver. Alcohol creates feelings of pleasure and lowers
inhibitions.

 Benzodiazepines and barbiturates. These drugs function by interacting

with a neurotransmitter called GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid). These
drugs impact the body and mind differently but generally create calming
and sedative effects. Often prescribed to treat a variety of psychiatric and
sleep conditions, they’re highly addictive.

 Cocaine and other stimulants. These drugs accelerate the activity of the

CNS making a person feel energized, focused, and alert for long periods
of time. The converse reaction is that a person feels edgy, paranoid, and
angry.

 Inhalants. Mostly consumed through breathing, these drugs can exist in

vapor form at room temperature. Most inhalants are found in household
items so they’re often used by adolescents and children. They tend to be
less addictive than other substances but are incredibly dangerous.

 Hallucinogens. By interacting with the CNS, this class of drugs alters the
perception of time, reality, and space. They might cause a user to hear
things or imagine situations that don’t exist.

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  Cannabis. One of the most widely used drugs across the world. Cannabis
affects the cannabinoid receptors in the brain. This drug comes in many
different forms and affects each user differently.

 New psychoactive substances. This refers to anything that’s been lab

created to mimic naturally occurring drugs falls into this category. This
includes synthetic cannabis, lab-created ketamine, and more.

CAUSES OF DRUGS AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

 While specific incentives differ from person to person, generally speaking,
people start using drugs to escape or mask pain.
 In some individuals, the onset of drug use can be from untreated psychiatric
issues including anxiety and depression. The rush of pleasure from using
drugs can provide temporary solace from suffering, which can stem from
many mental health or other issues including the following:

 Trauma or abuse

 Mental illness

 Low self-esteem

 Poverty

 Relationship problems

 Loss of a loved one

 Stress

 Chronic pain or medical conditions

 But whatever their reason for starting, once addiction sets in, the disease
usually spirals more and more out of their control.

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 HOW ADDICTION DEVELOPS
 For most people, the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary. But as they
are swept up into the cycle of addiction, the neural pathways in their brain
change so they are less able to control their behavior and resist their intense
impulses.
 It works like this: the brain rewards pleasurable experiences (such as food,
intimacy, and laughter) with surges of feel-good chemicals like dopamine.
But using drugs triggers the release of much more dopamine than chocolate
or cuddling does, and the rush of euphoria compels them to repeat the
experience. The more someone uses drugs, the more they condition their
brain to anticipate the same substance-fueled pleasant sensations.
 That’s why it’s so difficult to stop. The brain becomes wired for addiction.
Eventually, one’s tolerance may build so much that addictive behavior no
longer provides any pleasure, and using drugs simply becomes a way to
avoid withdrawal. They need drugs just to keep feeling normal.

SYMPTOMS OF DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Symptoms of drug abuse include those of intoxication and those related to
unfulfilled responsibilities and the social consequences of drug use.

Common symptoms of drug abuse

Drug abuse can cause problems in interpersonal relationships, at home, on the job,
and with the law. Symptoms of drug abuse related to these problems include:

 Craving the drug despite difficulties obtaining it or wanting to quit

 Deterioration of relationships

 Deterioration of school or work performance

 Difficulty holding a job

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 Disengagement from non–drug-related activities

 Financial problems

 High-risk sexual behavior

 Increasing time spent thinking about, obtaining, using, and recovering

from the drug

 Leaving responsibilities unfulfilled

 Legal problems

 Needing higher doses to get the same effect (tolerance)

 Using a drug to avoid its withdrawal symptoms

 Using drugs before or during activities where safety is a concern.

Common symptoms of drug intoxication

Drug use can lead to symptoms of intoxication including:

 Balance problems, difficulty walking, and falls

 Change in mental status

 Changes in mood, personality or behavior

 Diminished reflexes

 Drowsiness or excessive energy

 Impaired balance and coordination

 Impaired judgment and memory

 Impaired vision

 Nausea with or without vomiting

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 Pupil size changes

 Slurred speech; excessive talking

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, drug abuse can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care if
you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms
including:

 Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational, or

suicidal behavior

 Overdose symptoms, such as rapid or slow pulse; respiratory or

breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing,
labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, choking; abdominal pain,
vomiting, diarrhea; cool and clammy skin or hot skin; sleepiness, chest
pain, confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment

 Trauma, such as bone deformity, burns, eye injuries, and other injuries

THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

The sad truth is that more deaths, illnesses, and disabilities are caused by substance
abuse than by any other preventable health condition. Prolonged drug dependence
interferes with just about every organ in the human body, and while different drugs
have different damaging effects, these are some of the common
conditions substance abuse can cause:

 Damaged immune system, which increases susceptibility to infection

 Cardiovascular conditions, including heart attacks and collapsed veins

 Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

 Liver overexertion or liver failure

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  Seizures and strokes

 Widespread brain damage that can interfere with memory, attention, and
decision-making, as well as permanent brain damage

Some of the worst effects of substance abuse aren’t even health related. Drug
abuse can have a number of damaging consequences on an addict’s social and
emotional well-being, including:

 Loss of employment

 Relationship loss

 Incarceration

 Financial trouble

 Homelessness

 Risky sexual behavior

RISK FACTORS THAT CAN MAKE ONE ABUSE DRUGS

A number of factors increase a person’s risk of abusing drugs. Not all people with
risk factors will abuse drugs. Risk factors for drug abuse include:

 Anxiety disorders or depression

 Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder

 Bipolar disorder

 Early drug use

 Lack of parental supervision

 Male gender

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 Parental substance abuse

 Peer pressure

 Personality disorders, such as antisocial behavioral

disorder or borderline personality disorder

 Physical or sexual abuse

 Poor family communication or bonding

 Stress

POTENTIAL COMPLICATIONS OF DRUG ABUSE?

Complications of untreated drug abuse can be serious, even life threatening in
some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by
following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design
specifically for you. Complications of drug abuse include:

 Brain damage, memory loss, attention difficulties, and impaired

judgment

 Cancer

 Cardiac arrest

 Cardiovascular disease

 Hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, and other infectious diseases

 Legal, academic, work and social problems

 Liver, lung or kidney disease

 Malnutrition

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 Psychological changes, including aggression, paranoia, depression
and hallucinations

 Respiratory arrest

 Stroke

 Stupor or coma

 Withdrawal symptoms

COMMON TREATMENT OF DRUG ABUSE

Treatment of drug abuse is often an extended process involving multiple
components including:

 Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior

 Family therapy to help the family understand the problem and to avoid
enabling drug use

 Identification and treatment of coexisting conditions

 Medications to decrease cravings, block withdrawal symptoms,

counteract drug effects, or to cause unpleasant side effects if a drug is used

 Motivational incentives to reinforce abstinence

 Motivational interviewing to utilize a person’s readiness to change

behaviors

 Rehabilitation to assist those with severe addiction or coexisting mental

illness through the initial stages of quitting

 Supervised withdrawal (detoxification) to prevent, recognize and treat

physical symptoms of withdrawal
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 Support groups

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