Causes drug abuse?

The cause of drug abuse is not known, nor is it understood why some
people can abuse drugs briefly and stop without difficulty, whereas others
continue using drugs despite undesirable consequences. Biological factors,
such as genetics and the presence of other psychiatric disorders, may play a
role, as may environmental factors, such as peer pressure, history of abuse,
and stress, and developmental factors, such as the timing of drug exposure.

What are the risk factors for drug abuse?

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
-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
How is drug abuse treated?
The goals of drug abuse treatment are aimed at stopping drug-seeking
and use, preventing complications of drug withdrawal, rehabilitation,
maintaining abstinence, and preventing relapse. Treatment depends on the
drug being abused, whether addiction is present, and whether there are
coexisting health or psychological problems.

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
-Support groups
 DRUG ABUSE

Drug abuse is when you use

legal or illegal substances in
ways you shouldn’t. You might
take more than the regular dose
of pills or use someone else
prescription. You may abuse
drugs to feel good, ease stress,
or avoid reality. But usually,
you’re able to change your
unhealthy habits or stop using
altogether.

Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications
in ways other than recommended or intended. It also includes intentional inhalation of household or
industrial chemicals for their mind-altering effects. Tobacco use and problem drinking are sometimes
included in the definition of drug abuse. Chemical abuse and substance abuse are terms sometimes
used interchangeably with the term drug abuse, or they may be used to refer to a combination of drug
abuse and tobacco use or problem drinking.Many drugs that are abused are also addictive; they cause
cravings and a continued desire to use them despite negative consequences.
Drug abuse can start in childhood and continue in adulthood. Studies of high school students
indicate that approximately 42% drink alcohol, 21% use marijuana, and 3% use cocaine.
Approximately 12% have used inhalants, and 20% have abused prescription drugs. People who abuse
drugs may take them initially out of curiosity, to escape, to feel good, due to peer pressure, or for a
variety of other reasons.
Drugs can affect a number of different organs, and complications can result from damage to
the brain or to other parts of the body. Other negative consequences often result from the effects drugs
have on a person’s mind, as well as actions an individual may take while under their
influence.Treatment can be on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the drug being abused,
whether addiction is present, and whether there are coexisting health or psychological problems.
Supervised withdrawal, also called detoxification (or detox), may be necessary if physical symptoms
are common when the drug is stopped. Medications may be used to decrease cravings, counteract the
effects of the drug, or to cause unpleasant reactions if the drug is used. Behavioral therapy is
commonly an important part of treatment, providing skills, helping change attitudes and behaviors, and
helping maintain recovery.