SUBSTANCE ABUSE

INTRODUCTION:

Substance abuse is the medical term used to describe a pattern of using a substance (drug) that causes
significant problems or distress. Substance abuse is the repeated harmful use of any substance,
including drugs and alcohol. The substances may be legal, prescription drugs or banned substances as
well some that aren’t even classified as drugs. Abuse can occur when you aren’t using the substance the
way it was recommended or because you are taking more than the prescribed dosage.

Substance abuse, as a recognized medical brain disorder, refers to the abuse of illegal substances, such
as marijuana, heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine. Or it may be the abuse of legal substances, such as
alcohol, nicotine, or prescription medicines. Alcohol is the most common legal drug of abuse.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

According to the 2015 Nationwide Survey on the Nature and Extent of Substance Abuse in the
Philippines presented on September 19, the current substance use prevalence among Filipinos aged 10
to 69 years old is at 2.3%, or an estimated 1.8 million users. Filipinos aged 10 to 69 years old comprise
around 75% of the total Philippine population as of 2015.

TYPES OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE

1. alcohol

2. amphetamines or similarly sympathomimetics

3. caffeine

4. cannabis

5. cocaine

6. hallucinogens

7. inhalants

8. nicotine

9. opioids

10.phencyclidine

11. sedative hypnotics, or anxiolytics

Substance (drug) dependence

Substance dependence is the medical term used to describe abuse of drugs or alcohol that continues
even when significant problems related to their use have developed. Signs of dependence include:

 Tolerance to or need for increased amounts of the drug to get an effect

 Withdrawal symptoms that happen if you decrease or stop using the drug that you find difficult
to cut down or quit
 Spending a lot of time to get, use, and recover from the effects of using drugs
 Withdrawal from social and recreational activities
 Continued use of the drug even though you are aware of the physical, psychological, and family
or social problems that are caused by your ongoing drug abuse

What are the symptoms of drug abuse or dependence?

The following are the most common behaviors that mean a person is having a problem with drug or
alcohol abuse. But each person may have slightly different symptoms. Symptoms may include:

 Using or drinking larger amounts or over longer periods of time than planned.
 Continually wanting or unsuccessfully trying to cut down or control use of drugs or alcohol.
 Spending a lot of time getting, using, or recovering from use of drugs or alcohol.
 Craving, or a strong desire to use drugs or alcohol.
 Ongoing drug or alcohol use that interferes with work, school, or home duties.
 Using drugs or alcohol even with continued relationship problems caused by use.
 Giving up or reducing activities because of drug or alcohol use
 Taking risks, such as sexual risks or driving under the influence.
 Continually using drugs or alcohol even though it is causing or adding to physical or
psychological problems.
 Developing tolerance or the need to use more drugs or alcohol to get the same effect. Or using
the same amount of drugs or alcohol, but without the same effect.
 Having withdrawal symptoms if not using drugs or alcohol. Or using alcohol or another drug to
avoid such symptoms.

How is drug abuse or dependence diagnosed?

 Weight loss
 Constant fatigue
 Red eyes
Little concern for hygiene
 Lab abnormalities
 Unexpected abnormalities in heart rate or blood pressure
 Depression, anxiety, or sleep problems
 Criteria for substance related disorder

Substance A. A maladaptive pattern of substance use as

dependence manifested by
three or more of the following:
1. tolerance
2. withdrawal
3. the need for more of the substance that was
intended
4. inability to stop the using even when wanted
to do so
5. a great deal of time is spent in acquiring the
substance or
from recovering from its effect
6. substance use cause social, occupational or
recreational
problems
7. continues substance use despite knowledge
that the
substance causes physical and psychological
problem
Substance Abuse A. a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading
to clinically
impairment or distress as manifested by 1 or
more of the
following
1. failure to fulfill major role obligations at work,
school and
at home
2. recurrent substance use in
hazardous situation
3. recurrent substance related legal
problems
4. continued substance use despite
problems
B. has never met the criteria for substance
dependence for this
class of substance
Substance A. a maladaptive pattern of substance use leading
Intoxication to clinically
impairment or distress as manifested by 1 or
more of the
following
1. failure to fulfill major role obligations at work,
school and
at home
2. recurrent substance use in
hazardous situation
 3. recurrent substance related legal
problems
4. continued substance use despite
problems
B. has never met the criteria for substance
dependence for this
class of substance
Substance A. development of substance specific syndrome
withdrawal due to the
cessation or reduction in the intake of a
substance
B. the substance specific syndrome causes
clinically significant
distress or impairment
C. not due to general medical condition or by any
other mental
disorder