CONCEPT OF DRUG ABUSE

What is Drug Abuse?

 Drug abuse, also known as Drug addiction is defined as chronic, relapsing brain
disease that is characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite its
harmful consequences. The initial decision of drug taking is voluntary but
repeated uses leads to its addiction. Addiction of any form is dangerous. What is
even moreworse is that mostly young children and youth are hit by this storm.
Most illicit use of drugs starts at the age of 16-17 years of age. It starts with
merely smoking of cigarettes and gradually drowns the person into the trap of
drug abuse. Stress, anxiety, peer pressure, poverty are some of the main causes
of drug abuse. As is well said-"it is never too late". Therefore, we all need to
focus strictly on this important matter now. Government should set targets to
reduce the drug-abuse levels. It should ensure that efficient preventive measure
are been taken. At our individual level we should contribute effectively in
eradicating this problem. Besides, it is a major responsibility on parents to talk to
their children and shape up their minds positively. They should not pressurize
them academically and socially so much that they fall into this menace. Parental
control including a healthy home environment is a must for controlling drug
addiction. Parents, the guiding light must teach their children to feel empathy
and compassion for others.
 Drug abuse is also known as substance abuse, and can be defined as a patterned
use of a drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with
methods which are harmful to them or others. And when an individual persists in
use of alcohol or other drugs despite problems related to use of the substance,
substance dependence may be diagnosed. Thus compulsive and repetitive
use may result in tolerance to the effect of the drug and results in
withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.

What is Drug Abuse?

- Refers to use of drug with such frequency

- that it causes physical or mental harm to the user or impairs social functioning.

- It is the illegal, wrongful or improper use of any drug.

Underlying Influences of Drug Abuse

1. Biological factors- there are some reasons or preexisting induced biological abnormalities of
chemicals, physiological or structural in nature that induced a person to take drugs. The
following are:

a. Individual general’s health- several diseases that easily make a person become a
drug user. Eg. Fatigue, Insomnia and Discomfort.

b. Beliefs- they believe that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase
sexual capacity.

c. Inherited defects- defects on the production of endorphin, similar to morphine.

With the use of this the user will suffer from bodily discomfort.

2. Motives and Attitudes- reveals about curiosity sake there is the eagerness to explore what they
have not experienced. Other reason also is peer pressures, to feel more courageous, to satisfy
the body because of craving, to escape their problems. Other would say to increase appetite, to
relieve tensions, to relieve anger and somebody says to improve sex.

3. Personality and Pathology- Low grade depression, smoldering, tense and restlessness,
egocentricity and the difficulty in interpersonal relations.

4. Family Background- the behavior maybe the result of inadequate socialization, condition of
child rearing and family interaction. The family therefore is a strong influence to drug abuse
because of these common factors: Children of broken home, to strike over protectiveness of
parents and rebel from parental authority.

THE PRIMARY CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE

- The following are reasons why people tend to abuse drugs despite the knowledge of the
dangerous effects of illegal drugs.

1. Pride- excessive feeling of self-worth or self-esteem

2. Anger- unexpressed, deep-seated anger against himself, friends, family or in the

society.

3. Lust- sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse

4. Gluttony- “ food trip” in the lingo of junkies

5. Greed- wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in their

work of art such as actor’s, athletes, singers etc.
 6. Envy- to get attention from someone

7. Laziness- Boredom coupled with poor self-image

GROUP CLASSIFCICATION OF DRUG ABUSERS

1. Situational users- those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional energy to perform
an important work. Such individual may or may not exhibit psychological dependence`
2. Spree users- school age users who take drugs for kicks, an adventurous daring experience or as
a means fun. There may be some degree of psychological dependence but little physical
dependence due to mixed pattern use.
3. Hard core addicts-those whose activities revolve almost entirely around the drug experience
and securing supplies.
4. Hippies- those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life.

What to observe in identification of drug abuser?

1. Change in interest- they lose interest in their studies and in their work.

2. Frequent shifting of mood- they are euphoric, elated and sometimes even ecstatic when under
the influence of drug.

3. Changes in behavior- they are usually in the company of known drug users, they come home
late, and they become disrespectful and would sell valuables items at home.

4. Changes in physical appearance- especially in the body physique of the person.

What is Drug Addiction?

- A state of mind in which a person has lost the power of self-control in respect of a drug.
- The drug user consumes the drug repeatedly leaving aside all values of life

Characteristics of Drug Addiction

1. Uncontrollable craving- The addict feels a compulsive craving to take drugs and tries to procure
the same by any means.
2. Tolerance- the tendency to increase the dosage of the drugs.
3. Addiction- powerless to quit drug administration ( repetitious)
4. Physical dependence- the user’s physiological functioning is altered. They become inactive in
the absence of drugs.
5. Psychological dependence- Emotional and mental capacity will be altered.
6. Withdrawal syndrome- the addict becomes nervous and restless when he or she does not get
the drug. This will be occurs when the use of drugs is stopped.

HOW ADDICTION IS BEING ACQUIRED?

1. Association- the tendency of a drug abuser to look for peer groups where he feels being
wanted and accepted.
 2. Experimentation- the tendency of a person to try and explore the effects of drugs due to
curiosity or other reasons.
3. Inexperienced doctor- the tendency of doctors and physicians to unnecessarily prescribe drugs.
4. Habituation- Repetitious engagement of drug which is closely related to the experience of the
euphoric effect of drugs and the relief of pain or emotional discomfort.
5. Toleration- refers to the necessarily to increase the dose to obtain an effect equivalent to the
original dose.
6. Dependence- the altered physiological state brought about the repeated administration of
drugs which necessitates the continued use of the drug to avoid withdrawal syndrome.

CLASSIFICATION OF ADDICTIVE DRUGS

Addictive Drugs are divided according to its nature, origin, mechanism of action and effects.
They are studied under various categories.
1. Narcotic Analgesics
- In Greek, the prefix ‘narco’ means to deaden or to be numb. Analgesic means 'pain
killing' or pain relieving'. These drugs slow down a person and create feelings of
euphoria. Dentists and doctors mostly prescribe these as painkillers. Codeine.
Morphine, Percodan etc. are important among them. Some illegal drugs like Heroin
and Brown sugar are narcotics. Medically the term ‘narcotic' signifies opium and
opium derivatives or synthetic products that have opium-like effects. They arc
rather painkillers with high addictive nature
2. Stimulants
- Chemicals and drugs which temporarily stimulate mind and body and excite or
speed up the central nervous system, are called stimulants. Substances that
people take to attain extra ordinary powers of' mind and body are called "pep" pills.
These are called "uppers" because they lift the person up from despair and
despondency and give them mental balance, exhilaration and a super sensual feeling
of happiness. Stimulants are available in the form of pills and are prescribed by
doctors. But young men misuse them for getting a kind of intoxication
and ecstasy feeling. Commonly used stimulants are Nicotine and Caffeine.
The active and powerful stimulants are Cocaine and Amphetamines. The younger
generation is badly attracted to these drugs. 'They reach the brain through blood
and upset the nervous system.
3. Depressants
- Depressants at times called “downers", depress or slow down the functions
of mind and especially the central nervous system, the heart beat and respiration.
People resort to chemicals to have relaxation, calmness and proper sleep.
4. Cannabis
- Cannabis is the term, which refers to marijuana and other drugs, produced from
Indian limp-plant, cannabis sativa. It has been cultivated for centuries in different
parts of the world for its tough fibred of the stem, for the oil in its seed, and for its
 psychoactive properties. More than 60 cannabinoids can he prepared from cannabis
plant, the important drug under this category are charas (Hashish),
Ganja(Marijauna), Bhaang etc.

RISK FACTORS FOR DRUG ABUSE

Certain factors predispose teenagers to drug abuse. These include
 Family history of substance abuse,
 History of depression and low self-esteem,
 Feelings of not fitting in, and dropping out of the mainstream.
 A smoking habit has likewise been correlated with substance abuse. Teens who smoke
are eight times more likely to use marijuana, and twenty-two times more likely to use
cocaine.

Warning Signs a Teenager has Problem of Drug Abuse

 Physical Signs: Fatigue, repeated health complaints, red and glazed eyes, lasting cough
 Emotional Signs: Personality change, sudden mood changes, irritability,
irresponsible behavior, poor judgment, general lack of interest.
 Family Dynamics: Starting arguments, negative attitude, breaking rules, withdrawing
from family, secretiveness.
 School Behaviors’: Decreased interest, negative attitude, drop in grades, many
absences, truancy, and discipline problems.
 Social Problems: New friends, problems with the law, changes to less conventional
styles in dress and music, sudden disregard in physical appearance and requests for
money that are out of the ordinary.

Implications of Drug Abuse

 Risk to personal safety (danger of death or injury by overdose, accident or aggression)
 Damage to health (including brain damage, liver failure, mental problems etc.)
 Legal consequences (risk of imprisonment, fines and criminal record).
 Destructive behavior (harm to self, family and friends).
 Drug dependency is also a common cause of financial problems and difficulties at
work or school.
 People may lie or steal in order to continue using the drug, as a result, and may lose the
trust of their friends and family.
 They may feel shame and guilt, due to repeated failures in trying to control their drug
intake

Various preventive measures for drug abuse are as follows:

 Teaching and awareness programs
 Resist peer pressure
 Manage stress and anxiety
 Increase taxes on addictive materials like cigarettes
 Campaigns to appeal youth against it
 Control on OTC medication
 Role of parents is imperative