DRUG ABUSE

WHAT IS DRUG?

- A drug is something that affects your body. Drugs pass through the body and interferes with
brain’s neurotransmitters.

CLASSIFICATION OF DRUGS

- Pharmaceutical drugs e.g. Aspirin, Paracetamol etc.

- Recreational drugs e.g. Alcohol, nicotine, and caffeine etc.

DEFINITION OF THE DRUG ABUSE

- Drug abuse is the non permissive consumption of certain substance that may lead to physical
and psychological dependence.
- Drug abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects
on the brain.
- 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

CAUSES OF DRUG USE

- Curiosity and peer pressure, especially among school children and young adults
- The use of prescription drugs that were originally intended to target pain relief may have turned
into recreational use and become addictive
- Chemicals may be used as part of religious practices or rituals
- Recreational purposes
- As a means of obtaining creative inspiration

MOST COMMON STIMULANTS

- COCAINE ABUSE
- ADDERALL ABUSE
- METH ABUSE
- OPIOID ABUSE
- HEROIN ABUSE
- ECSTASY ABUSE
- HALLUCINOGENSXANAX, ATIVAN, AND VALIUM
- SEDATIVE ABUSE
- PRESCRIPTION PAINKILLERS

COCAINE ABUSE

- This substance, which is a derivative of the coca plant, comes in white powder form
- and is usually snorted.
- Someone abusing cocaine will experience an energetic, euphoric high for about 20
- minutes before it wears off.
- As a result, most cocaine users abuse this substance back-to-back to maintain that
 - high. Unfortunately, using cocaine this frequently quickly leads to dependence and
- potential overdose.

ADDERALL ABUSE

- By far the most popular prescription stimulant, Adderall is used for the treatment of
- attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or ADHD.
- When taken as prescribed, Adderall can increase focus and attention. However, when it
- is abused, Adderall triggers a boost of energy and hyperfocus, which can last hours.
- Abusing this prescription drug excessively can lead to cardiac complications up to and
- including heart attack.

METH ABUSE

- Meth is an extremely toxic stimulant that has a pseudoephedrine

- base, which is the primary ingredient that triggers stimulant
- effects.
- Meth also contains deadly elements such as paint thinner,
- hydrochloric acid, and battery fluid, to name a few.
- Individuals abusing meth will experience intense euphoric highs
- and equally as depressed lows.
- Meth mouth is severe tooth decay and tooth loss, as well as tooth
- fracture, acid erosion, and other oral problems, potentially
- symptomatic of extended use of the drug methamphetamine.

XANAX, ATIVAN, AND VALIUM

- Xanax, Ativan, and Valium are benzodiazepines that work to instantly calm the mind
- and body.
- Unfortunately, when benzodiazepines like these are abused, individuals are at risk for
- experiencing excessive sleepiness, drowsiness, and respiratory depression.
- When an individual becomes physically and psychologically dependent on one of
- these prescription drugs and attempts to stop using suddenly, he or she can suffer
- from deadly withdrawal symptoms, including grand mal seizures.

LSD-HALLUCINOGENS

- LSD- chemical made from ergot, a fungus that grows on certain

- grains.
- It is probably the most powerful hallucinogen available,
- producing hallucinations, changes in the way reality is
- perceived, and altered moods.
- It comes as a white powder or clear liquid and has no color or
- smell.
- It can come in capsules, but most often comes on small squares
- of blotter paper or gelatin that users place on the tongue or
- swallow to take a "trip."
CANNABIS MARIJUANA-HALLUCINOGENS

- The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), which acts on cannabinoid

receptors found in brain regions that influence learning, memory,
- appetite, coordination, and pleasure.
- Widely used as a recreational and medicinal substance, marijuana has been found to cause
paranoia or anxiety as well as hallucinations, especially in adolescents who use the drug
regularly.
- Time distortion, which is a symptom of marijuana use, is also part of hallucination.

ROLE OF DOPAMINE

- Dopamine is the primary neurotransmitter of the reward system in the brain. It plays a role in
regulating movement, emotion, cognition, motivation, and feelings of pleasure.
- Nearly all addictive drugs, directly or indirectly, act upon the brain's reward system by
heightening dopaminergic activity.
- Excessive intake of many types of addictive drugs results in repeated release of high amounts of
dopamine, which in turn affects the reward pathway directly through heightened dopamine
receptor activation.
- Prolonged and abnormally high levels of dopamine in the synaptic cleft can induce receptor
downregulation in the neural pathway.
- Downregulation of mesolimbic dopamine receptors can result in a decrease in the sensitivity to
natural reinforcers

PHYSICAL SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

- Changes in appearance can be additional clues to possible drug use and may include:
• Bloodshot or glazed eyes.
• Dilated or constricted pupils.
• Abrupt weight changes.
• Changes in hygiene.
• Dental issues.
• Skin changes.
• Problems sleeping or sleeping too much.
- Signs will vary based on the substance and the method used (i.e., smoking, injection, etc.).

BEHAVIORAL SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

Drug use tends to significantly alter a person’s behavior and habits. Some drugs can impair the brain’s
ability to focus and think clearly.

Changes in behavior, such as the following, are sometimes associated with problematic

substance use:

• Increased aggression or irritability.

• Changes in attitude/personality.

• Lethargy.
• Depression.

• Sudden changes in a social network.

• Dramatic changes in habits and/or priorities.

• Involvement in criminal activity.

TREATMENT

Treatment programs are different for each individual and can be customized based on their unique
needs and situations.

• Inpatient Rehab- the best option for individuals battling chronic addiction, as well as those who suffer
from a co-occurring mental or behavioral disorder.

• Outpatient Rehab- outpatient rehabs allow patients to live at home during the recovery process.
Patients can continue working and caring for their families while attending scheduled treatment sessions
throughout the week.

• Drug and Alcohol Detox- Detoxification helps people safely withdraw from their from drugs or alcohol
until it is no longer present in their system. It is often the first step in treating

• Addiction Treatment Medications- These medications are used for a variety of purposes, including
managing withdrawal symptoms, reducing cravings or treating co-occurring disorders.