DRUG

ADDICTION
Presented by: Group D, HEA101
Independent University Bangladesh
 WHAT IS DRUG
ADDICTION?

• Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease

that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an
inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or
medication.
• Substances such as Alcohol, Marijuana and Nicotine also are
considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue
using the drug despite the harm it causes. 
• Very difficult to overcome. Relapsing is also very likely after
managing to stop intake, in certain cases.
 WHAT CAUSES DRUG ADDICTION?

• Drug addiction can start with experimental use of a recreational drug in social
situations, that results in repeated use of it afterwards, or it can start with
medicines that have been prescribed to them or their families.  
• At first, you may choose to take a drug because you like the way it makes you
feel. You may think you can control how much and how often you use it. But
over time, drugs change how your brain works. These physical changes make
you lose control and can lead to damaging behaviors. 
 WHAT CAUSES DRUG ADDICTION?

• In most cases, it is highly likely for the individual to get obsessed with such
feelings. This condition ultimately leads the person to develop an addiction to
that particular substance.
• There are several factors that play a part in substance abuse disorder- social,
personal, environmental or genetic causes. Some of these causes give the victim
no control over them due to the size of their complexity.
• Some people get addicted to even more than one substance. However, such a
lifestyle often leads to a series of mental, physical and social impairments.
Drug overdose can also occur, often resulting in death.
 GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ASPECTS
• Globally, some 35 million people are estimated to suffer from drug use disorders and require treatment services.
However only 1 in every 7 receives treatment. The most used drug globally, by far, is said to be the Cannabis
variety. In a 2017 survey, it was seen that 48.2M Used Marijuana, 41.4M used Cocaine, and 745K
consumed Heroin in the past years. 34.7% teenagers use illicit drugs in the US  alone. In 2019, 47,881 males, 22,426
females, and 4,777 teenagers died from drug overdose, in USA.

• Drug addiction is now prevalent everywhere in Bangladesh; About 25 lakh people are drug addicted. About 80
percent of the drug addicts are adolescents and young men of 15 to 30 years of age. 93.9% of Drug addicts are
Males, 20.6 % Females. Factors such as poverty, unemployment, negative environmental influence, stress and poor
regulation of laws and legislations play a huge role in drug addiction. Popular drug choices are Yaba,
Marijuana, Phensedyl as well as glue.  It eventually puts an impact on the country's economic and social status
through deteriorating finances and increasing crimes and accidents under the influence. There are some treatment
centers in Bangladesh for drug addiction; However, they are not enough in numbers. The Drugs and Narcotics
Department was created nearly two decades ago, especially to counter the production and availability of addictive
drugs. But it has done little over the years to attain its given objectives.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUG ADDICTION,
ABUSE, TOLERANCE AND DEPENDANCE.

• Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals

for the purpose of recreation, it may be to feel good, reduce stress or
avoid reality. But usually, people are able to change their unhealthy
habits or stop using these substances altogether. 
• Dependence is when a person is dependent on the drug, stopping
the intake may result in withdrawal symptoms. However, they are not
addicted because they don’t have an overwhelming urge to take it.
• Tolerance occurs when a person’s physical response to a substance,
such as drugs or alcohol, lessens over time. A dose of a substance can
become less effective over time. Developing tolerance differs between
substances used, and are therefore categorized as short-term, long-
term, or learned.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DRUG ADDICTION,
ABUSE, TOLERANCE AND DEPENDENCE
• If a person keeps using a drug, and can’t stop despite negative consequences
on their health, life and relationships, and has an overwhelming urge to take
that drug for recreational purposes rather than pain relief only, they have an
addiction (severe substance use disorder).
• So, a person can be dependent on a drug, or have a high tolerance to it upon
long term use, without being addicted to it, as long as they are only using it
strictly for relief.
 RISK FACTORS
   People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. Some are more
at risk as certain factors can increase the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction.
• Family history of addiction: Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely
involves genetic predisposition.
• Mental health disorder: If you have a mental health disorder, you're more likely to
become addicted to drugs, as it can become a way of coping with painful feelings.
• Social factors: Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and misuse drugs,
particularly for young people, along with difficult family situations, strained relationships
or lack of parental supervision. 
• Environmental factors: Lack of proper laws and legislations and availability of drug also play
important roles in drug addiction.
THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF MENTAL HEALTH AND DRUG ADDICTION
 SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
• 1. Feeling like you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day.
• 2. Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts.
• 3. Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect.
• 4. Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended.
• 5. Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug.
• 6. Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it.
• 7. Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities or cutting back on social or
recreational activities because of drug use.
 SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION

8. Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in
your life or causing you physical or psychological harm.
9.  Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing.
10.Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the
drug.
11.Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering
from the effects of the drug.
12.Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug.
13.Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug.
 TYPES OF DRUGS AND THEIR
ADVERSE EFFECTS
• Drugs can be categorized based upon their effects on users. Five main kinds are:
Stimulants, Opioids, Depressants, Inhalants and Cannabis. A lot of these drugs are
often prescribed but have a potential to be addictive. Abuse of these drugs by
addicts can lead to adverse and dangerous effects.
• Examples of these drugs range from Caffeine, Tranquilizers and Tobacco, to fumes
of everyday products like Gasoline to Marijuana, Cocaine and Ecstasy. People can
get addicted to a variety of substances.
• These drugs not only have adverse physical side effects upon abuse, but also impact
a person's mental health and relationships. Some of the risks include: Anxiety,
Paranoia, Psychosis, Hallucinations, Impaired memory, Lowered immunity, Loss of
senses like smell, Seizures, Stroke, Heart failure, Brain impairment, Liver failure,
and even Death.
 WITHDRAWAL
• Withdrawal is the combination of physical and mental effects that
a person experiences after they stop using, or reduce their intake of a
substance, such as alcohol and prescription or recreational drugs.
• The intensity of the symptoms and the duration of it varies according to the
type of drug and the individual’s biological makeup.
• Withdrawal can be unpleasant and sometimes dangerous, which is why it
is important to seek professional help.
• Some Common Withdrawal symptoms include: Changes in
appetite, Mood Swings, Congestion, Fatigue, Irritability, Muscle pain, Nausea,
Restlessness, Runny nose, Shakiness, Sleeping difficulties, Sweating,
Tremors, Vomiting, etc. 
• In extreme cases symptoms can include Hallucinations,
seizures, psychotic behavior and delirium. 
 TREATMENT
Although there is no specific treatment for drug addiction, but some successful
methods include:

1. Behavioral counseling
2. Medication 
3. Medical devices and applications used to treat withdrawal
symptoms or deliver skills training
4. Evaluation and treatment for co-occurring mental health issues
such as depression and anxiety
5. Long-term follow-up to prevent relapse
6. Rehabilitation
7. Support groups
 WHY ADDICTION IS SO DIFFICULT TO TREAT
• Our bodies and minds adjust to whatever it is we are addicted to; our minds are wired to want to repeat
experiences that make us feel good. We come to need it and rely on it.

• The drugs that may be addictive target your brain’s reward system. They flood your brain with a chemical called
Dopamine, which helps with feeling intense pleasure. Over time, it can cause changes in other brain chemical
systems and pathways as well. This leads to clouded judgement, poor decision making and memory, and less
ability to learn. Together, these brain changes can drive you to seek out and take drugs in ways that are beyond
your control.

• It not only affects our social, mental and physical health, but also our finances, worsening situations in a way that
is difficult to get out of, triggering the need for drug use all over again.

• Moreover, adverse withdrawal symptoms, along with the strong urge to consume it, makes it difficult to
overcome addictions.  Recovery takes a long time and also varies from person to person as some people are
genetically more susceptible to addictions, making it more difficult for them. Again, it can be difficult for victims
to seek help due to the fear of being judged.
 PREVENTION
• The best way to prevent an addiction to a drug is not to take the drug at all. If your
doctor prescribes you a drug with a high potential for addiction, use the drug with care. 
• Doctors should prescribe and monitor drug use carefully.
• Education is the best policy when it comes to preventing drug abuse and addiction. It should start
as early as preschool. Educational institutes must maintain a strict no drugs tolerance policy and
provide counselling for their students.
• If you observe symptoms of drug addiction or abuse in someone, talk to them and encourage them
to seek help in a supportive manner.
• Communities should come together through different movements, programs and create support
groups to help prevent drug addiction.
• Proper laws and legislations should be instilled and practiced to make sure that
drugs aren’t available without a prescription or sold illegally.
• More help centers should be established to help the addicted individuals overcome.
CONCLUSION
Substance use disorder (SUD) or drug addiction is a
major issue in the world we live in today. You or your
loved ones may be struggling with this condition.
Even though there is no specific treatment for SUD,
with the help of the support of our loved ones, and
evidence-based treatment plans under specialist
supervision we can overcome this condition and claim
our lives back. 
We should all fight drug addiction and abuse together
through raising awareness, providing support, and
through maintenance of proper rules and regulations.
Thank You