Drug Abuse & Addiction

 

In current times, drug abuse and addiction are now both grouped as substance or drug use disorder and it’s a situation depicted by a self-destructive habit of using a substance (drug) that leads to substantial problems and pain, which may include tolerance to or withdrawal from the material. 

Unfortunately, drug addiction is very common and it’s said to affect more than 7 million people all over the world, people abuse virtually every substance that can result in a euphoric feeling. Everything abused affects most special drugs and it can be quite devastating.

Although drug use disorders do not have a cause, there are biological, psychological, and social factors that can make a person liable to develop a substance use disorder.

Symptoms of a drug problem or addiction can include

• Recurring drug use results in legal problems.

• Social or relationship problems.

•  Withdrawal from people.

• Neglecting other aspects of their life because of their drug use.

• Spending inordinate proportions of time getting the drug.

Drug addiction increases the risk of several negative life stressors and conditions, particularly if left unattended. People most especially teenagers can abuse almost any substance whose ingestion gives them a high feeling and teens are largely engaging in prescription drug abuse, particularly narcotics, also called opioids (drugs that physicians prescribe to relieve severe pain), and also stimulant medications that help to treat conditions like attention-deficit disorder and narcolepsy.

What types of drugs do people commonly abuse?

There are a lot of drugs that are abused by almost anybody and a lot of them are aware of the abuse of legal substances like alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana (in most countries), cocaine, and some others.

The following are many of the drugs and types of drugs that people commonly abuse and get addicted to.

1. Alcohol

Although legal in some places, alcohol is a toxic substance, especially for a developing fetus when consumed during pregnancy. Alcohol is one of the most common addiction, and as expected it has adverse effects on the individual's physical well-being, as well as his or her ability to function in other life areas.

2. Amphetamines

This is a  group of drugs that comes in many forms from prescription medications like methylphenidate (for example Focalin) and dextroamphetamine and amphetamine (Adderall) to illegally manufactured drugs like methamphetamine, popularly known as "crystal meth". Overdose of any of these substances can result in seizures and worse cases death.

3. Anabolic steroids

They are a group of substances that are most often abused by bodybuilders and athletes, the major adverse effect is leading to devastating emotional symptoms like; aggression, paranoia, infertility, and organ failure.

4. Caffeine

It’s easier to abuse caffeine because many people consume coffee, tea, and soda and when consumed in excess, it can be habit-forming and produce palpitations, insomnia, irritability, and visible anxiety.

5. Cannabis

Popularly called marijuana, the scientific name for cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Marijuana is the most commonly used illegal drug. It’s a major cause of infertility, difficulties with sexual performance, paranoia, and lack of motivation in the abuser's life. People commonly mix marijuana with ingredients that include; baby powder, oregano, embalming fluid, phencyclidine (PCP), opiates, and cocaine.

Other Drugs are; Cathinones, Cocaine, Ecstasy, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Nicotine, Opiates, Phencyclidine, Sedative, hypnotic, or antianxiety drug.

What are the effects of drug abuse and addiction disorders?

Abusers are affected in every way possible majorly psychologically and health-wise.

Psychologically, the intoxication with or withdrawal from a substance can cause everything from euphoria as it’s with every substance abused to severe depression or suicidal thoughts.

In terms of effects on the physical body, intoxication with a drug can cause damages that range from marked sleepiness and slowed breathing, to tiredness, and even loss of weight.

People suffering from substance abuse or addiction can have mood disorders like early aggressive behaviors, hallucination, bad breathe, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, thought disorders like schizophrenia, as well as personality disorders.

Adults that have the disorder make children be at higher risk of developing drug abuse and addiction disorders. In extension to deprivation, the children need parental surveillance, they witness domestic violence, and may even become sufferers of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.

What are warning signs that a person may have drug abuse and addiction disorders?

• Having blackouts or loss of memory

• Mood problems like sadness, or mood swings

• Constantly arguing with loved ones

• Repeatedly using drugs to cope with problems

• Physical symptoms when abstaining from drug use

• Spending less time on life obligations due to drug use. 

What are the complications of drug abuse and addiction disorders?

Drug abuse and addiction put sufferers at risk for every form of complications especially medically. The effects of their dependency on that drug affect every area of their life.

What to do, treatments for substance abuse disorder are largely underused by the addicts. The goal of recovery for them is abstinence, relapse prevention, and rehabilitation.

Mostly when they are at the initial stage of abstinence, a person who suffers from the disorder may need to completely detoxify their bodies as a treatment to help lessen the effects of withdrawal or avoid it. 

Something much more demanding than recuperation from the bodily aspects of addiction is the psychological obsession.

The treatment of a similar diagnosis is more beneficial when treatment of the sufferer's mental illness occurs in pair with the therapy of the individual's chemical reliance.

As parents, if you suspect your child may be abusing drugs, maybe prescription from doctors or common drugs. You should seek to help such children by referring them to the services set up by either government or non-governmental organizations to help treat victims of substance abuse. 

Drug abuse and addiction is a vices everyone should fight and help others to get out of it. The fight against substance abuse and help for abusers is the world's responsibility and no one is exempted. Some people got into the addiction and abuse of drugs unintended and now have to fight against it and struggle with the stigma.

Say No To Hard Drugs!

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