Substance abuse is the main enemy of humanity today. Drugs are agents of slow killing that can catch us unaware.
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This problem affects not only the victims and the helpers but the whole community. The whole community needs to informed for a concerted fight against this common enemy.
Substance abuse is a state –psychic and physical characterized by the compulsion to take the drug on a continuous; or periodic basis in order to enjoy its psychic effects; and also to avoid the discomfort of its absence, tolerance is present and person may be dependent on one or more drugs.
Substance Abuse
Drugs are life-saving substances when used properly, when they are abusing, they destroy life. A drug is any substance, other than food, that produces changes in the physical or mental functioning of an individual.
Drug abuse refers to ‘Taking a drug for other than medical reasons in amount, strength or frequency that damage the physical and mental functions’.
Addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence; or both, in-person who has taken the drug periodically or continually. People abuse substances when they want to experiment, to be one of the gang; to become more creative, to escape unhappiness to reduce anxiety and tension, etc.
The substance to which addiction do frequently observed are: opium, tobacco, heroin, brown sugar, etc.
Substance Abuse Definition
Addiction refers to an illness characterized by:
Firstly, the Consumption of drugs to obtain a sense of well-being even though there is no indication on medical grounds.
Secondly, the Increased requirement of the drug to get the ‘kick’ because of the development of tolerance to the drug.
Thirdly, physical and psychological dependence on the drug to obtain relief from mental anguish.
Fourth, Physiological and psychological withdrawal symptoms when the patient abstains from the drug.
Drug culture (Substance Abuse)
People are constantly encouraging to purpose drugs to feel better comfort and ease. Advertising has clearly had some impact on drug use in our society.
Advertisements on television and in other media promise to make you feel happier younger, more attractive, and less tense. They persuade people to buy over-the-counter drugs as a means of relief from suffering and to create wonderful results but also that drugs are harmless.
Symptoms of addiction
- Firstly, Change in behavior and lifestyle- unexpected change in mood and attitude; change of friends, loss of interest, selling of personal and household goods; change in food habits, sleeplessness or oversleeping; loss of interest in cleanliness, indifference towards family activities, etc.
- Secondly, Change in physical conditions- pretending to be drunk, slurred speech or overemphasis on words; red eyes or watering eyes, complaining of regular illness to hide the effects of drugs; loss of short-term memory, craving for sweets, occasional vomits late nights, etc.
- Thirdly, Persistent and frequent thinking about the activity throughout the day.
- Fourthly, Inability to control, or stop the behaviour, even after being aware of debilitating effects.
Effect of drug abuse
There are many negative physical effects that result from drug abuse –
Erosion of moral values, frustrations arising out of socio-economic problems; gradual slackening of parental control, chronic pains, disturbances of sleep, suicide and accident deaths,