Substance abuse, also known as drug abuse, is the use of a drug in amounts or by methods which are harmful to the individual or others.
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.
Drug use: single episode of use of a substance both for medicinal/recreational purposes(like morphine use as a sedative).
Drug abuse: regular/compulsive urges to use substances (like morphine to cause euphoria state)
Brain has natural pleasure sensors that release dopamine. Drugs stimulate natural chemical release.
More drugs used causes the brain to depend on a higher level of dopamine,it lessens the initial effect and increases the tolerance level and further chronic use of more drugs leads to addiction.
It creates a state of equilibrium in the body in which the person feels good and relieves stress.
Different in each person. It varies from one hit/puff/drink to dozens of uses to get addicted.
Yes there are effective treatments. These include:
Medications like Naloxone are used in smack abusers and drugs like disulfiram,naltrexone,acamprosate are used in case of alcohol abusers.
Behavioral treatment
Mutual support groups
It has both short term and long term effects
- Short term effects include:
- Heart. Heavy drinking can cause high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, or sudden death from heart failure.
- Kidneys. Alcohol is a diuretic, which causes the kidneys to produce more urine. This, alone or with vomiting, can lead to dehydration and dangerously low levels of sodium, potassium, and other minerals and salts.
- Lungs. Alcohol inhibits the gag reflex, which can lead to vomit, saliva, or other substances entering the lungs. This can cause inflammation or infection in the lungs.
- Pancreas. A single session of heavy alcohol use can lead to dangerously low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
- Sexual health. Being drunk increases the chance of having unsafe sex — which can lead to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancy.
- Long term effects include:
- Blood and immune system. Chronic alcohol use can lead to anemia, low platelets, and a suppressed immune system.
- Bones and muscles. Heavy long-term use of alcohol can interfere with absorption of calcium and bone formation. This can lead to osteoporosis.
- Brain and nervous system. Heavy alcohol use increases the risk of stroke and can lead to dementia or impaired balance and coordination.
- Mental health. In addition to alcohol dependency and addiction, heavy drinkers are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and psychosis.
- Sexual health. Chronic heavy use of alcohol can reduce fertility in men and women and decrease a man’s sex drive. Drinking while pregnant can also affect the health of the fetus.
- Intestines. Heavy alcohol intake can interfere with the absorption of vitamins and other nutrients in the gut. This can lead to malnutrition.
Effects of using some drugs could be long-term and possibly fatal to the baby:95
birth defects
low birth weight
premature birth
small head circumference
sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:
Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — daily or even several times a day
Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect
Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended
Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug
Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it
Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use
Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life or causing you physical or psychological harm
Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing
Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug
Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug
Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug
Abusing a drug, or misusing a prescription medication, can produce other short-term effects, such as:
changes in appetite
sleeplessness or insomnia
increased heart rate
slurred speech
changes in cognitive ability
a temporary sense of euphoria
loss of coordination
Chronic drug use can alter a person’s brain structure and function, resulting in long-term psychological effects, such as:
depression
anxiety
panic disorders
increased aggression
paranoia
hallucinations
Get a counselling done and help them join mutual support groups. Support him/her emotionally, mentally, physically, psychologically. It's not easy for someone who is addicted to a drug to withdraw drugs suddenly. sudden drug withdrawal is harmful to him so it could be withdrawn gradually.
Yes, there are a lot of rehabilitation centres available like navjyoti foundation is doing excellent work in rehabilitation. Others include alpha healing centre, rehabs.in, veda rehabilitation and wellness.
Yes, National helpline no:1800-11-0031.
TOBACCO QUIT HELPLINE : - 1800-11-2356 ( Timings : 8am to 8pm )
or Give a missed call on 011-22901701 for registration.
You can also e-register yourself on : http://www.nhp.gov.in/quit-tobacco/
Some toothpastes in the market like mussa ka gul are addictive.
Yes, they are addictive when they are taken for their own pleasure and are used over a long period of time in gradually increasing quantities to acquire pleasure as the tolerance level of the drug keeps on increasing.
Yes they are helpful as everyone there shares their own experiences and their stories so a person is able to open their feelings to everyone. And these meetings help a person to understand the value of life. These help a person to share their own experience and listen to other people’s experience and how they deal with them so that it helps them to deal with their own problems in a better way and help them live a better life further.
Tobacco causes cancers(oral cancer when chewed in front of gutka, lung cancer when a person smokes, Can also cause testicular cancer) . Tobacco contains nicotine which causes addiction. . Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.
It causes addiction by creating a state in which a person feels everything is happening good. Marijuana is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when smoked. Smoking marijuana is associated with an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Also, some reports suggest that smoking marijuana might cause air-filled cavities to form within lung tissue. These air-filled cavities can cause symptoms such as chest pressure, soreness, and difficulty breathing.
Yes. When people take morphine by injecting the drug with the same cartridge(injection) it can transfer HIV from one person to another. Intravenous drug use is one of the main sources of spreading HIV/AIDS.
You can involve yourself in different activities so that your mind is always occupied and you forget to smoke Or drinking. You can become socially active. You can join various support groups that help you interact with other peers facing the same problem and that would help to deal with problems together that will benefit both the society and yourself.
Yes the families are destroyed due to substance abuse because financially or due to not being able to give time to their families. Therefore proper emotional support and mental support has to be provided so that situations don’t get out of hand and they can create a stronger family bond and can move past this problem.
Withdrawal symptoms vary depending on the type of drug you were taking. Some symptoms commonly associated with withdrawal include:
Changes in appetite
Changes in mood
Congestion
Fatigue
Irritability
Muscle pain
Nausea
Restlessness
Runny nose
Shakiness
Sleeping difficulties
Sweating
Tremors
Vomiting
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.
Vary from person to person .It varies from a period of a few days to few months or may take longer upto a few years in some cases.
- Feeling of exhilaration and excess confidence.
- Increased alertness.
- Increased energy and restlessness.
- Behavior changes or aggression.
- Rapid or rambling speech.
- Dilated pupils.
- Confusion, delusions and hallucinations.
- Irritability, anxiety or paranoia.
14 units/week and 1 unit=10gm/dl.
Yes, like amphetamines are used by shooters to enhance concentration and Steroids boost performances of players or sportspeople.
Depends upon genetics of the individual and frequency of smoking and various other risk factors.
First earning their trust so that he/she can share their problem easily with us. Then we had to tell them about the harm drugs are causing their body and tell them there's life beyond the drugs which is beautiful. And to clear all kinds of misperceptions that they have regarding the use of various substances.also make them aware regarding the consequences of the same.
Depends from individual to individual lasting from 3 months to 1 years or may be longer.
By encouraging them to avoid those kinds of parties where drugs are used and involving them in activities where they are always occupied and giving short interval tasks to motivate them and help them build a strong willpower so that even if they encounter those substances they don’t get the urge to try them or use them.
Yes, yoga and meditation creates a good internal environment which makes the person avoid drugs.
The most abused substances are :-Alcohol, tobacco, smack, marijauana, cannabis, charas, hashish.
The people who are addicted to drugs must discuss their intent to quit drugs with their family members for their support. Together, they can visit a recognised de-addiction centre/ Nasha Mukti Kendra where an able team of psychiatrists and counsellors can help them.
- Medical support
- Counselling sessions
- Group chats
- Yoga
- Meditation
Good quality doctors, good behaviour staff, good counsellors, good environment, staff not involved in drugs.
Various programmes include:-
Detox sessions
Inpatient and outpatient programme
Therapy sessions.
The cost of the de-addiction at rehabilitation centre varies in Governmental (Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts ( IRCA) and private organisations. Low cost treatments are available at Government de-addiction centres.
Social media, NGO
Contact to the helpline no: 1800 11 0031
Avoid parties where drugs are used.
Prevent them from meeting people who are drug abusers.
Prevent them to watch such things on tv and social media platforms.
It creates enough financial burden because of the high cost of these substances along with the increased chances of losing money in gambling games .
Psychological effects : hallucination , sensory distortion , euphoria
Physical effects : sweating , increased heart rate , increased body temperature , dehydration
Extreme use : psychological addiction , psychosis , depression and flashbacks
Persistent dizziness , problem with coordination and muscular movement, slurring of speech , deterioration of mental ability , hallucination , respiratory failure leading to coma in some chronic cases.
If NSAID like paracetamol is being taken – a maximum of 4 tablets of 500mg each is safe, however to see toxic effects 8 tablets of 500mg each would be necessary .
Medication like opioids (morphine , tramadol etc) is very subjective and must be taken under doctor's guidance only as the doctor would monitor and taper according to the one's underlying condition and weight .
Substance abuse causes deterioration of one's mental ability and focus . This is one of the most important reasons for one not being able to focus and the productive quality hampers leading to delayed work crossing the deadlines , further affecting promotion and appraisals causing increased frustration . This again pushes one towards increased substance abuse , it's more like a vicious cycle.
yes , because the ability to think rationally is lost and this causes a person to just follow the urges and leads to illegal actions .
Half of them find It very cool , half of them do it under peer pressure.
Yes
Impairs cognition and rational thinking due to cerebral coordination impairment , affects hippocampus hence deteriorates memory (initially short term followed by long term) , hypothalamus is also affected causing increased heart rate , thirst , hunger and body temperature slows the brain processing impairing speech and coordination movement.
easy availability of smoke and alcohol , easy access in early age to the internet , peer pressure , busy parents unable to look at the wrong steps of their children , feeling that smoking and drinking makes you look cool and in trend .
Firstly they should know the ill effects of substance abuse – physically , socially , mentally and psychologically . Secondly, they should be told it's difficult to become a de addict but not impossible , nothing is bigger than the will of a human. The replacement of substance with healthier alternative , supporting family and friends , stopping them to indulge with group of addicts , exercise can help during deaddiction phase as it release the same endorphins and dopamine that any substance makes our brain secrete.
Glazed eyes , dilated or constricted pupils , abrupt weight changes , change in sleep pattern , poor coordination , unusual body odour
Yes, because it seems an easier alternative to run than to face the problems .
Imprisonment for 2 -3 years along with a handsome amount of fine.
Slip – one time return to drug usage after a period of abstinence
Relapse -a period of controlled drinking or drug use following a period of abstinence
Rare and difficult but possible
Various health hazards related to iv drugs usage are as follows:-
Cellulitis
Myocarditis
Infective endocarditis
Hiv
Puffy hand syndrome (swollen hand due to infection)
Air embolism .
No.
As alcohol is detoxified in the liver , maximum damage is seen there . Also the liver is responsible for most of the metabolism of our body : decreased protein breakdown , increased VLDL , Triglyceride , decreased HDL -causing high cholesterol -increasing atherosclerosis and atherosclerotic events , decreases fat metabolism leading to increased central obesity . since alcohol also affects pancreas – causes low sugar levels leading to frequent hypoglycemic events
It is defined as men consuming five or more drinks within about two hours. For women, it’s defined as consuming four or more drinks within about two hours.
Effectively deal with peer pressure. The biggest reason teens start using illicit drugs is because their friends utilize peer pressure. ...
Deal with life pressure. ...
Seek help for mental illness. ...
Examine every risk factor. ...
Keep a well-balanced life.
Have you ever felt you needed to Cut down on your drinking?
Have people Annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt Guilty about drinking?
Have you ever felt you needed a drink first thing in the morning (Eye-opener) to steady your nerves or to get rid of a hangover?
Secondhand smoke is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers
Secondhand smoke causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.
- Environment
- Genetics
- Gender
- Peer pressure
- Loneliness
- Lack of family involvement
- Highly addictive drugs
- Lack of awareness
Rehabilitation is care that can help one get back, keep, or improve abilities that you need for daily life. These abilities may be physical, mental, and/or cognitive (thinking and learning).