DRUGS
IT’S NOT A CHILD’S GAME
What is drug abuse?
Drug abuse, also called substance abuse or chemical abuse, is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that
leads to significant problems or distress. It affects more than 7% of people at some point in their lives. Teens are increasingly engaging in
prescription drug abuse, particularly narcotics (which are prescribed to relieve severe pain), and stimulant medications.
What is drug addiction?
Drug addiction, also called substance dependence or chemical dependency, is a disease that is characterized by a destructive pattern of drug abuse
that leads to significant problems involving tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, as well as other problems that use of the substance can
cause for the sufferer, either socially or in terms of their work or school performance. More than 2.6% of people suffer from drug addiction at
some time in their life.
The term dual diagnosis refers to the presence of both a drug-abuse or dependence issue in addition to a serious mental-health problem in an
individual. Substance abuse or dependence unfortunately occurs quite commonly in people who also have severe mental illness. This is important
given that people with a serious mental illness are far more at risk of engaging in violence, being incarcerated or contracting infection with the
human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Individuals with dual diagnosis are also at higher risk of being noncompliant with treatment.
What types of drugs are commonly abused?
Virtually any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric ("high") feeling can be abused. While many are aware of the
abuse of legal substances like alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana (in most states) and cocaine, less well known is the fact that
inhalants like household cleaners are some of the most commonly abused substances. The following are many of the drugs and
types of drugs that are commonly abused and/or result in dependence:
1. Anxiety - Anxiety is a feeling of apprehension and fear characterized by physical symptoms. Anxiety disorders are serious
medical illnesses that affect approximately 19 million American adults.
2. Stress- Stress occurs when forces from the outside world impinge on the individual. Stress is a normal part of life. However,
over-stress, can be harmful. There is now speculation, as well as some evidence, that points to the abnormal stress responses
as being involved in causing various diseases or conditions.
3. Human Immunodeficiency Virus- HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is the cause of AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome). HIV is a type of virus called a retrovirus, which infects humans when it comes in contact with tissues such as those
that line the vagina, anal area, mouth, or eyes, or a break in the skin.
4. Depression - Depression is an illness that involves the body, mood, and thoughts, that affects the way a person eats and
sleeps, the way one feels about oneself, and the way one thinks about things. The principal types of depression are major
depression and bipolar disease (also called manic-depressive disease).
5. Suicide- Suicide is the process of intentionally ending one's own life. Approximately 1 million people worldwide commit
suicide each year, and 10 million to 20 million attempt suicide annually.
6. Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism- Alcoholism is a disease that includes alcohol craving and continued drinking despite
repeated alcohol-related problems, such as losing a job or getting into trouble with the law.
7. Child Abuse- Child abuse falls into four categories: neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse. There are
certain risk factors that predispose a child to being abused and an adult to abusing a child. Risk factors for children are age,
children with learning disabilities, adopted and foster children, children with congenital abnormalities, and a past history of
abuse. Parental risk factors include young or single parents, those who suffered abuse themselves, adults with substance-
abuse problems or psychiatric disease, and those who didn't graduate from high school.
8. Alcohol and Teens- Alcohol is the most frequently used drug by American teenagers. Teens that drink is more likely to drive
under the influence, have unprotected sex, and use other drugs, like marijuana, cocaine, and heroin. Symptoms of alcohol
abuse in teens include lying, breaking curfew, becoming verbally or physically abusive toward others, making excuses,
smelling like alcohol, having mood swings, and stealing.
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9. Fatigue - Fatigue can be described in various ways. Sometimes fatigue is described as feeling a lack of energy and motivation
(both mental and physical). The causes of fatigue are generally related to a variety of conditions or diseases for example,
anemia, mono, medications, sleep problems, cancer, anxiety, heart disease, drug abuse, and more. Treatment of fatigue is
generally directed toward the condition or disease that is causing the fatigue.
10. Smoking - Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses.
Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harms family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a
number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
11. Domestic Violence- Domestic violence, or intimate partner abuse, is when one person in an intimate relationship uses any
means to control the other person. It may take many forms, including emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, or economic
abuse. Risk factors for domestic violence include drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment, and having a relationship with the
victim.
What types of drugs are commonly abused?
Virtually any substance whose ingestion can result in a euphoric ("high") feeling can be abused. While many are aware of the abuse of legal
substances like alcohol or illegal drugs like marijuana (in most states) and cocaine, less well known is the fact that inhalants like household
cleaners are some of the most commonly abused substances. The following are many of the drugs and types of drugs that are commonly abused
and/or result in dependence
What is a Symptom?
Symptom: Any subjective evidence of disease. A symptom is a phenomenon that is experienced by an individual. Anxiety, lower back
pain, and fatigue are all symptoms. They are sensations only the patient can perceive. In contrast, a sign is objective evidence of disease.
A bloody nose is a sign. It is evident to the patient, doctor, nurse, and other observers.
What is a Sign?
Sign: Any objective evidence of disease. A sign can be detected by a person other than the affected individual. Gross blood in the stool is a
sign of disease. It can be recognized by the patient, doctor, nurse, or others. In contrast, a symptom is, by its nature, subjective. Abdominal pain is
a symptom. It is something only the patient can know.
Drug abuse is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant
problems or distress.
Drug addiction is a disease that is characterized by a destructive pattern of drug abuse that leads to significant
problems involving tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance, as well as other problems use of the substance can
cause for the sufferer.
TEELUCK YOGESHWAREE SHRISTEE
LOWER SIX M.
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