DRUG ABUSE 

also called substance abuse

·         It is an illness that is characterized by a destructive patterned
use of illegal or legal drugs or medication the condition affects the
person's brain and behavior such that they are unable to control the
use of the drug to the point that it interferes with their ability to
function.
·         The drug user consumes the substance in amounts or with
methods that are harmful to themselves or others
·         Some of the most commonly used drugs are:

o alcohol
o cocaine
o opioids
o benzodiazepines
o cannabis
o barbiturates
o amphetamine
o hallucinogens
o inhalants
o club drugs and other substances

There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the
problem keeps increasing at an alarming rate especially among
young adults under the age of 30.
 
Drug abuse can cause long-term damage to the body drug addicts
who use needles are at a greater risk of having HIV and hepatitis B
and C infections.
 
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People start to use drugs for so many reasons some people start
with the experimental use of recreational drugs out of curiosity to
have a good time or because friends are doing it. For others drug
abuse begins with exposure to prescribed medications from a friend
or relative who has been prescribed the medications particularly with
opioids.
 
Over time you may need larger doses of the drug to get high and as
drug use increases it may get extremely difficult to go without the
drug. An attempt to stop the drug may cause intense cravings as well
as getting physically ill.
In 2015, substance use disorder resulted in three hundred and seven
thousand four hundred (307,400) deaths highest numbers are from
alcohol use disorders around one hundred and thirty seven
thousand five hundred (137, 500) opioids use disorder as one
hundred and twenty-two thousand one hundred (122,100) deaths.
Cocaine use disorders has eleven thousand one hundred (11, 100)
deaths and amphetamine use disorder as 12 thousand two hundred
(12, 2000 deaths.
 
Causes
·         Each drug produces different physical effects on the brain
·         However repeated use of a drug can alter the way in which the
brain functions including the way the brain feels pleasure
·         The addicting drug use causes changes in your brain that
interferes with the ability to think control your behavior
·         And at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs
·         It is because of this change in the brain that it is so challenging
for an addicted person to stop taking drugs
·         Like many mental disorders drug abuse has no single cause
many factors may contribute to the development of drug addiction
the main factors are:
 
Genetics-environmental factors
  such as parental abuse or neglect
 family beliefs
 exposure to peer groups that encourages drug abuse
 Other factors that may affect the likelihood and speed of
developing a substance addiction may include

 
Psychological problems

 such as depression
 anxiety
 bipolar disorder
 as well as personality disorders
 peer pressure
 early use of drugs
 unstable home environment
 poor relationship with parents
 inadequate supervision over adolescence activities
 poor achievement in school

 
Symptoms

 a regular urge to use drugs daily or even several times a day

 recurrent substance use that prevents the user from
meeting significant daily responsibilities at work, home or
school
 recurrent drug use in physically, dangerous situations
 withdrawal symptoms at every attempt to stop drug use
 an unsuccessful trial of decreasing or controlling the use of
the drug
 cutting back on social or recreational activities because of
drug use
 continual use of the drug even though the person is aware
of recurring physical or psychological problems caused or
worsened by drug use
  A need to keep or maintain a supply of the drug
 Spending more money on the drug even though one can't
afford it
 Doing things you wouldn't do such as going to the extent of
stealing to get the drug

Diagnosis a thorough evaluation that includes an assessment by a

psychiatrist psychologist or licensed alcohol and drug counselor may
be required for diagnosis.

 Blood urine or other lab tests are used in assessing drug use
but they do not serve as a diagnostic

`test for

Treatment with the right treatment and support it is possible to

counteract the disruptive effect of drug use and regain control of
your life.
 
The primary goals of treatment are abstinence relapse prevention
and rehabilitation treatment options may include:

 chemical dependence treatment programs

 detoxification
 behavioral therapy

Support from friends, family, doctor, support groups or an organized

treatment program may help to overcome your drug addiction and
stay drug-free.
 
KIDS DRUG USE AWARENESS
What is a Substance Abuse?
Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use
of any substance for mood-altering purposes. "Substances" can
include alcohol and other drugs (illegal or not) as well as some
substances that are not drugs at all.
 
"Abuse" can result because you are using a substance in a way that
is not intended or recommended, or because you are using more
than prescribed.
To be clear, someone can use substances and not be addicted or
even have a substance use disorder Health officials consider
substance use as crossing the line into substance abuse if that
repeated use causes significant impairment, such as:

 Health issues
 Disabilities
 Failure to meet responsibilities
 Impaired control
 Risky use
 Social issues

In other words, if you drink enough to get hangovers; use enough

drugs that you miss work or school; smoke enough marijuana that
you have lost friends; or drink or use more than you intended to use,
your substance use is probably at the abuse level.
However, the broad range of substance abuse in today's society is
not that simple.
 
The Dangers of Illegal Drugs
Generally, when most people talk about substance abuse, they are
referring to the use of illegal drugs. Most professionals in the field of
drug abuse prevention argue that any use of illegal drugs is by
definition abuse.
Illegal drugs do more than alter your mood. They can cloud your
judgment, distort your perceptions, and alter your reaction times, all
of which can put you in danger of accident and injury. These drugs
got to be illegal in the first place because they are potentially
addictive or can cause severe negative health effects.
Any use of illegal substances is considered dangerous and, therefore,
abusive.

FACTS ABOUT DRUGS

Others argue that casual, recreational use of some drugs is not
harmful and is merely use, not abuse. The most vocal of the
proponents of recreational drug use are those who smoke
marijuana. They argue that marijuana is not addictive and has many
beneficial qualities, unlike the "harder" drugs.
But recent research has shown that even marijuana may have more
harmful physical, mental, and psychomotor effects than first
believed. Each year, new scientific studies find more ways that long-
term marijuana use is harmful to your health.
In addition, the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that
marijuana users can become psychologically dependent, and
therefore addicted. NIDA estimates that one in every seven users of
marijuana becomes dependent.
Other Abused Substances: Some Are Not Drugs at All Alcohol,
prescription, and over-the-counter medications, inhalants and
solvents, and even coffee and cigarettes can all be used to harmful
excess.
In fact, many children have their first encounter with substance
abuse by using inhalants, simply because they are found in many
common household products and, therefore, readily available.
In today's culture, we now have "designer drugs" and synthetic
drugs, such as fake cocaine (bath salts) and synthetic marijuana,
which may not yet be illegal, but can certainly be abused and can
possibly be more dangerous.
There are also substances that can be abused that have no mood-
altering or intoxication properties, such as anabolic steroids. The use
of anabolic steroids to enhance performance or develop muscles
and strength is abusive because of the negative side effects of their
use, which can range from merely annoying to life threatening in
some cases. If it can cause you harm, even in the long term, it is
substance abuse.
Theoretically, almost any substance can be abused.

Drug Abuse is Harmful Is It Causing You Harm?

For many legal substances, the line between use and abuse is not
clear. Is having a couple of drinks every day after work to unwind use
or abuse? Is drinking two pots of coffee in the morning, to get your
day started, use or abuse? Is smoking a pack of cigarettes a day
substance abuse?
Generally, in these situations, only the individual himself can
determine where use ends and abuse begins. The question to ask
yourself is, "Is this causing me harm?
 
“Nicotine Is the Most Abused Drug Nicotine is the single most abused
substance in the world. Although smoking has declined in recent
years, it is estimated that 40 million Americans are still addicted to
nicotine in spite of its well-publicized harmful effects.
Again, just because it is legal, doesn't mean in can't be abused. The
fact that the negative health effects of nicotine take a long time to
manifest probably plays a role in the wide-spread abuse of tobacco.
 
Caffeine Is the Most Used Drug
Whereas nicotine is the most abused drug, caffeine is the most
commonly used mood-altering drug in the world. And yes, too much
caffeine can be harmful to your health. It has been linked to
significantly increased risks of cancer, heart disease, and
reproduction abnormalities including delayed conception and lower
birth weight.
Studies have also found a link between caffeine use and several
psychiatric syndromes, including caffeine- induced sleep disorder
and caffeine-induced anxiety disorder. Patients diagnosed with
generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, primary insomnia, and
gastro esophageal reflux are usually advised to reduce or eliminate
regular caffeine use.
Yes, Alcohol Is a Drug Alcohol is, of course, legal for adults, and there
is nothing "wrong" with having a couple of drinks with friends or to
unwind on occasion. But, it doesn't take much alcohol to reach a
harmful level of drinking, and that is when alcohol use can turn into
alcohol abuse.
Drinking five or more drinks for men (four for women) in any one
sitting is considered binge drinking, which can be harmful to your
physical and mental health in many different ways. If you even
occasionally engage in binge drinking, your alcohol use is by
definition alcohol abuse.
When it comes to illegal substances, society has determined that
their use is harmful and has placed legal prohibitions on their use.
This is to both protect individuals' wellbeing and shield society from
the costs involved with related healthcare resources, lost
productivity, the spread of diseases, crime, and homelessness
(although the impact of criminalizing this use has been open to
considerable controversy).
You the Children are the future of our world and your knowledge
should be something that we all invest into. Proper education about
substance abuse is IMPORTANT!! to know. The information we share
about substance abuse helps you develop a better sense of drug
abuse awareness. Without proper educational measures about the
harmful effects of drugs, you may develop an increased risks for
becoming curious about drugs, falling prey to peer pressure, and you
may develop the urge try drugs.
When you experiment with drugs it places you in a high-risk category
for developing eventual drug tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
 
Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, involves the repeated
and excessive use of chemical substances to achieve a certain effect.
These substances may be "street" or "illicit" drugs, illegal due to their
high potential for addiction and abuse. They also may be drugs
obtained with a prescription, used for pleasure rather than for
medical reasons.
Different drugs have different effects. Some, such as cocaine or
methamphetamine, may produce an intense "rush" and initial
feelings of boundless energy, others, such as heroin,
benzodiazepines or the prescription oxytocin, may produce
excessive feelings of relaxation and calm. What most drugs have in
common, though, is overstimulation of the pleasure center of the
brain. With time, the brain's chemistry is actually altered to

the point where not having the drug becomes extremely

unconformable and even painful. This compelling, urge to use,
addiction, becomes more and more powerful, disrupting work,
relationships, and health.
 
CHARACTERISTICS AND STYLES OF ABUSE
Some important characteristics and styles of abuse are:
1. Overt abuse
2. Covert (or controlling) abuse
3. Unpredictability
4. Disproportional reactions
5. Dehumanization and objectification
6. Abuse of information
7. Impossible situations
8. Control by proxy
9. Ambient abuse (gas lighting)
 
Telltale signs of abuse may include:
1. Isolation
2. Irrational jealousy
3. Subtle presence of physical violence
4. Discounting, minimizing, and trivializing
5. Criticizing
6. Withholding
7. Blaming

CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE

What makes one-person abuse drugs to the point of losing their
home, their family and their job, while another does not? There is no
one simple reason. Drug abuse and addiction is due to many factors.
A powerful force in addiction is the inabilities to self-soothes or get
relief from untreated mental or physical pain. Without the self-
resilience and support to handle stress, loneliness or depression,
drugs can be a tempting way to deal with the situation.
Unfortunately, due to the changes drugs make to the brain, it cans
only take a few times or even one time to be on the road to
addiction.
Some other risk factors include:
1. Family history of addiction. While the interplay between genetics
and environment is not entirely clear, if you have a family history of
addiction, you are at higher risk for abusing drugs.
2. History of mental illness. Drug abuse can worsen mental illness or
even create new symptoms. See dual diagnosis for more information
on mental illness and drug abuse.
3. Untreated physical pain. Without medical supervision, pain
medications or illegal drugs like heroin can rapidly become addictive.
4. Peer pressure. If people around you are doing drugs, it can be
difficult to resist the pressure to try them, especially if you are a
teenager.

Signs and symptoms of drug abuse and addiction

How can I tell if I or a loved one has a drug abuse or addiction
problem? Although different drugs may have different effects on
overall physical and mental health; the basic pattern is the same,
Getting and using the drug becomes more and more important than
anything else, including job, friends and family. The physical and
emotional consequences of drug abuse and addiction also make it
difficult to function; often impairing judgment to a dangerous level.
 
Physical signs of abuse and addiction
Drug abuse affects the brain and body directly. While high, the drug
affects the entire body, from blood pressure to heart rate Stimulants
like cocaine and methamphetamine "amp up” the body, increasing
blood pressure, metabolism and reducing the ability to sleep. Drugs
like opiates and barbiturates slow down the body, reducing blood
pressure, breathing and alertness sometimes to dangerous levels.
Some physical signs of abuse and addiction include:
1. Cycles of increased energy, restlessness, and inability to sleep
2. Abnormally slow movements, speech or reaction time, confusion
and disorientation
3. Sudden weight loss or weight gain
4. Cycles of excessive sleep
5. Unexpected changes in clothing, such as constantly wearing long
sleeved shirts, to hide scarring at injection sites
6. Suspected drug paraphernalia such as unexplained pipes, roach
clips or syringes
7. For snorted drugs, chronic troubles with sinusitis or nosebleeds
8. For smoked drugs, a persistent cough or bronchitis, leading to
coughing up excessive mucus or blood
9. Progressive severe dental problems
 
Tolerance and withdrawal
Most abused drugs are not only mentally addictive but physically
addictive as well. Tolerance is built up to the drug. More and more of
the drug is needed to achieve the desired effect. As the body
physically adjusts to the drug, trying to cut down or stop is
unpleasant or even painful. These withdrawal symptoms, depending
on the drug, can include shakes, chills, severe aches and pains,
difficulty sleeping, agitation; depression, and even hallucinations or
psychosis. Avoiding withdrawal adds to the urgency of keeping up
drug abuse and increases drug dependence.
It can sometimes be hard for parents to tell if their teenager has a
drug problem. After all, teenagers are notorious for oversleeping,
being argumentative and pushing boundaries, or wanting their own
privacy and space. If you suspect your teen has a drug problem, look
for marked changes in behavior, appearance and health. Is your teen
suddenly having trouble in school? Does he/or she seem more and
more isolated, or have a new group of friends? A teen with drug
problems may spend a lot of time sleeping- or be keyed up or unable
to sleep. Have you noticed Chat money or objects that could be sold
for drugs seem to be disappearing? Do prescription drugs seem to
be used up too quickly?
 
Effects of Drug Abuse
What makes drug addiction problems so challenging to face, as
opposed to other mental or physical problems? Drug abuse affects
the person's life in many ways, including health, finances and
stability. But it also affects the entire family, friends, colleagues—
and even the community. What's more, the strong denial and
rationalization of the person using drugs makes it extremely difficult
to get help, and can make concerned family members feel like they
are the problem,
 
Health, employment and crime
Those who abuse drugs have a greater risk for health problems
down the road, from neglecting their own health to risk of infectious
disease like hepatitis or HIV from sharing needles. Heavy drug use
directly affects health as well, including lung disease, arthritis, heart
problems, brain damage and death from overdose. Productivity at
work often suffers, and eventually trouble keeping a job or even
homelessness can occur. The urge to use is so powerful that criminal
activity for money or more drugs can be a strong temptation.
 
Staying addicted: Denial and rationalization
One of the most powerful effects of drug abuse and addiction is
denial. The urge to use is so strong that the mind finds many ways to
rationalize drug use. Someone abusing drugs may drastically
underestimate the quantity of drugs they are taking, how much it is
costing them, and how much time it takes away from their family and
work. They may lash out at concerned family members, making the
family feel like they are exaggerating and overstating the problem.
What makes thing so frustrating for family members is the person
abusing drugs often sincerely believes they do not have a problem,
and can make the family member feel like the dysfunctional one.
This denial and rationalization can lead to increased problems with
work, finances and relationships. The person abusing drugs may
blame an "unfair boss' for losing her job, or a he is increasingly going
out with friends to get high. While work and relationship stresses
happen to everyone, an overall pattern of deterioration and blaming
others may be a sign of trouble.
 
Drug abuse and the family
Sadly, drug abuse and addiction doesn't only affect the person
abusing drugs. It affects friends, family and the entire society. Child
abuse and neglect is much more common when there is drug abuse
in the family. The abuser may neglect a child's basic needs in the
quest for more drugs, or lack; of impulse control can lead to
increased physical and emotional abuse. Drug abuse by a pregnant
woman affects the developing baby's health, Domestic violence also
happens more frequently. Abusing drugs leads to higher risk, of
injuries and death to self and others in car accidents,
 
Family stress
If you have someone you love abusing drugs, it is an enormous
emotional strain. You might feel obligated to cover for the abuser,
cutting back from work to deal with the abuser's problems— or
world-ng more make financial ends meet. You might not be able to
see friends and engage in hobbies, as coping with the abuse takes
more and more time. The shame of drug abuse in the family stops
many family members from asking for help; instead pretending
nothing is wrong. The emotional toll can be overwhelming. Children
are especially sensitive,

MEASURE TO CONTROL DRUG ABUSE

DOH Campaign against Drug Use and Abuse Philippine Drug
Enforcement Agency. The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA) (Filipino: Kawanihan Pilipinas Laban sa Droga) (KPLD) was
established by Republic Act 9165, and enacted 'in the year 2002 as
the leading anti-drugs office in the Philippines, under the supervision
of the Dangerous Drugs Board, which in turn, is under the
supervision of the President of the Philippines. The agency is tasked
with the enforcement of the penal and regulatory provisions of RA
9165. All other agencies in the Philippines, such as the Philippine
National Police, the National Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau
of Customs Enforcement Service, must inform and coordinate any
anti-drug operations with the PDEA. The PDEA is led by a. Director
General and assisted by other officials. The more prominent units
within the PDEA are the intelligence and investigation, plans and
operations, and the legal and prosecution services. The basic
qualifications for becoming a Drug Enforcement Officer are as
follows: 21 to 35 years of age, a college degree holder, has passed
the Civil Service Professional Exam, and physically fit.

DECREE / GUIDING PRINCIPLES or DRUG ABUSE REPUBLIC ACT NO.

9165 ACT INSTITUTING THE COMPREHENSIVE DANGEROUS DRUGS
ACT OF 2002, REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6425, OTHERWISE,
KNOWN AS THE DANGEROUS DRUGS ACT OF 1972, AS AMENDED,
PROVIDING FUNDS THEREFOR, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
 
Section 1. Short Title. -This Act shall be known and cited as the
"Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. "chanrobles virtual
law library Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. -It is the policy of the State to
safeguard the integrity of its territory and the well-being of its
citizenry particularly the youth, from the harmful effects of
dangerous drugs on their physical and mental well-being, and to
defend the same against acts or omissions detrimental to their
development and preservation. In view of the foregoing, the State
needs to enhance further the efficacy of the law against dangerous
drugs, it being one of today's more serious social Ms. Chan Robles
virtual law library Toward this end, the government shall pursue an
intensive and unrelenting campaign against the trafficking and use of
dangerous drugs and other similar substances through an integrated
system of planning, implementation and enforcement of anti-drug
abuse programs, and projects.