ARTICLE

TOPIC: DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

NAME: BHUMI
CLASS: XI D
SCHOOL: ST. GEORGE’S SCHOOL

CONTENT:
➢ What is your understanding of Drugs and Substance Abuse?
➢ What factors contribute to individuals developing addictions to drugs
and substances?
➢ How can we prevent Drugs and Substance Abuse?
➢ What are the consequences of Drugs and Substance Abuse? Give 5
Examples.
➢ What are the negative effects of addiction on the life of youth, family
and society?
➢ What are the government initiatives and programs for Drugs and
Substance Abuse prevention?
➢ Address some of the global perspectives associated with Drugs and
Substance Abuse.
What is your understanding of drugs and substance abuse?
Many people don't understand why or how other people become
addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs
lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug
use simply by choosing to. Drug addiction is a complex disease, and
quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs
change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who
want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how
drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people
recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

Symptoms

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
What factors contribute to individuals developing addictions to drugs and
substances?
Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to the
development of drug addiction. The main factors are:

➢ Environment. Environmental factors, including your family's

beliefs and attitudes and exposure to a peer group that
encourages drug use, seem to play a role in initial drug use.
➢ Genetics. Once you've started using a drug, the development
into addiction may be influenced by inherited (genetic) traits,
which may delay or speed up the disease progression.

How can we prevent Drugs and Substance Abuse?

As noted previously, early use of drugs increases a person's chances of

becoming addicted. Remember, drugs change the brain—and this can lead
to addiction and other serious problems. So, preventing early use of drugs
or alcohol may go a long way in reducing these risks.

Risk of drug use increases greatly during times of transition. For an adult,
a divorce or loss of a job may increase the risk of drug use. For a teenager,
risky times include moving, family divorce, or changing schools.35 When
children advance from elementary through middle school, they face new
and challenging social, family, and academic situations. Often during this
period, children are exposed to substances such as cigarettes and alcohol
for the first time. When they enter high school, teens may encounter
greater availability of drugs, drug use by older teens, and social activities
where drugs are used. When individuals leave high school and live more
independently, either in college or as an employed adult, they may find
themselves exposed to drug use while separated from the protective
structure provided by family and school.
What are the consequences of Drugs and Substance Abuse? Give 5
Examples.
➢ The specific physical effects of substance use may vary among
individuals and depend on the substance, dosage, delivery method,
and length of use. Substance use can sometimes lead to serious health
consequences, including overdose and death. Using any drug can
cause short-term physical effects.
➢ Drug and alcohol use can result in substance use disorder as well as
the health risks specific to the substance. In the United States, 14.5
million people ages 12 and older have an alcohol use disorder.
Cocaine carries a risk of overdose and withdrawal. It causes
decreased impulse control and poor decision-making.
➢ Drug addiction is a complex, chronic medical disease that causes
someone to compulsively use psychoactive substances despite the
negative consequences. Some of the short-term effects of drug abuse
and addiction include changes in appetite, movement, speech, mood,
and cognitive function.
What are the negative effects of addiction on the life of youth, family and
society?
➢ Each family and each family member is uniquely affected
by the individual using substances including but not limited to
having unmet developmental needs, impaired attachment, economic
hardship, legal problems, emotional distress, and sometimes violence
being perpetrated against him or her.
➢ The studies of families with SUDs reveal patterns that significantly
influence child development and the likelihood that a child will
struggle with emotional, behavioral, or substance use problems
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
[SAMHSA], 2003 ).
What are the government initiatives and programs for Drugs and
Substance Abuse prevention?
➢ Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness
Program Synar Amendment and Tobacco Regulation for Substance
Use Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery Services Block Grants
Federal Workplace Drug Testing Opioid Drug Treatment Patient
 Record Confidentiality Other Federal Regulations Related to
SAMHSA
➢ The Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant
program allows states and territories to plan,
implement and evaluate activities to
prevent and treat substance use disorders.
Address some of the global perspectives associated with Drugs and
Substance Abuse.
➢ From a global perspective, the evidence reviewed from the various
regions indicates that the use of drugs with liability for abuse is
widespread and associated with public health and social problems of
great magnitude. The major set of problems appears to be related to
primary pattern drugs such as alcohol, nicotine, cannabis and the
opioids. Cocaine may also be a worldwide threat in view of the
problems it has created in some regions. Drug abuse usually starts in
adolescence, and both sexes now appear to be involved where in the
recent past it was predominantly men who were affected..