Problem of Drug Abuse
In the current world, drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is a widespread and complex issue. It has substantial consequences for the individual, the family, and the nation. By definition, drug abuse is the misuse of drugs, including prescribed medications, illicit drugs, and alcohol, in a way that causes harm physically, psychologically, and socially.
It is essential to tackle matters concerning drug abuse. Knowing the types of drugs that are mostly abused and why they are abused gives healthcare workers insight into how to deal with the victims. Below is a comprehensive review of the current knowledge on drug abuse, including its prevalence, risk factors, consequences, underlying mechanisms, and evidence-based interventions. Therefore, all issues regarding drug abuse, what drugs are commonly abused, what drug addiction is, and why it continues to be a worldwide catastrophe despite the measures currently in place are explored.
Drugs
A drug is any substance that changes normal functioning when ingested into the body. According to the annual statistics in the United States, 47% of youths have abused drugs by the time they finish high school. 70% of those who try drugs before the age of 13 develop drug addiction within seven years (Drug Use Statistics and Demographics, 2023). These statistics show an alarming trend of drug abuse turning into drug addiction.
There is a variety of drugs being abused, which includes opioids. This class of drugs is the one that is mostly abused. These mostly abused drugs include prescribed painkillers such as oxycodone and fentanyl, and illegal drugs such as heroin. Given that opioids are highly addictive, it is the leading class of drugs that are abused and the one that quickly leads to dependence, tolerance, and overdose.
Next on the list are stimulant drugs such as cocaine and methamphetamine. These are drugs that increase alertness, energy, and focus: they are mostly abused due to their euphoric feeling, leading to cardiovascular complications and addiction.
Depressants, drugs such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates used to treat sleep and anxiety disorders, are abused for their sedative effects. They cause withdrawal symptoms and, in the long run, respiratory depression (The Risk of Using Drugs, 2022). Marijuana, also known as cannabis, is a psychoactive drug commonly abused for its altering effects. Even though the drug has been legalized in some states and countries, it can still be addictive and have adverse health effects.
Inhalants are also a group of drugs that are commonly abused (Scott, 2012). This includes general household products such as glue, gasoline, and aerosols. These inhalants have the most severe effects when it comes to health, commonly affecting the brain, liver, and other vital organs.
Additionally, hallucinogens, such as LSD and psilocybin, alter perception, mood, and cognition. Compared to other drugs, they are not commonly abused, leading to dangerous behavior and psychological distress (The Risk of Using Drugs, 2022).
Lastly, prescription drugs not categorized as opioids or depressants, such as stimulant medications used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), can also be used for their stimulant effect. They are the least abused drugs compared to other drugs. Overall, these abused drugs vary in severity depending on geographical location, cultural norms, and individual circumstances. It is, therefore, vital to pay attention to those abusing whatever kind of drugs and try to find ways to solve the problem.
Causes of Drug Abuse
People use drugs for such reasons as to generally feel good, to disconnect from reality, to stop feeling bad, and even out of curiosity. However, among teens, statistics show that curiosity is the leading reason why drugs are being abused (Why People Use Drugs, 2017). Narrowing down, causes of drug abuse can be divided into several classes: biological factors, environmental factors, psychological factors, social and cultural factors, developmental factors, economic factors, and others. These factors individually cause drug abuse, but it is important to note that they can interact and together cause drug abuse.
First, biological factors include genetic and psychological factors, which play a huge role in drug abuse. Individuals who have a genetic predisposition to drug abuse are more susceptible to developing drug abuse and eventually addiction due to their genetic makeup. In the psychological realm, specific imbalances of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin levels influence the risk of drug abuse (Effects of Drug Abuse and Addiction, 2023).
Secondly, environmental factors such as personal upbringing, family history, and social environment contribute to drug abuse. A teenager staying in an environment where peers or even family members are using drugs increases the risk of developing drug abuse behaviors (Know the Risks of Using Drugs, 2023). Additionally, a history of childhood trauma or abuse, whether physical or emotional, and a lack of parental supervision tremendously increase the risk of drug abuse.
Psychological factors, which include mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders, highly underlie drug abuse. As a way to cope with the underlying psychological distress and a way to self-medicate, some individuals turn to drugs for periodic relief. Additionally, personality disorders such as impulsivity and low self-esteem are contributors to drug abuse.
Moreover, social and cultural factors such as societal attitudes towards drug use, availability and accessibility of drugs, especially in social places such as schools, and peer pressure significantly affect drug abuse tendencies. Also, social norms, media influence, and cultural practices influence a person’s perception of drugs and their use, increasing individual tendencies to engage in drug abuse. For instance, in terms of media influence, advertisements that exaggerate the delusional effects of alcoholic drinks can give a wrong impression to a young person and consequently lead to drug abuse.
Developmental factors can also influence the risk of drug abuse. This incorporates things such as age and stage of life. Adolescents and young adults are particularly at a considerably high risk of drug abuse due to the lack of a fully developed brain and the challenges in navigating peer pressure and life transitions.
Economic factors are another contributor. It includes poverty levels, unemployment, and illiteracy. These economic stressors increase the risk of people turning to drugs as a coping mechanism. For instance, unemployed youth with financial constraints have psychological distress and idle time. This combination will most likely lead to drug abuse as a way to disconnect from reality and fill the time at their disposal.
Overall, all these factors, in unison, lead to drug abuse. Personal choices, motivations, and life circumstances precipitate the effects. It is, therefore, crucial to know those things that cause drug abuse as a basis for helping the victims of drug abuse.
Understanding the underlying cause is crucial for controlling drug abuse early, preventing it from developing into full-blown addiction. When drug abuse is not controlled in its early stages, it turns into drug addiction, which is more fatal and difficult to treat. Also, knowing the causes, such as biological predisposition, helps healthcare workers devise ways to prevent the development of drug abuse.
Drug Addiction
When an individual starts abusing drugs, it may progress to drug addiction, which is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by impulsive and uncontrollable drug-seeking behavior despite its detrimental effects on physical, psychological, and social well-being (The Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector, 2020). It is a complex brain disorder involving genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary and completely controllable.
However, the continued use of drugs dramatically impairs a person’s ability to control themselves, hence drug addiction. It is important to note that not everyone who abuses drugs develops drug addiction (Dumain, 2020). Specific biological and environmental factors determine this fact. Statistics have shown that 40 to 60% of addiction cases are influenced by an individual’s gene expression, known as epigenetics (The Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector, 2020). When combined with environmental factors such as the availability of drugs and the family environment, this biological factor can lead to addiction.
Other general factors that significantly increase the risk of addiction include: early use and drug exposure. Research shows that even though drug abuse at any stage can lead to addiction, early use of drugs has a higher tendency to lead to addiction (Drug Misuse and Addiction, 2020). This is primarily due to the drugs’ detrimental effects on the developing brain. The prefrontal cortex, a part of the brain that enables people to make sound decisions, still develops during childhood and the teenage years.
Given this fact, it is evident how detrimental it can be for a young person to start abusing drugs, as it may easily lead to addiction. Also, early use of drugs can be due to a combination of early social and biological risk factors. How a drug is taken is another dynamic that influences the risk of drug addiction. Inhaled drugs, or those that are taken intravenously, have more significant risks of leading to addiction. These drugs act quickly, giving instant relief. However, the effects fade quickly, too, thus leading to repeated use, effectively leading to addiction.
Signs of Drug Addiction
Knowing the signs of drug addiction is vital to managing drug abuse. One of the most common sins is compulsive drug use. This phenomenon makes a person have an intense desire to use drugs even when the individual is trying to quit.
Eventually, the individual loses control of their desire for drugs, which is the second sign. This leads to them taking larger doses of the drug for extended periods. These behaviors give rise to economic constraints due to the frequent doses required, thus pushing the individual to resort to theft when their financial status cannot manage their consumption.
Another sign of addiction is withdrawal symptoms. When individuals reduce their dose or stop taking the drug due to financial strain, they experience physical and psychological symptoms such as anxiety, irritability, nausea, and sweating. These factors make it exceptionally difficult for drug addicts to quit taking drugs. As their bodies become accustomed to the drugs, they develop tolerance to the drugs, thus needing increasing amounts to achieve the desired effects, which is another sign of addiction (Drug addiction (substance use disorder), 2023).
Neglect of responsibilities is another sign of addiction (Dumain, 2022). An individual might neglect their responsibilities, such as work, school, or their duties at home, due to their drug use. This is closely followed by continued use despite the adverse health and physical effects that drug use might be having on them, eventually leading to mortality. It is, therefore, crucial to detect these signs as early as possible, make a diagnosis, and start managing to prevent them from reaching a point of no return.
Prevention of Drug Abuse and Addiction
Prevention of drug abuse and addiction is different depending on the age group. However, most of the prevention strategies apply to both adults and children. The first way to prevent drug abuse and addiction is through education and awareness, particularly among young people.
Most people fall into the trap of drug abuse due to ignorance. Therefore, sensitizing them to the risks and dire consequences of drug abuse is essential. Sensitization can be done through seminars and talks in schools, communities, and workplaces to provide accurate information about drug abuse. This information can help an individual decide to resist peer pressure.
Another way to effectively prevent drug abuse is by promoting healthy coping skills. In the current world and the dynamic of life, life challenges and stress cannot be avoided entirely. Therefore, teaching individuals how to cope with such issues aside from resorting to drugs is a vital prevention technique. These healthy coping mechanisms include building resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional intelligence. This way, a person’s ability to deal with life’s difficulties is enhanced without resorting to drugs.
Another prevention strategy is monitoring prescribed drugs, which incorporates having programs that track the prescribing and dispensing of drugs. This technique helps monitor trends of certain drugs, hence curbing the misuse of a drug before it progresses. It helps healthcare workers identify patients at risk for addiction and provide appropriate interventions.
Since the immediate environment is crucial in determining the tendency to develop drug abuse, the environment must be free from predisposing factors (The Science of Drug Use: A Resource for the Justice Sector, 2022). These strategies include reducing the availability and accessibility of drugs, enforcing laws and regulations related to drug use, and encouraging responsible dispensing of prescribed drugs. Also, restricting the marketing and sales of addictive substances and implementing policies to reduce drug trafficking can help prevent drug abuse and addiction.
Additionally, other strategies, such as family support and supportive communities, such as Alcoholics Anonymous for alcohol addicts, are crucial. Drug abuse and addiction prevention are collaborative among various stakeholders, including the government and its agencies, health care providers, schools, and community organizations. This way, drug abuse can be addressed and managed effectively.
Management of Drug Abuse and Addiction
When the prevention phase of drug addiction fails, management is the next resort. Behavioral therapies are a fundamental part of drug addiction management. These therapies aim to modify destructive behaviors, improve coping skills, and, most importantly, promote positive changes in thought patterns and attitudes toward drug use. When it is not practical, medication-assisted treatment is incorporated. These medications, such as methadone, help reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and the risk of relapse.
Counselling and support services are also vital in the management of drug addiction. They can be offered to individuals or groups to help address underlying emotional issues and develop healthy behaviors. In summary, drug addiction is a severe disease that is not easily corrected; thus, its prevention is better than cure.
References
Dumain, T. (2022). What is drug addiction?WebMD. Web.
Drug use statistics and demographics. (2023). Caron. Web.
Effects of drug abuse and addiction (2023). Gateway Foundation. Web.
Drug addiction (substance use disorder). (2023). Mayo Clinic. Web.
The science of drug use: A resource for the justice sector. (2022). NIDA. Web.
Drug misuse and addiction. (2020). NIDA. Web.
Know the risks of using drugs (2023). SAMHA. Web.
The risk of using drugs (2022). SA Health. Web.
Scott, A. (2012). What are the most commonly abused drugs?EverydayHealth. Web.
Why people use drugs. (2017). UNODC. Web.