INDEX

1) Drug Addiction (Introduction and characteristics)

a. Drug abuse
b. Drug tolerance
c. Drug addiction
d. Drug dependence
2) Types of Drugs
a. Narcotics
b. Barbiturate
c. Tranquillizers
d. Amphetamines
e. Cocaine
f. Marijuana
g. Hallucinogens
3) Causes of Drug Addiction
4) Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
5) Drug Addiction among youth
6) Effects of Drug Addiction
7) Remedial Measures against Drug Addiction
8) Treatment for Drug Addiction

INTRODUCTION TO DRUG ADDICTION

Drug addiction is a chronic disease affecting the brain, and just about everyone is different.
Drugs affect different people in different ways. One person can take and abuse drugs, yet
never become addicted, while another merely has one experience and is immediately hooked.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Drug Addiction is a state of periodic or
chronic intoxicant, detriment to the individual and to the society, produced by repeated
consumption of a drug, either natural or synthetic.

DRUGS

CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG ADDICTION

1. A strong desire or need to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means

2. A tendency to increase the dose

 3. A psychological and physical dependence on the effects of the drug.

Some of the related terms commonly used are:

Drug Abuse: Drug Abuse may be defined as the use of a substance in such a way that leads to
personal and / or social consequences such as impaired physical or mental health, impaired
maturation, loss of productivity and involvement in socially disruptive or illegal activities. It
implies the use of a drug by individuals to such an extent that it results in problematic
behaviour and is likely to cause harm to the user and to the society. It results in severe mental
and physical ill-health for the user.

Drug Tolerance: Drug Tolerance is the use of increasing amounts of a drug upon repeated
exposure, to experience its original effect. If a person has high drug tolerance, he will
increase his dose of the drug; which may prove to be costly, and harmful especially in the
long-run

Drug Dependence: Drug Dependence are of two types:

1. Physical dependence refers to the bodys need for a drug. It exits when the use of
a drug is stopped and may result in withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, fever,
hypertension, etc

2. Psychological dependence refers to the minds need for a drug. It is a craving or a

strong psychological need for pleasurable mental effects produced by a drug.
 DRUGS

TYPES OF DRUGS

Ecstacy: Ecstacy which is also known as tab, happy face, disco burgers, doves etc. Ecstacy is
a tablet that is hand made using very dangerous chemicals. Ecstacy has become a very
popular drug taken by hundreds of people around the world. It is mainly taken for the party
moods, where you can dance the whole night away. It usually takes effect 20 to 30 minutes
after you have taken it, it is taken by the mouth and wears off about 3 to 4 hours after it has
been consumed. The taker can feel and see things much nicer then it was and also your
hearing sounds are better which put you in a dancing mood particularly when the music has a
strong rhythm. Ecstacy puts you in a relaxing mood, sleepiness, sexual behaviour and in easy
temperament. Afterwards, it can cause exhaustion and depression after ecstacy has been
consumed and worn out of the body system. The side effects are sweating constantly, chills,
blurry vision, increase of the heart rate, it can also cause internal bleeding, damage the liver
and kidney and cause heavy period for girls.

Cocaine: Cocaine which is also known as coke, or snow. Cocaine is a white crystalline
powder mix with talcum powder or fine sugar, it can be sniffed through a straw or a rolled
paper or it can also be smoked or injected into the body. Sniffing cocaine can damage the
nasal membrane. It is known as a medicine used by many doctors around the world as a pain
killer.

Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens are a type of drug that causes subjective changes in thought,
emotion, perception and consciousness. Examples of hallucinogens include mushrooms, acid
(LSD), ketamine, PCP, dextromethorphan and peyote (mescaline drug). The 'hallucinations'
which are caused by some of these kinds of drugs may make you see, hear, smell, taste or feel
things that are not real. Hallucinogens often intensify the mood that a user is in at the time of
consumption. Although hallucinogens are rarely life-threatening, they can lead to death in an
indirect manner. This is primarily due to the fact that a hallucinogen tends to alter the
perception of reality for users, which can lead them to drastic measures such as jumping off
of buildings, getting into a car accident, or other dangerous activities.
Barbiturates: Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-
hypnotics, which generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. Its
slang names include barbs, reds, yellow jackets and goofballs. It can be either swallowed or
injected. The user can easily develop physical and psychological dependence for the drug.
The effects on the abuser include irritability, quarrelsome behaviour, emotional instability,
etc. Overdoses of barbiturates are a common method of committing suicide.
Amphetamines: Amphetamines is a class of drugs that stimulates the central nervous system
and produces increased wakefulness and focus in the user. Its euphoric effects have made the
drug popular among people who wish to stay awake for long periods of time, reduce
tiredness, improve performance in sport, increase endurance or just to plain boost confidence.
They are known as uppers, bennies, beans, speed, and crank. It varies in appearance, from
white pills to powder or crystals. This drug can be ingested orally, injected, sniffed, or
smoked. It can make a person feel energetic. Effects of amphetamines include a sense of
well-being, and make the person feel more confident. This feeling can last for up to 12 hours,
and some people continue to use to avoid coming down from the drug.

Narcotics: A narcotic is a type of drug that is used to alleviate pain, help to suppress cough,
reduce anxiety or tension. True narcotics, or opioids, are made from opium, which is
extracted from the poppy. In the United States, "narcotics" is a term often used incorrectly to
describe any illegal drug. There are two types of narcotics, opiates and synthetics. Some
examples are:

Heroin

Morphine

Codeine

Oxycodone

Vicodin

Fentanyl

Methadone
Although narcotics are prescribed by doctors to help people who are suffering from pain, the
abuse of narcotics is widespread in the United States. it is illegal to consume narcotics that
are not prescribed to you. There are several dangers from using narcotics illegally. First of all,
you may have a bad reaction to the drug, you may become addicted or you may overdose. If
you are prescribed a narcotic for an extended period of time, you may develop a tolerance to
the drug.

Tranquilizers: Tranquilizers are used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They have a
calming effect by depressing the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. They are the
most commonly prescribed psychiatric medications. They produce a relaxing and anxiety-
reducing effect. Minor tranquilizers have direct depressant effects on brain areas that regulate
wakefulness and alertness. They enhance the action of receptors that stimulate the nervous
system. Major tranquilizers primarily affect specific receptors in the brain that reduce
psychotic thoughts, perceptions and agitation.

Marijuana: Marijuana is either smoked or swallowed. The forms of marijuana include: bhang,
ganja, hashish. The slang names of marijuana are: grass, pot, harsh, harsh oil. Its effects are
restlessness, a sense of relaxation . Very large doses of marijuana can produce severe
reactions such as: fantasies, loss of personal identity. Severe abuse can bring in depression,
panic, and in rare instances even a psychotic breakdown.

CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION

The Causes of Drug Addiction are explained as follows:

1. Availability of Drugs: Availability of drugs is an important factor that causes drug

addiction. If the drugs are readily available, the potential abusers may use them or
experiment them. If they like the results, they will probably continue using them. But,
 if the drugs are not readily available, they would not trouble themselves to find them.
However, they are some abusers who are so enslaved to drugs that they will go to any
extent to obtain them.
2. Peer Pressure: Peer Pressure has a great impact on individuals, especially teenagers to
get involved with drugs. They take drugs to be accepted by the group, or else they
may feel isolated. Drug users seek approval for their behaviour from their peers, so
they often try to convince others to join in their habit as a way of seeking acceptance.
3. Personality Traits: Many drug abusers are essentially immature. They are unable to
cope with problems, anxieties and frustrations in a mature and rational manner. They
feel inadequate and are unable to deal with pressures that surround them. For them,
drugs can provide a temporary source of adequacy and a feeling of being able to cope
with pressures.
4. Curiosity: Some people are tempted to experience drugs out of curiosity. This is
especially true among young adults. They are curious to try new things and to
experience new sensations. They want to see what effects will drug produce.
5. Psychological Dependence: There are some psychoactive drugs that have the power to
affect or change mood, behaviour, or consciousness, of the users. These drugs activate
or influence the functioning of the central nervous system. This may create such a
craving for drug to the user that he continues taking it.
6. Hedonism: Hedonism means the idea that pleasure is the most important thing in life.
Some people are essentially hedonistic. They take drugs to endlessly seek out
pleasurable experiences.
7. Physical Dependence: Physical Dependence, like psychological dependence is the
cause and effect of drug addiction. When the drug abuser stops taking drugs, he may
experience withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, fever, hypertension, etc. Hence,
to cope with these withdrawal symptoms, the abuser may start taking drugs again.
8. Parental Influence: Children of drug addicts are at a high risk of drug addiction.
Children, particularly, young adults imitate the behaviours of their parents. Hence, if
parents take drugs, their children may be influenced by them and thus, the children
may also become drug addicts.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION

The signs and symptoms of drug addiction are as follows:

Sudden change in behaviour

 Mood swings; irritable and grumpy and then suddenly happy and bright

Withdrawal from family members

Careless about personal grooming

Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and other favourite activities

Changed sleeping pattern; up at night and sleeps during the day

Red or glassy eyes

Sniffly or runny nose

Fatigue

Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet

Depression

Unexplained need for money

Problems with the law

A DRUG ADDICT DEPRESSED

 DRUG ADDICTION AMONG YOUTH

Parents and guardians need to be vigilant in watching for teen drug abuse and the signs of
possible drug addiction in their teenage children. Here are some categories to consider if and
when you suspect something might be going on.

School: Has your child lost interest in school work, or even going to school? Your child
suddenly dislikes school and will look for any excuse not to attend. Have the grades fallen
off? You may consider calling the school to see if your child has been skipping classes. Once
they leave the house do they find their way to school? If there has been a swing in
performance, as almost overnight your child goes from being a good student to barely
passing, this is a sign of possible teen drug abuse.

Health: Have there been any changes in your childs appearance? Are they listless, or have
they lost interest in grooming, their manner of dress? Teenagers are usually interested in how
they look, even though the current fashion may not be appealing to parents. Teenagers want
to fit in, but if they lose interest in how they look, or they suddenly just dont care about this
area of their life, there may be a problem. Teen drug abuse is a possibility.

Attitude: Has your child lost interest in doing things they once loved to do? Has there been a
personality shift, or are they hanging out with a different crowd? Try to notice if there has
been any change in sleeping patterns

Personal Space: When teenagers make extended efforts to distance themselves from their
family, not just their parents, there may be another issue at play. Teenagers enjoy privacy, but
when their right to privacy includes refusing their parents information on where they are
going, what they are doing and who they are going to be with, that is a cause for concern.
Perhaps the teen does not allow parents even to enter their room. Thats a red flag. Any
dramatic change in their interaction with the family is a possible indicator.

Money: Many teens hold a job and earn their spending money. Some may receive spending
money from their parents. In any case, if there is a sudden request for money with no
reasonable explanation for the need, there might be an issue. The teen may even be irritated
when asked, as if his/her demand for money was an entitlement and the parents have no right
to ask why. What is the money for? Teen drug abuse may be the explanation.

Only Alcohol: Many parents are relieved to learn that their child is only drinking and not
using drugs. It is a dangerous, if not foolish position to take, because we see no difference
between alcoholism and drug addiction. With addiction, it is centered on the drug of choice,
so whether its beer or crack cocaine, abuse is abuse.

EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

1) Effects on the Individual: When an individual takes a particular drug they expect a
desired effect to take place. This is true not only for legal drugs such as cough
medicine, where the desired drug effect is the suppression of coughing, but illegal
drugs as well. Addictive drugs enter the body through a variety of routes. The drugs
then make their way to the bloodstream and go straight to the brain, where they exert
their harmful effects.
2) Effects on the family: By the time, an addict realizes he/she has a problem, that
problem has already taken a heavy toll on the family. Drug addiction family impact is
immeasurable but at the same time very subtle. Husbands and wives, brothers and
sisters, and sadly children are all impacted. Families can be sources of strength and
support, or they can passively enable the addiction to advance.
3) Effects on society: Drug addiction destroys not only the abuser's life, but affects the
rest of society, too. The rest of us pay in increased taxes as well more problems in the
institutions that affect us and our children. Even if we could ignore drug addiction in
our country, illegal drug use encourages the drug trade--and the resulting enforcement
problems and government instability--in other countries.

4) Effects on health: If left unchecked, the drug is going to win. Drug abuse is a disease
of the brain, and the drugs change brain chemistry, which results in a change in
behaviour. Aside from the obvious behavioural consequences of addiction, the
negative effects on a persons health are potentially devastating. While addicts use
drugs to feel better, the unintended consequences include but are not limited to
overdose, HIV/AIDS, stroke, cardiovascular disease and a host of related maladies.

5) Effects on the body: Individuals who suffer from addiction often have one or more
accompanying medical issues, including lung and cardiovascular disease, stroke,
cancer, and mental disorders. Imaging scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests show the
damaging effects of drug abuse throughout the body.

FAMILIES AS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SUPPORT

REMEDIAL MEASURES AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION

 NO DRUG AWARENESS

1) Awareness and Education: Drug education is an important tool in preventing drug

abuse. Proper education helps in creating awareness of the dangers connected with
drugs abuse. Drug abuse education should be integrated in school and college
curricula, emphasising on the destructive effects of drug use. Proper education be
imparted to parents in preventing the use of drugs by children. Mass media plays a
crucial role for communicating accurate information about drug abuse to a large
population
2) Organising Youth Centres: Drug addiction may be caused due to the feelings of
isolation, loneliness, anxiety etc. Hence, social service organisations, and NGOs
should establish youth centres to overcome such feelings. Youth centres enable the
youngsters to: get along freely with others, share their problems, and entertain
themselves.
3) Strict Action against Drug Pushers: Drug addiction is often related with prostitution,
crime, accidents and violent behaviour. Hence, strict action should be taken not only
against drug pushers but also against drug addicts. There should be stringent laws and
 severe punishment for drug traffickers and for drug abusers. This will result in
remarkable success in reducing problems relating to drug trafficking and drug abuse
4) Counselling Centres: Counselling centres can be set up by educational institutes,
community centres and NGOs for. It may help to reduce drug abuse/ improve the
persons ability to perform better, reduce drug menance.
5) Watching For Early Signs of Possible Drug Addiction: If the early signs and
symptoms of drug-taking can be detected, drug addiction may be prevented. Some of
the common signs and symptoms are loss of appetite, sudden change of friends, and
withdrawal from family.
6) International Help: United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control(UNFDAC) provides
assistance to governments and international organisations to: prevent drug abuse
through education and public information campaigns, provide facilities and develop
methods for treatment, and rehabilitation of drug-dependent persons, conduct research
on drug abuse and its control.

TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION

1) Hospitalisation: Drug addict must be hospitalised. Through bio-chemical tests, it can

be determined that which drugs the addict has been using. Accordingly, the treatment
for the withdrawal symptoms can be given.
2) Behavioural Therapies: Drug addicts often require a combination of behavioural
therapies and medications. It consists of counselling, support groups, family therapy.
3) Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy consists of occupying the drug addict
with some constructive work, while undergoing counselling.
4) Change in Addicts Social Environment: A drug addict may become so, due to his
social environment, which may include stress, frustration, anxiety etc. Such social
environment needs to be modified for treating drugs. An environment that consist of
patient listening, caring, and understanding a drug addict is conducive for the
treatment.
5) Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Narcotics Anonymous is a organisation that is similar to
Alcoholics Anonymous. Here, the drug addicts share their experiences with each
 other. An ex-addict may narrate his experiences and points out the various
disadvantages of and remedies for drug addiction

CONSELLLING HOSPITALISATION

CONCLUSION

Drug abuse is a complex problem thought to result from a combination of hereditary,

psychological, and environmental factors. It affects people from the neonatal stage to old age.
Infants of abusers may suffer from neglect or the effects of parental drug use. As they grow
into childhood, they may demonstrate antisocial behaviour, and signs of malnutrition, poor
self-esteem, depression, or attention deficit disorder. This may lead an adolescent to use
drugs, have unwanted pregnancies, and drop out of school. Identification of drug abuse is a
difficult first step on the road to recovery because of the methods many abuses use to hide
their addiction, the inability of family members to recognize or accept the problem, and the
relatives' enabling behaviour.
 PLEASE SAY NO TO DRUGS!!

BILBOGRAPHY

1) Foundation Course-1 F.Y.Bcom by Michael Vaz

2) http://www.drug-addiction-support.org/effects-of-drug-addiction.html

3) http://www.drugaddiction.net/