Contents

➔INTRODUCTION

➔ANALYTIC REPRESENTATION

➔COMMONLY USED DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

➔ADOLESCENCE & DRUG ABUSE

➔CAUSES OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

➔EFFECTS OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE

➔ADDICTION AND DEPENDENCE

➔PREVENTION & CONTROL

➔SUMMARY

➔CONCLUSION

➔BIBLIOGRAPHY
introduction
What is Drug and Alcohol Abuse?

Drug and alcohol abuse refers to the use of certain

chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable
effects on the brain. The chemicals or compounds
which are used to cure certain diseases are known as
drugs. There are various categories of drugs like
depressants and stimulants. Some of the drugs work
as sedatives, and others act as hallucinogens.
Regular use of these drugs may cause drug addiction
in humans as they become habituated to it.

On the other hand, alcohol abuse or alcohol misuse

is a pattern of drinking too much alcohol too often.
It can lead to alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Too
much alcohol at one time can also cause alcohol
poisoning and other serious health issues. Drug and
alcohol abuse is a very common issue that our society
is facing today. This addiction can cause serious
and harmful health issues to humans. Teenagers are
more susceptible to getting into these habits.
ANALYTIC REPRESENTATION
Surveys and statistics show that use of drugs and
alcohol has been on the rise especially among the
youth. This is really a cause of concern as it could
result in many harmful effects. Proper education and
guidance would enable youth to safeguard themselves
against these dangerous behaviour patterns and
follow healthy lifestyles.
Commonly used drug and alcohols
Types of Drugs: The most commonly abused drugs are opioids,
cannabinoids, and coca alkaloids. The majority of these drugs
are obtained from flowering plants, while some are obtained
from fungi. Some of the commonly used drugs are mentioned
below:

1. OPIOIDS: These are the drugs that bind to the

specific opioid receptors present in our central nervous

system and gastrointestinal tract. They suppress brain
activity and relieve pain. They are also called painkillers.
Opioids are the drugs that include illegal drugs like heroin
and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as
oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.
a. Heroin commonly called smack and chemically called
diacetylmorphine is a white, bitter, odourless, crystalline
compound. It is produced by acetylation of morphine that is
extracted from the latex of the poppy plant papaver
somniferum. It is generally taken by snorting and injection;
heroin acts as a depressant and slows down body functions.
b. Morphine is another very effective sedative and painkiller.
It is very useful for patients undergoing surgery. Many
patients are often addicted to morphine which can even lead to
death also. For example, famous pop star Michael Jackson died
because of an overdose of morphine and propol

Effects of Opioid Abuse:

● Short-term effects:
○ Euphoria and relaxation.
○ Drowsiness and confusion.
 ○ Slowed breathing, which can be life-threatening.
○ Nausea and constipation.
● Long-term effects:
○ Addiction:
○ Respiratory depression:
○ Brain damage:
○ Increased risk of infectious diseases

Withdrawal Symptoms:

● Severe cravings for the drug.

● Anxiety, restlessness, and agitation.
● Muscle aches and pains.
● Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea.
● Sweating and cold flashes.

Prevention and Treatment:

● Prescription Monitoring: Reducing the over-prescription of

opioids and monitoring their use to prevent abuse.
● Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT): Using medications
like methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone to help
manage withdrawal symptoms and prevent relapse.
● Rehabilitation Programs: Counseling, behavioural therapy,
and support groups are essential for long-term recovery.
● Naloxone: Making naloxone more accessible to reverse
overdoses in emergency situations.
 2.CANNABINOIDS: These are the drugs that interact

with the cannabinoid receptors present in our brains. Natural

cannabinoids are obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa. The
flower tops, leaves and the resin of cannabis plants are used
in different combinations to produce marijuana, charas,
hashish and ganja. Generally taken by inhalation and oral
ingestion, these drugs affect the cardiovascular system of the
body. Currently, cannabinoids are abused by some sportspersons

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE CANNABIS SATIVA

Dangers and Effects of THC Abuse:

● Short-term effects:
○ Euphoria, altered senses, changes in mood.
○ Impaired memory, difficulty concentrating, and loss
of coordination.
○ Increased appetite ("munchies").
○ Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
● Long-term effects:
○ Cognitive decline
○ Mental health issues
○ Addiction
○ Respiratory issues
Withdrawal Symptoms (for chronic users):

● Irritability and mood swings.

● Insomnia or sleep disturbances.
● Decreased appetite.
● Anxiety and restlessness.

Prevention and Treatment:

● Education: Raising awareness about the potential dangers

of frequent marijuana use, especially among youth.
● Rehabilitation Programs: Behavioural therapy,
counselling, and medical interventions can help those
addicted to THC.
● Regulation: With the increasing legalisation of
marijuana, clear guidelines on safe use and the
prevention of misuse are essential.

3 COCA ALKALOIDS: Coca alkaloid or cocaine is

obtained from the coca plant Erythroxylum coca found in South

America. It interferes with the transport of the
neurotransmitter dopamine. Cocaine, also called coke or crack,
is usually abused by snorting. It has a powerful stimulating
action on the central nervous system, producing a sense of
euphoria and increased energy. An excessive dosage of cocaine
causes hallucinations.

Effects of Cocaine Abuse:

● Short-term effects: Euphoria, increased alertness, energy,

dilated pupils, and reduced appetite.
● Long-term effects: Addiction, severe cardiovascular
problems (heart attacks, strokes), anxiety, paranoia,
hallucinations, and cognitive decline.
Cocaine Withdrawal Symptoms:

● Severe cravings
● Depression and irritability
● Physical and mental fatigue
● Anxiety and irritability

Prevention and Treatment:

● Education: Raising awareness about the dangers of cocaine

abuse, especially among young people.
● Rehabilitation Programs: Detox and behavioural therapy
are crucial for recovery.
● Law Enforcement: Tackling drug trafficking and reducing
availability.

ERYTHROXYLUM COCA
 4.HALLUCINOGENS: Other well-known plants with

hallucinogenic properties are Atropa belladonna and Datura The

term hallucinogen refers to many different drugs, which are often
called “psychedelic” drugs. While the effects of these drugs vary
widely, all change the way people see, hear, taste, smell or feel,
and affect mood and thought. At high doses, all may cause a person
to hallucinate, or see, hear or feel things that aren’t really
there.

ATROPA BELLADONNA DATURA

5.MEDICINAL DRUGS: Drugs like barbiturates,

amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, that

are normally used as medicines to help patients cope with
mental illnesses like depression and insomnia, are often
abused

BARBITURATES BENZODIAZEPINES
Types of Alcohols:The most common types of alcohol that
are used are wine, whisky, rum, brandy, tequila, vodka,
etc. According to a study, over 88 % of Indians aged under
25 purchase or consume alcoholic beverages even though it
is illegal. This was despite bans on alcohol in some
states across the country and limitations on sales in some
others.Alcohol abuse refers to the excessive and harmful
consumption of alcoholic beverages, leading to a range of
physical, mental, and social issues. It can result in
addiction, known as alcohol use disorder (AUD),
characterised by a strong craving for alcohol, loss of
control over drinking, and continued use despite negative
consequences.

The health risks associated with alcohol abuse include

liver disease (such as cirrhosis), cardiovascular
problems, increased risk of certain cancers, and mental
health disorders like depression and anxiety. Alcohol
abuse can also lead to impaired judgement, risky
behaviours, accidents, and legal issues.
Types of tobacco: Tobacco is available in various
forms, including cigarettes (shredded tobacco rolled in
paper), cigars (larger whole leaf rolls), pipe tobacco
(blended for pipes), chewing tobacco (fermented leaves
chewed), snuff (finely ground for inhaling or oral use),
dipping tobacco (moist snuff placed between gum and lip),
and e-cigarettes/vapes (devices that vaporise liquid
nicotine).

Tobacco abuse involves the harmful use of tobacco

products, leading to addiction primarily due to nicotine.
It poses serious health risks, including lung cancer,
heart disease, and chronic respiratory issues. Nicotine's
addictive nature makes quitting difficult, often resulting
in withdrawal symptoms.Tobacco chewing is associated with
increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity. Smoking
increases carbon monoxide (CO) content in blood and
reduces the concentration of heme bound oxygen. This
causes oxygen deficiency in the body
ADOLESCENCE AND DRUG ABUSE
1. The adolescence period (12-18 years) or teenage
period is a very vulnerable phase of the mental
and psychological development of an individual.
Curiosity, seeking adventure, excitement and
experimentation are some of the main causes of
drug and alcohol abuse in adolescents.
2. The first use of alcohol or drugs may be out of
curiosity or experimentation, but later on, the
child starts using them to escape facing
problems in life.
3. Stress, pressure to excel in academics or
examinations have played a significant role in
persuading youngsters to use alcohol and drugs.
Different media like television, movies,
newspapers, and the internet also help to
promote this perception.
4. One of the factors that have been observed to be
associated with drug and alcohol abuse among
adolescents is unstable or unsupportive family
or peer pressure
Causes of drug and alcohol abuse
The perception among youth that smoking and using drugs or
alcohol is cool or progressive is one of the major causes for
adolescents to initiate these bad habits. There are many
different causes of drug and alcohol abuse, depending on
person to person. The most common causes of drug and alcohol
abuse are listed as follows:

1. Curiosity: The frequent reference of drugs and alcohol in

newspapers, literature, radio and other media makes a person
curious to have a personal experience of the taste of a
particular drug or alcohol.
2. Peer group pressure: A constant description made by friends
about the good feeling creates temptation among the
adolescents. Such inspiration from friends and peer groups act
as a pressure to start with drugs and alcohol.
3. Stress: In many cases, individuals get overwhelmed by their
daily activities, which ultimately leads them to an overdose
of harmful substances and alcohol to get rid of stress.
4. Family history of addiction: Generally, youngsters growing
up in families where alcohol and drug abuse is considered
normal are more prone to fall into drug/alcohol abuse.
5. Higher mental and physical work: Some people use drugs to
increase their working power. Many students use drugs to work
the whole night before examinations.
6. Teenage rebellion: During adolescence, most teenagers rebel
against their parents which results in them abusing drugs and
alcohol to prove a point that they know better
7. Boost confidence: Those who lack self-esteem and
self-confidence may abuse substances and alcohol in order to
boost their confidence.
Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse
It is too obvious that drugs and alcohol can have negative
effects on lives. Although sometimes it may be hard to imagine
that the abuse of these powerful substances can change
everything from one’s body to his bank account. This includes
anything from altered brain chemistry, health complications,
legal issues, financial problems, infections, accidental
injuries, and even death. Some of the negative effects of
drugs and alcohol abuse are given as follows:

1. The immediate and adverse effects of drug and alcohol abuse

can be observed as reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.
2. Excessive use of drugs may lead to coma and death due to
respiratory failure, cerebral haemorrhage or heart failure.
3. Among youth, the most common warning signs of drug and
alcohol abuse include- poor academic performance, frequent
absence from school/college, loss of interest in personal
hygiene, withdrawal, feeling of loneliness, depression,
fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, poor
relationships with family and friends, less or no interest in
hobbies, change in sleeping and eating patterns, the major
change in weight, etc.
4. If an abuser cannot get money to buy drugs/alcohol, he/she
may turn to stealing. They become the cause of mental and
financial distress to their entire family and friends.
5. The persons who take drugs intravenously are likely to
acquire serious infections like AIDS and Hepatitis B. The
pathogens responsible for these diseases are transferred from
one person to another by sharing infected needles and
syringes.
6. The excessive use of alcohol damages the nervous system and
liver (cirrhosis).
7. Alcoholics have a much higher risk of cancer, including
cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum, breast,
pharynx and prostate.
8. Suicide rates among people who are alcoholics and drug
addicts are much higher among other people.

The use of alcohol during adolescence may also have long-term

effects. It could lead to heavy drinking in adulthood. The use
of drugs and alcohol during pregnancy is also known to
adversely affect the foetus.

Those who take drugs intravenously (direct injection into the

vein using a needle and syringe), are much more likely to
acquire serious infections like AIDS and Hepatitis B. The
viruses, which are responsible for these diseases, are
transferred from one person to another by sharing of infected
needles and syringes. Both AIDS and Hepatitis B infections are
chronic infections and ultimately fatal. Both can be
transmitted through sexual contact or infected blood.
Addiction and dependence
A person who is habituated to a substance or a practice is
called an addict. Addiction is a psychological attachment
to effects like euphoria or a temporary feeling of joy and
well-being. Hallucination is also often associated with
drugs and alcohol use. These effects drive people to take
drugs even when these are not needed or even when their
use becomes self-destructive.
Due to repeated use of drugs, the tolerance level of the
receptors present in our body increases. As a result, the
receptors respond only to higher doses of drugs or
alcohol, leading to greater intake and addiction.

In the absence of any guidance and counselling, the person

becomes dependent on their use. Dependence can be said to
be the tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic
and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome when the regular dose
of drugs and/or alcohol is suddenly discontinued.

Withdrawal syndrome is characterised by anxiety,

shakiness, nausea and sweating, that may be suppressed
when started using drugs again.
Sometimes, withdrawal symptoms can be severe or even
life-threatening, and the person may require medical
supervision. Dependence also drives the patient to ignore
all social contacts in order to get sufficient funds to
complete his/her needs. All of these result in several
social adjustment issues.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disorder characterised
by compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful
consequences. It involves changes in the brain's structure
and function, leading to intense cravings and a loss of
control over substance use. Individuals with addiction may
continue to use drugs or alcohol to cope with stress,
emotional pain, or mental health issues, even when they
recognize the negative impact on their lives.

Dependence refers to a state where the body adapts to the

presence of a substance, leading to withdrawal symptoms
when the substance is reduced or discontinued. It is often
characterised by physical and psychological aspects and
can occur without the presence of addiction.

While addiction and dependence often coexist, they can

also occur separately. Not all individuals who are
dependent on a substance will develop an addiction, and
vice versa. However, dependence can be a significant
factor in the progression of addiction. Understanding the
nuances between these two conditions is essential for
effective treatment and recovery strategies.
Prevention and Control of Drug or
Alcohol Abuse
“Prevention is better than cure” holds true here. It is better
to prevent oneself from getting trapped into the trap of
alcohol and drug abuse than to cure it afterwards. Since
alcohol and drug abuse are more in young and adolescent age,
it is important to take remedial measures in time. In this
regard, parents and teachers play an important role for them
to provide proper guidance and counselling.

The following measures would be helpful, particularly for the

prevention and control of drug and alcohol abuse:

1. Avoid undue peer pressure: Every child is unique and has

his/her own choice and personality, which should be respected
and nurtured. A child should not be forced unduly to perform
beyond his/her threshold limits, be it studies, sports or
other activities.
2. Education and Counselling: We need to educate and counsel
the children to face their problems and stresses and to
positively accept disappointments and failures as a part of
life. We should try to channelise the child’s energy into
healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other
extracurricular activities.
3. Seeking help from parents and peers: Help from parents,
peers and close, trusted friends should be sought immediately
so that they can guide appropriately. Besides getting proper
advice to sort out their problems, this would help young
people to vent their feelings of anxiety and guilt.
4. Seeking professional and medical help: A lot of assistance
is available from qualified psychologists, psychiatrists, and
de-addiction and rehabs to help individuals suffering from
drug and alcohol abuse. With their help, the affected
individual, with sufficient efforts and willpower, can get rid
of the problem completely and lead a perfectly normal and
healthy life.
5. Looking for danger signs: Parents and teachers should be
alert and need to look for and identify the danger signs
discussed above. When found that a person is using drugs or
alcohol, close friends should not hesitate to bring this to
the notice of parents or teachers. This would help to begin
proper remedial treatment.

The prevention and control of drug and alcohol abuse requires

a holistic and collaborative approach that engages
individuals, families, communities, and policymakers. By
prioritising education and awareness, we can equip people with
the knowledge and skills needed to make informed choices
regarding substance use. Active parental involvement and the
development of essential life skills further empower youth to
resist peer pressure and cultivate healthier lifestyles.
Summary
Addiction means habitual, psychological, physiological
dependence on a substance (drugs/alcohol) or practice that is
beyond the voluntary control of humans. Drug and alcohol abuse
among youth and adolescents is starting to become another
serious cause of concern all around the globe. The most
commonly abused drugs are opioids, cannabinoids, and coca
alkaloids. Drug and alcohol addiction and dependence are
significant issues that impact individuals and society as a
whole. Addiction is characterised by compulsive drug-seeking
behaviour and use despite negative consequences, driven by
changes in brain structure and function. Key features include
compulsive behaviour, tolerance (needing more of the substance
for the same effect), and withdrawal symptoms when the
substance is not used.Dependence, on the other hand, refers to
a physiological and psychological reliance on a substance.
Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the
presence of the drug, resulting in withdrawal symptoms when
use is reduced or stopped. Psychological dependence involves a
mental reliance on substances for coping with stress or
emotional challenges. Proper education about the harmful
effects of drugs and alcohol, guidance, right counselling and
seeking immediate professional and medical help would totally
help the individual from these increasing evils.
Conclusion
In conclusion, drug and alcohol addiction and dependence
represent complex challenges that require a comprehensive
approach to prevention and treatment. Recognizing the
signs and symptoms of both conditions is vital for
providing appropriate support to those affected. Effective
strategies must encompass medical, psychological, and
social interventions to address the multifaceted nature of
substance use disorders. By fostering awareness and
understanding of addiction and dependence, we can promote
healthier lifestyles and communities, ultimately improving
the overall well-being of individuals struggling with
these issues.

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