Anjali Arora - 5 Steps To Prevent Addictions & Abuse

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5 Steps to

Understand and Prevent Addiction and Abuse

2013, Dr. Anjali Arora

ISBN 978 81 207 7982 2
E-ISBN 978 81 207 9181 7

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R ecreational, prescription drugs or drugs over the counter are used freely. The negative effects or addiction of these drugs may not be experienced by all habitual users. On the other hand, many substance users undergo drug effects, affecting their lives at home, work or school. Their personal and professional relationships also tend to get strained.

Drug abuse and addiction is not about the amount or frequency of substance consumed. Its importance lies in the side effects of drug consumption and in turn, their consequences. Addiction is characterized by an intense and at times an uncontrollable drug craving. In the young, usage of drugs can produce adverse body reactions, but the hard fact of all drug usage is that it alters the brain function.

Besides drugs, addiction can also be of drinking and smoking. To quit any of them is a task. The earlier an individual gets into these habits, the more difficult it becomes to keep away from them. Abuse is not only of drugs. Verbal abuse is common and can accompany physical battering. It kills the spirit, self esteem and confidence of a partner when abused by the other. Abuses and Addictives of any kind are best kept at a distance. A peaceful life and co-existence with ones fellow being does not need any interplay of these man-made evils.

1 Awareness of Drug Usage and Alcohol

Detect the level of your awareness about drug usage and alcohol.

Legal intoxication is defined by which level of blood alcohol concentration is

a. 0.05 to 0.09%

b. 0.08 to 0.15%

c. 1.5 to 2.0%

Excessive drinking of coffee can cause

a. Tuberculosis

b. Insomnia, headache

c. Sleep walking

Heroin is an opiate derived from

a. Synthetically

b. poppy plant

c. coffee plant

Alcohol is fermented from

a. Plant leaves

b. Grains, fruits and vegetables

c. Honey

Tobacco in cigarettes normally contains

a. Cocaine

b. Nicotine

c. Husk

The more times you tick (b) more is your awareness about drug usage and alcohol.

2 Understanding Drug Use, Abuse and Addiction

The first step towards success is taken when you refuse to be captive of the environment in which you first find yourself.

Mark Caine

The word drug is defined as any substance that, when taken into the living organism, may modify one or more of its functions (WHO).

Drug abuse is defined as self-administration of a drug for non-medical reasons, in quantities and frequencies which may impair an individuals ability to function effectively. It also may result in social, physical and emotional harm.

Drug dependence is an interaction between a living organism and a drug. Responses present are those which always include a compulsion to take the drug on a continuous or periodic basis in order to experience its psychic effects or to avoid the discomfort of its absence. A person may be dependent upon more than one drug.

Addiction

Addiction affects multiple brain circuits including those involved in motivation and learning. It can affect memory function. Addiction is a complex disorder affected by compulsive drug use. While each drug produces different physical effects, all abused substances share one thing in common: repeated use can alter the way the brain looks and functions.

Vulnerability to drug addiction differs from person to person. Genes, mental health, family and social environment all play a role in addiction. Risk factors that increase vulnerability in an individual include:

Family history of addiction

Abuse, neglect, or other traumatic experiences during childhood

Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety

Early use of drugs

Method of administrationsmoking or injecting a drug may increase its addictive potential

Drug abuse and addiction

People who experiment with drugs continue to use them because the substance either makes them feel good, or stops them from feeling bad. In many cases, however, there is a fine line between regular use, drug abuse and addiction. Very few addicts are able to recognize the fact that they have crossed that line. While frequency or the amount of drugs consumed do not in themselves constitutes drug abuse or addiction, they are often indicators of future drug-related problems.

As the drug usage increases over time, the drug also gradually becomes more important for the user - If the drug fulfills an inner need, the user increasingly relies on it. Drugs are often taken to help calm an anxious or stressed user. A depressed individual also tends to feel energized after the drug intake. It makes him/her more confident in social situations. Prescription drugs are initially given to cope with panic attacks or relieve chronic pain. On prolonged usage they become habitual.