Causes Of Drug Abuse

What are the 3 Major Causes of Drug Abuse?

Drug abuse simply refers to addiction to illicit drugs like for instance, any performance enhancing drug or any psychoactive drug for non-medical reasons effect. Some of these drugs include alcohol, cocaine, opium, heroin, etc.

The usage of such drugs generally leads to criminal liability and penalty and also physical, social and mental damage, or even both. Largely based on the kind of drug, the use of these drugs generally leads to range of issues from death, to psychological and physical dependence, unprotected sex, suicide, accident, violence, etc.

What is the Differences Between Use, Abuse, and Addiction?

The term “Use” means an appropriate consumption or amount of either alcohol or some other drug.

The appropriate use of some type of a chemical means that the consumer is using the chemical at:

1. The appropriate time

2. In an appropriate place

3. In the proper quantity.

It involves the using the drug in a way that it was meant to be used and by an individual defined as appropriate consumer.

When a minor uses alcohol or any other non-prescribed drug that either alters his/her mood, it is considered abuse.

Performance Enhancing Drugs

Performance enhancing or enhancement drugs are a type of drug that can be taken for increasing one’s personal performance. These drugs are basically different types of steroids taken by athletes who are genuine professionals.

These drugs are recognized as a threat and certain testing and screening procedures have been developed to be used on athletes on a regular basis to determine if they have any of these drugs in their blood stream. All of these enhancement drugs have been banned.

Anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis within cells, which results in the buildup of cellular tissue, especially in muscles.

Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse in Our Societies is Dangerous

The discussion Drug abuse has become a source of daily news on the radio, television and in the newspapers. Drug abuse has reached a frightening proportion and it affects every sector of our society.

Drugs, which are intended to help or cure a person’s ailments, are being abused by people across all over. People are using drugs which were not prescribed for them by a pharmacist or a doctor.

There are lots of dangers in drug abuse. The families of drug abusers endangered the lives of their parents, siblings and even relatives and friends, because of self medication.

Addiction

Addiction is an age old phenomenon that has existed for centuries, the only difference being in how it is acknowledged. People have and always will have some type of physical and/or psychological dependence on some form of external stimulant to provide them with gratification, enjoyment and satisfaction.

When a person’s dependency on a certain activity or a substance becomes obsessive then it becomes an addiction.

Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse

What are the Differences between Drug Addiction and Drug Abuse?

A drug problem is an everyday struggle of not only the user, but also the user’s family, friends, or a special loved one. You may not instantly determine or realize that someone you care about is having problem with drugs.

People involved with drug problems think that drug addiction and drug abuse are basically the same thing, and should just be used interchangeably. But actually they are both different terms with different meanings.

Drug Addiction:

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse is defined as overindulgence and dependence on a toxic chemical/drug, which directly affects the human nervous system, behavior and various body functions. These substances or drugs have detrimental effects on the mental and physical health of an individual.

Some of the substances that are abused include: tobacco, alcohol, addicting medicines and heroin etc.

People may start using drugs or indulge in substance abuse for fun, due to peer pressure, curiosity or any other reason, but due to this act, the society has to pay a significant cost.

Reasons Why People Abuse Drugs and Alcohol

There are many reasons why people abuse either drugs or alcohol or both.

1. People who suffer from anxiety, bipolar disorder, depression or other mental illnesses use drugs and alcohol, thinking it will help to ease their suffering.

Mental illness is a burden for some people they will try just about anything to relieve the pain.

Drug or alcohol use can temporarily make the person feel ‘normal’ again.

Mental illness can be scary for the individual who experiences it. They are afraid to go to a doctor or family member for help. They turn to drugs or alcohol to try and solve the problem on their own.

Addictive Drugs

Most people are not aware of what the most addictive illegal drugs are and only believe the myths and rumors associated with them.

People are misguided because they have never taken the time to read about the illegal drugs.

It is very evident there is a major problem with illegal drugs. Rarely does a day go by that either on the news or in the newspaper, there is mention of illegal drug activity, such as: drug busts, death from overdose, etc.

Addictive illegal drugs and the extreme treatments necessary to overcome these addictions:

Substance abuse or drug abuse, refers to a pattern of use of a substance (drug) and the individual does not believe they will become dependent on it.

Substance abuse/drug abuse is not limited to just mood-altering or psycho-active drugs.

Activity is also considered substance abuse when inappropriately used, such as using steroids for performance enhancement in sports. Substance abuse often includes problems with impulse control.

The term drug abuse does not exclude dependency, but is otherwise used in a similar manner in non-medical contexts.