Drug abuse or substance abuse is a disorder characterized by excessive use of the habit-forming drugs and misuse of over the counter medicine, the illegal use of drugs which in turn leads to severe addiction and dependence with so many negative conclusions. Drug abuse addiction is a chronic illness with relapse rates similar to those of hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. And it refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain.
There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30. Apart from the long term damage to the body drug abuse causes, drug addicts who use needles are also at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C infections.
Drugs of abuse are usually psychoactive drugs that are used by people for various different reasons which may include:
Curiosity and peer pressure, especially among school children and young adults The use of prescription drugs that were originally intended to target pain relief may have turned into recreational use and become addictive Chemicals may be used as part of religious practices or rituals Recreational purposes As a means of obtaining creative inspiration
Drugs most often associated with this term include: alcohol, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, hallucinogens (although there is no known psychedelic, one of the three categories of hallucinogens, that has been found to have any addictive potential), methaqualone, and opioids. The exact cause of substance abuse is not clear, but there are two predominant theories: either a genetic predisposition or a habit learned from others, which, if addiction develops, manifests itself as a chronic debilitating disease.[2]
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF DRUG ABUSE OR MISUSE ?
The misuse of illicit drugs can cause varying risks to your health, both psychologically and physically on a short and long term basis. The long-term dangers include:
Addiction
Depression
Liver failure and kidney damage
Unpredictable behaviour, which can:
Lead to injuries and fatalities in some cases
Affect social life and families
Affect educational future
Nausea, confusion, hallucinations and paranoia
Loss of appetite and malnutrition
Cardiovascular problems, including:
Increased blood pressure
Increased heart rate
Constricted blood vessels
Heart attack and heart failure
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