ADDICTION AND NEGATIVE EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE IN HUMAN BODY

 

DRUGS.

   Drugs are chemical substances used as medicine, narcotic, or stimulant which bring about changes in the functions of the body. Drugs have both psychological and physiological effects in human body.

    Normally drugs are taken to alleviate pains and fight diseases. However drugs are sometimes abused, eg. drugs used for wrong therapy, taken without a need, or wrong dose or use of drugs for non-medical reasons.

Psychoactive Drugs.

  Are drugs that affect central nervous system. They produce false sense of well being and relief of someone from tension, anxiety, stress and pain.

Types Of Psychoactive Drugs.

1.      Stimulants: stimulate or excite the nervous system. They speed up brain activities and body processes. They facilitate attention (being awake eg miraa), increase motivation, performance and efficiency. Example cocaine, heroin, and nicotine.

-common and less dangerous are caffeine from coffee, tea and cola.

-others are marijuana (bhang), miraa (Khat), cannabis.

2.      Sedatives:  Are sleeping inducing , slow down brain, anaesthetic effect, inducing the feeling of cheerfulness, happiness and pleasure (releasing depression).

-Examples; Valium, mandrax, alcohol.

       Depressants-sedatives.

        Tranquillisers – calming.

        Berbituarates- relaxants.

3.      Pain killers; suppress pain centres in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). They may cause brain damage.

4.      Inhalants; are volatile solvents which are used as intoxicating drugs. Eg. compounds of glue, kerosene, toluence and petroleum.

5.      Hallucinogens: they distort the way the brain interprets impulse, disturbance in coordination and movement.

-Illusion: brain altering message about something real.

-Hallucinations: brain may produce image with no basis in reality. Sometimes the users see vivid images and have feeling of well being. They (users) may show signs of mental illness, ie. confusion, violence, fear, and depression.

-Examples are lysergic acid diethylamide, mescaline and phencyclidine.

-          Others are cannabis (marijuana, hashish, bhang, charas and ghanja).

6.      Narcotics: They depress cortex in the brain, hence they dull the senses and relieve pain(they cause one to sleep or feel very relaxed). They bring deep sense of well being, reduction of fear and warm sensation of the stomach because they affect the thalamus ( the body’s mood- regulating centre.).

n  Examples of opiates derived from opium.

-Codeine- to relieve pain and suppress cough.

-Morphine- to dull severe pain.

-Heroine –is stronger and more addictive than other opiates, is not used in medicine.

Forms Of Drug Taking.

1.      Intravenous. Is injecting a chemical into the vein.

2.      Inhalation : is inhaling volatile solvents like petrol, glue or paint.

3.      Oral; taking drug through mouth.

4.      Smoking; taking drug through smoking like marijuana (bhang or ganja).

5.      Sniffing; taking drug by sniffing through the nose, eg. cocaine.

 Drug Abuse Or Drug Misuse And Addiction.

Drug abuse is the indiscriminate and excessive use of psychoactive drugs for non-medical reasons with no regard to their side effects.

Addiction  (drug addiction); is the state of dependence caused by regular use of psychoactive drugs.

Withdrawal; is the painful reaction when drug is discontinued. It may cause severe tremors, sweating, and anxiety. It may also progress to physical illness (ailments) like cramps, muscle pains, nausea vomiting, nausea and convulsion.

Tolerance; is the condition in which large doses of drugs are needed to produce the desired results.

Types Of Drug Addiction.

1.      Psychological or mental addiction; person thinks that his/her well being depends on the drugs and is unable to stop taking it ie user has an emotional need.

2.      Physical addiction; the body needs the drug in order to work properly. If there is no drug the person suffer severe pain and withdrawal symptoms.

Addicted people; can not live properly without drug unless they get proper help from educated people in the clinics or institutions. They need proper counselling, mental and physical treatment.

Measures To Control Drug Abuse.

1.      Avoid taking any drug without doctor’s prescription.

2.      Keep off from peer pressure and addicted people.

3.      Be principled and say no to anyone who offers the drug to you.

4.      Use your leisure time properly, eg. games, sports and hobbies.

5.      Inform community leader or police of any use or trafficking of drugs.

6.      Form counselling club to educate people on how to keep off from drugs (education on proper use of drugs)

7.      Addicts should seek help from health officials.

8.      If medicine (Sleeping pills) does not bring improvement, consult the doctor. Do not overdose.

Reasonable Use of Drugs.

1.      All medicines be taken according to doctor’s prescription.

2.      Complete the dose as prescribed by doctor.

3.      Medicine that cause allergic reactions should not be taken.

4.      Drugs are taken with lots of water but NOT alcohol. Water help to excrete harmful substances in the body.

5.      Pregnant and breast feeding mothers should avoid taking medicine unless absolutely necessary and prescribed by the doctor.

6.      Avoid unnecessary use of some antibiotics(over-dose or under-dose make the drug powerless and pathogens resistant to it).

7.      If medicine does not bring improvement consult the doctor.

8.      Keep all medicine out of reach of children.

Reasons For Taking Drugs;

1.      Medical reasons- cure of diseases.

2.      Desire to satisfy curiosity about the effects of drugs.

3.      Pressure from peer  group (sense of belongingness to certain group)

4.      Desire to have new experience.

5.      To escape from reality of life, ie. hunger, poverty, family quarrels.

6.      To draw attention and resist the feeling of neglect.

7.      To be accepted by the members of peer group.

8.      For recreational and excitements purpose.

9.      To do away from unpleasant feelings and memories.

10.  Used as stimulants.

Effects Of Drug Abuse  (Excessive Use).

                         Health Hazards:

1. Cigarette smoking can lead to lung cancer and heart diseases.

2. Bhang affects reproductive system by attenuating rate of sperm production.

3. Alcohol cause brain damage.

3.      Some drugs (like miraa) causes ulcers and rotten teeth.

4.      Many drugs affect the brain and give false sense of happiness.

5.      Many drugs lead to addiction (physical and psychological) and withdrawal.

6.      Some drugs (sleeping tablets) may lead to kidney damage.

7.      When overused, most drugs lead to damage of body organs like brain, heart, lungs and kidney.

8.      Pregnant women can affect their unborn baby.

   Socio-Economic Hazards of Drug Abuse:

1. Drug addicts fail to concentrate at work (poor outcome).

2. Drugs weaken our bodies- poor development of the society.

3. Addicts indulge in irresponsible behaviour which can lead to unwanted pregnancies, STD’s and HIV/AIDS.

4. Student addicts mostly drop out of school or absent themselves.

5. May lead to traffic offences and accidents eg alcohol..

6. Economic burden to others as the addicts do not work.

7. Drug addiction can lead to marriage breakdown.

8. Drug addiction lead to more crime.