Drug abuse, and addiction to drugs represent significant public health issues. These terms are often used interchangeably because they all refer to the inappropriate use of legal substances such as prescription medication, tobacco, and alcohol, as well as the use of illegal drugs. In this article, we will explore more on drug abuse.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse refers to the non-medical use of drugs, which involves using them excessively, in a wrong manner, or becoming addicted to them, despite the potential social, psychological, and physical consequences that may arise. Drug abuse is a serious problem that simulates individuals, families, and society in general. Drug abuse can lead to negative effects, including physical, and mental problems, social isolation and financial difficulties.
How does Drug Abuse Affect Society
The Impact of drug abuse on Society is vital. It can lead to increased crime and reduced productivity and higher healthcare expenses. Drug abuse has resulted in a huge number of deaths in recent years. The effects are vast and astonishing, as seen in the need for increased police presence and jail staffing due to a rise in substance abuse-related crimes, terrorism, robbery, and rape, requiring additional funding from the community.
How do People abuse drugs?
There are several reasons why people abuse drugs; which include:
- Loneliness: When people do not have regular social contact, they may experience a sense of disconnection from their loved ones, which can lead them to resort to drugs in an attempt to alleviate their feelings of loneliness and find a sense of comfort.
- The ‘feel good’ feeling: Numerous individuals find pleasure in the impact of drug use, which they describe as a sensation of euphoria or well-being. As a result, they may fail to recognize the potential harm of drug abuse and justify its continued use based on the positive emotions it generates.
- Experimental reasons: Young people often feel a sense of curiosity about the effects of drug use, which may lead them to experiment with drugs. While this may seem innocuous, it can be a common precursor to developing an addiction.
- Over dose: The quest to heal fast or overcome certain feelings may make an individual to take drugs more than been required.
How to Prevent Drug Abuse
Preventing drug abuse is important to protect individuals and society from unfavorable outcomes of drug abuse. The ability to handle peer pressure effectively is crucial.
- Control peer pressure: The primary reason why teenagers resort to using illegal drugs is due to the influence of their peers. It is human nature to avoid being excluded, and adolescents, as well as some adults, may feel compelled to participate in activities that they would otherwise avoid just to belong. To counteract this, individuals must either seek out a more positive social circle that does not engage in harmful behavior or learn how to refuse these negative influences. Teenagers can develop a list of excuses or create a plan in advance to resist temptation and avoid giving in to undesirable situations.
- Investigate every risk factor: It’s important to thoroughly evaluate all potential risk factors. By being conscious of the biological, environmental, and physical risk factors that apply to you, you increase your chances of successfully overcoming them. Some examples of risk factors include a family history of substance abuse, residing in a social environment that promotes drug use, and being exposed to drug abuse within your family. Parents and community leaders can play an effective role in preventing drug abuse in society, by promoting a healthy lifestyle and providing helping hands to those struggling with addiction.
How to stop drug abuse
Stopping drugs abuse requires a comprehensive approach that corrects the cause of addiction. Support groups and peer networks can also provide a corroborating environment for individuals struggling with drug addiction.
In addition, replacing drug addiction with hobbies, seeking professional help to manage stress is also crucial. This is particularly important because stress can not only contribute to the development of addiction but also trigger a relapse.
Studies have shown that stress can lead to changes in the brain that are similar to those caused by addictive drugs. As a result, individuals who experience high levels of stress are at a greater risk of developing substance abuse disorders or relapsing into drug abuse. Moreover, those who have already struggled with addiction tend to be more susceptible to stress.
There are several effective methods for managing stress, such as regular exercise, reading, dancing, volunteering, or engaging in relaxing activities like gaming.