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Today’s topic is drug abuse drug abuse also called substance abuse is an illness that is characterized by a destructive patterned use of illegal or legal drugs or medication the condition affects the person’s brain and behavior such that they are unable to control the use of the drug to the point that it interferes with their ability to function the drug user
Consumes the substance in amounts or with methods that are harmful to themselves or others some of the most commonly used drugs are alcohol cocaine opioids benzodiazepines cannabis barbiturates amphetamine hallucinogens inhalants club drugs and other substances there are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem keeps increasing at an alarming
Rate especially among young adults under the age of 30 drug abuse can cause long-term damage to the body drug addicts who use needles are at a greater risk of having hiv and hepatitis b and c infections people start to use drugs for so many reasons some people start with the experimental use of recreational drugs out of curiosity to have a good time or because
Friends are doing it for others drug abuse begins with exposure to prescribed medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed the medications particularly with opioids over time you may need larger doses of the drug to get high and as drug use increases it may get extremely difficult to go without the drug an attempt to stop the drug may cause intense
Cravings as well as getting physically ill in 2015 substance use disorder resulted in three hundred and seven thousand four hundred deaths highest numbers are from alcohol use disorders around one hundred and thirty seven thousand five hundred opioids use disorder as one hundred and twenty-two thousand one hundred deaths cocaine use disorders has eleven thousand
One hundred deaths and amphetamine use disorder as 12 thousand two hundred deaths causes each drug produces different physical effects on the brain however repeated use of a drug can alter the way in which the brain functions including the way the brain feels pleasure the addicting drug use causes changes in your brain that interferes with the ability to think
Control your behavior and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs it is because of this change in the brain that it is so challenging for an addicted person to stop taking drugs like many mental disorders drug abuse has no single cause many factors may contribute to the development of drug addiction the main factors are genetics environmental factors
Such as parental abuse or neglect family beliefs exposure to peer groups that encourages drug abuse other factors that may affect the likelihood and speed of developing a substance addiction may include psychological problems such as depression anxiety bipolar disorder as well as personality disorders peer pressure early use of drugs unstable home environment
Poor relationship with parents inadequate supervision over adolescence activities poor achievement in school symptoms a regular urge to use drugs daily or even several times a day recurrent substance use that prevents the user from meeting significant daily responsibilities at work home or school recurrent drug use in physically dangerous situations withdrawal
Symptoms at every attempt to stop drug use an unsuccessful trial of decreasing or controlling the use of the drug cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use continual use of the drug even though the person is aware of recurring physical or psychological problems caused or worsened by drug use they need to keep or maintain a supply of
The drug spending more money on the drug even though one can’t afford it doing things you wouldn’t do such as going to the extent of stealing to get the drug diagnosis and treatment a thorough evaluation that includes an assessment by a psychiatrist psychologist or licensed alcohol and drug counselor may be required for diagnosis blood urine or other lab tests are
Used in assessing drug use but they do not serve as a diagnostic test for substance abuse treatment with the right treatment and support it is possible to counteract the disruptive effect of drug use and regain control of your life the primary goals of treatment are abstinence relapse prevention and rehabilitation treatment options may include chemical dependence
Treatment programs detoxification behavioral therapy support from friends family doctor support groups or an organized treatment program may help to overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free thank you for watching our video please do not forget to like and share the video also please subscribe to the channel to stay updated on our latest videos
Transcribed from video
Drug Abuse, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. By Medical Centric
