DRUG ABUSE Risk Factor

Are you struggling with a drug problem that’s -Family history of addiction-Abuse, neglect, or other
spiralled out of control? If so, you may feel isolated,
helpless, or ashamed. Or perhaps you’re worried about
a friend or family member’s who use drug. In either
case, you’re not alone. Addiction is a problem that
many people face.
• Drug abuse/ Addiction - is defined as a
compulsive, uncontrollable dependence on a
substance, behaviour, or practice to such a
degree that cessation causes severe
emotional, mental, or physiological reactions.
(Medical Surgical Nursing , p 166)
How addiction develops?
The path to drug addiction starts with
experimentation. You or your loved one may have tried
drugs out of curiosity, because friends were doing it, or
in an effort to erase another problem. At first, the
substance seems to solve the problem or make life
better, so you use the drug more and more.
While each drug of abuse produces different
physical effects, all abused substances share one thing
in common. They hijack the brain’s normal pathways
and alter the areas of the brain responsible for self-
control, judgment, emotional regulation, motivation,
memory, and learning.
Substance that are commonly abused
Marijuana
Scientific name: Cannabis sativa
- generally rolled into cigarettes; Breakdown products
of marijuana are not readily eliminated from the body
but remain in the fatty acid of the brain. This residue
results in synaptic gaps that can delay electrical brain
waves.
Cocaine
- the drug may be sniffed into the nose, smoke, or
injected intravenously. The drug increase the BP, PR,
RR, Temperature of the user. Chronic inhalation of the
drug may cause ulceration in the mucous membrane of
the nose and the injection of the drug may cause
HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis.
traumatic experiences in childhood
-Mental disorders such as depression and anxiety
-,Early use of drugs
WARNING Signs of Teen Drug Use
• Being secretive about friends, possessions, and
activities.
• New interest in clothing, music, and other
items that highlight drug use.
• Demanding more privacy; locking doors;
avoiding eye contact; sneaking around.
• Skipping class; declining grades; suddenly
getting into trouble at school.
• Missing money, valuables, or prescriptions.
• Acting uncharacteristically isolated, withdrawn,
or depressed.
• Using incense, perfume, or air freshener to
hide the smell of smoke or drugs.
• Using eye drops to mask bloodshot eyes or
dilated pupils.
•
Prevention of Drug Abuse
• Drug addiction is a preventable disease.
Results from NIDA-funded research have
shown that prevention programs that involve
families, schools, communities, and the media
are effective in reducing drug abuse.
• Although many events and cultural factors
affect drug abuse trends, when youths
perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce
their drug taking.
• It is necessary, therefore, to help youth and the
general public to understand the risks of drug
abuse and for teachers, parents, and
healthcare professionals to keep sending the
message that drug addiction can be prevented
if a person never abuses drugs.
“Once TASTED always WANTED”

Caffeine
Scientific name: 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine
-substance can increase alertness, nervousness,
irritability, insomnia, increase HR, RR and BP.

Nicotine

can cause cancer of the: lungs, mouth, larynx,

esophagus , stomach, pancreas, bladder, prostate,
cervix