“Road accident! Four killed! Driver under influence of alcohol”
“Boy killed father for not giving money”
These lines often hit the news paper headings. These are mainly due to drug abuses. Many people think this is not of their concern and their family members are more good enough that they won’t come across these experiences in their life. But the truth is opposite. Any person at any age can indulge in drug abuse. so all should be aware of drug abuse and drug addiction. In this article I am going to discuss a little bit about drug abuse.
Drug abuse refers to regular intake of substances which are hazardous to our health. These substances vary from prescribed medications, alcohol, cigarettes to narcotic drugs such as cocaine, hashish, heroin etc. The use of these substances also produces a craving or a physical addiction, which leads to regular intake of the drugs. These drugs can be swallowed, sniffed, inhaled, injected, absorbed through skin or dropped into the eyes.
Reasons for people start using drugs
There may be many reasons to start up drug abuse by a person. Many times the company or friends that a person keeps, may be responsible for his habits. Most of the time teenagers pick up these habits under peer pressure. Other than these, emotional reasons such as not being loved, depression, low self esteem, to escape from stress, feeling neglected, stress in the family, bad parenting are some of the reasons for starting up drug abuse. Once there is a start up, many persons change it into a habit, because of a euphoric feeling they get due to seduction, and become a drug addict. Even if they want to get rid of their habits, the withdrawl syndrome never allows them to do so.
Effect of drugs in our body
Any drug once inside the body alters the metabolism of it. These above mentioned drugs intoxicates our circulatory system and affects our central nervous system and the brain. The brain loses its control and produces anxiety depression, changes in mood, insensible decisions etc. The conditions produced by these drugs in our body are irreparable.
Ill effects of drug addiction
Malnutrition, memory loss ,health detoriation, psychotic behavior, aggression, brain damage, lesser reflex actions etc. are some of the ill effects of drug addiction. Apart from this, the drug addict indulges in criminal activities like burglary or prostitution to get money for drugs even they go to the extent of murdering the parent who is refusing to give money. If a pregnant woman is alcoholic then the child will be prone to many diseases. The over of drugs may even cause death.
There are many symptoms physical as well as behavioral, which are common in drug addicts. by which we can easily identify whether a person is under the habit of drug abuse or not. Some of them are Bloodshed eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual.
§ Changes in apatite or sleep patterns
§ Slurred speech ,impaired coordination
§ Sudden weight loss or weight gain
§ Detoriation of physical health
§ Sudden change in friends and hobbies etc.
§ Unexplained need for money or financial problem. may borrow or steal to get it.
§ Engaging in secretive or suspicious behavior.
§ drop in attendance and performance at work or school
Prevention and cure
Always prevention is better than cure. A little bit of attention and love from the side of the family members would the person from indulging in this kind of activities. Speaking freely to the teenagers about every thing in the world reduce the risks of falling victim to this type of abuse.
There are many ways to treat the person if he fall prey to this bad habit. But a physician supervised program is the most appropriate and safe.
So parents and spouses always beware of drug abuse and prevent it.
