Substance Abuse Overview
People suffer and commit substance abuse with drugs, alcohol, and tobacco for a variety of reasons, and the expense to society is astronomical. The toll for the substance abuse devastation can be witnessed at any hospital emergency room through direct damage to health by substance abuse and its link to physical trauma. Jails and prisons compute daily the strong connection between crime, drug dependence and substance abuse. Surveys show a decline in drugs like cocaine but increase in heroin abuse and prescription drug addiction.
Finding effective addiction treatment for and prevention of substance abuse has been difficult. Through research, we now have a better understanding of the behavior. Studies have made it clear that drug education and prevention aimed at children and adolescents offers the best chance to curb substance abuse on a national level.
Current trends in substance abuse are staggering and with the number of people abusing prescription drugs and could possibly be unaware of an addiction problem these trends are speculation as to an accurate number. There are untold tens of millions of people addicted and actively committing substance abuse.
Substance abuse produces intoxication that alters judgment, perception, attention, or physical control. Common drugs involved with substance abuse is, alcohol, cigarettes, cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin and many prescription drugs.
Many substances can bring on withdrawal-an effect caused by cessation or reduction in the amount of the substance used. Withdrawal can range from mild anxiety to seizures and hallucinations. Drug overdose may also cause death. Nearly all these drugs also can produce a phenomenon known as tolerance where you must use a larger amount of the drug to produce the same level of intoxication.
Substance abuse involving cigarettes has the primary culprit nicotine as the addicting chemical But cigarette smoke contains thousands of other chemicals that also damage health. Hazards include heart disease, lung cancer and emphysema, peptic ulcer disease, and stroke. Withdrawal symptoms of smoking include anxiety, hunger, sleep disturbances, and depression.
Smoking is responsible for nearly a half million deaths each year. Tobacco use costs the nation an estimated $100 billion a year, mainly in direct and indirect health care costs.
Types of Substance Abuse
Alcohol Substance Abuse: Although many people have a drink as a "pick me up," alcohol actually depresses the brain. Alcohol lessens your inhibitions, slurs speech, and decreases muscle control and coordination, and may lead to alcoholism. Substance abuse with alcohol can cause depression and anxiety and can lead to misdiagnosis resulting in prescription drugs as a form treatment.
Substance Abuse and alcohol withdrawal can cause anxiety, irregular heartbeat, tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. In its severest form, withdrawal combined with malnutrition can lead to a life-threatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs). Alcohol is the most common cause of liver failure in the US. The drug can cause heart enlargement and cancer of the esophagus, pancreas, and stomach.
In addition to its direct health effects, officials associate alcohol abuse with nearly half of all fatal motor vehicle accidents. The total economic cost of alcohol abuse was hundreds of billions of dollars.
Substance abuse and marijuana (also known as grass, pot, weed, herb): Marijuana comes from the plant Cannabis sativa, and is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United States. The plant produces delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient associated with intoxication. Marijuana resin, called hashish, contains an even higher concentration of THC.
Marijuana is usually smoked, but it can also be eaten. Its smoke irritates your lungs more and contains more cancer-causing chemicals than tobacco smoke. Common effects of marijuana use include pleasure, relaxation, and impaired coordination and memory.
Often, substance abuse with marijuana is associated with increased risk of abusing more powerful and dangerous drugs such as cocaine and heroin. The risk for progression to substance abuse with drug like cocaine is 104 times higher if you have smoked marijuana at least once than if you never smoked marijuana.
Substance abuse and cocaine (also known as crack, coke, snow, rock): In 1997, an estimated 1.5 million people abused cocaine in the United States.
Derived from the coca plant of South America, cocaine can be smoked, injected, snorted, or swallowed. The intensity and duration of the drug's effects depend on how you take it. Desired effects include pleasure and increased alertness.Short-term effects also include paranoia, constriction of blood vessels leading to heart damage or stroke, irregular heartbeat, and death. Severe depression and reduced energy often accompany withdrawal. Both short- and long-term substance abuse of cocaine has been associated with damage to the heart, the brain, the lung, and the kidneys.
Substance abuse and heroin (also known as smack, horse): Heroin use continues to increase. A 1998 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse indicated 2.4 million Americans used heroin, including 81,000 new users in 1997. Officials see increased use mainly among people younger than 26 years, often women. In 1997, 87% of heroin users were younger than 26 years, compared to 61% in 1992. Effects of heroin substance abuse and intoxication include drowsiness, pleasure, and slowed breathing. Withdrawal can be intense and can include vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, confusion, aches, and sweating. Heroin overdose may result in death from decreased breathing. Because heroin is usually injected, often with dirty needles, substance abuse with heroin can trigger other health complications including destruction of your heart valves, HIV/AIDS, infections, tetanus, and botulism.
Substance abuse and methamphetamine (also known as meth, crank, ice, speed, crystal): Substance abuse with methamphetamine has also increased, especially in the West. Methamphetamine is a powerful stimulant that increases alertness, decreases appetite, and gives a sensation of pleasure. Methamphetamine can be injected, snorted, smoked, or eaten. It shares many of the same toxic effects as cocaine-heart attacks, dangerously high blood pressure, and stroke. Substance abuse with methamphetamine and the subsequent withdrawal often causes depression, abdominal cramps, and increased appetite. Other long-term effects include paranoia, hallucinations, weight loss, destruction of teeth, and heart damage.
Substance abuse and club drugs: The club scene and rave parties have popularized an assortment of substance abuse with other drugs. Many young people believe these drugs are harmless or even healthy.
Substance Abuse and ecstasy (also called MDMA, Adam, STP): This is a stimulant and hallucinogen used to improve mood and to maintain energy, often for all-night dance parties. Long-term use may cause damage to the brain's ability to regulate sleep, pain, memory, and emotions.
Substance Abuse and GHB (also called Liquid XTC, G, blue nitro): Once sold at health food stores, GHB's effects are related to dose. Effects range from mild relaxation to coma or death. GHB is often used as a date-rape drug because it is tasteless, colorless, and acts as a powerful sedative.
Substance Abuse and Rohypnol (also called roofies, roche): This is another sedative that can be used as a date-rape drug. Effects include low blood pressure, dizziness, abdominal cramps, confusion, and impaired memory.
Substance abuse and Ketamine (also called Special K, K): This is an anesthetic that can be taken orally or injected. Ketamine (Ketalar) can impair memory and attention. Higher doses can cause amnesia, paranoia and hallucinations, depression, and difficulty breathing.
Substance abuse and LSD (also called acid, microdot) and mushrooms (also called shrooms, magic mushrooms, peyote, buttons): Popular in the 1960s, LSD has been revived in the club scene. LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, numbness, nausea, and increased heart rate. Long-term effects include unwanted "flashbacks" and psychosis (hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and mood disturbances).
Substance abuse and PCP (also known as angel dust, hog, love boat): PCP is a powerful anesthetic used in veterinary medicine. Its effects are similar to those of ketamine but often stronger. The anesthetic effects are so strong that you can break your arm but not feel any pain. Usually, tobacco or marijuana cigarettes are dipped into PCP and then smoked.
Substance Abuse Causes
Substance abuse with substances such as cigarettes, alcohol, and illegal drugs may begin in childhood or the teen years. Certain risk factors may increase someone's likelihood to engage in substance abuse. Factors within a family that influence a child's early development have been shown to be related to increased risk of substance abuse and drug addiction.
• Chaotic home environment
• Ineffective parenting
• Lack of nurturing and parental attachment
Factors related to a child's socialization outside the family may also increase risk of substance abuse and drug addiction.
• Inappropriately aggressive or shy behavior in the classroom
• Poor social coping skills
• Poor school performance
• Association with a deviant peer group
• Perception of approval of drug use behavior
Substance Abuse Symptoms
Friends and family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse and or possible drug addiction and the need for addiction treatment. Early recognition increases chances for successful substance abuse treatment or drug rehabilitation.
Signs to watch for include the following:
• Giving up past activities of interest such as sports, homework, or hanging out with new friends
• Declining grades
• Aggressiveness and irritability
• Forgetfulness
• Disappearing money or valuables
• Feeling rundown, hopeless, depressed, or even suicidal
• Sounding selfish and not caring about others
• Use of room deodorizers and incense
• Paraphernalia such as baggies, small boxes, pipes, and rolling paper
• Getting drunk or high on drugs on a regular basis
• Lying, particularly about how much alcohol or other drugs he or she is using
• Avoiding friends or family in order to get drunk or high
• Planning drinking in advance, hiding alcohol, drinking or using other drugs alone
• Having to drink more to get the same high
• Believing that in order to have fun you need to drink or use other drugs
• Frequent hangovers
• Pressuring others to drink or use other drugs
• Taking risks, including sexual risks
• Having "blackouts"-forgetting what he or she did the night before
• Constantly talking about drinking or using other drugs
• Getting in trouble with the law
• Drinking and driving
• Suspension from school or work for an alcohol or drug-related incidents
Substance Abuse, Substance Abuse Treatment and Drug Rehabilitation
Most addicts with a substances abuse problem believe they can stop abusing drugs on their own, a majority who try do not succeed. Research shows that long-term drug use alters brain function and strengthens compulsions to use drugs. This craving continues even after your drug use stops.
Because of these ongoing cravings, the most important component of treatment is preventing relapse. Treating substance abuse depends on both the person and the substance being used. Behavioral treatment provides you with strategies to cope with your drug cravings and ways to avoid relapse.
AddictionWatch.com
When in need of substance abuse treatment or looking for the right addiction treatment center, it is important to consider all the facets of drug addiction or substance abuse and realize there drug rehab programs out there that do not necessarily have the best interest of you or you’re loved one at heart.
Most substance abuse treatment centers offer one of four types of drug or alcohol rehabilitation programs that vary in cost, length and most importantly success. These programs offer many different kinds of treatment for the recovery of addicts, like inpatient treatment, outpatient rehab, detox facilities, and sober living homes. Inpatient addiction treatment is generally designed for addicts who require more intensive treatment from their addictions where they will reside with supervision and counseling from certified addiction treatment professionals. Outpatient addiction treatment is usually for those addicts who have less severe addictions and might achieve success in a drug rehabilitation program with a few addiction counseling sessions a week for several hours, then return home at the end of the day. Detox is the first step in recovering from addiction to alcohol and benzodiazepines and offered at some addiction treatment centers, but only those with medical equipment and staff on hand to handle the safe detoxification of addicts in a comfortable environment.
For more information about substance abuse, substance abuse treatment, addiction and addiction treatment centers, please feel free to explore our website. If you have questions about your drug use or that of a loved one, please call us at 1-866-989-4499. We are here to help!
