Abuse of drugs or substances refers to using them to produce a positive effect on the brain in the form of a joyful feeling. Approximately 190 million individuals worldwide are addicted to drugs, and the prevalence of this problem is frighteningly rising, particularly among young adults under 30. So far, a total of $215 billion has been allocated to the fight against the negative impacts of substance abuse on society. This amount considers missed pay, medical bills, legal fees, and psychological damage (Dryden-Edwards, 2022). Many groups have significantly contributed to preventing or significantly lessening drug misuse in various communities.
Abuse is possible with virtually any chemical as long as its consumption produces a euphoric mood in the user (often referred to as a “high”). Many people are aware of the court cases that include illegal substances like cocaine and cannabis, as well as legal substances like alcohol. Even in modern times, there are a lot of applications of inhalants that aren’t very well understood, such as in household cleaners and medicines like cold treatments. Substances and drugs kinds such as the following are among those that are frequently abused by people and to which they can develop an addiction:
This category of drugs includes both legally produced methamphetamine as well as illegally produced substances such as amphetamine, dextroamphetamine, and methylphenidate, which can be found in prescription medications such as Ritalin Focalin, and Concerta (Dryden-Edwards, 2022). If an excessive amount of these substances are consumed, the user may experience convulsions and pass away.
Cannabis, also referred to as tetrahydrocannabinol most commonly goes by the name marijuana. It is the most widely used illegal substance, with 14 million persons aged 12 or older claiming to have used it three years before the survey (Dryden-Edwards, 2022). The fact is that cannabis is frequently combined with other psychoactive substances so that drug traffickers may make more money from the combined product (Dryden-Edwards, 2022).
A class of pharmaceuticals that are abused most frequently by weightlifters and other athletes; these chemicals can have terrible psychological adverse effects such as fury and anxiety, in addition to long-term physical side effects that can be severe and even fatal, such as infertility and damage to organs (Dryden-Edwards, 2022).
People use these medicines to give themselves the feeling of being energetic and active and to give them the ability to carry out their everyday activities in an active manner. They include beverages like coffee, caffeine, and many other substances. They do not pose a significant threat to one’s health, but they are highly addictive and can deplete or weaken the body if they are unavailable.
Because their effects on the human body are not very harmful, these medicines are abused frequently without the users being aware that they are doing so.
This particular stimulant is unique. It is a highly addictive drug that maintains one’s state of alertness at all times. It results in increased activity as well as heightened awareness. It exerts its influence over the brain by increasing a person’s sensitivity to touch, making them extremely happy, and even making them angry in an unhealthy way. Some people can have chronic headaches and even sex issues due to it. In addition to that, it can lead to problems with the heart and possibly the lungs.
On the other hand, one does not simply wake up and decide to start using narcotics. People are pushed to abuse drugs in various ways, all of which play a significant role. Environmental variables can be considered to be among these causes or contributors to the problem of drug misuse. We are referring to poor company, familial influence, social position, work life, and possibly a lack of appropriate advice from parents, to name just a few examples, among many others. These things can push someone over the edge into drug abuse, whether they want to do it or not.
The biological aspect of a person is another reason, albeit rather uncommon, that can lead to their becoming addicted to drugs. Because of a genetic predisposition inherited from their parents, some people end up abusing drugs to an unhealthy degree (Ignaszewski, 2022). Although it does not occur very frequently, the repercussions are devastating if it does. If one does not understand how to control it and gets carried away with it, for that matter, it might be exhausting.
Age is one of the many factors that, more often than not, play a role in drug abuse. When people are still adolescents, they are most likely to try drugs for the first time. Because of this, the brain becomes dependent on drugs, making it difficult, or more accurately exceedingly difficult, to give up narcotics. This is the most common reason many people become addicted to drugs. Because they were first exposed to drugs at such a young age, some people even go so far as to check themselves into rehabilitation facilities to kick their habit (Ignaszewski, 2022). It’s possible that being lonely is one of the factors that drive people to start misusing drugs. Some people turn to drugs to alleviate the boredom and sense of isolation they experience.
However, several approaches can be taken to combat drug abuse. Consultation with a qualified physician is one approach, and it’s also the most typical one. It is common knowledge that one should seek advice from a therapist or any other kind of specialist. Most drug addicts seek treatment at rehabilitation centers, typically exposed to a regimen designed to wean them off of substance abuse over time.
Treatment could also consist of maintaining a balanced diet and engaging in frequent physical activity. It helps alleviate tension, and as a result, the mind can concentrate on more important and productive things than drugs. One must be self-disciplined and prepared to give up drug use to accomplish this. Those who medicate themselves with medications as a response to stress could benefit from talking to loved ones (Ignaszewski, 2022). It’s possible that letting things out will be an excellent stress reliever for you. It helps to liberate the mind, which removes attention from potentially harmful choices such as consuming drugs.
In conclusion, substance misuse is a persistent problem that continues to wreak havoc on the younger generation and the elderly in their later years. It’s a pattern of behavior that might be challenging to break for certain people. The consequences of drug abuse should be brought to people’s attention as much as possible. People should also be informed on the means and ways out of this drug usage problem they currently face. The abuse of drugs has become widespread over time, and the three categories have seen the most abuse. The best way to combat this problem is to impose severe penalties on those caught dealing drugs or using them themselves.
Dryden-Edwards, R. (2022). Drug abuse & addiction definition, treatment, causes, symptoms. MedicineNet. https://www.medicinenet.com/drug_abuse/article.htm
Ignaszewski, M. J. (2021). The epidemiology of drug abuse. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 61, S10-S17. https://accp1.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/jcph.1937