INFLUENCE OF DRUG ABUSE

Tip of the iceberg

            A drug addict is a tip of the iceberg. He is an indicator of a dysfunctional family or broken home.
Drug abuse and the evils that go with it can never thrive in homes where family members live together
happily and in harmony.

Concept of Drug Abuse

            It is themselves or others they abuse not the drugs.

            Where there is a drug addict at home, the family is in turmoil. All members of the family are badly
affected by the presence of a drug addict.

What is experienced at home or the community when a drug addict lives amongst them?

            Fear, resentments, mental distress, feeling of betrayal, suspicions, uncertainties, even criminality.
There is deterioration in relationships.
Newspapers reported parents who massacred their children, fathers raping their own daughters, young
men raping their own mothers, sisters, even grandmothers because they were all under the heavy
influence of drugs of all sorts.

Drug Addiction, Abuse and Dependence

o Drug Addiction – a state of periodic or chronic (continuous) intoxication (drunk) detrimental

to individual and to the society produced by the repeated        consumption of drugs (WHO)
o Drug Abuse simply means that the substance is used in a manner that does not conform to
social norms; the motivation to use the substance may or may not be particularly strong
compared with other motivators. The causes of drug abuse and drug addiction can be the
same, but they are very often much different. Specifically, drug addiction involves the
biological action of a drug on brain reward and motivation systems, while drug abuse often
involves other psychosocial factors with only modest direct effects on brain reward systems.
o Drug dependence, in contrast to the two terms described above, refers to a state where the
individual is dependent upon the drug for normal physiological functioning. Abstinence
from the drug produces withdrawal reactions which constitute the only evidence for
dependence.
 Can physical dependence occur without addiction?

                        Physical dependence often occurs without addiction (e.g., therapeutic use of steroids), and
addiction can occur without appreciable physical dependence (e.g., cocaine).

 Can psychological dependence occur without addiction?

                        Similarly, psychological dependence can occur without addiction (e.g.,    morning coffee
for millions of regular users), but it’s not clear whether addiction ever occurs without psychological
dependence. And drug abuse may or may not be accompanied by drug dependence and addiction.
            In summary, drug addiction describes the motivational strength of substance use; drug
abuse describes the misuse of a substance without explicit reference to motivational strength; and drug
dependence describes the necessity of using a substance to maintain normal psychological and/or somatic
functioning without reference to the motivational strength of the substance use or to whether the
substance use violates cultural norms.
            These three terms have distinctively different meanings although there are obvious and numerous
cases where all three apply to the same drug-use situation (i.e., the individual may be dependent upon a
drug which they abuse because they are addicted).

 Withdrawal (Discontinuation Syndrome)

o What is withdrawal?

            Withdrawal can refer to any sort of separation, but is most commonly used to describe the group
of symptoms that occurs upon the abrupt discontinuation/separation or a decrease in dosage of the intake
of medications, recreational drugs and/or alcohol.

o What is the factor why people tend to experience withdrawal?

            In order to experience the symptoms of withdrawal, one must have first developed a physical
dependence (often referred to as chemical dependency). This happens after consuming one or more of
these substances for a certain period of time, which is both dose dependent and varies based upon the
drug consumed.

o What are the factors that contribute to withdrawal?

            Prolonged use of an anti-depressant is most likely to cause a much different reaction when
discontinued than the repeated use of an opioid, such as heroin. In fact, the route of administration,
whether intravenous, intramuscular, oral or otherwise, can also play a role in determining the severity of
withdrawal symptoms.
Withdrawal from certain drugs (alcohol) can be fatal and therefore the abrupt discontinuation of any type
of drug is not recommended.

o Have you ever heard of the term “cold turkey”?

            The term "cold turkey" is used to describe the sudden cessation use of a substance and the
ensuing physiologic manifestations.

o Signs & Symptoms of Alcohol Withdrawal

            The severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome can vary from mild symptoms such as mild sleep
disturbances and mild anxiety to very severe and life threatening including delirium, particularly visual
hallucinations in severe cases and convulsions (which may result in death). These symptoms appear
characteristically on waking, due to the fall in the blood alcohol concentration during sleep. The severity
of alcohol withdrawal depends on various factors including age, genetics, and, most importantly, degree
of alcohol intake and length of time the individual has been misusing alcohol and number of previous
detoxifications.

o Ever heard of Delirium Tremens?

            Delirium tremens (Latin for "shaking frenzy", also referred to as The DTs, "the horrors," "jazz
hands," "giving the invisible man a handshake" or "the shakes.") is an acute episode of delirium that is
usually caused by withdrawal from alcohol, first described in 1813.
            Cannabis withdrawal is a form of withdrawal associated with the substance cannabis. At one time
cannabis was considered a drug that had no withdrawal symptoms because users did not display
symptoms similar to those withdrawing from alcohol or opiates. Contrary to this, experimental research
supports reports of users who relate evidence of heavy cannabis use producing comparatively mild
psychological and physical withdrawal symptoms.
 
THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE
            The drug addict or abuser is generally an emotionally unstable person before he acquires the habit.
He cannot face painful situations without help; he has less will power and self-control. He has not
adjusted himself to his emotional reaction. Due to this, drug addicts have low capacities for dealing with
frustrations, anxieties and stress.
            Drug abuse is multi-faceted problem that exist in our locality and countryside, there is usually
more than one reason why this problem occurs. Any of the following factors may influence people to
abuse drugs.

 Biological factors

            There are some reasons or pre-existing induced biological abnormalities of chemicals,
physiological or structural in nature that induced a person to take drugs. The following are some to
consider:

1. Individual’s general health – there are several diseases that easily make a person become a
drug abuser. Examples are fatigue, chronic cough, insomnia.
2. It is believed that drug has the special power to prevent and increase sexual capacity.
3. One specific genetic theory proposes that there is an inherited defect in the production of
endorphin, similar to morphine. A deficiency of the substance leads to bodily discomfort.
With the use of morphine, this feeling is induced or disappeared. According to the theory, a
person who uses morphine has the physiological abnormality where endorphin production is
less. The drugs when we use, the body cells work actively.

 Factors in youthful drug abuse

            Psychologically speaking, in terms of motives and function of drug use, some of which may not
be recognized by users themselves. The more a drug is used, the more it tends to satisfy more than one
motive or need.
            Try to ask a drug dependent on the reason why he or she engaged in drug use and he or she will
reveal about curiosity sake. There is the eagerness to explore what they have not experienced. Other
reasons would be:

0. “Pakikisama sake” (Peer group pressure)

1. To feel more courageous
2. To find out more about oneself
3. To satisfy a strong craving or compulsion
 4. To prove their guts
5. Escape from problems
6. Increase or reduce appetite
7. To feel less dull or sluggish and improve sex
8. Improve intelligence or learning
9. Feel less depressed or sad
10. Relieve tension or nervousness
11. To make good mood last longer
12. Relieve anger or irritation

 Personality and pathology

0. Sense of not being taken seriously
1. Narcissism or egocentricity
2. Preoccupation with issues of identity
3. Autonomy
4. Freedom of expression
5. Difficulty in interpersonal relationships

 Family background

            In high addiction areas, the families of adolescent narcotics users showed the following
characteristics:

0. Absent or weak father

1. Overprotective, overindulgent and domineering mother
2. Inconsistent standards of behaviour, lack of definition of limits
3. Hostility or conflict between parents
4. Unrealistic aspiration for children
5. Modelling

 The influence of home

            Parents have a strong effect on delinquency and drug abuse. Children who use drugs come from
troubled environments, including low satisfaction with the family, poor quality of relationships,
communication difficulties, and discipline problems.
            Values, which used to unite people together, are replaced by “normlessness.” Almost always,
parents of drug addicts are psychologically devastated. One ranking police officer confided to me that at
one instance he decided to shoot his own addict son under the guise of resisting arrest after he could no
longer stand the shame brought to the family by his own son’s illegal activities. The timely arrival of the
mother saved the son.
            There are studies to show that drug abuse is linked to domestic violence, not to mention the
various crimes drug abusers commit in the community. And what about the myriads of unimaginable
diseases and mental illness that accompany drug abuse.

o Low Self-Esteem

                        Healthy children are developed from healthy homes. According to studies, children who
are abused tend to be abusive as parents. Although it is possible for children raised in abusive or
neglectful homes to grow up to be         healthy and productive adults, most seriously abused and
neglected children face serious problems.
                        Abused children are robbed of their humanity and because they have never experienced
being loved, they do not know how to show love to others. They become suspicious of those who show
them affection because they were betrayed by people who were supposed to love them when they were
young.

o Modelling

                        Although different factors are being associated with drug abuse, drug usage is more
accurately an imitation of adult behaviour. Young people repeatedly see their parents use liquor, tobacco,
etc., to change their moods or escape from their problems. This is known as modelling.
                        Parents who are seen drinking, smoking, or abusing other kinds of drugs in order to escape
personal problems or have a “good time,” send a clear message to their children that drugs are appropriate
solutions to problems or frustrations.
                        Absence of role models in the family leads children to rely on their peers and other people
for solving their problems.

 Sociological factors
1. Influence of media-advertisement message that all ailment can be cured through
the use of chemical substances that help create the acceptance of drugs.
2. Impact of affluent lifestyle
3. Effect of increased travel and exposure to different culture and social values.
4. The collapse of religious values
5. Alienation and feeling of powerless
6. Lower value on academic achievement
7. They believe that drug can give deeper insights
8. The belief that medicines can magically solve problems
9. The easy access to drug or various sort in an affluent society
10. The enjoyment of euphoria or excitement induced by drugs
11. The belief that they are just taking it like alcohol
12. The tendency of persons with psychological problems to see easy solution with
chemicals
13. The statement of proselytizers who proclaim goodness of drugs
14. Slum condition – the most critical is that slum dwellers are often deprived of
emotional support

DRUG ADDICT PROFILE

 How to Detect Drug Abusers?

            Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug abuse, especially in the
beginning stages can be identical to those produced by conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with
drugs.
            It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions. Some judgments
may only hurt the individual; if he is innocent one may lose his love and trust. Only after observing
calmly and patiently his behavior, appearance and associations, may one pass judgment and act.
            It should also be remembered that a person might have a legitimate reason for possessing a tablet,
syringe and needle (may be a diabetic) having capsules (they may be prescribed by a doctor). Having the
sniffled eyes may due to head cold or an allergy. Unusual or all behavior may not be connected in any
way with drug abuse.

 To detect a drug abuser one should observe the following:

0. Neglect of personal appearance

1. Diminished drive, lack of ambition
2. Reduced attention span
3. Poor quality of school work
4. Impaired communication skills
5. Less care for the feeling of others, lessening of accustomed family warmth
6. Pale face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, wearing sunglasses at wrong
places
7. Change from active to passive and withdrawn behavior
8. Secretive about money, disappearance of money and other valuables at home
9. Friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up when you answer the phone
10. Overreaction to mild conditions
11. Smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like burned rope in the clothes or room
12. Symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, muscular pains, insomnia and
convulsions
13. Presence of drug paraphernalia
14. Laboratory Examination
15. Admission from the addict
16. Wearing long-sleeved shirt or blouses
17. Blood spots around elbow areas
18. Walk, talk and act as if under alcoholic influence
19. Prolonged period of sleep or lethargy, abnormal sleep pattern, nervous, jumpy,
talkative
20. Loss body weight
21. Develop a defiant or contemptuous attitudes towards authority

            Based on the lecture of U.S. expert doctor of medicine, forensic chemist at the London
International Police Academy usually detects drug abusers without too much trouble by means of the
following;

0. Presence of hypodermic needle or tracks on arms and on various parts of the

body. The armed are kept covered.
1. Pinpoint pupils, watery eyes – when addict, is apparently normal they are
contracted when in need of drugs; they are dilated when using synthetics or
cocaine.
2. Urinalysis
3. Pallor – (prison pallor – ashen) sallow complexion
4. Gait – they walk with a stoop
5. Withdrawal Symptoms – they show abstinence syndrome from either slight –
moderate – severe.

Profile or Demographic Character of Drug Addicts in the Country:

 1. Age - mostly adolescents ranging 17 to 21 years of age with a mean age 18 years old.
2. Sex - majority are males but there are also female cases.
3. Civil Status
4. Education Attainment - it showed on the files of DBB rehab centers that 8% have reached
college education and most victims are freshman to second year classes, they have either
dropped out of school and continue drug-taking or have kicked off the habit upon reaching
3rd or 4th call.
5. Occupation - Most are students, only few are gainfully employed, if they are employed, they
use to stay only in a few months or year due to their habits of taking drugs or “Madaling
Magsawa sa Trabaho”.
6. Residence - most live in cities

 
SLANG/STREET NAMES OF VARIOUS DRUGS  
Visit https://www.drugrehab.com/addiction/drugs/street-names-drugs/