Substance Abuse

• Substance abuse – any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for non-medicinal purposes– Use of illegal substances– Misuse of legal substances

• Substance abuse is a leading cause of crime, suicide, and unintentional injuries.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse includes:

Overuse of a drug

Multiple use of a drug

Use of an illegal drug

Use of a drug with alcohol

Substance abuse – any unnecessary or improper use of chemical substances for nonmedical purposes

Illicit Drug Use

• Illegal drug – Chemical substances that people of any age may not lawfully manufacture, possess, buy, or sell

• Illicit drug use – the use or sale of any substance that is illegal or otherwise not permitted– includes the sale of prescription drugs to

those for whom the drugs are not intended

What is the difference between substance abuse

and illicit drug use?

Substance abuse is the unnecessary or improper use of an illegal substance, illicit drug use is the use or sale of illegal substances

Tolerance

• People who abuse drugs can develop tolerance.

• This is a condition in which the body becomes accustomed to the drug and causes the user to experience a need for more and more of the drug to achieve the desired effect.

Dependence

• Psychological dependence – a condition that a person believes they need a drug to feel good or to function normally– Develops over time

• Physiological dependence – user has a chemical need for the drug

Addiction

• Addiction – A physiological or psychological dependence on a drug – Causes persistent, compulsive use of a

substance known by the user to be harmful– Have great difficulty stopping without

professional intervention

Addiction Cycle

The Addiction Cycle

A user takes a drug to experience short-term pleasure.

As the effects of the drug wear off, the user then experiences symptoms of withdrawal.

The user takes the drug again to relieve withdrawal

symptoms and repeat the feelings of short-term pleasure.

Describe the addition cycle?

The user must take more of a substance to achieve the desired effects and prevent withdrawal symptoms.

This pattern if very difficult to stop.

Physical Health

• Once a drug enters the blood stream it can harm a user’s brain, heart, lungs and other vital organs

• Overdose – a strong, sometimes fatal reaction to taking a large amount of a drug

• Needle injections increase risk of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis B

Mental Health

• Drug use leads to changes in thinking and the lowering of inhibitions.

Social Health

• The influence of illegal drug use may cause individuals to behave in ways that go against their values.

• May lose friendships with individuals who choose to live drug-free.

• Relationships with family members may suffer.

• School and legal consequences may also occur

Consequences for the Individual

Teens who use illegal drugs may

stop pursuing interests and goals.

engage in dangerous behaviors.

engage in sexual activity.

act recklessly.

be depressed.

be at risk of suicide.

be involved in violence or crime.

be arrested.

Legal Consequences

• Suspension from school, jail time and probation are all consequences of arrest and conviction

Consequences for Friends and Family

• People who use illegal drugs may stop spending time with friends who value a drug-free lifestyle.

• Family members who feel responsible for their loved ones feel the burden of the emotional and financial costs of drug abuse.

Consequences for Society

• Illegal drug use can result in a rise in drug-related crime and violence.

• Driving while intoxicated (DWI) or driving under the influence (DUI) can result in collisions that cause injuries and deaths.

• Drug abuse costs the economy $160 billion per year

What are some consequences of drug

abuse?

Drug abuse affects all sides of the health triangle: mental, physical and social