ABUSE

ABUSE: This is the ill treatment of people or the overuse or misuse of certain substances that
impair the normal functioning of the body.

Or

This means the cruelty, bad treatment, to put something to wrong use, use badly.

Facts about abuse

 Abuse can take place at home, the police service, at school, within the legal system and
even in churches.

 All age groups and both sexes are at risk of abuse.

 Abuse happens across all socio-economic classes [poor, middle class, and among the
rich, educated and uneducated, all tribes, all races and all religious groupings].

 Both men and women abuse children.

 Abusers are usually known to the child. These include people like parents, brothers,
sisters, uncles, grandparents, family friends and baby sitters.

 Many sexual offenders threaten and manipulate their victims into submission and
silence.

TYPES OF ABUSE
There are two types of abuse, namely;

a) Human related abuse: In this type of abuse, the abuser uses physical force and harsh
words to cause pain and discomfort.
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Examples include: Sexual abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse and child neglect.
Other types of human related abuse include; child abuse [it involves physical or mental
abuse to a child by an older person or people]; parental abuse [a child beating parent,
biting parent or making threats]; mental neglect [failure to attend to or talk to the child
or partner]; family violence [physical abuse of family members by one of the family
members]; elderly abuse and violence[emotional or physical abuse of the aged by
younger people].
 b) Substance abuse: Refers to misuse, inappropriate or excessive use of substances such
as drugs, alcohol and other habit forming or mind altering substances.

Examples include: Alcohol abuse and drug abuse.

HUMAN RELATED ABUSE

Type of abuse Physical indicators Behavioral indicators

Sexual abuse: this involves a -Bruises on the private parts if -Excessive masturbation or
range of sexual behavior that the victim is a child. insertion of objects into
the adult expects to lead to orifices.
-Blood stains on underwear.
sexual arousal of either or
-Difficulty sleeping, relaxing.
both parties. This could be
talking in an erotic way, being -Eating disorders.
shown pornographic
literature or films, caressed -Passive and withdrawn, or
and fondled to excite, and any clingy and fussy.
inappropriate contact with
-Bed wetting.
genitals.
-Sexual behavior with other
children.

-Obsessive/self destructive
behavior.

-Fearfulness or excessive
anxiety.

-Running away from home.

-Low self esteem.

-Drug and alcohol abuse. Page1

-Promiscuity or prostitution.

Emotional abuse: it happens NONE -Sleep disorders.

when an individual uses harsh
-Severe anxiety or depression.
words when communicating
with others. This kind of -Failure to thrive.
abuse is difficult to detect but
seriously damaging. Words -Withdrawal/apathy, crying
commonly used include; jags.
stupid, fool, etc
-Fearfulness, unprovoked
-Embarrassing or withholding yelling/screaming.
warmth and affection from
-Eating disorders.
somebody.
-Drug and alcohol abuse.
-Not showing interest on what
one wants to communicate. -Suicidal tendencies.
-Criticizing ` when he/./]\she -Difficulty maintaining
has made a mistake. relationships.

-Complain of many
unsubstantiated physical
ailments such as headache,
nausea.

-Aggression.

Physical abuse: it is a non- -Unexplained bruises or -Withdrawn.

accidental injury or harm to abrasions on the face, lips
-Negative attempts to get
someone, this will include gums, eyes, torso, back,
attention.
hitting the child excessively buttocks, back of legs.
often to relieve frustration or -Concentration difficulties.
-Unexplained burns.
stress, or for the wrong
somebody has committed. -Aggressive, destructive.
-Unexplained fractures/
dislocations. -Bedwetting, low self esteem.
-Wounds in various stages of -Runs away from home or
healing. reluctant to go home.
-Malnutrition. -Inappropriately seeks Page1
affection and attention.

-Frequently behaves in a way

that provokes punishment.

-Uses abusive language.

Child neglect: this is a chronic -The child is dressed -Failure to thrive.

and serious omission on the inappropriately for the season
part of the parent or guardian or the weather. -Demonstrates lack of
that results in physical harm attachment to parents.
-Extremely dirty and
to the child. The parent or
unbathed. -Engages in delinquent acts or
guardian fails to attend to the
abuses alcohol or drugs.
child’s basic needs like -Is left unattended for longer
shelter, food, education, periods of time than is
clothing, medical attention normally accepted.
and/or leaving a child without
supervision. This should be -Does not receive medical
distinguished from poverty, attention when needed.
where there is genuine lack of
-Malnourished.
resources.
-Lacks adequate shelter.

EFFECTS OF HUMAN RELATED ABUSE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INDIVIDUAL

SOCIAL WELLBEING

- Can lead to family break down or divorce

- Fear and mistrust of the abuser may be developed
- Can lead to lack of trust for other people
- One can isolate themselves from other people leading to them being lonely

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING

- Loss of concentration on activities

- Low self esteem can be developed
- The person may become mentally disturbed
- A person may become suicidal Page1

PHYSICAL WELLBEING

- It can lead to permanent scars and injuries

- Can lead to death
- Can lead to diseases like STD’s in the case of sexual abuse

ECONOMICAL WELLBEING
 - Can lead to financial problems in the case where the person or the family has to pay for
medication for the abused.
- Loss of job if found guilty of being abusive.

Interventions/ Measures in place to help the abused

 Report to the police [sexual and physical abuse]
 Counseling- empowering the victim to negotiate to end the violence [all types of abuse]
 Help can be obtained from social workers, medical services.
 Creating networks for support for victims. Eg, home visits to provide emotional support,
as well as health and parenting education.
 Educate children on their rights.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance abuse: this kind of abuse involves the use of mind altering chemicals that can cause
changes in the way one’s body and mind works.

ALCOHOL

It is a liquid substance containing the hydroxyl group (OH) that has the potential to alter the
normal functioning of the body. It includes a number of drinks such as beer, wine and distilled
spirits. Alcohol is a depressant. At first it makes the person feel high, lowers the central nervous
system and the heart rate.

USE OF ALCOHOL

- As a disinfectant to kill microbial cells

- As a social drink
- For experiments.eg: testing for fats
- As an anesthetic for making people’s bodies to feel numb during operations.
- Used for many household products such as perfumes.

WHY PEOPLE DRINK ALCOHOL Page1

- It reduces tension levels

- It induces pleasant feelings and therefore it is considered a source of happiness
- Drinking allows one to socialize with others more freely due to the inhibition brought by
alcohol.

HOW TO HELP ALCOHOLICS

 - Counseling by professionals
- Detoxification
- Self help groups
- Rehabilitation in severe cases

DRUGS
DRUGS: These may have effects as they are of many types.

a) Licit/legal drugs: drugs bought legally eg. Caffeine, nicotine.

b) Illicit/illegal drugs: harsh, ecstasy, cocaine, steroids and heroin.

A chemical substance that when taken changes the way the person feels, thinks and acts. Some
drugs are legal and illegal when not prescribed. Some drugs are legal but to certain limitations,
like tobacco. Legal or illegal, drugs can be abused, leading to addiction.

Drug abuse: Drug use that impairs the users’ wellbeing

TOLERANCE: The need to use more and more drugs to get the original effect

DRUG DEPENDANCE: physical dependence is when a person is compelled to continue the use
of drugs in order to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Psychological dependence means a person
continues to use drugs in order to satisfy their strong desire for drugs. Despite the knowledge
that drug are dangerous, one continue to use them because they depend on them.

REASONS FOR USING DRUGS

- Experimentation: Finding out how one will feel when using a certain drug.
- Peer pressure / conformity: To get approval from others so that they can like you.
- Rebelliousness: Teenagers like doing things that they have been told not to do
- Media influence: The media make the use of drugs to appear to be a smart act in movies
and advertisements Page1
- Parental influence: Some parents abuse drugs and children end up copying the behavior
later in life.
- Dealer pressure: People who sell drugs put pressure on potential buyers so that they
buy the drugs. They can do so by reducing the prices
- Desire to change physical appearance: There is a wide range of drugs used for hair
growth, skin lightening, slimming, gaining and loosing of weight. These are mostly
abused with the hope to get the desired effect quickly.
How drugs are availed to users

- They are smuggled into the country in different ways.

- Planted at backyards
- They are sold over the counter at drug stores.

SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE

- Withdrawal from other people and the activities that one used to love.
- Stealing money and goods to purchase drugs
- Mood swings
- Loss of appetite
- Aggression
- Change in appearance
- Lack of personal hygiene
- Unusual smells
- Change in sleeping patterns
- Change in things that one used to enjoy
- Change in friends
- Drug tools around the house
- Failing health
- Poor performance at school and work

TYPES OF DRUGS

1. NARCOTICS/OPIATES
They slow down the central nervous system. Users feel drowsy, relaxed, and do not
care. They have the same feeling as a heavy drinker. If overdosed, they can lead to coma
or possibly death.

2. SEDATIVES/DEPRESSANTS Page1
They make parts of the body feel numb or unconscious usually during operations so that
they are done without feeling any pain. They induce a very heavy sleep and slow down
the activity of the brain. Eg, dagga, mandrax, heroin.
3. STIMULANTS
Intended to increase the central nervous system activation and behavioral activity.
Examples are cocaine and caffeine
4. HALLUCINOGENS
 They have a great effect in the person’s mental and emotional functioning and lead to
distortion in sensory and perceptual behavior. Example: marijuana
5. STEROIDS
People use them to make their bodies bigger, stronger and faster. Excessive use may
result in hallucination; long effect may result in liver diseases, cancer and heart attack.
6. INHALANTS
These substances are sniffed. They include glue and nail polish. They make the user to
feel dizzy and light headed.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG ABUSE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF

THE INDIVIDUAL

SOCIAL WELLBEING
- It brings stigma to the family as excessive drinking is regarded as negative social
behavior
- Children are embarrassed by their parents’ behavior
- There is frequent violence towards the innocent members of the family
- There is communication problems in the family
- The marital relationship is strained
- The rate of suicide particularly among teenagers is increased.
- Accidents due to alcohol abuse are increased

ECONOMICAL WELLBEING

- There is bound to be stealing by abusers if they do not have money for the next dose.
- Individuals become poor and poorer with every take of alcohol or drugs
- Financial problems, because drugs are usually expensive.

PSYCHOLOGICAL WELLBEING

- Alcohol and drug abuse may led to disturbance of the normal functioning of the mind
- Abusers rarely make rational decisions and very aggressive at times. Page1

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

- Chronic drinkers may loose control of their bodily functions and can wet their clothes or
soil them as they lose bladder and bowel control.
- Most drug abusers have stunted growth
- Abusers age quickly because most of the time their skin is dehydrated, therefore they
become wrinkly.
 - Loss of physical coordination. Problems with the ability to control their movements.
- Likelihood of contraction of STD’s if syringes are shared or engaging in unprotected sex.
- In the case where a pregnant mother abuses alcohol, the child may be born with fetal
alcohol syndrome. Symptoms include; behavioral problems, heart defects, irritability,
seizures, small head, short jaw, speech problems, short attention span, low birth weight,
hyperactivity, etc.

HELP FOR DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTS

- Withdrawal/ stopping
- Shaming technique
- Counseling
- Detoxification
- Self help groups
- Rehabilitation
- Exclusion from the environment where they can get drugs.

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