Introduction to Drug Use and Drug Abuse

Introduction to drug
use and drug abuse

 It is almost impossible to cover this lesson in detail, as Drug Abuse is a
big issue with many components. In this lesson, we will just focus on the
basics of drugs/substance abuse, how it affects you, and what we can do
about it.
 problem of drug use and abuse is not a new one. For many centuries,
individuals and families have suffered the consequences of drug abuse.
Many young people who had bright futures have fallen to the horrible
effects of drug abuse. Many young sportspeople, music talents, and
performers have unfortunately gotten hooked. Today, because of easy
access to drugs and the pressure on people to be successful in their
professions, the drug abuse situation seems even more widespread than
ever before.
What is a Drug
 A drug is a general term for any substance that changes the physical,
emotional, and mental function of the body. They include tobacco,
alcohol, caffeine, over-the-counter medicines, prescribed medicines as
well as illicit drugs. These substances are known as Psychoactive Drugs
and can change the consciousness, mood, feeling, behavior, and
thoughts of the user.
Are Drug Illegal
 Not all drugs are illegal. If you buy an over-the-counter cough

suppressant in the shop, it is legal, though it can also be abused. Drugs
may be legal in one country, region, state, or city, but illegal in another.
You need to know what your country’s laws on drugs are.
Drug types
 There are different kinds of drugs that do different things. The four
major kinds include stimulants, depressants, opium/pain killers, and
hallucinogens.
Stimulants
 This category includes drugs that speed up the central nervous system
resulting in increased neural activity. Substances in this category make
people feel more alert, active, awake, and euphoric. They may come in
powder, pill, or capsule form. Stimulants are addictive and can be very
dangerous at high doses. Examples of stimulants include caffeine,
cocaine, and ecstasy.
Depressants
 This category includes drugs that produce a sedative effect. These

substances slow down the normal activity that goes on in the brain.
They typically induce sleep or make the user relaxed, mellow and calm.
They are also known as downers or sedatives. Depressants include
alcohol, valium, or sonata.
Pain Killers
 Substances in this category have euphoric effects on the brain. They

produce a euphoric rush, followed by relaxation and pain relief. Drugs in
this group include Morphine, Codeine, Heroin, and Fentanyl. Substances
in this group can be very addictive and dangerous at high doses.
Hallucinogens
 Just like the name suggests, this class of drugs causes hallucinations. It
causes the user to have a distorted perception of reality. A user may
experience intense emotional swings, hear sounds, see things and
experience some feelings that are not real.
 Did you know: Hallucinogens can be found in some plants and
mushrooms!
Why do people use and abuse
drugs?
 To Experiment:
 Especially for teens and young people, they are in that stage of their
lives where they are pushing their boundaries and exploring new things.
They may try a new drug or alcohol or cigarette just to see what it
tastes or feels like.
 To belong:
 Peer pressure makes a lot of young teens do things that they would
normally not do. They want to show their peers how cool they are or
impress them with silly behaviors. They want to belong to a group and
that means they have to do what the group does.
 To feel better:
 Stress, social anxiety, and depression can make people use drugs in a bid to
lessen such negative feelings. Temporary situations like the loss of a job, or a
bad relationship can get people into alcohol abuse. People with health
problems can also get hooked on medications (even if prescribed) to a point
where they depend on them to get along.
 To feel good:
 Most abused drugs, especially stimulants are used because the user may
experience a euphoric feeling followed by relaxation, pleasure, feelings of
power, and confidence. Unfortunately, people don’t think about the risks of
getting hooked and the problems that can come with its abuse.
 To perform better:
 Athletes and many competitive performers people get caught up in
stimulant drug abuse when they use them to get extra power, stay alert,
and chemically improve their performance. Coffee works similarly.
People drink it to stay awake at work and at night to get some work
done. It is illegal to use drugs if you are an athlete.
The stages of drug use and drug
abuse.
Drug-Free
 This state is aspirational, involving a person’s zero use of any

psychoactive drug. Remember, alcohol or even coffee falls under a drug
category, so in a way, very few people can claim to be drug-free.
Experimental Use
 This is usually a one-off or short-term use of a drug. Here, the individual

is just trying it, falling for peer pressure, or wanting to belong to a group.
Sometimes the person uses the drug just because it is available, or just
to satisfy a curiosity
Social or Recreational Use
 This includes an individual’s regular use of the drug for the desired
effect. The individual can control the amounts, when to use them, and
what combinations to use with other substances. There is control here.
The user may consume it alone or in a group.
Emotional Use (Suppressive or
Generative)
 At this stage, the user is looking to generate a mood such as to have
fun, elicit a kind of feeling or emotion. The user may also be looking to
suppress a feeling /emotion /depression or to cope with stress. The
individual may use it privately or sometimes in a group.
Habitual Use
 Frequency is key at this stage. The user is spending more time on the
drug at the expense of school work, social life, and things that the user
used to enjoy. At this stage, their friends or peers are likely habitual
users. The user is now looking forward to using the drug again.
Dependent Use
 At this stage, the user is not in control of the substance. They crave to
use the drug regardless of any possible harmful effect. There are usually
social, health, professional and legal consequences at this stage.
How do drug use and abuse
affect the brain?
 The brain is a vital organ in our bodies. It is the place where every
information in our body is sent for processing. It is also the hub that
connects all other sensory organs.
 Three areas of the brain that drugs can affect are The Brain Stem, The
Cerebral Cortex, and The Limbic System.
 The Brain Stem is the part of the brain that controls vital functions of life
such as breathing, sleeping, and heart rate.
 The Cerebral Cortex functions in two ways, firstly it controls information
from our senses such as sight, hearing, and tasting. Another part
controls problem-solving skills, thinking, decision making, and so on.
 The Limbic System regulates our ability to feel pleasure. It is the reward
circuit that registers pleasure and causes us to pursue more pleasure. In
simple terms, it reminds us of things that feel great to us and behaviors
that bring that feeling. It controls our emotions, feelings, and moods.
 All three parts work together in harmony. Drug use interferes with the
normal way in which our nerves communicate with our brains. Prolonged
drug use disrupts the natural balance of the brain’s functions.
 For example when a person takes a drug for pleasure, the chemicals in
the limbic system surge. The brain remembers that. After the pleasure
effect is gone, the brain remembers that pleasure and wants more. That
feeling to go for more is very strong and the user often has no control of
the situation because the brain has hijacked the person’s checks and
balances mechanism.

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Introduction to drug

use and drug abuse

 Not all drugs are illegal. If you buy an over-the-counter cough

 This category includes drugs that produce a sedative effect. These

 Substances in this category have euphoric effects on the brain. They

 This state is aspirational, involving a person’s zero use of any

 This is usually a one-off or short-term use of a drug. Here, the individual

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