Drug and Alcohol Abuse- Causes, Effects and Prevention

You might have heard or read the signs like ‘Smoking causes cancer’, ‘Smoking kills’ or ‘Liquor drinking is injurious to health’. Drug and Alcohol Abuse is rising these days. But, have you ever wondered why it is advertised so often?

Addiction means habitual or physiological dependence on a substance (e.g., drugs and alcohol) or practices beyond humans’ voluntary control. Surveys and statistics show that the use of alcohol and drugs has been on the rise, especially among the youths. This is a cause of concern as it may lead to various harmful effects. In this article, we will learn what drug and alcohol abuse are and how these are harmful to society, especially youths worldwide.

What is Drug and Alcohol Abuse?

Drug and alcohol abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain. The chemicals or compounds which are used to cure certain diseases are known as drugs. There are various categories of drugs like depressants and stimulants. Some of the drugs work as sedatives, and others act as hallucinogens. Regular use of these drugs may cause drug addiction in humans as they become habituated to it.

On the other hand, alcohol abuse or alcohol misuse is a pattern of drinking too much alcohol too often. It can lead to alcohol dependence or alcoholism. Too much alcohol at one time can also cause alcohol poisoning and other serious health issues. Drug and alcohol abuse is a very common issue that our society is facing today. This addiction can cause serious and harmful health issues to humans. Teenagers are more susceptible to getting into these habits.

Fig: Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

Understand The Classification Of Drugs Here

Commonly used Drugs and Alcohols

Types of Drugs: The most commonly abused drugs are opioids, cannabinoids, and coca alkaloids. The majority of these drugs are obtained from flowering plants, while some are obtained from fungi. Some of the commonly used drugs are mentioned below:

1. Opioids: These are the drugs that bind to the specific opioid receptors present in our central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. They suppress brain activity and relieve pain. They are also called painkillers. Opioids are the drugs that include illegal drugs like heroin and pain relievers available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others.
a. Heroin commonly called smack and chemically called diacetylmorphine is a white, bitter, odourless, crystalline compound. It is produced by acetylation of morphine that is extracted from the latex of the poppy plant Papaver somniferum. It is generally taken by snorting and injection; heroin acts as a depressant and slows down body functions.
b. Morphine is another very effective sedative and painkiller. It is very useful for patients undergoing surgery. Many patients are often addicted to morphine which can even lead to death also. For example, famous pop star Michael Jackson died because of an overdose of morphine and propofol.

2. Cannabinoids: These are the drugs that interact with the cannabinoid receptors present in our brains. Natural cannabinoids are obtained from the plant Cannabis sativa. The flower tops, leaves and the resin of cannabis plants are used in different combinations to produce marijuana, charas, hashish and ganja. Generally taken by inhalation and oral ingestion, these drugs affect the cardiovascular system of the body. Currently, cannabinoids are also abused by some sportspersons.

3. Coca alkaloid: Coca alkaloid or cocaine is obtained from the coca plant Erythroxylum coca found in South America. It interferes with the transport of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Cocaine also called coke or crack, is usually abused by snorting. It has a powerful stimulating action on the central nervous system, producing a sense of euphoria and increased energy. An excessive dosage of cocaine causes hallucinations.

Fig: Commonly used Drugs

Types of Alcohols: The most common types of alcohol that are used are wine, whisky, rum, brandy, tequila, vodka, etc. According to a study, over 88 % of Indians aged under 25 purchase or consume alcoholic beverages even though it is illegal. This was despite bans on alcohol in some states across the country and limitations on sales in some others.

Adolescence and Alcohol and Drug Abuse

1. The adolescence period (12-18 years) or teenage period is a very vulnerable phase of the mental and psychological development of an individual. Curiosity, seeking adventure, excitement and experimentation are some of the main causes of drug and alcohol abuse in adolescents.
2. The first use of alcohol or drug may be out of curiosity or experimentation, but later on, the child starts using them to escape facing problems in life. 
3. Stress, pressure to excel in academics or examinations have played a significant role in persuading youngsters to use alcohol and drugs. Different media like television, movies, newspapers, and the internet also help to promote this perception.
4. One of the factors that have been observed to be associated with drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents is unstable or unsupportive family or peer pressure.

Addiction of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

A person who is habituated to a substance or a practice is called an addict. Addiction is a psychological attachment to effects like euphoria or a temporary feeling of joy and well-being. Hallucination is also often associated with drugs and alcohol use. These effects drive people to take drugs even when these are not needed or even when their use becomes self-destructive.
Due to repeated use of drugs, the tolerance level of the receptors present in our body increases. As a result, the receptors respond only to higher doses of drugs or alcohol, leading to greater intake and addiction.

Fig: Addiction of Drug and Alcohol

The use of these drugs even once can be a forerunner to addiction. Hence, the addictive potential of drugs and alcohol drives the user into a vicious circle leading to their abuse from which one may not be able to get out.

In the absence of any guidance and counselling, the person becomes dependent on their use. Dependence can be said as the tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome when the regular dose of drugs and/or alcohol is suddenly discontinued.
Withdrawal syndrome is characterised by anxiety, shakiness, nausea and sweating, that may be suppressed when started using drugs again.

Sometimes, withdrawal symptoms can be severe or even life-threatening, and the person may require medical supervision. Dependence also drives the patient to ignore all social contacts in order to get sufficient funds to complete his/her needs. All of these result in several social adjustment issues.

Causes of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

The perception among youth that smoking and using drugs or alcohol is cool or progressive is one of the major causes for adolescents to initiate these bad habits. There are many different causes of drug and alcohol abuse, depending on person to person. The most common causes of drug and alcohol abuse are listed as follows:

1. Curiosity: The frequent reference of drugs and alcohol in newspapers, literature, radio and other media makes a person curious to have a personal experience of the taste of a particular drug or alcohol.
2. Peer group pressure: A constant description made by friends about the good feeling creates temptation among the adolescents. Such inspiration from friends and peer groups act as a pressure to start with drugs and alcohol.
3. Stress: In many cases, individuals get overwhelmed by their daily activities, which ultimately leads them to an overdose of harmful substances and alcohol to get rid of stress.
4. Family history of addiction: Generally, youngsters growing up in families where alcohol and drug abuse is considered normal are more prone to fall into drug/alcohol abuse.
5. Higher mental and physical work: Some people use drugs to increase their working power. Many students use drugs to work the whole night before examinations.
6. Coping with the death of a loved one: In most cases, individuals who faced the pain of losing a loved one can fall into the trap of addiction. Drugs and alcohol is an easy way out of the sad reality for those dealing with the pain.
7. Teenage rebellion: During adolescence, most teenagers rebel against their parents which results in them abusing drugs and alcohol to prove a point or to show their parents that they know better.
8. Boost confidence: Those who lack self-esteem and self-confidence may abuse substances and alcohol in order to boost their confidence.

Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

It is too obvious that drugs and alcohol can have negative effects on lives. Although sometimes it may be hard to imagine that the abuse of these powerful substances can change everything from one’s body to his bank account. This includes anything from altered brain chemistry, health complications, legal issues, financial problems, infections, accidental injuries, and even death. Some of the negative effects of drugs and alcohol abuse are given as follows:

1. The immediate and adverse effects of drug and alcohol abuse can be observed as reckless behaviour, vandalism and violence.
2. Excessive use of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, cerebral haemorrhage or heart failure.
3. Among youth, the most common warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse include- poor academic performance, frequent absence from school/college, loss of interest in personal hygiene, withdrawal, feeling of loneliness, depression, fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, poor relationships with family and friends, less or no interest in hobbies, change in sleeping and eating patterns, the major change in weight, etc.
4. If an abuser cannot get money to buy drugs/alcohol, he/she may turn to stealing. They become the cause of mental and financial distress to their entire family and friends.
5. The persons who take drugs intravenously are likely to acquire serious infections like AIDS and Hepatitis B. The pathogens responsible for these diseases are transferred from one person to another by sharing infected needles and syringes.
6. The excessive use of alcohol damages the nervous system and liver (cirrhosis).
7. Alcoholics have a much higher risk of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, oesophagus, liver, colon, rectum, breast, pharynx and prostate.
8. Suicide rates among people who are alcoholics and drug addicts are much higher among other people.

Fig: Alcoholism

Prevention and Control of Drug or Alcohol Abuse

“Prevention is better than cure” holds true here. It is better to prevent oneself from getting trapped into the trap of alcohol and drug abuse than to cure it afterwards. Since alcohol and drug abuse are more in young and adolescent age, it is important to take remedial measures in time. In this regard, parents and teachers play an important role for them to provide proper guidance and counselling.

Fig: No Drugs

The following measures would be helpful, particularly for the prevention and control of drug and alcohol abuse:

1. Avoid undue peer pressure: Every child is unique and has his/her own choice and personality, which should be respected and nurtured. A child should not be forced unduly to perform beyond his/her threshold limits, be it studies, sports or other activities.
2. Education and Counselling: We need to educate and counsel the children to face their problems and stresses and to positively accept disappointments and failures as a part of life. We should try to channelise the child’s energy into healthy pursuits like sports, reading, music, yoga and other extracurricular activities.
3. Seeking help from parents and peers: Help from parents, peers and close, trusted friends should be sought immediately so that they can guide appropriately. Besides getting proper advice to sort out their problems, this would help young people to vent their feelings of anxiety and guilt.
4. Seeking professional and medical help:  A lot of assistance is available from qualified psychologists, psychiatrists, and de-addiction and rehabs to help individuals suffering from drug and alcohol abuse. With their help, the affected individual, with sufficient efforts and willpower, can get rid of the problem completely and lead a perfectly normal and healthy life.
5. Looking for danger signs: Parents and teachers should be alert and need to look for and identify the danger signs discussed above. When found that a person is using drugs or alcohol, close friends should not hesitate to bring this to the notice of parents or teachers. This would help to begin proper remedial treatment.

Summary

Addiction means habitual, psychological, physiological dependence on a substance (drugs/alcohol) or practice that is beyond the voluntary control of humans. Drug and alcohol abuse among youth and adolescents is starting to become another serious cause of concern all around the globe. The most commonly abused drugs are opioids, cannabinoids, and coca alkaloids.

The addictive nature of alcohol and drugs and their perceived benefits, such as temporary relief from stress or pain, causes a person to try taking these in order to face peer pressure, examination-related and competition-related stresses. In doing so, they might get addicted. Proper education about the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, guidance, right counselling and seeking immediate professional and medical help would totally help the individual from these increasing evils.

FAQs

Q.1. What do you mean by drug abuse?
Ans: Drug abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating pleasurable effects on the brain. The chemicals or compounds which are used to cure certain diseases are known as drugs.

Q.2. How can drugs/alcohol affect your life?
Ans: If one uses alcohol or drugs for a long time, it can lead to serious mental and physical issues. Drugs can make a person unwell and more likely to try and harm himself or even suicide. There is also some evidence that using certain drugs may lead to mental illness in the first use itself.

Q.3. What are 4 risk factors for addiction to drugs and alcohol?
Ans: Home and family, peer pressure, social stress and availability of drugs are 4 risk factors for addiction to drugs and alcohol.

Q.4. What is the effect of drug/alcohol abuse in adolescents?
Ans: The effects of drug and alcohol abuse among adolescents include- poor academic performance, frequent absence from school/college, loss of interest in personal hygiene, withdrawal, feeling of loneliness, depression, fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behaviour, poor relationships with family and friends, less or no interest in hobbies, change in sleeping and eating patterns, the major change in weight, etc.

Q.5. What are the effects of drugs and alcohol on health?
Ans: Excessive use of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, cerebral haemorrhage or heart failure—the excessive use of alcohol damages the nervous system and liver (cirrhosis).

Learn About Uses of Alcohol Here

We hope this article on Drug and Alcohol Abuse helps you in your preparation. Do drop in your queries in the comments section if you get stuck and we will get back to you at the earliest.