Substance Use and Abuse

Submitted To
Ms. Makhrukh Waqar
Submitted By
Fatima Mearaj Ali
Hoor-ul-ain
Tehreem Khalid
Sidra Anwar
 Substance Use And Abuse
Substance abuse is
excessive
consumption or Deliberate and
misuse of substance, indiscriminate use of
for the sake of it non- natural and chemical
therapeutic effects on substances for non
the mind or body, medical purpose.
especially drugs or
alcohol.
Taking drugs that are
not prescribed by
medical officer.
 What is harmful use ?
• Health officials consider substance use as
crossing the line into substance abuse if that
repeated use causes significant impairment,
such as:
1. Disabilities
2. Failure to meet responsibilities
3. Health issues
4. Social issues
5. Impaired Control
 Key points

Withdrawal
Dependency

Craving

Tolerance Intoxication
 Intoxication
• This is a set of behavioral and psychological
changes that takes place as a result of drugs
on the CNS
• E.g. when a person uses some type of drugs
s/he is likely to experience sleepiness,
drowsiness, diminished attention, aggression
etc.
 Substance Dependence
• Substance dependence also known as drug
dependence is an adaptive state that develops
from repeated drug administration, and which
results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug
use
1. Physical Dependence
2. Psychological Dependence
 Physical Dependence

• In physical dependence the body adjusts to the

substance and incorporates it into its usual
functioning, as reflected in the phenomenon of
tolerance and withdrawal.
• When a person has a chemical need for the
drug
 Psychological Dependence

• Psychological dependence involves feeling

compelled to use the substance for its pleasant
effect
• Example, strong cravings for the substance or
behavior and difficulty thinking about anything
else
 Withdrawal
• Withdrawal is the combination of physical and
mental effects
• That a person experiences after they stop
using or reduce their intake of a substance
• Such as alcohol and prescription or
recreational drugs.
Withdrawal Symptoms
 Tolerance
• Tolerance is defined as the diminishing effect
of a medication following repeated
administration at a certain dose.
• Tolerance may be a negative finding, such as
when a drug loses effectiveness over time,
• Can also be positive, such in the case of
allergy shots (desensitization), it's the
development of tolerance that's responsible for
the effectiveness of the treatment.
 Causes of Substance abuse
• Substance abuse is a complex problem that is
influenced by number of factors.
• There is no way to predict who will become
addicted to drugs, but a combination of influences
can increase a person's risk of developing an
addiction.
1. Genes
2. The presence of other mental health conditions,
developmental factors,
3. Environmental influences all play a role.
 Biological Factors
• A person’s genes, ethnicity, gender, and the
presence of mental health disorders may all
increase the risk of developing an addiction.
• In fact, according to the Cleveland Clinic,
nearly two-thirds of people in treatment
programs for addiction are men.1
 Environment
• A person’s environment—such as
experiencing abuse or neglect during
childhood
• Peer pressure during adolescence,
• Curiosity and Adventure
• To rebel against Authority
• Easy available and accessibility
• Divorced or separation
 Psychological Factors
• To escape from emotional problems, e.g.
financial, marital, responsibilities etc.
• Elevated level of stress
• Inadequate coping mechanisms
• Reinforcement of alcohol use from other
drinkers
• To relieve boredom
• Loss of loved ones
 Age
• There are specific ages that make a person more
likely to develop a substance use problem.
• Adolescence is a particularly risky time due to
changes in the brain that lend themselves to a
lack of self-control, poor decision making, and a
lack of judgment skills.
• In addition, when drugs are introduced during
the time a teenager’s brain is developing, it can
cause addiction to be more likely to occur.
 Research
• Staying in hostel, non-satisfactory intra-
familial relationship favored substance
abuse. Curiosity about the substance, academic
and peer pressure, family problems were the
major initiating factors -Causes of Substance
Abuse Among Undergraduate Medical College
Students of Bhubaneswar
 Types & Effects of Substances
Physiological Effects
ALCOHOL
• Loss of apitite,

• Alcohol is, of course, legal for • Blurry vision,

• Liver damage,
adults over the age of 21 in the
• Confused state of mind
United States,
• Panic attacks
• But, excessive amount of drinking
• Skin Problems
alcohol can turn into alcohol abuse.
Psychological Effects
• Drinking five or more drinks for • Memory loss
men & (four for women) can be • Dramatic mood swings,
• Hallucinations,
harmful to your physical and mental • Loss of balance
• Long term depression
health in many different ways.
• Suicidal thoughts
 Types & Effects of Substances
Physiological Effects
COCAIN
• Increases bp & heart rate
• Cocaine is a white powder that • Increases body temp,
breathing rate
comes from the leaves of south • Heart attack, & stroke
American Coca Plants. • Brain seizures
• Hepatitis, AIDS through
• It is either “snorted” through the
Shared needles.
nasal passages, or injected
intravenously. Psychological Effects
• Violent behaviour
• It is known as stimulants. • (Coke Bugs) a sensation of
imaginary insects crawling over
• It tend to give a temporary illusion of
the skin
unlimited power and energy that • Confusion, Anxiety, Depression
leave the user feeling depressed,
• Loss of interest in sex
• Loss of interest in activities,
tensed, and craving more. friends, family etc
 Types & Effects of Substances
HALLUCINOGENS Physiological Effects
• Sleeplessness,
• They are the class of drugs • Lack of muscular coordination
• Decrease sensation of touch
that cause the user to
and pain (results in injury)
experience hallucinations
• Coma, Heart And Lung failure
and changes the perception of
Psychological Effects
reality.
• Loss of control,
• Hallucinogens are also known
• Flashbacks,
as Psychedelic drugs. • Violent behaviour,

• It changes the perception, • Behaviour similar to

schizophrenic psychosis.
thought and feelings.
 Types & Effects of Substances
MARIJUANA EFFECTS
• Bloodshot eyes,
• Marijuana is the most widely
• Dry mouth,
used drug in the US, and tends • Bad memory,
to be the first illegal drug • Difficulty in performing tasks

used. required concentration

(driving)
• Some states recently legalized
• Difficulty in speaking and
it for medical treatment.
thinking
• It can be either smoked or • Bad problem solving ability

swallowed. Other Names

Weed, Gangster, Pot
• It is Mind Alerting drug. etc
 Types & Effects of Substances
METHAMPHETAMINE / ICE EFFECTS
• Increased heart rate and blood
• It is a powerful CNS pressure.
stimulant drug. • Increased wakefulness.
• Increased physical activity.
• It is more addictive than any
• Confusion and violent
other drug.
behaviour.
• 92% of first time users will
not stop and get addicted to
Other Names
this drug. Ice, Speed,
Chalk, Crank,
• It can be taken in the form of
glass
smoke, swallowing,
 Treatment

• Much like other chronic health issues, substance abuse

is a persistent and sometimes-relapsing condition.
• However, also much like other chronic health
conditions, there are various ways to treat and manage
substance abuse.
• By treating substance use disorders, people can regain
control over their lives by working against the
disruptive effects that drugs or alcohol once had on
their brain.
 Medications
• In the first step of treatment, most patients are treated
with medicine as part of medication addiction care.
• During the body’s adaption to become free from an
option of medication, a lot of individuals experience
symptoms making them withdraw and certain
substance abuse medications have been developed to
alleviate these symptoms clinically.
• For example, substance abuse medications like
methadone can be administered to opioid detox
patients, so they can recover more easily and proceed
to psychotherapeutic care.
• Alcoholic patients may use medications like
acamprosate and naltrexone.
• Benzodiazepines
They reduce fear and anxiety. Anxiety is a common sign that many
medicines, including cocaine and heroin opioids, are withdrawn.
Benzos have a sedative effect that facilitates drinking. Physicians are
careful to prescribe benzoic substances because they are addictive.
• Clonidine
Clonidine reduces sweating, cramps, muscle aches, and anxiety
when used to treat alcohol and opiate retreats. Clonidine may stop
shaking and convulsions as well.
• Antidepressants
An addict cannot produce natural amounts of happiness
chemicals in his brain without medications.
Due to their dependence on medicines, detoxes are
often depressed for so long. Antidepressants such as
Zoloft and Prozac can help to ease this feeling until the
brain can produce chemicals that lead to happiness on its
own.
 Detoxification
• Detoxification is the physiological or medicinal
removal of toxic substances from a living organism.
• It is the process of clearing the body of drugs or
alcohol that an individual has consumed. The purpose
of detox is to safely manage withdrawal symptoms
when someone stops taking drugs or alcohol.
• It is a medically managed program that will stabilize
the patient and help them overcome the symptoms of
withdrawal from drugs or alcohol.
• Everyone has a different experience with detox. The
type of drug and how long it was used affect what
detox will be like.
• It can be inpatient and outpatient.
• Detox with medical supervision allows patients to
detox in a safe and comfortable environment.
• It involves 3 steps:

Evaluation Stabilization Treatment

• Some people can recover from substance abuse
disorder just using medication. But often times
successful treatment includes counseling, support
groups, and other forms of therapy. Patients may need
help learning new ways of thinking and behaving.

CBT
Cognitive Family Motivational
behavioral Therapy
Interviewing
therapy
 Prevention
Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:
1. Understand how substance abuse develops.
Substance abuse starts by:
• Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for
recreational purposes
• Seeking out intoxication every time you use
• Abusing prescription medication
2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure.
Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults.
If you are looking to stay drug free develop a good way
to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of
time to keep from giving into peer pressure.
• Develop healthy friendships and relationships by
avoiding friends or family members who pressure
you to use substances. It’s often said “we become
most like those we surround ourselves by,” meaning
if you surround yourself with people who abuse
drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well.
3. Seek help for mental illness
Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand.
If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety,
depression or post-traumatic stress disorder you should
seek professional help from a licensed therapist or
counselor.
4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history
of mental illness and addiction, several studies have
shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can
be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological,
environmental and physical risk factors the more likely
you are to overcome them.
5. Keep a well-balanced life:
People often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in
their life is missing or not working. Practicing stress
management skills can help you overcome these life
stressors and will help you live a balanced and healthy
life.
Develop goals and dreams for your future. These will
help you focus on what you want and help you realize
that drugs and alcohol will simply get in the way and
hinder you from achieving your goals.