In our contemporary world of today, it's without any iota of doubt, that drugs abuse is one of the biggest and most challenging menace the world is apparently facing today. It's a serious threat on the growth and development of many nations around the globe. Drug abuse and addiction, is a condition characterized by a self-destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems and distress, which may include tolerance to or withdrawal from the substance. They are chemical that affect the body and brain. They include alcohol, marijuana, hallucinogens, opioid e.t.c. They are often used and misused in search of a "high," or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.
For many years, drugs abuse has posed to be inimical to the wellbeing of multitude numbers of youths of today, and had, to some extent, deteriorate and shortened their lifespan. At present, more than 7 million people suffer from illicit drug disorder. In fact, more death, illnesses and disability are associated with drug abuse than any other preventable health condition. Surprisingly, the rate at which the youths of today used drugs is somewhat surprising, even when they fully took cognizance of the side effect of using same. But then, why drug abuse and addiction to same in the first place?
CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects a person's brain and behavior and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medication. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana and nicotine also are considered drugs. When you're addicted, you may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes. Drug addiction mostly start with experimental use of a recreational drug in a social situation.
Taking drugs for fun or pleasure among the youth is one of the factors causing drug addiction. Constant taking of drugs during clubs, parties and concert often cause a serious addiction to the user, particularly, for the fun type. Also, People often try drugs for the first time in social situations with friends and acquaintances. A strong desire to fit in to the group can make it feel like doing the drugs with them is the only option. At times, they took drugs that are capable of causing sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss for sexual assault.
For others, particularly with opioids,(pain relief drugs) drug addiction begins with exposure to prescribed medications, or receiving medications from a friend or relative who has been prescribed with the same medication. In recent years, prescription drug abuse has become an escalating problem, most commonly involving opioid painkillers, anti-anxiety medications, sedatives, and stimulants. Many people start taking these drugs to cope with a specific medical problem. A good example is taking painkillers following injury or surgery. One of the earliest warning signs of a developing problem is going through the medication at a faster than expected rate.
In other cases, people start abusing medication not prescribed for them in order to experience a high, relieve tension, increase alertness, or improve concentration. Sometimes, for some illness, increased doses are needed to achieve the same level of pain relief. By this, some users can become physically dependent on the drugs whenever the pain comes back again. This eventually often give birth to addiction to the drug and can rendered them to be experiencing withdrawal symptoms if they try to quit. To avoid developing problems with a prescription medication, it’s important to take it only as directed, use the lowest dose for the shortest period possible, and to talk to your doctor about other methods of treating the problem. Being aware of any signs of dependency can help identify prescription drug problems at an early stage and help to prevent them from progressing into an addiction.
Similarly, Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction. The more the numbers of drugs addict increase in a family, the higher the chance of the possibility of getting used to drug will be.
Equally, Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with one's parents or siblings and lack of parental supervision can increase the risk of addiction. We have some cases whereby, a child of 8years would have been lured into taking hard drugs due to environmental influence. Children of this nature often grow with this attitude and eventually get addicted to it after they come of age. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.
EFFECT OF DRUG ABUSE
Like most other mental health problems, drug use disorders have no single effect. The effect of drug on the body depend on how the drug is delivered. For example, the injection of drugs directly into the bloodstream often has an immediate effect. Drug abuse are associated with a wide range of short and long-term health effect. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and how often it's taken and the person general health.
Generally, all drug narcotine, cocaine, marijuana's affect the brain. Some drugs can damage how the brain function and interferes with a person's ability to make choice. Prolonged exposure to drugs alters the brain in ways that result in powerful cravings and a compulsion to use. These brain changes make it extremely difficult to quit by sheer force of will.
There are a numbers of psychological and social effect that can arise as a result of drug abuse. Psychological associations with substance abuse or addiction include mood disorders like early aggressive behaviors, depression. Similarly, illegal use of drug is not safe for pregnant women and their babies. Sometimes, drug may contain impurities that can be harmful to an unborn baby. Pregnant women who are addicted to drug maybe more likely to harm the unborn baby with risky behavior and poor nutrition.
OVERCOMING DRUGS ADDICTION
However, Overcoming addiction is simply a matter of willpower. You can stop using drugs if you really want. Most experts agree that addiction is a disease that affects the brain, but that did not mean anyone is helpless. The brain changes associated with addiction can be treated and reversed through therapy, medication, exercise, and other treatments. Recovery can begin at any point in the addiction process and the earlier, the better.
The longer drug abuse continues, the stronger the addiction becomes and the harder it is to treat. Don’t wait to intervene until the addict has lost everything. Recovery from drug addiction is a long process that often involves setbacks. Relapse does not mean that treatment has failed or that sobriety is a lost cause. Rather, it’s a signal to get back on track, either by going back to treatment or adjusting the treatment approach. for example, Short-term medical use of opioid painkillers can help to manage severe pain after an accident or surgery.
On many occasions, regular or longer-term use of opioids can lead to addiction. Misuse of these drugs or taking someone else’s medication can have dangerous__even deadly consequences. Treatment doesn’t have to be voluntary to be successful. People who are pressured into treatment by their family, employer, or the legal system are just as likely to benefit as those who choose to enter treatment on their own.
CONCLUSION
Drugs addiction is a serious menace worldwide which has claim many lives and destruction of many homes. It will be safer and advisable if the youth of today can abstain from abuse of drugs in other to avoid addiction. Drugs abuse do more harm than good and as such, same need to be avoided and allow to go into a total extinction.
Gobir Habeeb Bolaji is a 400level law student of usmanu danfodiyo university, Sokoto
Num: 08108527278
Gmail: Habeebgobir2@gmail.com
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