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Substance
abuse which is popular with name of drug abuse is ongoing worldwide problem.
Basically it’s a patterned use of a drug in which the user consumes the
substance in amounts or with methods which are harmful to themselves or others.
There is a high burden of health related issues in substance abusers which is
further complicated by concomitant emotional/behavioral/personality issues, the
often poor general health of the addict, inadequate nutrition and oral hygiene
as well as by the pathological effects of the drugs on the various body parts
of the person. Hence, there is a need for multidisciplinary teamwork in the
care of substance dependent patient.
Keywords: Substance abuse, Poison, Drug addiction
INTRODUCTION
LITERATURE SEARCH
An extensive
review of literature search was done (electronic and manual) which engaged most
of the articles published in peer reviewed journals and other search engines
like Google were also used for extracting relevant information regarding
substance usage. The review itself began with the search of relevant key words
like substance usage, illicit drugs, alcohol, Marijuana, nicotine, cocaine
smoking, etc., in various search engines including PubMed, MEDLINE, etc.
Reports published only in English language were included in the review. The
spot light of the present review would not only be on the substance usage but
also on various risk factors that grow this habit among population, treatment
modalities or barriers, etc. We have also tried to explain the various abused
drugs along with their effects.
CAUSES AND RISK FACTORS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Substance
Abuse is characterized by a pattern of substance use leading to neglect of
roles or commitments, physical hazards, legal issues or interpersonal problems [5,6].
People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. As
many of the studies revealed the probable certain risk factors such as
familial, social and individual risk factors which included various kind of maltreatment
during
COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS AND HEALTH COMPLICATIONS
Substance abuse
in rural and urban areas is a major public health concern. There are many of
the drugs which are available easily despite of so many strict law and
regulations. 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, club drugs, cocaine, nicotine, etc., also are considered drugs [2,5].
Marijuana
Marijuana popularly
known as grass, pot, weed and herb is derived from plant Cannabis sativa which is the most commonly used illegal drug
worldwide which constitute delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) as an active
ingredient and it is associated with intoxication. It can be used either as
smoking or orally and person feels the pleasure, relaxation and impaired
coordination and memory after its usage. Even the jeopardy for cocaine usage is
104 times higher if anyone has ever smoked marijuana at least once.
Cocaine
Cocaine names
as crack, coke, snow, blow, rock is derivative of coca plant of South America
which can be smoked, injected, snorted or swallowed. Pleasure, increased
alertness along with paranoia, constriction of blood vessels leading to heart
damage or stroke, irregular heartbeat, damage to kidney or lungs and ultimately
death are probable long or short term effects which are associated with
cocaine.
Heroin
Heroin which is
known among every third person with the name of dope, smack and horse, is
usually taken in the form of injection causes drowsiness, pleasure and slowed
breathing. Even decreased breathing to the point of stopped breathing and death
occurred due to excessive usage of heroin. Not only these effects, it also
causes destruction of heart valves, tetanus and botulism and infections like
HIV/AIDS or hepatitis as it is usually injected.
Anabolic steroids
Another popular
drug which is frequently used by bodybuilders or athletes so as to boost the
muscle mass or advance their performances. It includes testosterone a natural
male hormone or other synthetic forms of testosterone which is associated with
a number of mental-health effects, like dependence on the substance, mood
problems and developing other kinds of drug abuse. Club drugs are those drugs
which many of the young people are using during the club scene, pubs, dance or
rave parties, etc., as they believe these drugs are harmless or even healthy.
The following are the most popular club drugs: Ecstasy (also called MDMA, E, X,
E pills, Adam, STP), GHB (also called Liquid XTC, G, blue nitro), Rohypnol
(also called roofies, roche), PCP (also known as angel dust, hog, lovie, love
boat), etc. They are having powerful anesthetic or stimulant effects which
people used to maintain energy or alleviate the mood during night dance
parties. But these drugs can cause high fever even if used once which can
further lead to seizures, damage to brain, low blood pressure, dizziness,
abdominal cramps, confusion and impaired memory [4,6-8].
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Friends and
family may be among the first to recognize the signs of substance abuse. Early
recognition of these signs and symptoms may increase the chances for successful
treatment or survival of the effected person. The range of disease related to
drug abuse is unrestrained and often insidious. Health care providers must
actively consider drug abuse when obtaining patient histories, performing
physical examinations and considering differential diagnoses to identify drug
users before severe complications occur [1,2,4]. The various signs and symptoms
manifested due to substance abuse can be stated as physical and behavioral
signs. Inability to sleep, awake at unusual times, unusual laziness; variation
of appetite; cold, sweaty, shaking hands; eyes may be red, watery with pupils
larger or smaller than usual; halitosis, slowed or staggering walk; poor
physical harmonization; presence of needle marks on lower arm, leg or bottom of
feet; feeling of nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating, indiscretion in
heartbeat; runny nose; puffy face; deterioration of hygiene or physical health
are common physical signs. Common behavioral signs include change in overall
attitude/personality with no other specialized cause; drop in grades at school
or performance at work; unceasing dishonesty; temper tantrums; intricacy in
paying attention; absentmindedness; general lack of enthusiasm, energy,
self-respect, “I don’t care” attitude; loss of interest in family; giddiness;
moodiness, irritability, or nervousness; secretive or suspicious behavior;
change in personal grooming habits; friend circle and unexplained need for
money [8,9]. Therefore preventive health care workers require the early
recognition of those fellows who are at higher risk for drug-related
complications.
TREATMENT
Majority of the
people who are into substance use after the long term ill effects tried to go
for cessation of these habits. But they do not succeed because of reduced
decision-making ability due to underdeveloped state of the brain. Initially
detoxification or detox phase has to be started which means inpatient hospital
treatment. Even physical withdrawal of any drug is also helpful. It’s been said
through many of the studies that drug abuse reduces the brain development by
altering function of brain which causes compulsive usage of drugs after
withdrawal. Hence recovery phase is also important part of treatment plan as
because of enduring cravings by the patients [9,10]. Behavioral counseling
through psychologist, psychiatrist, counselor, etc., is also advantageous in
order to cope up with drug cravings. Even drug testing should be done randomly
so that further encouragement of that person can be done to avoid relapse
cases. Now days various sort of distant counseling procedures has been started
through online or hotlines which can become an invaluable resource for those
persons who wants to initiate treatment and prevent relapse [10-13].
PREVENTION
The preeminent
approach to prevent an addiction is not to take any sort of substance.
Sometimes doctor prescribed the drug which has potential for addiction then
follow the instructions properly with careful manner while using that drug.
Researches revealed that there are higher chances of relapse once you get
addicted to any drug. In order to prevent relapse always monitor cravings,
avoid high-risk situations such as try to stay away from your previous old drug
crowd. If then also person will restart using the drug again, immediately talk
to consult psychologist or health professional or someone else who can help the
right away [9-11].
BARRIERS/CHALLENGES
Many of heath
care personals face challenges or barriers while developing programs which can
prevent and treat substance use disorders. Many of the studies shown that lack
of interagency collaboration with poor funding and source of information, frail
officialdom and the absence of situational need, pessimistic social support,
fear regarding treatment and privacy. Concerns and time divergence and
admission impenetrability are the few of the barriers which are faced by many
of people during treatment or preventive measures [9,12-14].
CONCLUSION
Though strict
protocols are being followed by many of the health professionals as well as
patients during the treatment but still admission rates towards treatment are
very poor. Many of the youth are losing their lives despite of availability of
extensive evidence-based research approaches towards substance usage related
disorders. Hence there is need to recognize risk factors through family, school
and community prevention programmes which are associated with substance usage.
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(2005) Adolescent substance use: Brief interventions by emergency care
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Chapman DP, Giles WH, et al. (2003) Childhood abuse, neglect and household
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study. Pediatrics 111: 564-572.
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Drug Abuse and Addiction Understanding Drug Abuse and Addiction [Internet].
National Institute on Drug Abuse. Available at: http://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/infofacts/under-standing-drug-abuse-addiction
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J, et al. (2006) Treatment barriers identified by substance abusers assessed at
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13. Hall SM, Havassy BE, Wasserman DA
(1990) Commitment to abstinence and acute stress in relapse to alcohol, opiates
and nicotine. J Consult Clin Psychol 58: 175-181.
14. Hser YI, Maglione M, Polinsky ML,
Anglin D (1998) Predicting drug treatment entry among treatment-seeking
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