Drug Abuse Unit-I: Concept and Overview A Comprehensive Study of Drug Abuse Types, Effects, and Prevention Understanding the Problem: Causes, Consequences & Solutions Health Education Module | Public Health Awareness Introduction to Drug Abuse Drug Abuse Major Health Problem Affects Multiple Stakeholders Youth Most Vulnerable Physical Damage Psychological Impact Social & Economic Key Points: • Affects individuals at personal, family, and societal level • Creates burden on healthcare and social systems • Prevention through education and awareness is critical for public health What Are Drugs? DRUGS Chemical Substances Alter body functions Affect Mind & Behavior Change mood, perception Uses of Drugs ✓ Medical Purpose • Painkillers • Antibiotics • Sleeping pills • Tranquilizers ✗ Non-Medical (Abuse) • Recreational use • Pleasure seeking • Stress relief • Peer pressure Key Insight: Same drug can be medicine or poison depending on use What Constitutes Drug Abuse? DRUG ABUSE Misuse Without Medical Necessity Excessive Quantities For Pleasure or Stress Relief Results in: • Dependence • Addiction • Health Issues ⚠ Regular misuse leads to dependency and addiction Prevalence of Drug Abuse Global Trend: ↑ INCREASING Peer Pressure Stress & Anxiety Curiosity & Risk Easy Availability Low Awareness Most Vulnerable Groups: 👥 Adolescents (13-19 years) 👨‍🎓 College Students 💼 Young Professionals 🎮 Unemployed Youth 💭 Those with Mental Health Issues Menace of Drug Abuse ⚠ Health Problems • Organ damage • Diseases • Overdose death Crime & Violence • Theft • Violence • Trafficking Family Breakdown • Broken homes • Abuse • Divorce Loss of Productivity • Job loss • Academic failure • Social decline Healthcare System Burden • Increased hospital admissions • Expensive treatment programs • Mental health counseling • Rehabilitation and recovery services • Emergency medical care Drug Abuse vs Drug Dependence A Drug Abuse Characteristics: ✓ Occasional or regular ✓ Misuse without medical need ✓ No complete loss of control ✓ Harmful consequences ✓ May be reversible if intervened early ✓ Less severe condition Potential for Recovery D Drug Dependence Characteristics: ✗ Strong need/craving ✗ Body adapts to drug presence ✗ Cannot function normally without it ✗ Withdrawal symptoms ✗ Psychological or physical reliance ✗ Severe condition Difficult to Overcome Dependence vs Addiction Aspect Drug Dependence Drug Addiction Nature Physical or Psychological Compulsive drug use Control Some control maintained Loss of self-control Continuation Can be reduced or stopped with help Continues despite harmful effects Severity Moderate to High Severe and Critical Key Insight: 👉 Addiction is the more severe form involving complete loss of control and harmful consequences even when aware of the damage. Not all dependence becomes addiction, but addiction typically involves dependence. Physical Dependence BODY ADAPTS Drug is taken regularly Body becomes accustomed to drug presence Withdrawal Symptoms When Drug is Stopped: 🥶 Tremors 💦 Sweating 😣 Pain 🤢 Nausea 🤕 Headache 😴 Insomnia 😰 Anxiety 😤 Irritation Examples: Alcohol, Opioids (Heroin, Painkillers), Benzodiazepines Psychological Dependence Emotional Craving Mental Dependence Psychological Symptoms: 😟 Anxiety without drug 😢 Depression and low mood 😠 Irritability and mood swings 💭 Obsessive thinking about drug 🎯 Strong urge to use again ❌ No strong physical symptoms Key Characteristics: ✓ Person feels empty without the drug ✓ Uses drug to cope with stress or emotions ✓ Risk of relapse even after physical recovery Common Examples: 🌿 Cannabis (Marijuana) ⚪ Cocaine 💊 Methamphetamine 🎮 Behavioral addictions (Gaming, Social media) Drug Tolerance - Concept The body's ability to resist drug effects over time 1️⃣ Stage 1: Initial Use • Same dose is effective • Strong effects felt • User gets high 2️⃣ Stage 2: Tolerance • Same dose gives less effect • Less intense high • Weaker response 3️⃣ Stage 3: Escalation • Higher dose needed • Increased use • Risk of overdose • Addiction develops Consequences of Tolerance: ⚠ Leads to increased consumption and higher doses ⚠ Greater risk of overdose and toxicity ⚠ Faster development of dependence and addiction Relationship: Abuse, Dependence & Tolerance Drug Abuse (Misuse) Dependence (Reliance) Tolerance (Resistance) Addiction (Loss of Control) VICIOUS CYCLE Impact: This continuous cycle makes quitting difficult. Each stage reinforces the previous one. Early intervention at any stage is critical to break the cycle and prevent progression to severe addiction. Types of Drugs Often Abused Alcohol Depressant Tobacco Stimulant Cannabis Hallucinogen Opioids Depressant Sedatives Depressant Stimulants Cocaine, Meth LSD & Ecstasy Hallucinogen Drug Classification by Effect DEPRESSANTS Slow CNS - Alcohol, Opioids STIMULANTS Speed up CNS - Cocaine, Meth HALLUCINOGENS Alter perception - LSD, Psilocybin, Cannabis Effects: • Relaxation, reduced anxiety • Respiratory depression • Dependence risk: HIGH Effects: • Alertness, wakefulness • Increased heart rate • Dependence risk: HIGH Effects: • Visual/auditory distortions • Changed perception • Psychological dependence risk All types carry serious health and social risks • Physical health complications • Psychological issues • Social problems • Addiction potential Drug Abuse Prevention Drug abuse is a PREVENTABLE problem With proper awareness, education, and intervention, many cases can be prevented 🎓 Awareness & Education • Learn about risks • Understand effects • Informed decisions → Key for Prevention 🤝 Early Intervention • Identify risk factors • Counseling support • Treatment programs → Saves Lives 💪 Healthy Lifestyle • Regular exercise • Balanced diet • Positive activities → Protects Health Take Action Today! Spread awareness • Support those struggling • Advocate for education Promote healthy choices • Access treatment resources when needed Alcohol Abuse: Mind Map ALCOHOL Physical Effects Liver damage, Brain issues Health Risks Addiction, Cirrhosis Social Impact Family issues, Crime Withdrawal Tremors, Seizures Dangerous Prevention Education, Support Groups, Treatment Treatment Counseling, Rehab Support groups Key Facts About Alcohol Abuse: • Most commonly abused legal drug worldwide • Leads to physical dependence quickly • Withdrawal can be life-threatening • Long-term use causes organ damage and mental health issues Tobacco and Nicotine: Mind Map TOBACCO Nicotine Forms Cigarettes, Cigars, Chewing, Vaping Highly Addictive Powerful stimulant Health Risks Cancer, Heart disease Affects Youth Gateway to other drugs Developmental damage Quitting Aids Nicotine replacement Counseling, Support Secondhand Smoke Harms non-smokers too Especially children Key Facts About Tobacco: • Leading preventable cause of death worldwide • Creates both physical and psychological dependence • Affects entire family including secondhand exposure • Multiple health complications including cancer and heart disease Cannabis/Marijuana: Mind Map CANNABIS THC/CBD Active Compound THC: Psychoactive Immediate Effects Altered perception, Relaxation Mental Health Anxiety, Paranoia, Psychosis Brain Development Affects memory and learning Especially in adolescents Addiction Risk Psychological dependence Gateway drug concern Social Consequences Legal issues, Job loss Academic decline Key Facts About Cannabis: • Most widely used illicit drug globally • Psychological dependence is common • Long-term use impairs cognitive function • Potency of modern cannabis has increased significantly Opioids: Mind Map OPIOIDS Narcotics Types Heroin, Morphine, Codeine, Prescription painkillers Effects Pain relief, Euphoria Critical Danger Overdose risk, Death Rapid Addiction Can develop within days Physical dependence Overdose Respiratory depression Often Fatal Severe Withdrawal Extremely painful Medical supervision needed Key Facts About Opioids: ⚠ Opioid crisis causing thousands of deaths annually ⚠ Prescription painkillers gateway to heroin ⚠ Extremely addictive - among the most dangerous drugs ⚠ Requires professional medical treatment for dependence Stimulants: Cocaine & Methamphetamine STIMULANTS CNS Uppers Cocaine Powder, Crack form Methamphetamine Powder, Crystal meth Immediate Effects Energy, Alertness, Euphoria Short-term Risks Heart attack, Stroke Seizures, Overdose Long-term Damage Brain damage, Psychosis Dental decay, Skin issues Psychological Issues Paranoia, Aggression Depression (crash phase) Key Facts About Stimulants: • Extremely rapid psychological dependence • Crash phase leads to severe depression and anxiety • Meth highly destructive to body and mind • High overdose potential, especially when mixed with opioids Hallucinogens: LSD & Ecstasy HALLUCINOGENS Psychedelics LSD Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Ecstasy (MDMA) Stimulant-Hallucinogen Perceptual Changes Hallucinations, Altered time Bad Trips & Panic Terror, Paranoia Flashbacks Physical Risks (Ecstasy) Overheating, Dehydration Heart problems, Death Psychological Issues PTSD, Anxiety disorders Drug-induced psychosis Key Facts About Hallucinogens: • Unpredictable effects vary between individuals and uses • Psychological dependence rather than physical • Ecstasy causes dangerous overheating and dehydration • Long-term cognitive effects not fully understood Risk Factors for Drug Abuse Risk Factors Personal Mental health issues, Low self-esteem Social Peer pressure, Broken family Environmental Drug availability, Poverty Biological Genetics, Age (13-19) Brain development Developmental Adolescent brain changes Poor impulse control Socioeconomic Easy drug access Limited prevention resources Important: Multiple Risk Factors Often Combine ✓ Individual factors make some people more vulnerable than others ✓ Early intervention for at-risk youth is crucial for prevention ✓ Understanding these factors helps in developing targeted prevention programs Prevention Strategies: Mind Map Prevention Individual Level Education, Awareness, Counseling Family Level Parenting programs, Support Community Level Youth programs, Community centers Societal Level Policy, Regulation, Treatment access School-Based Drug curriculum, Peer mentoring Anti-drug clubs Health Systems Screening, Treatment, Rehab support services Comprehensive Multi-Level Approach Most Effective • Combined strategies from all levels create stronger prevention impact • Early intervention and education are most cost-effective prevention methods Treatment and Recovery: Mind Map Recovery Path Assessment Medical evaluation, Diagnosis Detoxification Medical supervision, Medications Therapy/Counseling Individual, Group therapy Rehabilitation Inpatient/Outpatient programs Skill-building Medication Anti-craving drugs, Pain management Mental health treatment Aftercare/Support Support groups (AA/NA) Ongoing counseling Recovery is a Continuous Journey • Early recovery: Most critical period - high relapse risk, intensive support needed • Sustained recovery: Building healthy lifestyle, maintaining sobriety, addressing root causes Role of Support Systems: Mind Map Support Systems Family Support Emotional support, Therapy Peer Support Groups, Sponsorship, Friends Professional Help Therapists, Counselors, Doctors Community Resources Rehab centers, Support services Educational programs Institution Support EAP programs, Counseling Accommodations, Return to work Government/NGOs Policy support, Funding Public health initiatives Strong Support Networks Increase Recovery Success Rates • Coordinated care from multiple support systems is most effective • Family involvement significantly improves treatment outcomes and reduces relapse Summary & Action Steps Key Takeaways: ✓ Drug abuse is a complex issue affecting health, families, and society - but it IS PREVENTABLE ✓ Understanding drugs, risks, and pathways to addiction helps in prevention and early intervention ✓ Multiple support systems are essential for successful recovery and long-term sobriety ✓ Education, awareness, and early intervention save lives and prevent future addiction ✓ A supportive environment helps individuals overcome addiction and maintain recovery 🎯 What YOU Can Do: 1. EDUCATE YOURSELF & OTHERS Know the facts about different drugs and their effects. Share information with friends and family. 2. SUPPORT AT-RISK INDIVIDUALS Identify those struggling and help connect them with professional support and resources. 3. PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFESTYLE Exercise, balanced diet, positive relationships, and stress management protect against addiction. 4. ACCESS TREATMENT WHEN NEEDED Seek professional help early. Treatment works. Recovery is possible with proper support. 5. ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE Support drug education programs in schools. Advocate for better healthcare and prevention. 6. FIGHT STIGMA Understand addiction as a disease. Treat those affected with compassion and respect.