What is a Drug?

A drug is any substance in synthetic or natural

form, which changes an individual’s physical and

psychological well-being. There are drugs that are

necessary for medicinal purposes such as to cure

an illness or maintain health.

What is Drug Addiction? Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by

compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use

despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain,

which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can

lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use

drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse

is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop.

What is Drug Abuse?

Drug Abuse happens when a

drug is used for purposes other

than its medicinal or health

purposes.

Factors Influencing Substance

Use and Abuse

There are several factors which influence young

people to use and abuse substances. The following are

some of these factors:

1. Lack of Parental Supervision and Support

2. Strong Peer Pressure and Curiosity

3. Intense Feelings of Pleasure

Teenagers who come from

broken families or lack

parental supervision and

support are vulnerable to

drug use and abuse.

Adolescents are the most

vulnerable and are most

likely to try using substances

just because they feel the

need to belong and be

accepted.

Many substances abused

by drug users produce

euphoria. Euphoria is a

psychological state of

extreme cheerfulness and

high-spirited sensation.

4. Relief from Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.

5. Increased Physical and Cognitive Performance

Some people resort to the

use of drugs to relieve their

suffering from stress-

related disorders, anxiety

disorders, and depression.

Some people who need to

enhance their physical

performance and cognition

use drugs which chemically

enhance certain body

functions. Continued use,

however, leads to abuse,

addiction and even death.

Classification of Drugs

Stimulants

A commonly abused drug

that affects the central nervous

system raising the body’s

levels of physiological activity.

A person who takes a stimulant

feels more awake and more

active than usual. Stimulants

are also known by different

street names like “uppers,”

“speed,” and “heart.”

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects

1. Increased heart rate and palpitations

2. Increased blood pressure

3. Increased brain and body activity

4. Raised body temperature

5. Inability to sleep

6. Loss of appetite

1.Addiction 2. Feelings of hostility

and paranoia 3. Dangerously high

temperature 4. Involuntary and

painful contraction of muscles

5. Visual hallucinations 6. Suicidal thoughts

and violent behavior 7. Dilated blood

vessels which constricts blood flow

Depressants

A depressant, also called a sedative or

“downer,” is a drug which slows down the normal

function central nervous system. It makes the

heartbeat and respiratory rate slower than normal.

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects

1. Slow brain function

2. Impaired judgement

3. Impaired senses

4. Loss of coordination and balance

5. Slurred speech

6. Lowers blood pressure

7. Lowers heart rate

8. Lowers respiration rate

9. Confusion and disorientation

1. Addiction 2. Depression 3. Chronic fatigue 4. Anxiety and panic

attacks 5. Impaired sexual

function 6. Infertility and

impotence 7. Chronic sleep

problems 8. Respiratory

depression and respiratory arrest

9. Death

Hallucinogens

Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic

drugs, alter a person’s view and concept of what

is real. This affects all of the body’s senses.

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects

1. Dilated or large pupils of the eyes

2. Headache and dizziness

3. Body tremors 4. Loss of appetite and

stomach pains 5. Rapid heart rate 6. Rapid breathing 7. Delusions and

confusion 8. Difficulty sleeping 9. Restlessness and

irritability

1. Addiction 2. Severe fear, anxiety,

and stress 3. Frightening illusions 4. Severe panic

attacks 5. Prolonged

depression 6. Insanity 7. Paranoia 8. Brain damage and

mental disorders 9. Suicidal tendencies 10. Psychosis

Narcotics

Narcotics are drugs used principally for

pain management and medication. They

produce numbing effects and induce sleep. It

primarily affects the central nervous system

thereby distorting a person’s perception of

things. Administration is done through

inhalation, intravenous injection, or oral intake.

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects

1. Sudden rise in sensations which is called a “rush.” This oftentimes comes with a warm feeling in the skin, severe itching, dryness of the mouth, and vomiting

2. Drowsiness

3. Lower heart rate

4. Lower respiration rate

5. Confusion

1. Blurred vision 2. Damage of various

systems like the circulatory, respiratory, and nervous system

3. Hypothermia or lowering of body temperature

4. Death

Chemical Inhalants

Chemical Inhalants are volatile substances

inhaled by users. Its vapor enters the body

through the nasal canal to the lungs, into the

bloodstream, and to the different parts of the

body.

Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects

1. Drunk-like effects

2. Severe headaches and dizziness

3. Slurred speech

4. Foul breath

5. Rapid heart rate

6. Rapid respiration rate

7. Difficulty in coordinating body parts

1. Addiction 2. Irritability 3. Easily gets irritated 4. Severe depression 5. Lung diseases like

pneumonia 6. Organ damage

particularly the heart, lungs, kidney, liver, and brain

How to be Drug Free?

1. Having a Healthy Body

2. Take Control of Your Life

3. Respect Yourself and Others

Taking control of one’s life means deciding to live a

clean, wholesome lifestyle, setting goals for oneself, and

focusing one’s efforts toward achieving those goals.

Engage in productive, worthwhile activities that

make you a better person and enhance your self-

esteem. If you think highly of yourself and have

confidence in your talents and abilities, you will

develop self-respect and also gain the respect of

others.

If you live a healthy lifestyle and surround

yourself with positive, supportive, and good

company, your chances of remaining drug-free

increases. Eat the right food, exercise, engage in

leisure activity with friends and family, and

enrich your mind through productive endeavors.

4. Make Sound Decision

The quality of your life is the product of the

decisions you make. If you make sound and well-

thought of decisions you can have a happy,

productive life.

Every person should make it a goal to stay

drug-free throughout one’s life. Although certain

drugs may be necessary to cure an illness or

maintain good health, there are many things one

can do in order to avoid having to take

medication. One can begin by practicing and

maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This does not only

mean eating the right food, getting enough rest

and exercise, and maintaining good hygiene.

These are all important for physical health, but

one must make the same effort of looking after the

social, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of

one’s life. By doing so, one can move towards

achieving total wellness where there is little or no

need for drugs of any kind.

Sources://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatme

nt-approaches-drug-addiction, Our World of MAPEH (Vivian

Luge et al, 2014)