DRUG ADDICTION / SUBSTANCE

ABUSE

What isDrug Addiction?

DRUG ADDICTION is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use, despite of the harmful consequences to the addicted individual and to those around him or her.  It is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain.

Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense impulse to take drugs.

Philippine Laws

on Drug Addiction

Republic Act No. 9165“Comprehensive

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002”

Republic Act No. 8203“The Special Law onCounterfeit Drugs”

COMMONLY USED DRUGS

IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Marijuana/Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit substance. This drug impairs short-term memory and learning, the ability to focus, and coordination. It also increases heart rate, can harm the lungs, and may increase the risk of psychosis in vulnerable people.

Amphetamines/Methamphetamine are powerful stimulants that can produce feelings of euphoria and alertness. Effects are particularly long lasting and harmful to the brain. They can cause high body temperature and can lead to serious heart problems and seizures.

Hallucinogens or perception-altering drugs are highly variable and unreliable, producing different effects in different people at different times. This is mainly due to differences in the amounts and chemistries of active compounds within the drugs. Because of their unpredictable nature, the use of hallucinogens can be particularly dangerous. 

Opioids reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain and affect those brain areas controlling emotion, which diminishes the effects of a painful stimulus.

Signs and Symptoms of

Drug Addiction and Abuse

Common Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction• You’ve built up a drug tolerance. You need to use more of the drug to experience the same effects you used to attain with smaller amounts.

• You take drugs to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms. If you go too long without drugs, you experience symptoms such as nausea, restlessness, insomnia, depression, sweating, shaking, and anxiety.

• You’ve lost control over your drug use. You often do drugs or use more than you planned, even though you told yourself you wouldn’t. You may want to stop using, but you feel powerless.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction• Your life revolves around drug use. You spend a lot of time using and thinking about drugs, figuring out how to get them, and recovering from the drug’s effects.

• You’ve abandoned activities you used to enjoy, such as hobbies, sports, and socializing, because of your drug use.

• You continue to use drugs, despite knowing it’s hurting you. It’s causing major problems in your life—blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression, paranoia—but you use anyway.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse• You’re neglecting your responsibilities at school, work, or home (e.g. flunking classes, skipping work, neglecting your children) because of your drug use.

• You’re using drugs under dangerous conditions or taking risks while high, such as driving while on drugs, using dirty needles, or having unprotected sex.

Common Signs and Symptoms of Drug Abuse• Your drug use is getting you into legal trouble, such as arrests for disorderly conduct, driving under the influence, or stealing to support a drug habit. 

• Your drug use is causing problems in your relationships, such as fights with your partner or family members, an unhappy boss, or the loss of old friends.

DRUG ADDICTIONPREVENTION

The best way to prevent an addiction to an illegal drug is not to take the drug at all.

Use care when taking an addictive prescription drug. Doctors prescribe these medications at safe doses and monitor their use so that you're not given too great a dose or for too long a time. If you feel you need to take more than the prescribed dose of a medication, talk to your doctor.

Preventing Drug Abuse in Children and Teenagers (for the parents/guardians)• Communicate. Talk to your children about the risks of drug use and abuse.• Listen. Be a good listener when your children talk about peer pressure, and be supportive of their efforts to resist it.• Set a good example. Don't abuse alcohol or addictive drugs. Children of parents who abuse drugs are at greater risk of drug addiction.• Strengthen the bond. Work on your relationship with your children. A strong, stable bond between you and your child will reduce your child's risk of using or abusing drugs.

Preventing A Relapse• Stick with your treatment plan. Monitor your cravings. It may seem like you've recovered and you don't need to keep taking steps to stay drug-free. But your chances of staying drug-free will be much higher if you continue seeing your counselor, going to support group meetings and taking prescribed medication.• Avoid high-risk situations. Don't go back to the neighborhood where you used to get your drugs. And stay away from your old drug crowd.• Get help immediately if you use the drug again. If you start using the drug again, talk to your doctor, your mental health provider or someone else who can help you right away.

DRUG ADDICTIONTREATMENT

MedicationsMedications can be used to help re-establish normal brain function and to prevent relapse and diminish cravings. Currently, we have medications for opioids (heroin, morphine), tobacco (nicotine), and alcohol addiction and are developing others for treating stimulant (cocaine, methamphetamine) and cannabis (marijuana) addiction. Most people with severe addiction problems, however, are polydrug users (users of more than one drug) and will require treatment for all of the substances that they abuse.

Behavioral TreatmentsBehavioral treatments help patients engage in the treatment process, modify their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse, and increase healthy life skills. These treatments can also enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people stay in treatment longer. Treatment for drug abuse and addiction can be delivered in many different settings using a variety of behavioral approaches.

Treatment Within the Criminal Justice SystemTreatment in a criminal justice setting can succeed in preventing an offender's return to criminal behavior, particularly when treatment continues as the person transitions back into the community. Studies show that treatment does not need to be voluntary to be effective.