drug abuse and addiction

Running Head : Drug abuse and addiction

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Introduction

Drug abuse is the excessive dependency on a substance , especially drugs and alcohol . The American psychiatric Association has issued guidelines that define drug abuse and addiction . These guidelines provide that drug abuse results when a person recurrently was a substance and falls to meet is major obligations either at home , work or school . Drug abuse causes victims to use substances in situations that are physically harmful , especially when driving or operating a machine . Frequent

problems with the law related to substance abuse , especially being arrested after a disly misconduct is another sign of drug abuse Victims addicted to drugs continue using them despite having social or personal problems caused by the effects of drugs , especially physical fights with a spouse

Drug abuse and addiction is a problem that is widespread and effects people of all socioeconomic levels . Through the exact cause of drug addiction is not known , factors like emotional stress , peer influence depression and environmental stress , can contribute to drug addiction Usually children who are brought up in environments with illicit drugs and drugs trafficking are at a higher risk of using and abusing drugs later in life . Commonly abused drug substances include opiates such as heroine and opium , which are powerful painkillers and have euphoric qualities . Cocaine and nicotine are used to stimulate the central nervous system and create tolerance . Barbiturates and valium are depressants of the central nervous system which are used to create a soothing effect and reduce anxiety . These types of drugs usually cause dependency in the victims . Hallucinogens are drugs that have hallucinogenic effects and they also result to psychological dependency Cannabis and marijuana are the commonly abused types of drugs which create a relaxing effect within the victim

Motivations of drug abuse and addiction vary among different people in the community some depend on drugs out of peer pressure especially those who grow up in neighborhoods with notorious activities of drug abuse Others use drugs as an escape route from stress and depression while others use drugs to alleviate pain . A common motivation of drug abuse is increasing energy levels in the body and also increasing self-esteem Drug addicts feel more confident about themselves when they take drugs Other people simply take drugs for entertainment to produce a feeling of excitement like that brought about by cocaine . Drug addicts experience a variety of physical and emotional unexpected effects . These may include depression fatigue , withdrawal symptoms and even physical accidents Drug addiction leads to poor work performance and destructs family life In the society the cost of drug abuse is very high . It reduces work efficiency and productivity due to absenteeism in work . Many road accidents are caused by drug addicts who put their lives and those around them in danger . Neighborhoods with drug activities are involved in drug related violence and crimes , which disrupt peaceful neighborhoods . Many jobless and homeless people in the community are either drug addicts or mentally unstable...