Drug Abuse Awareness

Taking a performance enhancing drug or a psychoactive drug for some non-medical purpose comes under drug abuse. The drugs most associated with abuse are amphetamines, alcohol, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, cocaine, opium alkaloids and methaqualone. Drug abuse often leads to criminal penalty apart from psychological, social and physical harm. Abuse of drugs can make the body deficient of various nutrients and lead to many other serious problems. Finding out that somebody dear to us is suffering from some form of drug abuse can be catastrophic for us. Myriad thoughts of guilt, disappointment, failure and embarrassment pass through our mind during such a time.

During such moments, we should try and remember we are not the only ones in the world facing such a scenario. And most importantly, drug abuse can be overcome. A majority of individuals get involved in some kind of drug abuse while in school or college. In most cases, peer pressure and a misguided notion of freedom defying societal norms are the reasons behind the usage of drugs.



Teenagers can use drugs to fit in with friends or to be popular. Many others use it to seek attention from people or to escape problems. They forget drug abuse cannot solve problems. Drugs take over one's life to such an extent that nothing else seem to matter. Alcohol and drugs make the addict numb to the unhappiness of daily existence. Family members often find it difficult to believe that one among them can suffer from such a problem.

In such cases it is best to trust one's instincts and seek the truth. A suitable time needs to be found when one can talk freely with the troubled individual. Open-mindedness is essential while talking to a drug addict. One should not appear judgmental. Rather the true feeling of worry, scariness and fright should be shown to the individual. The sooner one tries to help a troubled individual, the faster he or she will be able to change. One should not be discouraged if the first attempt at helping is not successful. A different approach can be taken or professional help can be sought.

By allowing the individual to talk to a third person often makes recovery easier. This is because the family is too close to the addict emotionally to be of any real help. Family members must realize that they are not the ones responsible for the addiction. With addiction come both physical and emotional damages and helping the troubled individual is what counts.

Things that are forbidden often allure teenagers, even adults. Among the drugs that are abused on a regular basis are alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, over-the-counter drugs, ecstasy, inhalers and steroids. Drug abuse affects not just the concerned individual and his or her family. The entire society is also at risk. The health effects of drugs varies depending on factors like the frequency of use, the kind of drug taken, the quantity taken, the time period of drug usage and other components.

Communication can be the most potent tool in achieving a drug-free society. Family members, supportive organizations and educators need to talk to both children and adults and make them aware of the dangers of drug abuse.

• Felicia Byrnes
• 06/06/2009, 3:59 PM
• 0 Comments