Drug/Substance Abuse

by Youmasu J. Siewe, Ph.D, MPH.

The following article was published in the Stillwater News Press on November 15, 2000.

A drug (medication) is defined as any substance, except food that alters one of more body functions, such as digestive, circulatory, neurological, and other body functions.

The use of drugs both for medicinal and non-medicinal or recreational purposes is widespread in the American society. Unfortunately whether obtained illegally (from the streets), or legally by prescription and from a drug store or authorized marketing outlet, some drugs have the potential to cause addiction. Drugs prescribed by trained professional and used as directed are less likely to be used to the point of causing addiction because their administration is controlled, and adjusted to the health needs of the client.

We have become a society that believes that any problem, no matter how large or small, has or should have a chemical solution, hence whenever tired, many of us turn to caffeine in coffee or cola products; for an inability to sleep, desire to sleep faster, when anxious or depressed, we either turn to sleeping pills, cigarettes, alcohol and other central nervous system depressants. For some, the desire for an intense feeling of euphoria or ecstasy, they turn to psychoactive drugs like cocaine, heroin and the more potent central nervous system stimulants. All these forms and reasons for drug use can lead to drug addiction.

Drug addiction is a state in which the drug user develops tolerance to the drug, requiring more of a dose to experience the effect or "high" previously felt on small dose, and also experiencing the uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that results from the decrease of the drug level in the blood stream. Other characteristics of addiction include, compulsion of use the drug, loss of control and negative consequences that can affect the user and others in the community who are non-users, example, the murder of store clerk to obtain money to support a drug habit.

The National Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT) reports that an estimated 13 million Americans (6.5 percent), 12 years or older currently use illicit or illegal drugs, approximately 100,000 alcohol-related deaths occur annually and an estimated 2 million adults age 65 and above are addicted to or at risk for addiction to sleeping medications or tranquilizers, and nearly 25 % of Americans say that drinking has been a source of family problems.

Some risk factors (factors that increases chances) for substance abuse among adults include, depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, low tolerance for stress, learning disability, inner city or rural residence combined with low socioeconomic status, unemployment, impulsivity, risk-taking, alienation, poor interpersonal relationship and history of family drug abuse.

Questions to ask yourself if you have a drug problem:

• Have you ever thought of cutting-down on your drinking or drug use?
• Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking or drug use
• Have you felt bad about your drinking or drug use
• Have you ever had a drink or used drugs, first thing in the morning to steady your nerves or get rid of a hangover?

Intervention

• Acknowledge your destructiveness of your behavior.
• Access your readiness for change
• Educate about yourself about consumption limits for alcohol and abstinence for other drugs
• Seek professional or referral and accept offered help
• Discuss goals and strategies for change
• Carry through with professional recommendations
• Become a part of support groups and avoid the company of drug users.