Substance

Abuse
Presented by:
Reshma K
Asst.Professor,
P.G.Department of social work,
Milagres College,
Kallianpur.

Substance Abuse
Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous
use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol
and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can
lead to dependence syndrome - a cluster of
behavioural, cognitive, and physiological
phenomena that develop after repeated substance
use and that typically include a strong desire to
take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use,
persisting in its use despite harmful consequences,
a higher priority given to drug use than to other
activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and
sometimes a physical withdrawal state.

 Abused substances produce some form of

intoxication
that
alters
judgment,
perception, attention, or physical control.
Many substances can bring on withdrawal,
an effect caused by cessation or reduction
in the amount of the substance used.
Withdrawal
can
range
from
mildanxietytoseizuresandhallucinations
. Drug overdose may also cause death.

Kinds:

Tobacco: People cite many reasons for using tobacco, including

pleasure,
improved
performance
and
vigilance,
relief
ofdepression, curbinghunger, andweight control.

The primary addicting substance in cigarettes is nicotine. But cigarette smoke

contains thousands of other chemicals that also damage health. Hazards
includeheart disease,lung cancerandemphysema,peptic ulcer disease,
andstroke. Withdrawal symptoms ofsmokingincludeanxiety,hunger,sleep
disturbances, anddepression.
Smokingis responsible for nearly a half million deaths each year. Tobacco use
costs the nation an estimated $300 billion a year, in direct and indirecthealth
carecosts and lost productivity.

Alcohol: Although many people have a drink as a "pick me up,"

alcohol actually depresses thebrain. Alcohol lessens your
inhibitions, slurs speech, and decreases muscle control and
coordination, and may lead toalcoholism.
Withdrawal from alcohol can cause anxiety,irregular heartbeat,
tremor, seizures, and hallucinations. In its severest form,
withdrawal combined with malnutrition can lead to a lifethreatening condition called delirium tremens (DTs). Alcohol can
causeheartenlargement and increase the risk forcancerof
theesophagusandstomach.
It
can
also
cause
chronicinflammationof
thepancreas(chronicpancreatitis)

 Marijuana(also known as grass, pot, weed, herb):

Marijuana, which comes from the plantCannabis sativa,
is the most commonly used illegal drug in the United
States. The plant produces delta-9tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the active ingredient
associated with intoxication. Marijuana resin, called
hashish, contains an even higher concentration of THC.
The drug is usually smoked, but it can also be eaten. Its
smoke irritates yourlungsmore and contains more
cancer-causing chemicals than tobacco smoke.
Common effects of marijuana use include pleasure,
relaxation, and impaired coordination and memory.

Cocaine (also known as crack, coke,

snow, rock):
Derived from the coca plant of South America,
cocaine canbe smoked, injected, snorted, or
swallowed. The intensity and duration of the
drugs effects depend on how you take it.
Desired effects include pleasure and increased
alertness.
Short-term effects also include paranoia,
constriction ofblood vessels leading
toheartdamage orstroke, irregular heartbeat,
and death.Severe depressionand reduced
energy often accompany withdrawal.
Both short- and long-term use of cocaine has
been associated with damage to theheart,
thebrain, thelung, and thekidneys.

Heroin (also known as smack,

horse):
Effects of heroin intoxication include drowsiness,
pleasure, and slowed breathing. Withdrawal can be
intense and can includevomiting,
abdominalcramps,diarrhea, confusion, aches,
andsweating.

Overdose may result in death from respiratory

arrest (stopping breathing). Because heroin is
usually injected, often with dirty needles, use of
the drug can trigger other health complications
including destruction of your heart
valves,HIV/AIDS, infections,tetanus,
andbotulism

Methamphetamine(also known
asmeth, crank, ice, speed, crystal):
Use of this drug also has increased, especially in
the West. Methamphetamine is a powerful
stimulant that increases alertness, decreases
appetite, and gives a sensation of pleasure. The
drug can be injected, snorted, smoked, or eaten.
It shares many of the same toxic effects as
cocaine --heart attacks, dangerouslyhigh blood
pressure, andstroke. Withdrawal often
causesdepression, abdominal cramps, and
increased appetite. Other long-term effects
include paranoia, hallucinations, weight loss,
destruction ofteeth, and heart damage.

Club drugs:
Ecstasy (also called MDMA, or 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine, as well as Adam,
STP): This is a stimulant and hallucinogen used to improve mood and to maintain energy,
often for all-night dance parties. Long-term use may cause damage to thebrains ability
to regulatebody temperature,sleep, pain, memory, and emotions.
GHB (gamma hydroxybutyrate; also called Liquid XTC, G, blue nitro): Once sold at health
food stores, GHB's effects are related to dose. Effects range from mild relaxation
tocomaor death. GHB is often used as a date-rape drug because it is tasteless,
colorless, and acts as a powerful sedative.
Rohypnol(also called roofies, roche): This is another sedative that can be used as a daterape drug. Effects includelow blood pressure,dizziness, abdominal cramps, confusion,
and impaired memory.
Ketamine (also called Special K, K): This is an anesthetic that can be taken orally or
injected. Ketamine (Ketalar) can impair memory and attention. Higher doses can cause
amnesia, paranoia and hallucinations, depression, and difficulty breathing.
LSD (also called acid, microdot) and mushrooms (also called shrooms, magic
mushrooms, peyote, buttons): Popular in the 1960s, LSD has been revived in the club
scene. LSD and hallucinogenic mushrooms can cause hallucinations, numbness,nausea,
and increasedheart rate. Long-term effects include unwanted
"flashbacks,"psychosis(hallucinations, delusions, paranoia), and mood disturbances.
PCP (also known as angel dust, hog, love boat): PCP is a powerful anesthetic used in
veterinary medicine. Its effects are similar to those of ketamine but often stronger. The
anesthetic effects are so strong that you can break your arm but not feel any pain.
Usually, tobacco or marijuana cigarettes are dipped into PCP and then smoked

Legal Measures:
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) is the
chieflaw enforcementandintelligenceagency
ofIndiaresponsible for fightingdrug
traffickingand the abuse of illegal substances.
It was created on 17 March 1986 to enable the
full implementation of the Narcotic Drugs and
Psychotropic Substances Act (1985) and fight
its violation through the Prevention of Illicit
Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic
Substances Act (1988).

Punishment
Anyone who contravenes the NDPS Act will face punishment based
on
the quantity of the banned substance.
where the contravention involvessmall quantity(<1kg), with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which may extend to 6 months,
or with fine which may extend to10,000 or with both;
where the contravention involvesquantity lesser than commercial
quantity but greater than small quantity, with rigorous
imprisonment for a term which may extend to 10 years and with
fine which may extend to1 lakh;
where the contravention involvescommercial quantity, with
rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 10
years but which may extend to 20 years and shall also be liable to
fine which shall not be less than1 lakh but which may extend
to2 lakh.

Thank You