DRUG

A drug (/drɑːɡ/) is any substance that causes a change in an

organism's physiology or psychology when consumed.[3][4] Drug
are typically distinguished from food and substances that provide
nutritional support. Consumption of drugs can be via inhalation,
injection, smoking, ingestion, absorption via a patch on the skin, o
dissolution under the tongue.

In pharmacology, a drug is a chemical substance, typically of know

structure, which, when administered to a living organism, produc
a biological effect.[5] A pharmaceutical drug, also called a
medication or medicine, is a chemical substance used to treat, cu
prevent, or diagnose a disease or to promote well-being.[3]
Traditionally drugs were obtained through extraction from
medicinal plants, but more recently also by organic synthesis.[6]
Pharmaceutical drugs may be used for a limited duration, or on a
regular basis for chronic disorders.[7

THE EFFECTS OF DRUG ABUSE ON HEALTH

Drug abuse can cause wide range of short- and long-term health
effects. They can vary depending on the type of drug, how much and
how often it’s taken and the person’s general health. Overall, the
effects of drug abuse and dependence can be far-reaching. They can
impact almost every organ in the human body.
Side effects of drug addiction may include:
 A weakened immune system, increasing the risk of illness and
infection
 Heart conditions ranging from abnormal heart rates to heart
attacks and collapsed veins and blood vessel infections from
injected drugs
 Nausea and abdominal pain, which can also lead to changes in
appetite and weight loss
 Increased strain on the liver, which puts the person at risk of
significant liver damage or liver failure
 Seizures, stroke, mental confusion and brain damage
 Lung disease
 Problems with memory, attention and decision-making, which
make daily living more difficult
 Global effects of drugs on the body, such as breast development
in men and increases in body temperature, which can lead to other
health problems

EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION ON THE

BRAIN
All drugs–nicotine, cocaine, marijuana and others–
affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the
limbic system. This area of the brain affects instinct and
mood. Drugs target this system, which causes large
amounts of dopamine—a brain chemical that helps
regulate emotions and feelings of pleasure—to flood
the brain. This flood of dopamine is what causes a
“high.” It’s one of the main causes of drug addiction.
Although initial drug use may be voluntary, drugs can
alter brain chemistry. This can actually change how the
brain performs and interfere with a person’s ability to
make choices. It can lead to intense cravings and
compulsive drug use. Over time, this behavior can turn
into a substance dependency or drug and alcohol
addiction.

DRUG EFFECTS ON BEHAVIOR

Substance use disorders can lead to multiple behavioral problems,
both in the short- and long-term, which can include:
1 PARANOIA
2 AGGRESSIVENESS
3 HALLUCINATIONS
 4 ADDICTION
5 IMPAIRED JUDGMENT
6 IMPULSIVENESS
7 LOSS OF SELF-CONTROL
These effects of drug abuse have serious consequences, like missed
work, punishable offenses, accidents and injuries. In fact, alcohol and
drugs are partly to blame in an estimated 80 percent of offenses
leading to jail time in the U.S. These incidents include domestic
violence, driving while intoxicated and offenses related to damaged
property. Legal and illegal drugs excluding alcohol are involved in
about 16 percent of motor vehicle crashes. In the past year, almost
12 million people drove under the influence of illicit drugs, and
almost 4,000 fatally injured drivers tested positive for drug involvem

Ways to overcome drug abuse

 1. Effectively deal with peer pressure. The biggest reason teens
start using drugs is because their friends utilize peer pressure. No
one likes to be left out, and teens (and yes, some adults, too) find
themselves doing things they normally wouldn’t do, just to fit in. In
these cases, you need to either find a better group of friends that
won’t pressure you into doing harmful things, or you need to find a
good way to say no. Teens should prepare a good excuse or plan
ahead of time, to keep from giving into tempting situations.
 2. Deal with life pressure. People today are overworked and
overwhelmed, and often feel like a good break or a reward is
deserved. But in the end, drugs only make life more stressful — and
many of us all too often fail to recognize this in the moment. To
prevent using drugs as a reward, find other ways to handle stress
and unwind. Take up exercising, read a good book, volunteer with
 the needy, create something. Anything positive and relaxing helps
take the mind off using drugs to relieve stress.
 Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse
often go hand-in-hand. Those with a mental illness may turn to
drugs as a way to ease the pain. Those suffering from some form of
mental illness, such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress
disorder should seek the help of a trained professional for treatment
before it leads to substance abuse.
 4. Examine the risk factors. If you’re aware of the biological,
environmental and physical risk factors you possess, you’re more
likely to overcome them. A history of substance abuse in the family,
living in a social setting that glorifies drug abuse and/or family life
that models drug abuse can be risk factors.
 5. Keep a well-balanced life. People take up drugs when
something in their life is not working, or when they’re unhappy
about their lives or where their lives are going. Look at life’s big
picture, and have priorities in order.