DRUG AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG

ABUSE
INTRODUCTION
1. Drug abuse is not just the problem of the individual.
2. Factors that contribute to drug abuse come from all levels.
3. From the individual's predisposition to addiction to the economy of
their environment
Why do people take drugs?
In general, people begin taking drugs for a variety of reasons:
To feel good.
Most abused drugs produce intense feelings of pleasure. This initial sensation
of euphoria is followed by other effects, which differ with the type of drug
used.
For example, with stimulants such as cocaine, the high is followed by
feelings of power, self-confidence, and increased energy. In contrast, the
euphoria caused by opiates such as heroin is followed by feelings of relaxation
and satisfaction.
To feel better.
Some people who suffer from social anxiety, stress-related disorders, and
depression begin abusing drugs in an attempt to lessen feelings of distress.
Stress can play a major role in beginning drug use, continuing drug abuse, or
relapse in patients recovering from addiction.
To do better.
Some people feel pressure to chemically enhance or improve their
cognitive or athletic performance, which can play a role in initial
experimentation and continued abuse of drugs such as prescription
stimulants or anabolic/androgenic steroids.
Curiosity and because others are doing it.
In this respect adolescents are particularly vulnerable because of the
strong influence of peer pressure.
Teens are more likely than adults to engage in risky or daring
behaviors to impress their friends and express their independence
from parental and social rules
RISK FACTORS FOR ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE
No single factor can predict whether or not a person
will become addicted to drugs.
Risk for addiction is influenced by;
i. persons biology,
ii. social environment, and
iii. age or stage of development.
The more risk factors an individual has, the greater
the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction.
ENVIRONMENT
Family and friends influences
Social and economic status
Sexual abuse
Peer pressure
Stress
BIOLOGY/GENES (in addition to environment create vulnerability)
Gender
Ethnicity
Presence of other mental issues
DEVELOPMENT
Adolescents are more likely to become addicts due to the developmental
stage of the brain.
Increased risk of trying the drug.
 1. BIOLOGY / GENETIC
Children of addicted parents are the highest risk group of children to become
alcohol and drug abusers due to both genetic and family environment factors
Sons of alcoholic fathers are at fourfold risk compared with the male offspring
of non-alcoholic fathers
A child born to a drug addicted mother has most likely become addicted too

i. Susceptibility does not mean inevitability

Biological differences
It may be harder for people with certain genes to quit once they start.
Factors that make it harder to become addicted also may be genetic.
Example:an individual may feel sick from a drug that makes other people
feel good.
ii. There is no single addiction gene
Scientists will never find just one single addiction gene.
Susceptibility to addiction is the result of many interacting genes.
Social and environmental factor contribute to risk of addiction

iii. When addiction runs in family

Researchers construct pedigrees of large families with addiction as a first
step to understanding the disease
Not every addict will carry the same gene, and not everyone who carries an
addiction gene will exhibit the trait
Sex
Men are twice as likely to have problems with drugs.

Mental condition
Anxiety, depression and other mental conditions
These include having a mental illness, such as depression, having a
history of physical or sexual abuse, witnessing violence, or
experiencing other kinds of stress.
2. ENVIRONMENT
Peer pressure / curiosity
Lack of parental guidance and supervision
Family problems
Weak personality, desire to escape from reality, lack of self-confidence and
inferiority complex
Stress: Stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the demands
of life and our ability to cope with them
Work pressure e.g. Too much workload, Deadlines and procrastinations,
Low achievement, Low or high self esteem , Poor/lack of conducive
environment
Economy e.g. Unemployed, Laid off
Drug
Drug availability is, of course, a primary environmental factor in
contributing to drug abuse and addiction.
Effect of drug - Cause temporary, pleasurable feelings
Dependent
Others include
Peer pressure
Freedom
Experimentation/curiosity, thrill, myths
Escapism (drugs solve problems)
Highly young and dynamic population
Glamorization of drug culture
Misleading advertisements, Identity crisis
Hidden psychological disorders (stress, low self esteem, depression)
Lack of education or information on drugs.
Socio-cultural environment: general social attitude towards drugs:
Social acceptability and traditional values
Rebellion against parents and institutions
 Easy access and availability
Breakdown of socio-cultural norms and belief systems
Early exposure
Lukewarm political and administrative goodwill
Non-existent or weak legislation
Porous points of entry at border points
Unmatched communication network in the region
Information superhighway
Why do so many Teenagers start down this
potentially Dangerous path ?
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE
Typical signs and symptoms of drug and substance abuse include failure to
fulfill major role obligations at work, school, college or home.

Signs of physical deterioration

Memory lapses or blackouts, short attention span, difficulty in concentration
Sexual problems which include lack of appeal, function and promiscuity
Insomnia (lack of sleep), moodiness, fatigue, restlessness, shakes, agitation,
easily startled, dread of facing people, nausea, vomiting, sweating,
hallucinations and convulsions
Poor physical co-ordination, slurred or incoherent speech
 Chronic cough
Unhealthy appearance, indifference to hygiene or marked
deterioration in physical hygiene and grooming
Blood shot eyes or red eyes, dilated pupils, drooping eyelids
Burnt or stained thumb nails or finger tips, burnt holes on clothing
Injection marks as evidence of using needles
Unexplained skin rash
Watering eyes and nose (itching eyes)
Dark circles under the eyes and a blank facial expression
Suicidal behaviour
Pathological jealousy and lies
Migraine headaches
Signs of drugs and related items
Possession of drug related paraphernalia. E.g rolling papers
Possession of drugs or evidence of drugs
Odor of drugs, cover up scent
Identification with drug culture

Dramatic changes in performance

Work and assignments not completed or up to date
Increased absenteeism or tardiness (slow in arrival), lethargy (lack of
energy)
Inattentiveness, lack of concentration, loss of interest
Increased job related accidents particularly head injuries
Changes in behaviour
Quarrelsome
Chronic dishonesty (Lying, stealing, trouble with law
enforcers)
Changes of friends, evasiveness in talking about new friends-
referred by the first name
Nervous mannerism:- Frequent lip licking, jittery and foot
tapping
 Recurrent drug use may result in a failure to fulfil major role obligations at
work, school or home.
Repeated absences, poor performance, suspensions or neglect of duties in
major life domains suggests drug abuse.
Recurrent drug use in situations in which it is physically hazardous is a sign
of abuse.
Operating machinery, driving a car, swimming, or walking in a dangerous
area while under the influence indicates drug abuse.
Recurrent drug related legal problems s.a arrests for disorderly conduct, or
for driving under the influence are indicative of abuse.
Recurrent use despite having persistent or recurrent social or interpersonal
problems caused or exacerbated by the effects of the drug is indicative of
abuse.
 In a nutshell signs and symptoms:
Physical Signs
Tolerance, Withdrawal (the shakes, hangover)
Interpersonal Relationships
Marital Stress, Loss Friendships
Work Habits
Low productivity, Excessive absences
Value System
Involvement in the criminal justice system
Thought Processes
Judgment and memory impairments, denial
Spiritual Alienation
Drugs have become a god and nothing else matters.
FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO EMPLOYEES TAKING DRUGS AND SUBSTANCES OF
ABUSE
Work place culture
This is where the employer accepts and encourages taking of drugs e.g. end
of year parties where alcohol is used.
Where the employer encourages employees to take drugs and substances of
abuse though subsidized prices e.g. military barracks
Rewarding excellence or performance by giving alcohol as a motivational
item.
Work place alienation
Work that is boring
Stressful
Isolated/ loneliness
Lack of control over work conditions and products, sexual harassment,
verbal and physical aggression and disrespectful behaviour
 Access and availability of drugs through recreational
facilities within the work place that encourage drug and
substance abuse e.g. canteen, mess, public service clubs.
Supervision
Inadequate supervision and lack of clear boundaries regarding
DSA.
The non- existence and non- enforcement of workplace drug
policies
Poor delegation procedures
Poor financial and time management skills
IMPACT IN THE WORK PLACE
i. Increased absenteeism
ii. Increased personnel turnover
iii. Loss of skills
iv. Loss of tacit knowledge
v. Increased insurance costs
vi. Increased medical bills
vii. Increased demands for recruitment and training
viii. Decline in morals
ix. Food insecurity
x. High unemployment
xi. Unproductive manpower
xii. Escalating theft in the organization
xiii. Destruction of team spirit/ non-conducive working environment