Youth and Substance Abuse

Substance abuse Grade 7

WHAT IS SUBSTANCE ABUSE? Substance abuse can simply be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes.

It is uncontrolled and un-prescribed.

It leads to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health, or the welfare of others.

What is substance abuse ?It is repetitive use of substances resulting in recurrent and significant adverse consequences, e.g.

* Failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school or home.Use means using one or many substances Too much of everything is dangerous

Why do people use substances?For enjoyment Peer pressurePersonal historyStressedFamily background

smoking anddrinking alcohol

Craving

It is a strong subjective drive to use the substance. It is likely to be experienced by most (if not all) individuals with substance dependence.

Types of drugs

Depressants Marijuana HeroinAlcoholTobaccoStimulants Crystal Meth CocaineEcstasyHallucinogensLSDMagic Mushrooms

Marijuana (cool drug)Also know as cannabis, pot, weedThese plants have resin containing molecules known as cannabinoidsCannabinoids bind to cannabinoid receptors in your brain and other parts of your body, in particular the nervous and immune systemsIt tends to suppress hormones produced by stress reactions and stimulate an increase in dopamine in the brain which activates pleasure pathways

CausesYou drink them to fit in the societyBad influence guides you to themSometimes you want to follow the example of olderonesWhen you sufferred from something, mostlyA love situation, you use it to calm your pain

Social and College LifeSubstance abuse and addiction can seriously affect one's life in college/school, at work, and in relationships.Poor school performance.Poor work performance.Relationship trouble.Personality changes.

Potential Consequence of Substance UseMost concerning overdose and deathAddictionAccidentsInfectious illnesses/diseasesLoss of relationships or turmoil in relationshipsDecrease in functioning with school, job, responsibilitiesLegal difficultiesMental Health and Substance UsePeople with substance use problems have higher rates of mental health problems than the general population

People with mental health problems have higher rates of substance use problems than the general population

Young people age 15-24 are more likely to report mental health and/or substance use problems than other age groupsYOUTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSEMost youths do not consider alcohol, tobacco, and sometimes marijuana as drugs.

56% of youths between the ages 10-17 years have tried at least one drug.

The rise in HIV AIDS and other STDs among our youth has direct links to Drug Abuse.

A comparison

EffectsIt gives you a bad image of yourselfMakes you sickerMakes you addictive to it

effectsThe most widespread and harmful drugs heavily used by the youth is Tobacco and Alcohol.

Drug dependence can be physical or psychological, or both.

Brain and BodyTeenage brain A work in progress

Blackouts and memory lapse

Liver disease

effectsWorldwide, only two large and growing causes of death exist. One is HIV-1 infection, and the other is tobacco.

However, there is no "safe" level of drug use. All drugs have the potential to cause harm, not just the illegal ones.

Intervention Case Study.Natashas storyAge 22Started using drugs the age of 12-13.Started hanging out with kids much older than her.Peer pressure forced her to try other drugs too.She started using cocaine and cannabis at the age of 14.

Her youthIt started to affect her personal lifeShe withdrew herself from her family.She became depressed and her aggression spiked.She isolated herself from the society.She shoplifted to fund her addictions.

When she realizedAt the age of 18 years she realized that she had a serious problem.She admitted herself into YMCA Drug Program.She managed to stay away from drugs with sheer will power and support from her family.She was in the program for 6 months.She is now clean from drugs.

What is addictionAddiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioural control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with ones behaviours and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response.

Excerpt from American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) definition

Who becomes addictedEVERYONE!Risk factors that are commonly seen:StressFamily historySelf-esteemExposureTraumaMental illness concurrent disorders

WHY DOES A STUDENT LIKE YOU AND ME FALLS VICTIM TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE?PERSONAL CAUSESCuriosity.Inherited Tendencies.

Poor Self Image/Self Esteem.Boredom & Idleness.

PERSONAL CAUSESDesire to feel good/high.Lack of Information.Feeling of Invincibility.

Illiteracy.Difficulty Coping with Depression & Stress.

SOME COMMON SUBSTANCESTOBACCO.

ALCOHOL.

COCAINE.

INHALANTS.

ALCOHOL TOBACCO A LOOK AT ALCOHOL!

SYMPTOMS OF AN ALCOHOLICSmell of Alcohol on the person.

Impaired muscle/limbs coordination.

Impaired judgment.

Slurred, slow speech.

Swaggering walk.

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL SHORT TERM:

Faster & weaker heart beat.Confusion & lack of concentration.Mood changes quickly to violence & depression.LONG TERM:

Permanent liver, heart & brain damage.Liver cancer.Death from overdose.Death from road and other accidents.

BEFORE 6 BEERS AFTER 6 BEERS A LOOK AT TOBACCO

METHODS OF TOBACCO USESmoked in cigarettes, as cigars or in pipes.

Chewed as tobacco.

Sniffed.

EFFECTS OF TOBACCO USESHORT TERM:

Faster heart beatHigh blood pressure DizzinessRelieves tension & tiredness

LONG TERM:

Lung & Heart damageLung, mouth, & throat cancerStomach ulcersReduces sense of taste & smell

A LOOK AT COCAINE!

Cocaine

Cocaine is one of the most addictive of commonly abused substances and one of the most dangerous. Cocaine, variously referred to as crack, snow, cock, girl and lady, It is a white powder that is inhaled, smoked or injected.

EFFECTS OF COCAINE/CRACKSHORT TERM:

Faster heart beat.

Blood pressure rises.

Body temperature rises.

Cant sit still or sleep/Restlessness.

Short term high followed by depression

Changes in sleeping/eating habits.LONG TERM:Permanent lung damage.Holes & ulcers inside of the nose.Personality changes & violent behaviour.Fear of people & things(paranoia).Death from overdose.

Over dose of cocaine Intoxication by high doses is associated with delirium, seizures, cerebrovascular diseases and myocardial infarction which may lead to death.

But in the end, it all comes down to you. So if you dont want to look like him

Or him..

Or him

Then please.STOP SUBSTANCE ABUSE.

For a better environment,A better society,A happier lifeAnd above all for U.Because in the end.its your life and please please take care of it..

And hope I made a difference which counts

Conclusion

This is one of the very common problem at our age

We have to avoid drinking and smoking because our health dependson our decision and probably our live too

We dont have to be convinced with bad people and ideas and if we know the are bad we shouldnt have to be convinced