Substance abuse

Did you know that over 36million people suffere from drug use disorders? There are over 11 million cannabis users in Nigeria. Cannabis remains the most widely used illicit substance in the African Region. The highest prevalence and increase in use is being reported in West and Central Africa with rates between 5.2% and 13.5%.

What exactly is Substance Abuse?

Substance abuse is the misuse of alcohol, psychoactive drugs and other chemicals such as volatile substances, petrol.

What is substance dependence?

Substance dependence is the medical term used to describe abuse of drugs or alcohol that continues even when significant problems related to their use have developed.

Examples of Substances that are usually abused includes:

Caffeine
Cannabis
Cocaine
Hallucinogens
Inhalation
Nicotine
Opiods

Terms frequently used in substance abuse:

• Abuse: refers to maladaptive patterns of substance use that impair health
• Dependence: refers to certain physiological and psychological phenomena induced by repeated taking of a substance.
• Withdrawal state: refers to a group of symptoms and signs occurring when a drug is reduced in amount or withdrawn, which last for a limited time.

Factors that influence substance abuse

• Personal factor: maybe due to having a disrupted family, broken homes
• Social factors: being influenced by peer pressure, social deprivation, unemployment, homelessness,
• Availability of drugs

Treatment/Management

• • Maintenance therapy: where the doctor prescribed another less dependent drug with slower action to replace the original drug
• • Biological treatment: withdraw the drug of dependence
• • Detoxification (if needed, based on the substance abused) and long-term follow-up management or recovery-oriented systems of care are important features of successful treatment.
  • Long-term follow-up management usually includes formalized group meetings and psychosocial support systems, as well as continued medical supervision. Individual and family psychotherapy are often recommended to address the issues that may have contributed to and resulted from the development of a substance abuse disorder

Tips for Preventing Substance Abuse

While there is no one way or guaranteed way to prevent someone from abusing drugs and alcohol, there are things that everyone can do to prevent substance abuse.
Here are the top five ways to prevent substance abuse:

1. Understand how substance abuse develops.
   • Substance abuse starts by: •
     • Using addictive drugs (illicit or prescribed) for recreational purposes
     • Seeking out intoxication every time you use
     • Abusing prescription medication
2. Avoid Temptation and Peer Pressure. Develop healthy friendships and relationships by avoiding friends or family members who pressure you to use substances. If you surround yourself with people who abuse drugs and alcohol you are more likely to as well. Peer pressure is a major part of life for teens and adults. If you are looking to stay drug free develop a good way to just say no, prepare a good excuse or plan ahead of time to keep from giving into peer pressure.
3. Seek help for mental illness. Mental illness and substance abuse often go hand in hand. If you are dealing with a mental illness such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder you should seek professional help from a licensed therapist or counselor. A professional will provide you with healthy coping skills to alleviate your symptoms without turning to drugs and alcohol
4. Examine the risk factors. Look at your family history of mental illness and addiction, several studies have shown that this disease tends to run in the family, but can be prevented. The more you are aware of your biological, environmental and physical risk factors the more likely you are to overcome them.
5. Keep a well-balanced life. Practise stress management skills and try to overcome these life stressors. People often turn to drugs and alcohol when something in their life is missing or not working. Practicing stress management skills can help you and will help you live a balanced and healthy life. Teaching about ways of reducing stress as stress is a great factor for vulnerable people.

Conclusion:

One of the key impacts of illicit drug use on society is the negative health consequences experienced by its members. Drug use also puts a heavy financial burden on individuals, families and society.

Say no to drug use today

Reference
https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/substance-abuse
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/substance-abuse-chemical-dependency