What is the definition of drug abuse?
Almost every community and family has been affected by drug misuse in some way. Drug misuse is responsible for millions of serious diseases and injuries every year. Among the most commonly abused narcotics are:
Alcohol.
Heroin.
Marijuana.
Nicotine.
Anabolic steroids.
Cocaine.
As defined by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, addiction is characterised by obsessive drug seeking and use, despite knowing the consequences of doing so. It is classified as a human brain disorder because it involves functional alterations to brain circuits that are involved in reward, stress, and self-control, and because such changes may persist for a lengthy period of time after a person has ceased taking the drugs in question.
Addictive substances such as drugs and alcohol exist. Once a person becomes a victim of their abuse, it is difficult to get rid of them or to resist from doing so. Their drug and alcohol addiction and dependence could have serious consequences. Adolescents are more prone to developing these habits than adults.
Alcohol and drug abuse is a fairly frequent problem in our culture today, and it affects almost everyone. If this addiction is not addressed, it can have serious and harmful consequences if left unchecked. There are various sorts of treatment available for drug addiction.
Examine how alcohol and drug misuse can be prevented and controlled in the next paragraphs.
Addiction to Alcohol and Other Drugs: Prevention and Control
Young and adolescent minds are susceptible to being shaped in any direction depending on the type of exposure they receive. They may form friendships with substance abusers and develop a preference for drinking, smoking, or using drugs. At this moment, it is the role of both the parents and the teachers to manage the situation delicately and steer the children in the proper direction.
There are a number of steps that must be implemented in order to prevent and control alcohol and drug abuse.
- In Indian society, young people are frequently pushed to their limits in order to achieve success in every sector. Parents want their children to exceed their peers in all areas of life, including academics, sports, creativity, and other extracurricular activities. When confronted with excessive pressure, children frequently resort to using alcohol and drugs as a last resort.
- To teach the child to deal with failures, pressures, stress, and disappointments, it is necessary to provide him or her with consistent counselling. Guidance towards productive activities such as music, painting, yoga or athletics (or perhaps one of their hobbies) may be beneficial.
- Children frequently pick up habits from their immediate family members. As a result, the attitudes of parents and older siblings toward alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs have an impact on the choices made by children.
- It is necessary to seek assistance from parents or trusted friends in order to help the youngster vent out their worry and guilt if they are stressed and on the verge of abusing their parents or trusted friends who may guide them in the right route.
- Parents must maintain contact with their children at all times, and they must keep track of their whereabouts. Spending more quality time with their families will enable children to remain connected to and be honest with their parents.
- If it is discovered that youngsters have fallen victim to alcohol and drug misuse, their friends must bring this to the attention of their parents or teachers as soon as possible so that the latter can take appropriate measures to prevent it from happening again.
- In the case that the kid undertake drugs despite all of the precautions taken, professional assistance should be sought immediately. Rehab centres, de-addiction programmes, and competent psychiatrists are available to assist in the treatment of addiction issues in general.