Drug Abuse

Drug abuse, or in more polite form substance abuse, is a practice of taking illegal substances for its simulating effects or other effects in the absence of medical guidance or prescription.

Drug abuse, though prevalent mainly among teens, can be seen in people with varied age groups and of any gender. The substance can be anything lie narcotics, stimulants, sedatives, cannabis, vapour and paints. It starts with taking a substance for taste or experimentation with friends. These recreational drugs surge in levels of dopamine in brain which triggers feeling of pleasure. Gradually, after few such session, these substances become need of the brain.

Athletes take drugs to increase their performance. Some people take drugs to overcome stress and anxiety , some to feel confident and some to overcome depression and fill the void in their life. These people get so much dependent on drugs that without it they find themselves incapable of performing their routine works.

Although different drugs have different physical effects the symptoms are similar. The inaccessibility of drugs make them depress, violent and they experience nausea, restlessness, insomnia, shaking, sweating and anxiety. They also experience blackouts, infections, mood swings, depression and paranoia. What once started as recreation or temporary solution becomes the necessity.

Drug abusers often try to conceal their symptoms and downplays their problem. So it is hard to identify them. Although the common warnings signs are:

Change in appetite or sleep patterns.

Bloodshot eyes and impaired coordination.

Engaging in secretive or suspicious behaviour.

Appears anxious or paranoid.

Sudden irritability or angry outburst.

Addiction is a complex problem that affects every aspect of life. Overcoming require major changes to the way one live. Recognizing and accepting that one have a problem is the first step on the road to recovery; recovery takes tremendous courage, strength and self-control. If one is ready to make a change and willing to seek help, then one can overcome to seek help, then one can overcome addition and live a drug free life. Drug addiction is not a choice of lifetime, it is a disorder of the brain and we need to recognize this.

Yugank

MBA-ITBM(2013-15)