Drug abuse is a very serious, chronic, public health problem and can be considered as a brain disease. It is characterized by seeking drugs compulsively and using them, despite harmful effects on the brain and the body. Drug abuse is considered a brain disease because it causes changes in the structure of the brain which are long lasting and this can lead to behavioural changes in the person.
Initially, a person starts taking drugs voluntarily. However, over a period of time with repeated abuse, the drugs cause permanent changes in the brain, and this makes the person lose his self-control, and he cannot resist the urge to use drugs. It is out of their control. Hence, drug abuse is referred to as a relapsing brain disease, which means that even after treatment and cure, there is a possibility that the person might return to taking drugs.
Consequences of drug abuse are disastrous, affecting not only the person’s health but also ruining his socio-economic as well as family life.
Drug abuse is a very serious, chronic, public health problem and can be considered as a brain disease. It is characterized by seeking drugs compulsively and using them, despite harmful effects on the brain and the body. Drug abuse is considered a brain disease because it causes changes in the structure of the brain which are long lasting and this can lead to behavioural changes in the person.
Initially, a person starts taking drugs voluntarily. However, over a period of time with repeated abuse, the drugs cause permanent changes in the brain, and this makes the person lose his self-control, and he cannot resist the urge to use drugs. It is out of their control. Hence, drug abuse is referred to as a relapsing brain disease, which means that even after treatment and cure, there is a possibility that the person might return to taking drugs.
Consequences of drug abuse are disastrous, affecting not only the person’s health but also ruining his socio-economic as well as family life.
People abusing drugs exhibit the following symptoms and behaviours:
Like mental disorders, the causes for a person to abuse drugs vary. However, the extent or the risk for a person becoming vulnerable to drugs depends on his social environment, mental and physical health. Below are some risk factors which may cause drug abuse:
It is easier to avoid drugs in the first place than to go for treatment and rehabilitation. Tips to avoid drug abuse:
Drug addiction causes havoc in the body and impairs proper digestion and absorption of vital nutrients required for the body. Hence, diet plays an important role in the detoxification program.
People recovering from addiction should avoid the following foods:
Drug abusers face a lot of social issues like social outcast, stigma and are looked down upon. This is one of the reasons they don’t come out in the open and talk about their issues. Supporting addicts, listening to them and persuading them to opt for professional help is the first and most important step in the recovery process.
People abusing drugs exhibit the following symptoms and behaviours:
Like mental disorders, the causes for a person to abuse drugs vary. However, the extent or the risk for a person becoming vulnerable to drugs depends on his social environment, mental and physical health. Below are some risk factors which may cause drug abuse:
It is easier to avoid drugs in the first place than to go for treatment and rehabilitation. Tips to avoid drug abuse:
Drug addiction causes havoc in the body and impairs proper digestion and absorption of vital nutrients required for the body. Hence, diet plays an important role in the detoxification program.
People recovering from addiction should avoid the following foods:
Drug abusers face a lot of social issues like social outcast, stigma and are looked down upon. This is one of the reasons they don’t come out in the open and talk about their issues. Supporting addicts, listening to them and persuading them to opt for professional help is the first and most important step in the recovery process.