NAME ROLL NO

Andrew Varghese John 37

Pooja Angre 38
Aisha Ansari 39
Farheen Ansari 40
Firdous Ansari 41
Hurmat Ansari 42

STANDARD: FYBCOM
DIVISION: A
TITLE: Drug Addiction Causes and Remedial Measures
SUBMITTED TO: Mr. Sandeep Sahu














INDEX

1) Drug Addiction (Introduction and characteristics)
a. Drug abuse
b. Drug tolerance
c. Drug addiction
d. Drug dependence
2) Types of Drugs
a. Narcotics
b. Barbiturate
c. Tranquillizers
d. Amphetamines
e. Cocaine
f. Marijuana
g. Hallucinogens
3) Causes of Drug Addiction
4) Signs and Symptoms of Drug Addiction
5) Drug Addiction among youth
6) Effects of Drug Addiction
7) Remedial Measures against Drug Addiction
8) Treatment for Drug Addiction










INTRODUCTION TO DRUG ADDICTION
Drug addiction is a chronic disease affecting the brain, and just about everyone is different. Drugs affect
different people in different ways. One person can take and abuse drugs, yet never become addicted, while
another merely has one experience and is immediately hooked.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO) Drug Addiction is a state of periodic or chronic intoxicant,
detriment to the individual and to the society, produced by repeated consumption of a drug, either natural or
synthetic.




DRUGS



CHARACTERISTICS OF DRUG ADDICTION
1. A strong desire or need to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means
2. A tendency to increase the dose
3. A psychological and physical dependence on the effects of the drug.

Some of the related terms commonly used are:
Drug Abuse: Drug Abuse may be defined as the use of a substance in such a way that leads to personal and / or
social consequences such as impaired physical or mental health, impaired maturation, loss of productivity and
involvement in socially disruptive or illegal activities. It implies the use of a drug by individuals to such an
extent that it results in problematic behaviour and is likely to cause harm to the user and to the society. It results
in severe mental and physical ill-health for the user.
Drug Tolerance: Drug Tolerance is the use of increasing amounts of a drug upon repeated exposure, to
experience its original effect. If a person has high drug tolerance, he will increase his dose of the drug; which
may prove to be costly, and harmful especially in the long-run
Drug Dependence: Drug Dependence are of two types:
1. Physical dependence refers to the bodys need for a drug. It exits when the use of a drug is stopped
and may result in withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, fever, hypertension, etc
2. Psychological dependence refers to the minds need for a drug. It is a craving or a strong
psychological need for pleasurable mental effects produced by a drug.

DRUGS

TYPES OF DRUGS
Ecstacy: Ecstacy which is also known as tab, happy face, disco burgers, doves etc. Ecstacy is a tablet that is
hand made using very dangerous chemicals. Ecstacy has become a very popular drug taken by hundreds of
people around the world. It is mainly taken for the party moods, where you can dance the whole night away. It
usually takes effect 20 to 30 minutes after you have taken it, it is taken by the mouth and wears off about 3 to 4
hours after it has been consumed. The taker can feel and see things much nicer then it was and also your
hearing sounds are better which put you in a dancing mood particularly when the music has a strong rhythm.
Ecstacy puts you in a relaxing mood, sleepiness, sexual behaviour and in easy temperament. Afterwards, it can
cause exhaustion and depression after ecstacy has been consumed and worn out of the body system. The side
effects are sweating constantly, chills, blurry vision, increase of the heart rate, it can also cause internal
bleeding, damage the liver and kidney and cause heavy period for girls.
Cocaine: Cocaine which is also known as coke, or snow. Cocaine is a white crystalline powder mix with talcum
powder or fine sugar, it can be sniffed through a straw or a rolled paper or it can also be smoked or injected into
the body. Sniffing cocaine can damage the nasal membrane. It is known as a medicine used by many doctors
around the world as a pain killer.
Hallucinogens: Hallucinogens are a type of drug that causes subjective changes in thought, emotion, perception
and consciousness. Examples of hallucinogens include mushrooms, acid (LSD), ketamine, PCP,
dextromethorphan and peyote (mescaline drug). The 'hallucinations' which are caused by some of these kinds of
drugs may make you see, hear, smell, taste or feel things that are not real. Hallucinogens often intensify the
mood that a user is in at the time of consumption. Although hallucinogens are rarely life-threatening, they can
lead to death in an indirect manner. This is primarily due to the fact that a hallucinogen tends to alter the
perception of reality for users, which can lead them to drastic measures such as jumping off of buildings,
getting into a car accident, or other dangerous activities.
Barbiturates: Barbiturates are a group of drugs in the class of drugs known as sedative-hypnotics, which
generally describes their sleep-inducing and anxiety-decreasing effects. Its slang names include barbs, reds,
yellow jackets and goofballs. It can be either swallowed or injected. The user can easily develop physical and
psychological dependence for the drug. The effects on the abuser include irritability, quarrelsome behaviour,
emotional instability, etc. Overdoses of barbiturates are a common method of committing suicide.
Amphetamines: Amphetamines is a class of drugs that stimulates the central nervous system and produces
increased wakefulness and focus in the user. Its euphoric effects have made the drug popular among people
who wish to stay awake for long periods of time, reduce tiredness, improve performance in sport, increase
endurance or just to plain boost confidence. They are known as uppers, bennies, beans, speed, and crank. It
varies in appearance, from white pills to powder or crystals. This drug can be ingested orally, injected, sniffed,
or smoked. It can make a person feel energetic. Effects of amphetamines include a sense of well-being, and
make the person feel more confident. This feeling can last for up to 12 hours, and some people continue to use
to avoid coming down from the drug.
Narcotics: A narcotic is a type of drug that is used to alleviate pain, help to suppress cough, reduce anxiety or
tension. True narcotics, or opioids, are made from opium, which is extracted from the poppy. In the United
States, "narcotics" is a term often used incorrectly to describe any illegal drug. There are two types of narcotics,
opiates and synthetics. Some examples are:
Heroin
Morphine
Codeine
Oxycodone
Vicodin
Fentanyl
Methadone
Although narcotics are prescribed by doctors to help people who are suffering from pain, the abuse of narcotics
is widespread in the United States. it is illegal to consume narcotics that are not prescribed to you. There are
several dangers from using narcotics illegally. First of all, you may have a bad reaction to the drug, you may
become addicted or you may overdose. If you are prescribed a narcotic for an extended period of time, you may
develop a tolerance to the drug.
Tranquilizers: Tranquilizers are used to treat anxiety or problems with sleep. They have a calming effect by
depressing the nervous system in a way similar to alcohol. They are the most commonly prescribed psychiatric
medications. They produce a relaxing and anxiety-reducing effect. Minor tranquilizers have direct depressant
effects on brain areas that regulate wakefulness and alertness. They enhance the action of receptors that
stimulate the nervous system. Major tranquilizers primarily affect specific receptors in the brain that reduce
psychotic thoughts, perceptions and agitation.
Marijuana: Marijuana is either smoked or swallowed. The forms of marijuana include: bhang, ganja, hashish.
The slang names of marijuana are: grass, pot, harsh, harsh oil. Its effects are restlessness, a sense of relaxation .
Very large doses of marijuana can produce severe reactions such as: fantasies, loss of personal identity. Severe
abuse can bring in depression, panic, and in rare instances even a psychotic breakdown.




CAUSES OF DRUG ADDICTION
The Causes of Drug Addiction are explained as follows:
1. Availability of Drugs: Availability of drugs is an important factor that causes drug addiction. If the
drugs are readily available, the potential abusers may use them or experiment them. If they like the
results, they will probably continue using them. But, if the drugs are not readily available, they would
not trouble themselves to find them. However, they are some abusers who are so enslaved to drugs that
they will go to any extent to obtain them.
2. Peer Pressure: Peer Pressure has a great impact on individuals, especially teenagers to get involved with
drugs. They take drugs to be accepted by the group, or else they may feel isolated. Drug users seek
approval for their behaviour from their peers, so they often try to convince others to join in their habit as
a way of seeking acceptance.
3. Personality Traits: Many drug abusers are essentially immature. They are unable to cope with problems,
anxieties and frustrations in a mature and rational manner. They feel inadequate and are unable to deal
with pressures that surround them. For them, drugs can provide a temporary source of adequacy and a
feeling of being able to cope with pressures.
4. Curiosity: Some people are tempted to experience drugs out of curiosity. This is especially true among
young adults. They are curious to try new things and to experience new sensations. They want to see
what effects will drug produce.
5. Psychological Dependence: There are some psychoactive drugs that have the power to affect or change
mood, behaviour, or consciousness, of the users. These drugs activate or influence the functioning of the
central nervous system. This may create such a craving for drug to the user that he continues taking it.
6. Hedonism: Hedonism means the idea that pleasure is the most important thing in life. Some people are
essentially hedonistic. They take drugs to endlessly seek out pleasurable experiences.
7. Physical Dependence: Physical Dependence, like psychological dependence is the cause and effect of
drug addiction. When the drug abuser stops taking drugs, he may experience withdrawal symptoms such
as vomiting, fever, hypertension, etc. Hence, to cope with these withdrawal symptoms, the abuser may
start taking drugs again.
8. Parental Influence: Children of drug addicts are at a high risk of drug addiction. Children, particularly,
young adults imitate the behaviours of their parents. Hence, if parents take drugs, their children may be
influenced by them and thus, the children may also become drug addicts.




SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ADDICTION
The signs and symptoms of drug addiction are as follows:
Sudden change in behaviour
Mood swings; irritable and grumpy and then suddenly happy and bright
Withdrawal from family members
Careless about personal grooming
Loss of interest in hobbies, sports, and other favourite activities
Changed sleeping pattern; up at night and sleeps during the day
Red or glassy eyes
Sniffly or runny nose
Fatigue
Needle marks or bruises on lower arm, legs or bottom of feet
Depression
Unexplained need for money
Problems with the law

A DRUG ADDICT DEPRESSED



DRUG ADDICTION AMONG YOUTH
Parents and guardians need to be vigilant in watching for teen drug abuse and the signs of possible drug
addiction in their teenage children. Here are some categories to consider if and when you suspect something
might be going on.
School: Has your child lost interest in school work, or even going to school? Your child suddenly dislikes
school and will look for any excuse not to attend. Have the grades fallen off? You may consider calling the
school to see if your child has been skipping classes. Once they leave the house do they find their way to
school? If there has been a swing in performance, as almost overnight your child goes from being a good
student to barely passing, this is a sign of possible teen drug abuse.
Health: Have there been any changes in your childs appearance? Are they listless, or have they lost interest in
grooming, their manner of dress? Teenagers are usually interested in how they look, even though the current
fashion may not be appealing to parents. Teenagers want to fit in, but if they lose interest in how they look, or
they suddenly just dont care about this area of their life, there may be a problem. Teen drug abuse is a
possibility.
Attitude: Has your child lost interest in doing things they once loved to do? Has there been a personality shift,
or are they hanging out with a different crowd? Try to notice if there has been any change in sleeping patterns
Personal Space: When teenagers make extended efforts to distance themselves from their family, not just their
parents, there may be another issue at play. Teenagers enjoy privacy, but when their right to privacy includes
refusing their parents information on where they are going, what they are doing and who they are going to be
with, that is a cause for concern. Perhaps the teen does not allow parents even to enter their room. Thats a red
flag. Any dramatic change in their interaction with the family is a possible indicator.
Money: Many teens hold a job and earn their spending money. Some may receive spending money from their
parents. In any case, if there is a sudden request for money with no reasonable explanation for the need, there
might be an issue. The teen may even be irritated when asked, as if his/her demand for money was an
entitlement and the parents have no right to ask why. What is the money for? Teen drug abuse may be the
explanation.
Only Alcohol: Many parents are relieved to learn that their child is only drinking and not using drugs. It is a
dangerous, if not foolish position to take, because we see no difference between alcoholism and drug addiction.
With addiction, it is centered on the drug of choice, so whether its beer or crack cocaine, abuse is abuse.


EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION
1) Effects on the Individual: When an individual takes a particular drug they expect a desired effect to take
place. This is true not only for legal drugs such as cough medicine, where the desired drug effect is the
suppression of coughing, but illegal drugs as well. Addictive drugs enter the body through a variety of
routes. The drugs then make their way to the bloodstream and go straight to the brain, where they exert
their harmful effects.
2) Effects on the family: By the time, an addict realizes he/she has a problem, that problem has already
taken a heavy toll on the family. Drug addiction family impact is immeasurable but at the same time
very subtle. Husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, and sadly children are all impacted. Families can
be sources of strength and support, or they can passively enable the addiction to advance.
3) Effects on society: Drug addiction destroys not only the abuser's life, but affects the rest of society, too.
The rest of us pay in increased taxes as well more problems in the institutions that affect us and our
children. Even if we could ignore drug addiction in our country, illegal drug use encourages the drug
trade--and the resulting enforcement problems and government instability--in other countries.
4) Effects on health: If left unchecked, the drug is going to win. Drug abuse is a disease of the brain, and
the drugs change brain chemistry, which results in a change in behaviour. Aside from the obvious
behavioural consequences of addiction, the negative effects on a persons health are potentially
devastating. While addicts use drugs to feel better, the unintended consequences include but are not
limited to overdose, HIV/AIDS, stroke, cardiovascular disease and a host of related maladies.
5) Effects on the body: Individuals who suffer from addiction often have one or more accompanying
medical issues, including lung and cardiovascular disease, stroke, cancer, and mental disorders. Imaging
scans, chest X-rays, and blood tests show the damaging effects of drug abuse throughout the body.

FAMILIES AS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH AND SUPPORT

REMEDIAL MEASURES AGAINST DRUG ADDICTION

NO DRUG AWARENESS
1) Awareness and Education: Drug education is an important tool in preventing drug abuse. Proper
education helps in creating awareness of the dangers connected with drugs abuse. Drug abuse education
should be integrated in school and college curricula, emphasising on the destructive effects of drug use.
Proper education be imparted to parents in preventing the use of drugs by children. Mass media plays a
crucial role for communicating accurate information about drug abuse to a large population
2) Organising Youth Centres: Drug addiction may be caused due to the feelings of isolation, loneliness,
anxiety etc. Hence, social service organisations, and NGOs should establish youth centres to overcome
such feelings. Youth centres enable the youngsters to: get along freely with others, share their problems,
and entertain themselves.
3) Strict Action against Drug Pushers: Drug addiction is often related with prostitution, crime, accidents
and violent behaviour. Hence, strict action should be taken not only against drug pushers but also
against drug addicts. There should be stringent laws and severe punishment for drug traffickers and for
drug abusers. This will result in remarkable success in reducing problems relating to drug trafficking
and drug abuse
4) Counselling Centres: Counselling centres can be set up by educational institutes, community centres and
NGOs for. It may help to reduce drug abuse/ improve the persons ability to perform better, reduce drug
menance.
5) Watching For Early Signs of Possible Drug Addiction: If the early signs and symptoms of drug-taking
can be detected, drug addiction may be prevented. Some of the common signs and symptoms are loss of
appetite, sudden change of friends, and withdrawal from family.
6) International Help: United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control(UNFDAC) provides assistance to
governments and international organisations to: prevent drug abuse through education and public
information campaigns, provide facilities and develop methods for treatment, and rehabilitation of drug-
dependent persons, conduct research on drug abuse and its control.





















TREATMENT FOR DRUG ADDICTION
1) Hospitalisation: Drug addict must be hospitalised. Through bio-chemical tests, it can be determined that
which drugs the addict has been using. Accordingly, the treatment for the withdrawal symptoms can be
given.
2) Behavioural Therapies: Drug addicts often require a combination of behavioural therapies and
medications. It consists of counselling, support groups, family therapy.
3) Occupational Therapy: Occupational therapy consists of occupying the drug addict with some
constructive work, while undergoing counselling.
4) Change in Addicts Social Environment: A drug addict may become so, due to his social environment,
which may include stress, frustration, anxiety etc. Such social environment needs to be modified for
treating drugs. An environment that consist of patient listening, caring, and understanding a drug addict
is conducive for the treatment.
5) Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Narcotics Anonymous is a organisation that is similar to Alcoholics
Anonymous. Here, the drug addicts share their experiences with each other. An ex-addict may narrate
his experiences and points out the various disadvantages of and remedies for drug addiction.


CONSELLLING HOSPITALISATION









CONCLUSION
Drug abuse is a complex problem thought to result from a combination of hereditary, psychological, and
environmental factors. It affects people from the neonatal stage to old age. Infants of abusers may suffer from
neglect or the effects of parental drug use. As they grow into childhood, they may demonstrate antisocial
behaviour, and signs of malnutrition, poor self-esteem, depression, or attention deficit disorder. This may lead
an adolescent to use drugs, have unwanted pregnancies, and drop out of school. Identification of drug abuse is a
difficult first step on the road to recovery because of the methods many abuses use to hide their addiction, the
inability of family members to recognize or accept the problem, and the relatives' enabling behaviour.




PLEASE SAY NO TO DRUGS!!







BILBOGRAPHY
1) Foundation Course-1 F.Y.Bcom by Michael Vaz
2) http://www.drug-addiction-support.org/effects-of-drug-addiction.html
3) http://www.drugaddiction.net/