Content: What is Drugs, the addiction and the abuse. The causes of drug consumption Classification of Drugs and its Short-term and Long-term effects.

2. What is a Drug?
A drug is any substance in synthetic or natural
form, which changes an individual’s physical and
psychological well-being. There are drugs that are
necessary for medicinal purposes such as to cure
an illness or maintain health.
What is Drug Addiction?
Drug addiction is a chronic disease characterized by
compulsive, or uncontrollable, drug seeking and use
despite harmful consequences and changes in the brain,
which can be long lasting. These changes in the brain can
lead to the harmful behaviors seen in people who use
drugs. Drug addiction is also a relapsing disease. Relapse
is the return to drug use after an attempt to stop.
What is Drug Abuse?
Drug Abuse happens when a
drug is used for purposes other
than its medicinal or health
purposes.

3. Factors Influencing Substance
Use and Abuse
There are several factors which influence young
people to use and abuse substances. The following are
some of these factors:
1. Lack of Parental Supervision and Support
2. Strong Peer Pressure and Curiosity
3. Intense Feelings of Pleasure
Teenagers who come from
broken families or lack
parental supervision and
support are vulnerable to
drug use and abuse.
Adolescents are the most
vulnerable and are most
likely to try using substances
just because they feel the
need to belong and be
accepted.
Many substances abused
by drug users produce
euphoria. Euphoria is a
psychological state of
extreme cheerfulness and
high-spirited sensation.

4. 4.Relief from Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.
5.Increased Physical and Cognitive Performance
Some people resort to the
use of drugs to relieve their
suffering from stress-
related disorders, anxiety
disorders, and depression.
Some people who need to
enhance their physical
performance and cognition
use drugs which chemically
enhance certain body
functions. Continued use,
however, leads to abuse,
addiction and even death.

5. Classification of Drugs
Stimulants
A commonly abused drug
that affects the central nervous
system raising the body’s
levels of physiological activity.
A person who takes a stimulant
feels more awake and more
active than usual. Stimulants
are also known by different
street names like “uppers,”
“speed,” and “heart.”
Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
1.Increased heart rate
and palpitations
2.Increased blood
pressure
3.Increased brain and
body activity
4.Raised body
temperature
5.Inability to sleep
6.Loss of appetite
1.Addiction
2.Feelings of hostility
and paranoia
3.Dangerously high
temperature
4.Involuntary and
painful contraction
of muscles
5.Visual hallucinations
6.Suicidal thoughts
and violent behavior
7.Dilated blood
vessels which
constricts blood flow

6. Depressants
A depressant, also called a sedative or
“downer,” is a drug which slows down the normal
function central nervous system. It makes the
heartbeat and respiratory rate slower than normal.
Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
1.Slow brain function
2.Impaired judgement
3.Impaired senses
4.Loss of coordination
and balance
5.Slurred speech
6.Lowers blood
pressure
7.Lowers heart rate
8.Lowers respiration
rate
9.Confusion and
disorientation
1.Addiction
2.Depression
3.Chronic fatigue
4.Anxiety and panic
attacks
5.Impaired sexual
function
6.Infertility and
impotence
7.Chronic sleep
problems
8.Respiratory
depression and
respiratory arrest
9.Death

7. Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic
drugs, alter a person’s view and concept of what
is real. This affects all of the body’s senses.
Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
1.Dilated or large
pupils of the eyes
2.Headache and
dizziness
3.Body tremors
4.Loss of appetite and
stomach pains
5.Rapid heart rate
6.Rapid breathing
7.Delusions and
confusion
8.Difficulty sleeping
9.Restlessness and
irritability
1.Addiction
2.Severe fear, anxiety,
and stress
3.Frightening illusions
4.Severe panic
attacks
5.Prolonged
depression
6.Insanity
7.Paranoia
8.Brain damage and
mental disorders
9.Suicidal tendencies
10. Psychosis

8. Narcotics
Narcotics are drugs used principally for
pain management and medication. They
produce numbing effects and induce sleep. It
primarily affects the central nervous system
thereby distorting a person’s perception of
things. Administration is done through
inhalation, intravenous injection, or oral intake.
Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
1.Sudden rise in
sensations which is
called a “rush.” This
oftentimes comes
with a warm feeling
in the skin, severe
itching, dryness of
the mouth, and
vomiting
2.Drowsiness
3.Lower heart rate
4.Lower respiration
rate
5.Confusion
1.Blurred vision
2.Damage of various
systems like the
circulatory,
respiratory, and
nervous system
3.Hypothermia or
lowering of body
temperature
4.Death

9. Chemical Inhalants
Chemical Inhalants are volatile substances
inhaled by users. Its vapor enters the body
through the nasal canal to the lungs, into the
bloodstream, and to the different parts of the
body.
Short-Term Effects Long-Term Effects
1.Drunk-like effects
2.Severe headaches
and dizziness
3.Slurred speech
4.Foul breath
5.Rapid heart rate
6.Rapid respiration
rate
7.Difficulty in
coordinating body
parts
1.Addiction
2.Irritability
3.Easily gets irritated
4.Severe depression
5.Lung diseases like
pneumonia
6.Organ damage
particularly the
heart, lungs, kidney,
liver, and brain

10. How to be Drug Free?
1.Having a Healthy Body
2.Take Control of Your Life
3.Respect Yourself and Others
Taking control of one’s life means deciding to live a
clean, wholesome lifestyle, setting goals for oneself, and
focusing one’s efforts toward achieving those goals.
Engage in productive, worthwhile activities that
make you a better person and enhance your self-
esteem. If you think highly of yourself and have
confidence in your talents and abilities, you will
develop self-respect and also gain the respect of
others.
If you live a healthy lifestyle and surround
yourself with positive, supportive, and good
company, your chances of remaining drug-free
increases. Eat the right food, exercise, engage in
leisure activity with friends and family, and
enrich your mind through productive endeavors.

11. 4.Make Sound Decision
The quality of your life is the product of the
decisions you make. If you make sound and well-
thought of decisions you can have a happy,
productive life.
Every person should make it a goal to stay
drug-free throughout one’s life. Although certain
drugs may be necessary to cure an illness or
maintain good health, there are many things one
can do in order to avoid having to take
medication. One can begin by practicing and
maintaining a healthy lifestyle. This does not only
mean eating the right food, getting enough rest
and exercise, and maintaining good hygiene.
These are all important for physical health, but
one must make the same effort of looking after the
social, emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of
one’s life. By doing so, one can move towards
achieving total wellness where there is little or no
need for drugs of any kind.
Sources://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/treatme
nt-approaches-drug-addiction, Our World of MAPEH (Vivian
Luge et al, 2014)