Dangers of drug abuse

Present
Youth Conference
September Edition

Brief history of drug
The first modern, pharmaceutical medicine was invented in 1804 by Friedrich
Serturner, a German Scientist. He extracted the main active chemical from opium
in his laboratory and named it morphine, after the Greek god of sleep.
Doctors used morphine to treat severe pain and are still using it for that purpose
in hospitals today. Unfortunately, Friedrich became addicted to his own drug, and
warned people to be very careful with it.
Morphine is a type of drug that falls into the Opioid family, a broad group of pain –
relieving drugs that work by interacting with Opioid receptors in your cells.
Read on, as we unveil more .

What is Drug?
Drug is defined as a medicine or other
substance which has a physiological
effect when ingested or otherwise
introduce into the body.

What is Drug Abuse?
Drug abuse is the inappropriate use of
drugs outside the normal prescription
by the health practitioner. It is the use
of drugs in order to affect or alter the
way the body normally respond to
stimuli or functions.

One of the most painful truths about
drug abuse is that it doesn’t just affect
the person using it alone; it also affect
the families and friends. Even their
relationships suffer and trust are
broken due to their substance abuse.
And as one continues in abusing drugs,
addiction becomes inevitable.

Why do people use drugs:
Many people use drugs for many reasons:
Some out of experimentation
Some out of curiosity – want to know how it
feels to be high or peer pressure,
Others stumble upon drugs as an escape
from the uncomfortable feeling of sadness
or anxiety they experience.
And some it is base on prescription.

Drug Addiction:
Drug addiction is a compulsive and chronic
disorder of the mind that leads an individual to
habitually use a substance in an effort to
achieve a desired outcome from it. Overtime ,
the outcome the addict is seeking may change.
For instance, initial trial with a drug is often
birth by curiosity – let me try. And as the use of
the substance becomes more frequent, the
body become physically dependent on the drug
in order to work (function) properly.

Signs that one is addicted to drug
Substance tolerance
A loss of control over how much or how often you use the drug
An obsession with the substance
Abandoning events and activities you used to enjoy
And continuingto use drugs even though they have had negative
effects on your life
 withdrawal – whether mild or sever- in the absence of the
substance is likely dependent on the substance. Withdrawal
symptoms includes:
 Trembling
 Fatigue
 Anxiety
 Depression
 Nausea with or without vomiting
 Excessive perspiration
 Headache
 Insomnia

Classes of drugs
According to the national institute of health, drugs are classified into four main
categories that work on the brain and body potentially causing or leading to
addiction.
Due to the fact that there are drugs that affect the brain and central nervous
system, creating an altered state in the brain, body and both, doctors has
decided to name them Psychoactive Drugs.
In other words, Psychoactive drugs are drugs that affect the brain and central
nervous system, creating an altered state in the brain, body and both.
There are seven major classes of drugs, otherwise known as categories of
drugs.

These drugs are classified based on their unique effects and
impacts on the body.
They are:
 Depressant
 Stimulant
 Opioid
 Hallucinogens
 Dissociatives
 inhalants
 Cannabis

DEPRESSANTS
Depressants drugs are the most commonly found types of drugs in the
society. Depressant such as alcohol are commonly available for most
people.
However, despite the wide availability, when become addictive it creates
negative outcomes.
Depressants also impact the body’s Central Nervous System CNS. It
makes the user feel as if things are “slowing down”. Thus, they are often
called “downers” on the street.
Some times doctors prescribe some depressant for anxiety, insomnia,
obsessive – compulsive disorder and other medical issues that prevent the
sufferer from fully relaxing.
Preference to Drugs by the Recovery Village

DEPRESSANTS Cont.
These drugs often offer a sedative experience, making them a tempting choice for
teens and adults who wish to escape everyday stresses.
Depressants effect motor function (any activity that results from stimulation of motor
neurons, including glandular activity as well as reflexes and voluntary and involuntary
muscle contractions}, both gross motor and fine motor, as well as the brain’s ability to
process information and act.
Examples of Depressants:
Barbiturates
- Phenobarbita
- Pentobarbital
Benzodiazepines
-Rohypnol
- Xanax
- Valium
Alcohol
Preference to Drugs by the Recovery Village

BARBITURATES:
Phenobarbital
Phenobarbital is also known as Phenobarbitone or Luminal or
Phenobarb, is a medication of the barbiturate type of drug. It is a
drug recommended by the world health organization (WHO) for
the treatment of certain types of EPILEPSY in developing
countries.
Being Barbiturate type of drug, it is a drug that acts as a central
nervous system depressant. Barbiturates are effective as
anxiolytics, hypnotics , and anticonvulsant, but have physical and
psychological addiction potential as well as overdose potential.
It is worthy to note that this Barbiturate drugs has no anti-dose
for overdose. And it has a high level of be an addictive .
Barbituric acid, the parent structure of all
Barbiturates

BARBITURATES:
Phenobarbital Cont’
One who abuse this drugs is tend to suffer
Common Side Effects
-Nausea
-Hypotension
-Headache
-Drowsiness
-Skin rash
Serious Side Effects
- Confusion
- Coma
- Hallucination
- Fainting
- Slow Breathing
- Agranulocytosi
- Stevens-John Syndrome
- Megaloblastic anemia

BARBITURATES:
For the older adult and pregnant women who abuse this drugs stand
to suffer. When a pregnant woman consume this drugs, it passes
through the placenta to the fetus. After the baby is born, it may
experience withdrawal symptoms and have trouble breathing. And
lactating mothers transfer the drugs to the child through breast milk.

BARBITURATES:
Image of Steven – Johnson syndrome
Steven – Johnson Syndrome: this
is a type of severe skin reaction.
Which together with Toxic
Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) forms
a spectrum of diseases.

ALCOHOL:
Alcohol act as a Depressant; this making it a popular choice for people who
need or want to relax. But the truth is that, alcohol can affect several parts of
the brain, but, in general, contracts brain tissues, destroys brain cells, as
well as depresses the Central Nervous System.
Excessive drinking over a prolonged period of time can cause serious
problems with cognition and memory.
Alcohol interacts with the brain receptors, interfering with the communication
between nerve cells, and suppressing excitatory nerve pathway activity,
Neuro-cognitive deficits, neuronal injury, and neurodegeneration are well
documented in alcoholics. Overdosing on alcohol can lead to severe toxicity
and death.

AlCOHOL cont:
Pictorial view of how alcohol affect the brain and the nervous system
Alcohol affects the followingvarious part o the brain:
Cerebral Cortex: This is the brain that is majorly
involved in thinking, decision-making, emotions, and
the five senses.
Alcohol’s effects on this part impairs your ability to
think clearly and lower your inhibitions. It may make
you act without thinking or being angry for no reason.
Alcohol also affect your senses, such as blurring your
vision, long-term alcohol abuse can permanently
damage this region.
That is to say, continuous drinking of alcohol can lead
to total damage of the Cerebral Cortex

AlCOHOL cont:
Alcohol affects the following various
part o the brain:
Cerebellum: This is the part of the brain
that is task with the responsibility of
coordination. It coordinate your daily
movement, such as walking and
grabbing object.
When alcohol is being taken, it slows
down your reflexes. It may cause you to
lose your balance or make your hand to
shake.

AlCOHOL cont:
part o the brain:
Medulla: This is the part of the brain
that is responsible for involuntary
processes, such as breathing and
monitoring of body temperature.
Alcohol at times shut it down leading
you into coma.

AlCOHOL cont:
part o the brain:
Central Nervous System: This is the
system that is made up of the brain,
spinal cord and nerves.
Alcohol slow down this system and that
affects how signals flow through your
body, making you think, speak and move
more slowly.

AlCOHOL cont:
part o the brain:
Hypothalamus: This is the small area of
the brain that is charged with the many
body processes, such as heart rate and
the feeling of hunger or thirst.
Alcohol slow your heart rate and make
you hungrier and thirstier.
This is the master mind behind after
drinking you being to crave for food.

AlCOHOL cont:
part o the brain:
Hippocampus: This is the chief in charge
of your memory. It controls your
memory (ability to recall and retain
information or events).
Drinking of alcohol can cause you to
blackout, or forget a period of time.
Long-term abuse can permanently
damage the hippocampus, making it
difficult for you to learn.

Remark on Alcohol
Drinking of alcohol affect the way
your brain works and entire body
system. You have see all that is does
to your brain, why then do you want
to still remain wallowing in that that
will only leave you dead?
Don’t wait till you are totally damage
beyond repair before you seek help
and cease drinking.
The best time is now!
Quit drink Alcohol…it destroys you

TOBACCO AS A DEPRESSANT
Tobacco is a leafy plant grown all around the
world. Tobacco contians a powerful drug
called nicotine. Nicotine is very addictive and
harmful to health.
Nicotine is the active ingredient in tobacco; a
chemical that acts as both stimulant and a
depressant. Tobacco gives users a minor
immediate rush, followed by a feeling of
relaxation. Nicotine is one of the most
addictive and dangerous substances
available in the market.

How NICOTINE Affect the health
The impact of Nicotine on the central
nervous system is neuro-regulatory in nature;
affecting biochemical and physiological
functions in the manner that reinforces drug-
taking behavious.
It increases your risk for heart disease,
stroke, cancer, lung disease, and many other
health conditions, smoking also has a
negative impact on your brain.

What nicotine does to your brain
Most people understand how smoking
affect the lungs and heart, but what’s
less known is the impact that nicotine
has on the brain.
“ Nicotine mimics several
neurotransmitters, [which send signals]
in the brain. Since nicotine is similar in
shape to the neurotransmitter
acetylcholine, signaling increases in the
brain”, as explained by Lori A. Russell-
Chapin, PhD, Professor at Bradley
University’s Online Masters of Counseling
program

What nicotine does to your brain cont’
Nicotine also activates dopamine signals, creating a
pleasurable sensation. As time progresses, the brain begins
to compensate for the increased signaling activity by
reducing the number of acetylcholine receptors, she
explains. This leads to nicotine tolerance to continued and
more nicotine is needed.
Nicotine also stimulates the pleasure centers of the brain,
mimicking dopamine, so your brain starts to associate
nicotine use with feeling good. This means that, instead of
the normal dopamine which is responsible for the
pleasure feeling, the nicotine replaces it.
According to the National Institutes of health, the nicotine
in cigarettes changes your brain, which leads to withdrawal
symptoms when you try to quit.

OTHER NICOTINE CONTAIN SUBSTANCES
People can smoke, sniff, chew or inhale the
vapours of tobacco and nicotine products.
And these products are subdivided into smoke
or inhale nicotine tobacco, and smokeless
nicotine tobacco product as seen in the
picture.
The smoke are: Cigarettes, Cigars, vaping
devices, and Hookahs (Shisha)
The smokeless are: Chewing Tobacco, Snuff,
Dip, and Snus.
Nicotine when taken in, absorbed into your bloodstream and goes to your adrenal glands just above
your kidneys. The glands release adrenaline which increases your blood pressure, breathing and
heart rate.

COMMON EFFECTS OF NICOTINE AND SMOKING ON THE
BRAIN -Cognitive Decline: Smokers experience
cognitive declination faster than their
non-smoker counterparts. You become
more forgetful. It is on research that
middle-aged male smokers experience
more rapid cognitive decline than non-
smokers.
-Increased Risk of dementia: Smokers are
at higher risk of dementia, a condition
that can affect memory, thinking abilities,
language skills, judgment and behaviour.
It can also cause personality changes.

BRAIN -Loss of brain volume: According to a
2017 study, the longer you smoke, the
higher your risk of greater age-related
brain volume loss. Researchers found
that smoking negatively affected the
structural integrity of sub cortical brain
regions.
-Higher Risk of Stroke: According to the
CDC, smokinig increases the risk of stroke
by two to four times in both men and
women. The risk increases if you smoke a
higher number of cigarettes. The good
news is that within 5 years of quitting
your risk may decrease to that of non-
smokers.

BRAIN -Higher risk of Cancer: Smoking
introduce many toxic chemicals into the
brain and body, some of which have the
ability to cause cancer.
Dr. Harshal Kirane, the medical director
of Well bride Addiction Treatment and
Research explained that with repeated
exposure to tobacco, genetic changes in
the lungs, throat, or brain may increase
your risk of developing cancer.
It is no news now that smoking does more hard than good, so why not
quit? In the next slide we will be seeing the benefit of quitting

HOW QUITTING MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Quitting Nicotine can benefit your brain, as well as many other parts of
your body. A study in 2018 found out that smokers who quit for a prolonged
period benefited from a reduced risk of dementia.
Another study has it that quitting tobacco can create positive structural
changes to the brain’s cortex – though it can be a long process but will
worth it.
According to Mayo Clinic Report, once you stop entirely, the number of
nicotine receptors in your brain will return to normal and craving should
subside.

When you quite nicotine, your heart rate will slow down just
20minutes after your last tobacco.
Reduce the levels of carbon monoxide in your blood to a
normal range within 12 hours of quitting.
Improve your circulation and lung function within 3 months of
quitting
Cut your risk of a heart attack by 50percent within a year.
 Reduce your stroke risk to that of a nonsmoker within 5 to 15
years.
BENEFIT OF QUITTING

STIMULANTS
Stimulants are class of drugs that speed up messages traveling between the brain and body. They can make one
feel more awake, alert, confident or energetic. They include caffeine, nicotine, amphetamines and cocaine.
Stimulants can be in the form of tablets, capsules, powders and small chunky clear crystals or a white or
brownish crystal-like powderwith a strong smell and bitter taste.
Other names for stimulants are Uppers, Beans, Pep Pills, Speed, Dexies, Smart Pills.
Illicit stimulants are usually snorted, swallowed,smoked or injected. Prescribed stimulants are usually taken
orally, and how long the effects last differs depending on the type.
The continual abusing of this drugs lead to a living threatening condition.
Some of the most commonly abused stimulants include cocaine, methamphetamine, and prescribed stimulants
like Ritalin, Adderall and Concerta

STIMULANTS
Stimulant abuse can occur in school or college when students want to enhance performance
in school or sports. Stimulant often come in pill form but are also consumed via snorting or
even as food and drinks.
For example, caffeine is found in many beverage and cocaine is a snorted powder.
Different types of stimulants include:
Adderall
Ritalin
Synthetic Marijuna
Cocaine
Methamphetamine (C10H15N) ICE
Ecstasy
Caffeine

STIMULANTS
When abuse, stimulant can cause a variety of undesirable
consequences such as:
Anxiety
Paranoia
Psychosis
High body temperature
Depression
Heart failure
Stroke
Seizures

STIMULANTS Cont’
Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine is a highly addictive central nervous system
stimulant that can cause significant harm to users when misused,
more commonly known simply as ‘Meth’. It is usually found in either
powder or crystal form. It is either smoked, swallow or injected
intravenously.
It is popular seen as a recreational drug due to the initial rush of
euphoria that accompanies it. However, once that initial rush has
passed, emotions generally get more negative, with feeling of anger
and fear being common during the crash.
Methamphetamine crystal is also known as ICE and has its street
names as Shabu, tina, T, Crystal and meth.
It is usually made overseas and from the ingredients
pseudoephedrine, iodine and hypo phosphorous acid and it is being
imported illegally.
Chemical structure of ICE - Meth

Methamphetamine
STIMULANTS Cont’
The drug – Methamphetamine Hydrochloride (brand name Desoxyn) which is a drug made
for the treatment of Attention deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and obesity that is
resistant to other treatment . Despite the medication use of this drug, the manufacturers
often warms about the health and dependency risks of using the drugs.
How METH affect the body:
Meth when smoked or injected travels down to the bloodstream quickly; it travels to the
brain activating dopamine pathway. Dopamine pathway is the centre of the brain involved in
the motivation, euphoria and compulsion. ICE causes increased amounts of the chemical
dopamine to be released and for long-term users, it becomes difficult to feel pleasure when
not intoxicated by Ice.
There are also physical affects on the body: heart rate, blood pressure and body
temperature all increase and appetite decreases.

STIMULANTS Cont’
How METH affect the body cont’:
No matter the means how METH get into your body, it is a
substance that literally deteriorates your teeth, and
destroys your insides – and causes what many refer to as
Meth Stomach Pain – and leaves you wasting away into a
SHELL of your former self.
The earlier you understand how meth destroys you the
sooner you come out of your addiction. This is not a
hyperbole.
Meth place a heavy strain on your lungs, heart, brain, liver,
kidney and individual muscles. It is also detrimental to
your dental health and devastate your mental health due
to the neurological impact it has on your synapses and the
chronic insomnia it can case.

STIMULANTS Cont’
Crystal meth has a knack for destroying your body quickly, which
can result in wide variety of serious physical health problems.
How Meth damage your stomach
Meth is full of toxins and this toxins foundationally alter your body’s
functionality and overall digestive health. Meth is a lethal poison;
when introduced into the body the body will instinctively try to
eliminate the substance from your system as quickly as possible.
This often result into meth stomach pain, diarrhea and other
digestive issues. Meth is also known to have a dampening effect on
your appetite, causing disruption to your normal digestion process
and stalling the manner in which the body processes food.

How Meth damage your stomach
Intestinal Ischemia: This refers to the condition where you blood vessels
become constricted to the point that the intestines stop receiving enough
oxygen, and their ability to function properly.
Increased risk of developing blood clots: recent studies have it that consistently
using meth can contribute to intestinal issues by blocking blood flow, resulting
in necrosis and presence of ulcers and perforations in the stomach and
intestines.
This can also lead to an increased potential for the development of gangrene in
the gastrointestinal system, which can leave you struggling with long-term
stomach pain and serious digestive issues.
Reduced muscle function: consistent use of meth has been shown to slow our
digestion by reducing muscle function in your intestines.

Increase neuronal death: the use of methamphetamine is
associated with decreases in the number of neurons in the
CNS. The ability of the CNS to regenerate these neurons is
limited, and in many cases, the loss of neurons cannot be
recovered. Chronic use of methamphetamine can result in
diffuse brain damage that occurs via neuronal death. Neuronal
death occurs in a number of areas of the brain as a result of
meth abuse that include but are not limited to:
The Hippocampus: A crucial structure for the ability to
remember and learn new information.
The Striatum: A structure in the sub cortical areas of the
brain that is crucial in movement and certain aspects of
directed attention.
The parietal cortex: A structure that is involved in being able
to visualize objects in space and in the memory of nonverbal
material.
The frontal and prefrontal cortex: Areas of the brain that are
crucial in human cognition, particularly in reasoning, complex
attention, problem solving and the inhibition of behaviours that
might be damaging.

A number of sub cortical structures: including the basal ganglia, the reward center, the limbic system and others.
The Cerebellum: Controls various aspects of movement and is involved in the number of cognitive functions.
Decreased Gliogenesis: we talk about neurons but neurons are not the only cells in the CNS. A number of other cells generally
referred to as glial cells. This cells are responsible for signal capacity, fighting infection, developing myelin (the fatty sheath or white
matter that neurons uses to effectively communicate). Meth use increases damage and death of these cells in a number of brain
areas, particularly in the pre frontal cortex where a number of important functions such as attention, planning, abstract, thinking,
judgment etc occur. Meth decrease also the production of glial progenitor cells, which are immature glial cells that differential into
different types of glial cells.
Decreased white matter: since the glial cells (oligodendrocytes and schwann cells) become damage and the ability to produce myelin
is affected in both the brain and spinal cord, the amount of white matter (myelin aids in efficient singling between neurons in the
CNS. White matter is located on the axons (signaling) portions) of the neurons, and as this matter is decreased, neurons become
less efficient in transmitting their signals. This results in a number of functional deficits.

Decreases in the levels of dopamine and serotonin transporters: These transporters are responsible in the
movement of dopamine and serotonin that have been released from the neurons into the synaptic cleft
(the space between neurons) and bring them back into the cell where they can be repackaged for reuse.
When these leads to serotonin and dopamine depletion because neurons have less dopamine to use later.
This can result in a number of extreme mood effects such as initial extreme mood effects, such as initial
extreme euphoria followed by extreme period of depression, apathy and hopelessness.
Increased Glutamate Calcium in the brain: Meth increasing the neurotransmitter glutamate (the major
excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain) and calcium are often associated with neurotoxin effects in the
brain as a result of the neurons being overly excited and continuing to fire to the point of actively
damaging the system.
Neurotoxic effect that damage the dendrites of the neurons: The dendrites of neurons are the receiving
portions of the neurons that receive the chemical signals from the neurons. The damage prevents neuron
from communicating effectively and motor functions.
Cytoskeletal Damage: the damage of the support system in the cell this can result in cellular collapse if
the support structure are significantly damage.

Cocaine
Cocaine is a powerfully addictive stimulant drug made from
the leaves of the coca plant native to South America.
Cocaine is gotten from the coca plant called Erythroxylum
coca. The leaf is processed into difference form of cocaine:
Cocaine Hydrochloride: a fine white powder with a bitter,
numbing taste. Cocaine hydrochloride is often mixed, or
‘cut’, with other substances such as lidocaine, talcum
powder, or sugar to dilute it before being sold. This is mostly
snorted.
Freebase: a white powder that is purer than cocaine
hydrochloride .
Crack: Crystal ranging from white or cream to tranparent
with a pink or yellow hue. It many contain impurities.
Freebase and Crack are mostly smoked

Cocaine cont’
How cocaine affect the brain
Cocaine, whether in powder or crack form, has a powerful
effect on the body and the brain. Using cocaine can
damage brain cells, even after a few times of heavy use.
Cocaine increases the amount of a chemical called
dopamine in your brain. Dopamine naturally occurs in
your brain. Small doses of dopamine travel through your
brain cells to indicate pleasure or satisfaction .
In the cause of using cocaine, dopamine, not having
anywhere else to go will then flood your brain cells. And
in excess blocks the brain cells from interacting with one
another . Overtime, cocaine will make your brain to be
less sensitive to dopamine. This leading to more amount
of cocaine to be used in other to produce the same effects
of a dopamine high.
 injection of cocaine increase the risk of infection, vein
damage and also hepatitis B and C, and HIV.

Cocaine use slows the glucose metabolism in your brain
as well. This can lead to cause of neurons deaths or slow to
work
Cocaine narrows down the blood vessels thereby causing
your heart to work harder to pump blood to your brain.
This stress on the heart (the cardiovascular system) leads
to heart rate failure, heart rate fall out of rhythm. And also
this starve your brain from the blood it needs leading to
death of brain cells.
 For the young adults, cocaine use changes the shape of
neurons and synapses as the developing brain tries to
protect itself according to research 2019
Cocaine eats up brain twice as fast as normal aging
Breathing irregularities
Heart problems
Chest pain
Unpredictable, violent or aggressive behaviour

Cocaine cont’
Cocaine also affect the mental health of it users. And a very long use of it leads to
permanent depression and requires you going through mental health treatment.
Cases like those below are bound to happen:
Auditory hallucinations: you are bound to hear voices or noises that don’t exist in
reality, which indicate the presence of a more serious mental health issue or
neurological condition.
Restlessness: inability to rest or relax as a result of anxiety
Extreme agitation and Paranoia
Psychosis

Opioids
Opioids are derived from the poppy plant. They are powerful painkillers that produce a sense of
euphoria. They are often prescribed to patients who are suffering from intense pain. Opioids are
extremely habit-forming, and it may take only a couple of weeks to become physically addicted to
these types of drugs.
Many prescription of opioids are used to block pain signals between the brain and the body and
are typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain.
Opioids can be smoked, eaten, drank, injected or taken as pills.
Examples of opioids:
•Heroin, an illegal drug
•Morphine
•Hydrocodone
•Opium
•Vicodin
•Oxycontin
•Percocet
•Codeine

Opioids abuse can devastate a person’s life. Unfortuantely , when someone decides to
stop using opioids, they may suffer tremendously. For instance, opioid withdrawal can
be especially difficult, riddling sufferers with flu-like symptoms effect:
•Nausea and vomiting
•Diarrhea
•Anxiety
•Inability to sleep
•Hot and cold flashes
•Excessive sweating
•Muscle cramps
•Runny nose
•Watery eyes
It has additional side effects such as:
•Constipation
•Confusion
•Drowsiness
•Slowed breathing

Using opioids
The use of opioids does not come without risks. Regular use of opioid can increased your
tolerance and dependence requiring higher and more frequent doses. Longer term use of opioids
can lead to addiction or what doctors called “opioids use disorder”.
Opioids misused
Many people misused prescribed opioid in the following ways:
•Taking other people’s prescription
•Taking opioids to get high
•Taking opioids in a way other than the prescribed
• when misusing a prescription opioid, a person may swallow, inject or snort the drug.
Opioids can restrict your ability to breathe when taken at a higher dose, and when misused, can
lead to a fatal overdose. The risk of respiratory depression (slowing or even stopping your breath),
increases if you have never taken an opioid before or if you are taking other medications/drugs
that interact with the opioid.

Some of the opioid prescription drugs that you ought to know and be mindful of to
avoid misused as they impose threat to your health or that of your love ones. This will
help you to keep yourself safe and that of your community.
Oxycodone
Hydrocodone – Acetaminophen
Hydrocodone bitartrate
Hydrocodone – Homatropine
Hydrocodone – ibuprofen
Pseudoephedrine – Hydrocodon
Morphine
Morphine Naltrexone
Hydromorphone
Fentanyl Citrate
Codeine poli – chlorphenir poli
Tramadol
Cafentanil
Buprenorphine
etc

HEROIN
Heroin is an opioid drug made from morphine, a natural
substance taken from the seed pod of the various opium
poppy plants grown in Southeast and Southwest Asia, Mexico
and Colombia.
Heroin can be a white or brown powder , or a black sticky
substance known as black tar heroin.
How do people use heroin?
People either inject, sniff, snort or smoke heroin. While some
persons mixed it with crack cocaine.
Does heroin has any effect? Yes, it does

Heroin enters the brain rapidly and binds to opioid receptors on cells located in many
areas, especially those involved in feelings of pain and pleasure and in controlling
heart rate, sleeping and breathing.
SHORT – TERM EFFECTS: when you use heroin there is this short term feeling
‘rush’ (a surge of pleasure, or euphoria).After this feelings comes depression.
However, there are other effects, including:
•Dry mouth
•Warm flushing of the skin
•Heavy feeling in the arms and legs
•Nausea and vomiting
•Severe itching
•Clouded mental functioning
•Going “on the nod,” a back-and-forth state of being conscious and semiconscious

Long term effect:
•Insomnia
•Collapsed veins for people who inject the drug
•Damaged tissue inside the nose for people who sniff or snort it
•Infection of the heart lining and valves
•Abscesses (swollen tissue filled with pus)
•Constipation and stomach cramping
•Liver and kidney disease
•Lung complications, including pneumonia
•Mental disorders such as depression and antisocial personality disorder
•Sexual dysfunction for men
•Irregular menstrual cycles for women
NOTE: heroin contains additives, such as sugar, starch, or powdered milk,
that can clog blood vessels leading to the lungs, liver, kidneys, or brain,
causing permanent damage.

HALLUCINOGENS
Hallucinogens are a diverse group of drugs that alter a person’s awareness of their
surroundings as well as their own thoughts and feelings.
They are commonly split into two categories: the classical hallucinogens and the
dissociative drugs. Both types of hallucinogens can cause hallucinations, or
sensations and images that seem real though they are not.
Furthermore, dissociative drugs just as the name implies dissociate one from its
body and environment. It disconnects and also make it users feel out of control.
Some hallucinogens are extracted from plants or mushroom, and some are synthetic
(human made).
Hallucinogens are often called Psychedelic drugs because it induce hallucinations or
altered sensory experiences.

Types of hallucination
LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethytamine) is one of the most powerful mind-altering chemicals. It
is a clear or white odorless material made from lysergic acid, which is found in a fungus
that grows on rye and other grains.
Psilocybin (4-phosphoryloxy – N, N-dimethytryptamine) comes from certain types of
mushrooms found in tropical and subtropical regions of south America, Mexicon and the
United state.
Peyote (mescaline) is a small, spineless cactus with mescaline as its main ingredient.
Peyote can also be synthetic.
DMT (N, N-dimethyltryptamine) is a powerful chemical found naturally in some
Amazonian plants. Ayahuasca is tea made from such plants.
PCP (Phencyclidine or angel dust)
Ect.

Effect of Hallucinogen
Hallucinations of sight, sound, taste and touch
A blurring of the senses, such as sounds being “felt” or
colours being “heard”.
Feeling detached from the body.
Distortions of time, direction and distance
Dilated pupils
Accelerated heart rate

So, I will be stopping here . I believe we’ve learnt a lot and a new level of understanding as
emerge. I thank God.
In conclusion, from all you have seen so far drug abuse and misused is a threat to your life,
health, family and relationship.
The euphoria you feel is short-lived compare to the eternal suffering you intend to go through
as you tread on.
Of what use it is for you if you cut short your life for that which you term “enjoyment”?
There is no enjoyment laying terminal ill at the hospital bed or being set on isolation at the
mental asylum as a result of mental health damage!
The best form of it is never to start then to start. And if you are already in it; there is hope for
you, you can be save and that is, but not without a price.
And I am assuring you that the price you pay now will worth your safety and sanity. It is
worthy and more relevant than being down below the earth before your time

Lets get to hear what God has to say:
Proverbs 31:4 says, “it is not for kings, O Lemuel, (put your name there), it is not for kings to
drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
This verse is clearly stating that if you consider yourself as a king or a prince, which I believe
you are – drinking of wine or strong drink is not for you. All alcoholic content are not for you!
Hear again, proverb 20:1 says, wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is
deceived thereby is not wise.
The Words of God are true. You can attest to that, you know it that when you are intoxicated by
alcohol you start misbehaving – you lost total control of yourself. You are now being rule by
alcohol and those other substances you take. They make mockery of you!
Proverb 31:6 says. Give strong drinks (drugs) unto him that is ready to perish (dead), emphasis
added. That is to say that those substances are not meant for you if having life is your priority
but it is for you – if you want to perish (being useless).
As we have learnt, all these hard drugs are not giving life but death – perishes. It shorten the life
of it indulger.

Now is the time to ask, what do you want out of your live? Do you want to perish or live? The choice is yours to make.
The bible says, “let him that has ear hear what the spirit says to the church.”
And also the bible acknowledge that it is not good that the soul (human) be without knowledge, Proverbs 19:2
Hear this in proverb 22:17, God is telling you to bow down your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto
His knowledge. And He says again in Proverb 23:4, “And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with precious and pleasant
riches.
Your body, health and life is that chamber and with the right knowledge you will fill it with precious and pleasant riches.
Now the knowledge has been made available to you, take it and sell it not. Abide by it and be wise. It has been said that people
die because of lack of knowledge, now that you have gotten this knowledge if you choose to remain in the dark and perish it is
not lack of knowledge but your own choice.
I pray you make a U-turn today. Jesus loves you and He wouldn’t want to see you perish. Turn to him and be safe.

TESTIMONY OF THOSE WHO OVERCAME ADDICTION
Hear what Russell Brand said, “ it is 10years since I used drugs or alcohol and my life
has improved immeasurably. I have a job, a house, a car, good friendships and,
generally, a bright outlook…. The price of this is constant vigilance because the
disease of addiction is not rational.”
Sir Elton John: I realized that I only had two choices. I was either going to die or I was
going to live, and which one did I want to do? And then I said those words, “I’ll get
help” , or “I need help”. I will get help. And my life turned around. Ridiculous for a
human being to take 16years to say, ‘ I need help’.
Samuel L. Jackson: I understood, through rehab, things about creating characters. I
understood that creating whole people means knowing where we come from, how
we can make a mistake and how we overcome things to make ourselves stronger.
If this men could fight their addiction and see the brighter side of life, then you too can!

Fighting with addiction, the way out
Decide to change: yes, you have to be intentional about your transformation. You have to
decide and stick to it.
Prepare to change: after making your decision, now that you have clear your goal, prepare
to change. Preparation include removing addictive substance from home as well as
eliminating triggers. This often means getting rid of paraphernalia or other items that
might trigger your desire to use a substance or engage in a harmful behaviour.
Seek social support: talk to friends and family to support you fight your substance misused.
Those who will give you the moral support that you need.
Reach out to Healthcare: Talk to your healthcare provider. Tell them of your addiction and
decision to quit . They will provide the necessary help and guidelines to beat your
addiction.
Pschotherapy: behavioural therapies and other types of psychotherapy can help you
improve your behavioural patterns and change the underlying thoughts that often
contribute to addiction.

•Cognitive Behavour Therapy (CBT): This is an approach that focuses on identifying and
changing the thoughts and behaviours that play a part in addiction.
•Mindfulness therapy: Mindfulness based approach is like mindfulness – based cognitive
therapy, this is helpful for people with underlying mental health problem , those who
their addiction has greatly affected their mental health, such as anxiety or depression.
•Motivational enhancement therapy: is an approach that helps increase people’s
readiness to change. It helps to improve the commitment and motivation to initiate and
remain in treatment.
•Family therapy: family therapy approaches can be helpful, particularly with teens and
young adults but not restricted to. This type of therapy can help families learn more
about how to support their loved one’s recovery and can be effective.
•Medications: medications can be utilized to treat symptoms of withdrawal, help people
remain in treatment and prevent relapse.

Tips for overcoming an Addiction
Quitting is a different experience for everyone. Some people find it empowering. Others find it painful, difficult, and
frustrating, sometimes needing many attempts before achieving their goal. Still, others discover new sides to themselves
during the quitting process.
Anticipate changes in Relationship: your relationships and friendships are likely to change as you overcome your addiction.
It may take time to appreciate a new normal. However, it can also take time and effort for trust to be re-established if you
have hurt friends or family.
Avoid Replacement Addictive Behaviours: Addictive behaviousrs have similar neurological and psychological processes and
create rewarding feelings and sensation, so replacement addictive behaviours.
Find distractions: look for things that will help occupy your time and keep your mind off of drug cravings. Even simple
things like talking to a friend, watching a television show, reading a book or going for a walk can provide a sufficinet
distraction while you wait for a craving to pass.
Treat co-occuring mental health conditions: the other important aspect of avoiding replacement addictions is to address
any underlying mental health problems.

Quotes
Avoid looking forward or backward, and try to keep looking upward by Charlotte Bronte
You are going to hate every minute of the training, but I am telling you, don’t quit.
Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion – Muhammed Ali
If you can quit a day , you can quit for a lifetime – Benjamin Alire Saenz
You must keep moving in your recovery to keep your balance .
“Believe you can, and you are halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt
“tomorrow is the most important thing in life; it comes to you at midnight very clean.
Its perfect when it arrives, and it puts itself in your hands. It hopes you’ve learned
something from yesterday.” – John Wayne

Your tomorrow is bright … Always think about it!
Don’t fail that Tomorrow which hopes on you!
It is never late to start afresh

Reference:
www.healthline.com
www.nida.nih.gov
www.ranchcreekrecovery.com
www.americanaddictioncenters.org
www.atse.org.ua

Thank YOU
Obiefule, Ogochukwu Favour
Founder, The Fragrance Youth Network

Dangers of drug abuse

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