Drug misuse and abuse can have negative health and social consequences. There are several types of drugs including prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, illegal drugs, and drugs like tobacco and alcohol. Drug misuse involves taking drugs improperly, while drug abuse is the intentional improper use of drugs. Strategies to address drug abuse include education, social support, detoxification, and rehabilitation programs. Maintaining good physical, mental, and social health through nutrition, exercise, stress management, and strong relationships can promote overall well-being.

1. Drug Misuse and Abuse
Ali Akhtar
Pharm.D(PU), R.Ph
MS Clinical Pharmacy (USM,
Malaysia)

2. DRUG MISUSE AND ABUSE

3. Definitions
• Drug: A substance other than food that
changes the structure or function of the body
or mind.
• Prescription: A doctors written permission or
order for a specific medication

4. Drug use: Taking the drug as order by a
physician.
Drug misuse: Improper use of a drug.
Drug abuse: Intension improper use of a drug.

5. Medicine: Substances used to treat an illness or
ailment.
Dose: The amount of a drug that is taken.

6. Drug Categories
Natural remedies: Contain substance that occur
in nature
Over the Counter (OTC): Drugs that can be
purchased without a doctors written
permission.
Prescription: Drugs only given with a doctors
written permission.

7. Tobacco: Drug that contains nicotine.
Alcohol: A drug that slows the central nervous
system.
Illegal Drugs: Drugs that can’t be legally sold,
purchased or used.

8. Types of (OTC) drugs
Analgesic: Pain killer
Sedative: Slows central nervous system and
cause drowsiness
Stimulant: Increases activity of the central
nervous system

9. WHAT IS DRUG MISUSE
Using a drug without following the instructions
on the label:
•Using a drug not prescribed for you
•Allowing someone else to use a drug prescribed
for you
•Taking more of the drug than the doctor
prescribed
•Using the drug longer than advised by the
doctor

10. SIDE EFFECTS
Even when taken correctly, some medicines will
cause a side effect.
Side Effect: Any effect of a medicine other than
the one intended
Common Side Effects
Stomach
upset
Drowsiness Sleeplessness Headache

11. TOLERANCE
When a physician prescribes a medicine that
must be taken for a long period of time, a
tolerance may develop.
Tolerance: A condition in which a person’s body
becomes used to the effect of a medicine and
needs greater and greater amounts of it in
order for it to be effective

12. DRUG ABUSE
Drug Abuse: Intentionally using drugs in a way
that is unhealthy or illegal
USING ILLEGAL DRUGS
USING LEGAL DRUGS FOR NON MEDICAL
REASONS

13. Symptoms of Drug Abuse
• Abrupt change in behavior.
• Diminished drive, ambition and moodiness.
• Isolation from family members.
• Use of odd words.
• Over reaction to even mild criticism.
• Rapid weight loss and loss of appetite.
• Articles missing from home.
• Loss of motor coordination.

14. Harm Related to Drug Use
A) Social Problems
• Damage to family relations
• Social Deprivation
• Exclusion from society
• Violence and aggression
B) Drug Use and Crimes
Well known correlation exists between drug use
and crime. e.g; Burglary to obtain money for
drugs.

15. C) Drug Use and Accidents
Driving following use of alcohols or sedatives
and hypnotics leads to road accidents.
D) Legal Issues
Drug use is legally prohibited, drug users
violate the law.
E) Medical Problems
Injurious to health e.g; CVS disorders.

16. Strategies to Control Drug Abuse
1) Primary Prevention
It is concerned with preventing people from
staring to use the drug. Warning people about
possible harms of drug use.
It includes:
Education campaigns
Promotion campaigns
Legislation

17. 2) Drug Education
It is a tool used in primary prevention campaigns
Basic Aim
To provide education to general public.
People who are dependent on drug may also
benefit from drug education as they may not be
fully informed on the drugs they use.
It Involves
Leaflets
Booklets
Videos
Posters

18. Provision of Drug Education
Drug education may be given by:
• Teacher
• Youth workers
• Health Promotion workers
• Medical and nursing staff
• Pharmacists
• Police officers

19. 3) Social Support
Social support refers loosely to non-medical
pharmacological interventions that can be
made.
It involves
Seeking Housing
Benefits
Advice

20. 4) Detoxification
It refers to provision of treatment in order to
help someone who is dependent on a drug to
stop using it.
Examples:
Drug of Abuse Treatment
Heroin, Morphine,
Oxycodone
Methadone
Buprenorphine
Narcotics, Alcohol, Nicotine Ibogaine

21. 5) Rehabilitation
It is an umbrella term for process of medical
and/or psychotherapeutics treatment, for
dependency on psychoactive substance.
It Involves:
Detoxification
Social Support
Psychotherapy

22. INTENTS
• To enable patient to cease substance abuse
• To avoid psychological, legal, financial, social
and physical consequences that can be caused.
Types of treatments available at REHAB Centers
• Residential treatment
• Out patient
• Local support groups
• Extended care centers
• Recovery houses

23. The Health Triangle
• Health is the measure of
our body’s efficiency and
over-all well-being.
• The health triangle is a
measure of the different
aspects of health.
• The health triangle
consists of: Physical,
Social, and Mental
Health.

24. Physical Health
• Physical health deals
with the body’s ability
to function.
• Physical health has
many components
including: exercise,
nutrition, sleep, alcohol
& drugs, and weight
management.

25. Physical Health
Exercise
• Exercise is the act of
using your muscles to
stay physically fit.
• Exercise helps to give
you more energy,
maintain weight,
increase confidence &
self esteem, and helps to
battle chronic diseases.

26. Physical Health
Nutrition
• Proper balanced meals
are essential in leading a
healthy life.
• Nutritious meals create
a balance between what
we eat and the way our
body uses the food for
energy and growth.

27. Physical Health
Sleep
• It is recommended that
the average person get
at least 8 hours of sleep.
• The human body likes
regularity, so try to go to
bed and wake up at the
same time daily.

28. Physical Health
Alcohol & Drugs
• Alcohol and other drugs
interfere with messages to
the brain and alters
perception.
• Use of such substances
puts you at risk for
accidental injuries, car
crashes, trouble with the
law, unwanted
pregnancies, and fights.

29. Physical Health
Weight Management
• Maintaining a healthy
weight decreases your
risk of certain diseases
such as heart disease
and diabetes.
• Exercise and proper
nutrition helps to
maintain healthy
weight levels.

30. Mental Health
• Mental heath deals
with how we think,
feel and cope with
daily life.
• Mental health
encompasses learning,
stress management,
and mental illnesses or
disorders.

31. Mental Health
Learning
• Learning is the
development of skills,
behaviors, and
knowledge.
• Learning increases
self-confidence,
awareness, and self
perception. It also
teaches one coping
skills.

32. Mental Health
Stress Management
• Stress deals with the
way our bodies and
minds deal with life
changes.
• It is important to learn
healthy ways to deal
with stress or you
could be at risk for
anxiety or depression.

33. Mental Health
Mental Disorders
• Stress and problems
with school, friends,
and family can cause
mental illnesses.
• Mental illnesses
include: depression,
bipolar disorder,
schizophrenia, and
phobias.

34. Social Health
• Social Health deals
with the way react
with people within our
environment.
• This includes: public
health, family
relationships, and peer
relationships.

35. Social Health
Public Health
• Public health includes
disease prevention and
promoting health
through good decision
making.
• Keeping yourself safe
and healthy benefits
your community as a
whole.

36. Social Health
Family Relationships
• A healthy family
relationship is one that is
supportive, loving,
responsible, and balanced.
• Families should work
together to eliminate stress
and negativity in the
home. Promoting a safe
and enjoyable
environment.

37. Social Health
Peer Relationships
• Strong and supportive
friendships increase
happiness, self-esteem,
and reduces stress.
• Friends are there to
help celebrate your
accomplishments and
there to offer support
in times of need.

38. The Health Triangle Review
• There are 3 major
areas of the health
triangle: physical,
mental and social.
• Good decision making
and healthy choices
reduce the risk of
disease and increase
health overall.