Habit formation and drug/alcohol abuse are influenced by the brain's reward system. Repeated rewarding experiences strengthen connections in the basal ganglia, making behaviors automatic. During adolescence, curiosity and stress contribute to initial drug/alcohol use which may develop into addiction due to the dopamine release triggered by their effects. Long-term abuse can cause physical dependence and damage relationships and health through infections, liver disease, and developmental issues. Side effects of drugs like anabolic steroids include mood disorders and masculinization in females.

1. A deep drive into
Drug/Alcohol Abuse
during adolescence

2. What is habit formation?
 Habits are routines or rituals that are unconsciously done or that have
become almost automatic or second nature.
 A habit is a practice that is repeated so regularly that it can be difficult to
change.
 Habits are the actions that are initiated by cues/stimulus, such as a time of
day, an activity, or a location. They result in the feel-good reward that,
through repetition, makes the connection between cue and reward firmly in
the brain.

3. How habits are formed?
 The habits we embrace is the result of the fact that we are
wired/programmed to seek out pleasure. The habits are capable of delivering
a hit of dopamine, our brain’s reward chemical.
 When we once feel better after doing some action that action becomes habit
that is we crave for more in order to feel good/ reward.

4. How habit develops in brain?
When your brain recognizes a relation
between action and satisfaction, it
documents that information in area of the
brain which is called the basal ganglia.
This is also the area of the brain which is
responsible for emotions and memories,
whereas conscious decisions are made in the
prefrontal cortex.

5. What is drug/alcohol abuse?
 The use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs or
alcohol for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or
in excessive amounts.
 Substance abuse may lead to social, physical, emotional, and job-related
problems.
 A child’s natural curiosity motivates him/her to experiment. This is
complicated further by the bizzare notion that there are benefits of alcohol
or drug use.
 Thus the beginning of first use of drugs or alcohol may be out of curiosity, but
later child starts using these to escape facing problems.
 Stress which occurs from pressures to excel in academics or examinations, has
played a significant role in promoting youngsters to go for alcohol and drugs.

6. What happens in Drug/alcohol abuse?
 Due to the perceived benefits, drugs are frequently used repeatedly.
 Addiction studies have found that drug cravings increased levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nucleus
accumbens, a part of the brain associated with reward Addiction is deemed to be psychological attachment to certain
effects- such as euphoria and a temporary feeling of well- being which are perceived by adolescents to be associated
with drugs and alcohol.
 These effects of drugs/alcohol cause people to consume even when these are not needed, or even when their usage
becomes self-harming.
 With repeated usage of drugs, the tolerance level of the receptors present in our body increases.
 As a consequence, the receptors display the pharmacologic effects of drugs or alcohol at higher doses leading to
greater intake and thus addiction. It should be borne in mind that once these drugs are used, can lead to addiction for
long period (even lifetime).
 Thus, the drugs and alcohol teleports the user into a vicious circle leading to their regular use(abuse) from which
he/she may not be able to remove himself/herself.

7. Plants involved in drug abuse
 The drugs, which are responsible for drug abuse abused are
 Opioids (Opium poppy),
 Cannabinoids (Cannabis sativa)
 Coca alkaloids (Erythroxylum coca)

8. OPIOD(Opium poppy)

9. Opioids
 These are drugs which bind to o specific opioid receptors present in central
nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
 Heroin, which is called smack is diacetylmorphine which is obtained by
acetylation of morphine
 Morphine is extracted from the latex of poppy plant Papaver somniferum
 Heroin is taken by snorting and injection, and is a depressant which slows
down body functions.

10. Cannabis sativa

11. Cannabinoids
 We get natural cannabinoids from the inflorescences of Cannabis sativa
 These are a group of chemicals, which have interaction with cannabinoid
receptors chiefly located in the brain.
 We get marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja from flower tops, leaves and the
resin of cannabis plant.
 These have effects on cardiovascular system of the body.

12. Cocaine
 Cocaine is obtained from
Erythroxylum coca which is native to
South America.
 It interferes with the transport of the
neuro-transmitter dopamine.
 It is also called coke or crack.
 It produces a sense of euphoria and
increased energy by a potent
stimulating action on central nervous
system.
 It causes hallucinations when dosage
is excessive.
 Other plants are Atropa belladona
and Datura which possess
hallucinogenic properties

13. Medicines involved in drug abuse
 Barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and other similar drugs, used
in mental illnesses like depression and insomnia are prone to being abused.
 Morphine being sedative and painkiller, and being useful in patients who have
gone through surgery, cause physical dependence by causing euphoria.

14. Physical dependence
 Dependence can be described as the tendency of the body to manifest a
characteristic withdrawal syndrome which is unpleasant if regular dose of
drugs/alcohol is abruptly discontinued.
 It can be characterised by anxiety, shakiness, nausea and sweating. which
When use is resumed again these symptoms may be relieved.
 In some cases, withdrawal symptoms can be life threatening leading to the
requirement of medical supervision.
 Dependence leads to ignorance of all social norms in order to get sufficient
funds to satisfy patient’s needs.
 These result in many social adjustment problems.

15. Addiction at receptor level
 Addiction is an attachment at psychological levels to certain effects –such as
euphoria and a temporary feeling of well-being which are associated with
drugs and alcohol.
 These fake pleasant effects drive people to take these drugs even when these
are not needed, or their use becomes self-destructive.
 With repeated use of these drugs, the tolerance of the receptors present in
our body to these drugs increases.
 Consequently the receptors possess response only to higher doses of drugs or
alcohol leading to their greater intake and thus causing addiction.

16. Warning signs of drug and alcohol abuse
among youth
 Decline in academic performance
 Their absence from school/college which cannot be explained
 Absence of interest in personal hygiene
 Mental problems like withdrawal, isolation, depression, fatigue, aggressive
and rebellious behavior, losing interest in hobbies, manifestation of change in
sleeping and eating habits.
 In addition youth also experience deterioration in relationships with family
and friends, changes in weight, appetite, etc.

17. Adverse effects in terms of relationships
 If an abuser is unable to procure money to buy drugs/alcohol, he/she may get
involved in stealing.
 A drug/alcohol addict will become the reason of mental and financial distress
to his/her entire family and friends

18. Disadvantages of drugs taken
intravenously
 Those who do drugs consumption intravenously (direct injection into the vein
using a needle and syringe), are much more liable to serious infections like
AIDS and Hepatitis B
 The viruses, responsible for these diseases, are conveyed among individuals
by sharing infected needles and syringes.
 AIDS and Hepatitis B infections are chronic infections which lead to death.

19. Adverse effects of consuming alcohol
during adolescence
 It can result in heavy drinking in adulthood.
 The over usage of drugs and alcohol leads to nervous system damage and liver
(cirrhosis).
 When used during pregnancy, drugs and alcohol adversely affect the foetus.

20. How drugs are misused in sportspersons?
Sportspersons (mis)use narcotic analgesics, anabolic steroids,
diuretics and certain hormones in their career to
 increase muscle strength and bulk
 promote aggressiveness and due to this there is increase in athletic
performance.

21. Side effects of anabolic steroids in
males and females
In males
 Acne, increased aggressiveness,
mood swings
 Depression, reduction of size of the
testicles, decreased sperm
production
 potential for kidney and liver
dysfunction
 breast enlargement, premature
baldness, enlargement of the
prostate gland
 These effects may be permanent
with prolonged use.
In females
 masculinisation (features like males),
increased aggressiveness.
 mood swings, depression, abnormal
menstrual cycles.
 excessive hair growth on the face
and body, enlargement of clitoris,
deepening of voice.
 These effects may be permanent
with prolonged use.

22. Adverse effects of drugs in adolescent
male or female
 Severe facial and body acne
 Premature cessation of the growth centres of the long bones may cause
stunted growth.