What is Drug Abuse?

Drug is any substance that is taken to suppress an unwanted condition or feeling; in large doses, it can be a poison. A small amount gives a stimulant [increases activity] reaction, a greater amount can sedate [make drowsy or sleepy]. Too large an amount can kill. For example, caffeine, found in coffee, is a drug. One or two cups of coffee can "wake you up." Ten cups would probably put you to sleep. 100 might kill you. A drug is also something that can alter your emotions, your mind—make you feel "high.". Therefore generally drug can be defined as any chemical compound that is used in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or cure of disease, for the relief of pain, or to control or improve any physiological or pathological disorder in humans or animals. A drug when taken into the body which causes changes in the body. Inappropriate use of drugs can lead to Drug Abuse.

How common is drug abuse?

Drug abuse is the inappropriate use of any drugs. Drug abuse can cause problems in many ways, physically, mentally and emotionally. Drug abuse also refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not attended, or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug.

All sorts of different drugs can be abused, including illegal drugs (such as heroin or cannabis), prescription medicines (such as tranquilisers or painkillers), and other medicines that can be bought off the supermarket shelf (such as cough mixtures or herbal remedies).

How Common is Drug Abuse?

Drug Abuse of illicit drugs has been increasing over the past three decades and is now widespread. In the early 1960's, less than 2 percent of Americans had ever experimented with drug abuse. At present, more than one-third of the population has at least tried an illegal drug, and more than 6 percent are drug abusing. Overall, about 2 percent of Americans deliberately misuse mood-modifying prescription drugs such as stimulants and tranquilizers. Among young people aged 18-25 years and 26-34 years, the rates are higher: 7 percent and 6 percent respectively. Drug Abuse is one of the major problems facing humanity. The most common forms of drug abuse in the U.S. are the overuse of alcohol and of tobacco.

What are the Signs of Drug Abuse?

• Slow walking; always feeling tired and feeling sick is one of the early signs of drug abuse.
• Changes in sleeping habits, cannot sleep, awake at the middle of the night many times; or feel sleepy in unusual time in the day, and feeling lazy.
• Drug abuse on regular basis leads to red, watery eyes; pupils (the black center of the eye balls) larger or smaller than usual.
• Cold, sweaty palms; shaky hands
• Puffy face, blushing or pale skin.
• Dug abuse leads to a smelly body. Smells of substance on breath, body or clothes are common among drug abusers.
• Runny nose; continuous cough.
• Unusual nausea, vomiting or excessive sweating.
• Unusual weigh loss is the most common sign of drug abuse.
• Drug abuse also leads to slight shakes on hands, feet or head.
• Irregular heartbeat rate, faster or slower
  

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While choosing the drug rehab it has to be made sure that all the aspects of what caused the addiction problem in the first place have to be addressed.

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