Substance abuse is a catch all term applied to a wide array of behaviors attached to the use of both controlled and uncontrolled substances. Substance abused is defined by the Encyclopedia of Mental Disorders as: "Substance-related disorders are disorders of intoxication, dependence, abuse, and substance withdrawal caused by various substances, both legal and illegal."
Legal Drugs
Tobacco and alcohol are legalized drugs that can be obtained by anyone over the age of twenty-one. They are also two of the most commonly abused drugs. Tobacco can be acquired in cigarettes, cigars, snuff, chew and pipe tobacco. Its principle addictive substance is nicotine. Due to the very high rate of addiction, many experts contend that most tobacco use is abusive. Alcohol is a drug that acts as a depressant on the body and affects speech, decision making and motor control. Alcohol abuse is typically a form of alcoholism.
Illegal drugs
There are a variety of ways to classify the wide range of illegal drugs, but they can be broken up into three general classes: stimulants, depressants, and hallucinogens. Stimulants act on the nervous system and generally create feelings of pleasure along with increased alertness and energy. Drugs like cocaine and methamphetamines are stimulants. Depressants act on the nervous system with a sedative effect and can create euphoria. Marijuana, heroin and GHB are depressants. Hallucinogens act to alter perception and mood and can cause hallucinations. Peyote and LSD are hallucinogens.
Symptoms
There are a number of symptoms that can be indicative of substance abuse. One example would be alterations in social activities, such as abandoning hobbies or sports. Changes in personality such as new aggression, secrecy and depression can be symptoms. Sudden or sharp declines in grades or work quality may be a sign of substance abuse. There can also be telltale signs such as drug paraphernalia that may include rolling papers or small baggies. The appearance of a new group of friends, coupled with other signs, can also be an indicator of substance abuse.
Causes
The causes for substance abuse can be diverse, ranging from social to biological. Some of the common causes include a strained home life, job stress, low self-esteem, depression and more. Peer pressure can play a significant role in substance abuse. There is also research to show that substance abuse, such as alcoholism, may have a biological/hereditary component as well.
Recent Trends
A relatively recent trend in substance abuse is prescription drug abuse. This has more to do with using prescription drugs to get high versus doctors over-prescribing prescriptions, though there is an increase in that issue as well. Rather, the trend is that prescription drugs are being used to get high. The Office of National Drug Control Policy has said that prescription drug abuse is now the second most common form of illegal substance abuse in the U.S.
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