Substance abuse

General or Other | - Others | Substance abuse (Disease)


Description

Substance abuse is actually referring to excessive consumption and physical dependence and / or psychic certain medicinal substances, alcohol, or drugs and who have harmful physical and psychological effects that affect the individual, sometimes irreparably, and social and emotional life.

Scientists believe that there is a difference between substance abuse and addiction: Abuse is defined mainly in terms of damage to the individual and then social life altering health, while for addiction in the foreground are the symptoms and physical signs of chronic consumption.

Causes and Risk factors

Substance abuse can lead, in time, to addiction. The process needs some time but because dependence requires first appearance of the bodys tolerance to the substance administered, tolerance which then lead to onset of withdrawal. Substance abuse recognize many causes.

The causes are many and varied as the substances that may be involved in abuse: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, psychedelic substances, analgesics, and more. Sometimes it is considered that the company is one that pushes the individual to abuse.

Long-term consequences of abuse: lung cancer, mouth cancers, cirrhosis and carcinoma liver, systemic infections and sexually transmitted diseases. Substance abuse is one of the most frequently cited factors involved in increased crime, domestic violence and aggression against children.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Most substances abusers believe they can stop using drugs on their own, but a majority who try do not succeed. Research shows that long-term drug use alters brain function and strengthens compulsions to use drugs. This craving continues even after your drug use stops.

Because of these ongoing cravings, the most important component of treatment, also called recovery, is preventing relapse. Treating substance abuse depends on both the person and the substance being used. In behavioral treatment, a counselor provides you with strategies to cope with your drug cravings and ways to avoid relapse. Your doctor may prescribe medications, such as nicotine patches and methadone, to control withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. ...