LESSON 8.2: DRUG ADDICTION, DETECTION, AND PREVENTION

Drug Addiction

• Refers to the uninhibited behavioral tendency to use dangerous drugs despite knowledge of their capacity to cause physical, rational, and economic problems (Wilson & Kolander, 2003).

Common consequences experienced by drug users;

• Looking or longing for the drug on a regular basis;

• Wasteful spending to purchase more drugs, which may lead to serious economic problems;

• Manifesting inability to perform roles and responsibilities in school, work, family, and community;

• Commiting other crimes to supplement the drug addiction; and

• Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (Burke, O’ Sullivan, & Vaughan 2005).

CAUSE AND RISK FASTORS OF DRUG ABUSE

• Environment

• Genetics

Environment

• Comprises influences found in the surrounding. These may be related to culture, education, and socialization. These may also pertain to social relationships like with family, peers, and coworkers.

Genetics

• Refers to heredity factors. Some _ factors may interact with the drug that cause the user to get addicted more quickly.

Risk Factors

• Certain specific factors can also affect the likelihood and rate of developing drug addiction.

Risk Factors

• History of addiction in the family;

• Mental health problems;

• Peer influence;

• Low family interacttion;

• Early exposure; and

• Level of the drug"s addictiveness (Miller, 2013).

Three types of Drug Preventions

1. Universal

2. Selective

3. Indicates

Universal

• Interventions are varied forms of assistance provided to the general population. These are aimed at all people experiencing problems with dangerous drugs. These are very broad and unspecific in terms of services and messages (NRCIM, 2009).

Selective

• Interventions are for specific subgroups who are extremely at risk for addiction and physical injuries due to dangerous drugs (Rutter et al., 2015).

Indicated

• Interventions are for persons who are already using or are addicted to dangerous drugs. These programs are rigorous and cost a lot of money (Lee et al., 2012).