Drug Abuse and Violence Causes And Effects

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Drug Abuse and ViolenceCauses And Effects

• Katharine Lay
• KPHLI 2004-2005
• Worksite Wellness Series

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What Is Drug Abuse?

• Drug abuse is the compulsive (uncontrolled) use
  of one or more psychoactive (mind altering) drugs.

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• Drug abuse may be in the form of tobacco,
  alcohol, prescription or hard drugs.

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Why Do People Use Drugs?

• There is no single reason why people use drugs
  and causes of drug use may differ from person to
  person.
• Researchers have found a number of common reasons.

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Causes of Drug Use

• Friends who use drugs
• Availability of drugs
• Positive attitudes toward drug use
• Curiosity
• Belief that drugs will help overcome sadness,
  loneliness, boredom, and anxiety.

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Causes Of Drug Use contd.

• Movies and TV shows glamorizing drug use.
• Parents were drug users or sold drugs.
• Advertisements for cigarettes and alcohol use.
• Peer pressure

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Initial Causes of Drug Use

• The initial causes of drug use and eventually
  drug abuse can be grouped into two general types.
• Things in the world around us
• Things within ourselves

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Things Around Us

• Having friends that use drugs
• Seeing and hearing advertisements for tobacco and
  alcohol.
• Watching movies that glamorize and make drug use
  exciting.
• Availability of cigarettes, alcohol, prescription
  drug or an illicit drug.

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Things Within Ourselves

• Positive attitudes and beliefs about drugs and
  drug use.
• Lack the skills and confidence to resist peer
  pressures.
• Using drugs can make them macho, cool or to fit
  in socially.
• Use drugs to overcome problems and feelings of
  sadness, loneliness, and boredom.

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Becoming a Drug Abuser

• Doesnt happen overnight, but over a period of
  time.
• Taking drugs in social situations like at a party
  or with their friends on a regular basis.

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Steps Leading to Drug Abuse

• Step 1 Trying one or more drugs.
• Most people start with alcohol or tobacco, then
  try marijuana, and later cocaine, or other hard
  drugs.

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What is a Gateway Drug?

• A drug that a person starts with, for example the
  two most common gateway drugs are tobacco or
  alcohol, then a person may move on to other drugs
  that are harder.

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Steps Leading to Drug Abuse

• Step 2 Using drugs once in a while (less than
  once a week).

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Steps Leading to Drug Abuse

• Step 3 Using drugs on a regular basis (once a
  week or more often) but in small amounts.

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Steps Leading to Drug Abuse

• Step 4 Using drugs in an uncontrolled and
  excessive way.

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Points To Make

• Once a person begins to abuse a drug it is very
  difficult for them to stop.

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Points To Make

• Drug abuse is a major factor in the spread of
  infectious diseases, such as, sexually
  transmitted diseases, AIDS, violence, and auto
  fatalities.

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Points To Make

• No one plans to become a drug addict. Most
  people usually begin by using tobacco, alcohol or
  other drugs once in a while.

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Points To Make

• Then when a person begins using drugs more often
  the body gets use to the drug, the person must
  increase the amount that they take (dosage) to
  experience the same effects from the drug.

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Types of Drug Abuse

• The Experimenter
• Curiosity is a motivator
• Learning about the mood swings
• Learning to Trust/Mistrust the Drug
• High is a new feeling
• Can still relate to people

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Types of Drug Abuse

• Regular User
• The decision to use has been made
• Seeks the high
• Comfort and confidence in using
• Peer group uses
• Getting High is more important
• Tolerance Develops, Cocky
• Has some problems relating to people

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Types of Drug Abuse

• Preoccupied User
• Thinking more about drugs
• Wants to be High often
• Blackouts start
• Relationships are difficult
• Clearly wants to use the drug
• Uses when alone
• Still thinks he/she is in control

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Types of Drug Abuse

• THE ADDICT
• Can no longer get high
• Must take drug to survive
• No choice must use
• Relates to drugs, not people
• Will use anytime
• Obnoxious, Intimidating behavior
• Drugs are your life

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Around Children?

• What kind of example are you around your
  children?
• Children usually meditate parents behaviors.

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Change Your Life!

• A person who hides the truth that he is sick
  cannot expect to be cured.
• --Ethiopian Proverb

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Get Help!

• If you feel you have a drug problem, call
• 1-866-90-UNITE
• Treatment Referral Line

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Available Resources

• Sober Recovery List of hundreds of resources for
  addiction treatment and alcoholism treatment
  centers in the US, Canada, and overseas. (Uses
  12 step program) www.soberrecovery.com
• Outpatient-Drug-Rehab Explains what alcoholism
  is and signs and/or symptoms involved. Also
  discusses drug abuse. 24 hour support available
  toll free [phone] www.outpatient-drug-rehab.
  com/

• Intervention Solutions Provides family
  intervention services for drug abuse, alcohol
  addiction, gambling, and eating disorders.
  www.interventionsolutions.com
• DrugAccess.net Provides drug and alcohol
  information for parents, students, and
  professionals. www.drugaccess.net