Substance Abuse

Technically, a substance means a type of solid, liquid or gaseous element that has particular qualities.

There are quite many meanings and applications of the word "substance". In this case when I say substance, I mean hard or/ illegal drugs.

Substance abuse is the continuous, long term and pathological usage of hard or illegal substance, often characterized by daily consumption and intoxication, inability to cut down on its consumption and finally, impairment of social interaction - or simply put, having a boring or deadened social life.

What are the types of drugs that are usually abused?

• Methamphetamine: commonly known as crystal meth because it looks like little crystals or little drops of dew.

• Heroine

• Cocaine

• Codeine

• Opium ; etc

Other drugs and substances that are being abused are:

• Locally produced adhesive gum: This is a somewhat new discovery. As a source of cheap high, some drug addicts deeply inhale locally produced adhesive gum. It has a strong,almost pungent odour so it serves the purpose of providing what I call, the cheap high effect.

  I say cheap because the gum is not expensive and can be gotten from cobblers shops in local markets.

• Coffee: Late night readers like to drink lots of coffee in the hope that the caffeine which is present in the coffee would help them keep awake during the midnight so they could read.

  It has also become a habit for most workers to start their day with a cup of coffee because like I said earlier, the caffeine present in the coffee would give them the ability and clearness of mind needed for them to begin their day with.

  We might even heard some people say things like "I don't function well in the mornings if I have not taken a steaming cup of coffee".

• Depressants: Cigarettes; but to mention a few.

  N.B: If you are an ardent lover of coffee, my humble advice is that you opt for decaffeinated coffee.

WHY DO PEOPLE ENGAGE IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE?

A few reasons why people engage in substance abuse are.

• PLEASURE:

  One of the main reasons why substances are taken is to induce pleasant feelings, ranging from well being and relaxation to mystic euphoria.

• SOCIAL CONFORMITY:

  If the use of a substance is accepted in a peer group to which a person belongs or which he identifies with, he will feel a need to use the substance to show that he is a part of the group.

• CURIOSITY:

  Curiosity about the substance and why people take them, can often start off substance abuse.

• EASY AVAILABILITY:

  Illegal drug usage where there is a ready supply (take university towns as an example) or the market has attracted a ready supply. Illegal drugs use also increases with availability, alcoholism is common in the liquor trade if bars are located within accessible environment.

STEPS OF SUBSTANCE ADDICTION

• FIRST USE:

  The first step to substance addiction is trying the substance out and seeing how you like it, its feel, taste and the effect it has on you. This often time result from boredom, curiosity and in some cases, no pursuit of gainful or meaningful activity.

• REGULAR USE:

  As one become regular, users because they like taste or whatever it is that makes them like the drug and want to continue taking it, they begin to display a weird behavioral pattern.

• RISKY USE:

  As the use of the drug deepens, one may begin to exhibit dangerous, sometimes psychotic behavior.

• DEPENDENCE:

  This is the stage where one becomes a chronic users of the drugs and is therefore now dependent on it. He /She now becomes dependent on the drug and any day that they do not take the drug they feel incomplete.

• SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER:

  This stage is a highly critical one and such person needs to be put in check.

STEPS IN TREATING A SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROBLEM

The first step is Detoxification:

This involves using medical equipments and procedures to clean and rid a substance-laden body of the substance that is in the body and limiting withdrawal reactions.

Behavioral counseling and therapy sessions.

Evaluation and treatment for co-occuring mental health issues such depression and anxiety which is caused by continuous usage and abuse of substances.

FIVE STEPS FOR QUITTING AN ADDICTION

• Get a treatment plan

  According to , a treatment plan is an individualized written document that details a client's goals and objectives, the steps needed to achieve those and a timeline for treatment.

  These plans are mutually agreed upon by the client and the clinician.

• Change your environment.

  The environment you stay in also matters and could actually be a trigger to engage in substance abuse. For example, if you stay in a place where substance abuse is seen and accepted as a norm, then you may be forced to conform to these norms.

  Or if it is your friends that use these drugs and because you want to be to be accepted as one of them, you join your friends in doing what they do, you might want to change your circle to hasten your journey to recovery.

• Distract yourself:

  Play games, hang out more with friends and family, have fun times and don't be lonely all the time because loneliness could actually be a trigger to substance abuse.

• Review past attempts:

  Review past attempts at quitting and see how far you've gone or if you need to work more on yourself.

• Create a support network of family, friends and your loved ones.