What is drug abuse?

Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter medications in ways other than recommended or intended. It also includes intentional inhalation of household or industrial chemicals for their mind-altering effects. Tobacco use and problem drinking are sometimes included in the definition of drug abuse. Chemical abuse and substance abuse are terms sometimes used interchangeably with the term drug abuse, or they may be used to refer to a combination of drug abuse and tobacco use or problem drinking.

Many drugs that are abused are also addictive; they cause cravings and a continued desire to use them despite negative consequences. Drug abuse can start in childhood and continue in adulthood. Studies of high school students indicate that approximately 42% drink alcohol, 21% use marijuana, and 3% use cocaine. Approximately 12% have used inhalants, and 20% have abused prescription drugs (Source: CDC).

People who abuse drugs may take them initially out of curiosity, to escape, to feel good, due to peer pressure, or for a variety of other reasons. Drugs can affect a number of different organs, and complications can result from damage to the brain or to other parts of the body. Other negative consequences often result from the effects drugs have on a person’s mind, as well as actions an individual may take while under their influence.

Treatment can be on an inpatient or outpatient basis, depending on the drug being abused, whether addiction is present, and whether there are coexisting health or psychological problems. Supervised withdrawal, also called detoxification (or detox), may be necessary if physical symptoms are common when the drug is stopped. Medications may be used to decrease cravings, counteract the effects of the drug, or to cause unpleasant reactions if the drug is used. Behavioral therapy is commonly an important part of treatment, providing skills, helping change attitudes and behaviors, and helping maintain recovery.

Drug abuse can have serious, even life-threatening, complications, such as drug overdose, alcohol poisoning, trauma, and suicidal or violent behavior. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms, including threatening, irrational or suicidal behavior; serious injury; respiratory or breathing problems; rapid, slow or absent pulse; chest pain or tightness; persistent vomiting; cold, clammy, or hot, dry skin; severe abdominal pain; seizure; or confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment.

Seek prompt medical care if you think you might have a problem with drugs.

What are the symptoms of drug abuse?

Symptoms of drug abuse include those of intoxication and those related to unfulfilled responsibilities and the social consequences of drug use.

Common symptoms of drug abuse

Drug abuse can cause problems in interpersonal relationships, at home, on the job, and with the law. Symptoms of drug abuse related to these problems include:

• Craving the drug despite difficulties obtaining it or wanting to quit
• Deterioration of relationships
• Deterioration of school or work performance
• Difficulty holding a job
• Disengagement from non–drug-related activities
• Financial problems
• High-risk sexual behavior
• Increasing time spent thinking about, obtaining, using, and recovering from the drug
• Leaving responsibilities unfulfilled
• Legal problems
• Needing higher doses to get the same effect (tolerance)
• Using a drug to avoid its withdrawal symptoms
• Using drugs before or during activities where safety is a concern

Common symptoms of drug intoxication

Drug use can lead to symptoms of intoxication including:

• Balance problems, difficulty walking, and falls
• Change in mental status
• Changes in mood, personality or behavior
• Diminished reflexes
• Drowsiness or excessive energy
• Impaired balance and coordination
• Impaired judgment and memory
• Impaired vision
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Pupil size changes
• Slurred speech; excessive talking

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, drug abuse can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

Being a danger to oneself or others, including threatening, irrational, or suicidal behavior

Overdose symptoms, such as rapid or slow pulse; respiratory or breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, wheezing, not breathing, choking; abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea; cool and clammy skin or hot skin; sleepiness, chest pain, confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment

Trauma, such as bone deformity, burns, eye injuries, and other injuries

What causes drug abuse?

The cause of drug abuse is not known, nor is it understood why some people can abuse drugs briefly and stop without difficulty, whereas others continue using drugs despite undesirable consequences. Biological factors, such as genetics and the presence of other psychiatric disorders, may play a role, as may environmental factors, such as peer pressure, history of abuse, and stress, and developmental factors, such as the timing of drug exposure.

What are the risk factors for drug abuse?

A number of factors increase a person’s risk of abusing drugs. Not all people with risk factors will abuse drugs. Risk factors for drug abuse include:

• Anxiety disorders or depression
• Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Bipolar disorder
• Early drug use
• Lack of parental supervision
• Male gender
• Parental substance abuse
• Peer pressure
• Personality disorders, such as antisocial behavioral disorder or borderline personality disorder
• Physical or sexual abuse
• Poor family communication or bonding
• Stress

How is drug abuse treated?

The goals of drug abuse treatment are aimed at stopping drug-seeking and use, preventing complications of drug withdrawal, rehabilitation, maintaining abstinence, and preventing relapse. Treatment depends on the drug being abused, whether addiction is present, and whether there are coexisting health or psychological problems.

What are the potential complications of drug abuse?

Complications of untreated drug abuse can be serious, even life threatening in some cases. You can help minimize your risk of serious complications by following the treatment plan you and your health care professional design specifically for you. Complications of drug abuse include:

• Brain damage, memory loss, attention difficulties, and impaired judgment
• Cancer
• Cardiac arrest
• Cardiovascular disease
• Hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, and other infectious diseases
• Legal, academic, work and social problems
• Liver, lung or kidney disease
• Malnutrition
• Psychological changes, including aggression, paranoia, depression and hallucinations
• Respiratory arrest
• Stroke
• Stupor or coma

Withdrawal symptoms

Drug abuse can affect your sexual performance, even after years of abstaining from drugs. Understanding the potential consequences of drug abuse might be just the thing to encourage you to get treatment before your situation becomes severe. Ongoing drug abuse can result in difficulties with your sexual performance and your reproductive system, whether you are male or female. These difficulties can set in no matter how old you are, and in fact many problems are commonly reported among young adults.

Drug Abuse and Sexual Performance

Although alcohol is the number one drug responsible for damaging sexual performance, drugs such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and more can also have a detrimental effect. It was once believed that after men stop drug abuse, they are able to regain their former level of sexual performance, but researchers have recently discovered that this may not be the case.

According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, 36.4% of male drug abusers reported erectile dysfunction, or the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. The study suggested that men who engage in drug abuse have increased odds of experiencing erectile dysfunction and a more difficult time achieving orgasm. It’s a common misconception that cocaine acts as an aphrodisiac, because it can actually link to problems with ejaculation.

Drug Abuse and the Male Reproductive System

Drug abuse can hamper your immune system, which can make you more susceptible to contracting sexually transmitted infections. Intravenous drug abuse also increases your risks for becoming infected. In some cases, drug abuse may even lead to shrinkage in the testes. This occurs because of the effects of drug abuse on your endocrine system, which leads to fluctuating hormones and can result in fertility issues such as decreased sperm counts and low-mobility sperm. Some men also report enlarged breasts and weight gain as a response to hormonal changes due to drug abuse.

Because drug abuse also inhibits your ability to make rational decisions, it can lead to risky sexual behavior. This could also result in a sexually transmitted infection, which could lead to ongoing problems with sexual performance and reproductive health.

Sexual Performance and Recovery

Unfortunately, drug abuse can have a lasting effect on your sexual performance, but continued treatment and sobriety can, over time, improve the situation. During recovery you can address some of your physical and psychological challenges related to drug abuse and sexual dysfunction. Trained professionals can help you find the tools you need to enter a life of recovery.

If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of alcohol abuse, substance addiction or any other type of addiction, please call us today.  Our addiction treatment counselors can help you deal with physical, emotional and psychological consequences of drug and alcohol abuse.  A substance abuse treatment program is effective, safe and has helped many men reclaim their lives. Destination Hope is a full service drug, alcohol and dual diagnosis treatment facility in Florida for men suffering from substance abuse and mental health issues.

Common treatments for drug abuse

• Treatment of drug abuse is often an extended process involving multiple components including:
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior
• Family therapy to help the family understand the problem and to avoid enabling drug use
• Identification and treatment of coexisting conditions
• Medications to decrease cravings, block withdrawal symptoms, counteract drug effects, or to cause unpleasant side effects if a drug is used
• Motivational incentives to reinforce abstinence
• Motivational interviewing to utilize a person’s readiness to change behaviors
• Rehabilitation to assist those with severe addiction or coexisting mental illness through the initial stages of quitting
• Supervised withdrawal (detoxification) to prevent, recognize and treat physical symptoms of withdrawal
• Support groups

Reference:

 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18093094