Do's and Don'ts
Let us give some brief answers to some commonly asked questions. The answers are summarized from federal government sources.
What Is Drug Abuse?
Drugs become an "abuse" when taking them interferes with a person's health or ability to do well in school or to earn an appropriate living; or when there is disruption of the person's individual or social adjustments, or both.
What Is Compulsive Drug Abuse?
Whereas habituation is the desire to repeat the use of a drug as an escape from tension, or for euphoric experiences, compulsive drug abuse involves addiction, Here there is a physical depe!'.c!ence upon drug; the body exhibits a need for the drug beyond the psychological. aspects of habituation. One can become addicted not only to heroin and other "haed" drugs but also to sedatives, certain tranquilizer alcohol, and stimulants in very large doses.
What Is Drug Tolerance?
One speaks of drug tolerance when a person has to increase the do constantly to bring about the same effect. This is a state in which you "have to have it." It involves physiological or psychological dependence, or both, which results from chronic, periodic, or continuous use. Not everyone who uses a drug becomes dependent upon it. Alcohol is s common example. The majority of persons who drink do not harm themselves or those around them. But the problem is that many people fail to see the harmful effects growing with usage. It is estimated that several million Americans are alcoholics and refuse to admit it.
Can Drug Abuse Cause Mental Breakdown?
Yes. Some drugs can produce irreparable brain damage. For example, studies show that alcohol can have a direct toxic effect on the brain cells by disturbing circulation and depriving the cells of oxygen. Stimulants, such as amphetamines, can produce long-term biochemical disn.:ption of the central nervous system, ·but it has not been proved conclusively that they cause permanent brain damage. On the other hand, snjffing glue has been found to cause brain cells to die. And brain cells do not regenerate once they are destroyed.
Can the Effects of Drug Abuse Be Passed on to the Unborn?
Heroin-addicted mothers have given birth to babies who show withdrawal symptoms. Not enough is known at present about the genetic effects of drugs to make a generalization. But it is regarded as extremely risky to take any drugs without careful medical supervision during pregnancy.
