ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

DRUG :
:
:

Chemical Substance
Small Quantity
Considerable effect

DEPENDENCE

Compulsion to take

Psychological - Urge to drink

Continuous, Periodic basic
CHARACTERISTICS OF DEPENDENCE
Overpowering desire to take
Priority of talking
Withdrawal effects
Anxiety
Apprehension
Sweating, tremors
Depression etc.
CAUSES OF ALCOHOLISM:
: Depression
: People who have problems
a) Family
b) JOBS
c) Economic, mental illness, etc.
Harmful Effects
CNS
:
Lapses of memory loss
:
Disorientation
:
Confusion
:
Tremors
:
Incardination of body movements
:
Epileptic fits
:
Withdrawal
Other physical effects Stomach pains
-Gastritis, ulcers, etc
Hepatitis

Liver

Cirrhosis
Carcinoma

Heart

Heart muscle disease Pamereatitis

Social Effects:
A.

Family

Conflicts
Break-up
Tension
Violence towards children

B. Individual discarded
Economic
A. Loss of job
B. Spend more money to
C. Accidents & fires
Social Disruption

Peace
Gets into trouble with police
Fights, quarrel

Crime / Suicide
Interferes with Children development
How to RECOGNIZE ACCOHOLISM?
(a)Drink too much
(b)Always drunk fall down
(c) Gets to fight and quarrels.

CLINICAL SETTING
Repeated visits to the clinic.

Community Setting

MANAGEMENT OF ALCOHOLISM
Family Problems
Assessment of the Problem
Stress, Pain, depression
2) Motivation of the patient
- focus on health, economic & social effects
3) Encourage patient to stop and recovery is possible with help.
4) Treat the associate physical and mental problems.
5) Counseling of the alcoholic and his family.
6) Refer to hospital if withdrawal symptoms are severe if mild
treat in the clinic.
- Vit. B6, Vit. B12
- Diazepam
-Anti-epileptic Drugs
7) Educate the community.
DRUGS
(a)Alcohol
(b)Nicotine (Tobacco)
(c) Cannabis hashish
Ganja
Charas
Majiuana
(d)Heron- smack, Brown Sugar or White
(e)Codeine- Cough syrup
(f) Pethidine, Fortwin
opium like drug
(g)1. Benodiazepines
-Diazepam
- Chlordiazepoide
Sedatives
- Nitrazepam
2. Barbiturates
3. Non-barbiturate mandrix
Stimulant drugs: Amphetamines- not found in Nepal.
Hallucinogenic Drugs:
Magic Mushroom?
Dhatura
LSD- Not found in Nepal

Why do people abuse drugs?

The most vulnerable group that and be affected are the youths
because of it innate curiosity and thirst for new experience.
(a)Peer pressure
(b)Curiosity: The younger the age at within individual first
tries drugs, the more he/she is to try again.
(c) Ignorance: First as an experience, if the drugs give a
desired effect- continue without realizing the health
consequences.
(d)Sense of belongings: If person feels isolate, may find a
group to accept him.
(e)Changing Social Structures: Remarriage
(f) Urbanization and unemployment
(g)Family relationship
-Alcoholism in the family
- Violence between parents or towards children.
What are the effect of drugs?
1. Mood.
2. Function
3. Understanding
body
4. Awareness.

By acting in the CNS with other parts of the

Depending on the drug taken, a person might fee stimulated,

depressed or euphoric.

What drug abuse?

When drugs are taken for reasons other than medical, in an
amount strength, frequency or manner that damages the physical
or mental functioning of an individual, it becomes a drug abuse.
Why Drug Abuse?
Teenagers take drug.
1. Persuasion by school- mature- friends, peer pressure
2.
Temptation- To cook and behave like adults
(symbol of manhood)
3.
Refusal to account any kin of authority
rebellion
4.
More curiosity- to experience how it feels to
take drugs
5.
Imitating- the drug taking behavior of
others.
Some common myths about taking drugs
Myths
One can try drugs once and
then stop
Most of the addicts get their
first drugs from a peddler or
a pusher
Drug increase creativity
Willpower can alone help
addict to stop taking drugs.
Drugs sharpen thinking, lead
to greater concentration and
increase sexual pleasure.

Facts
Almost all the drug addicts
start by trying just once
Most of the addicts get their
first drug from a friend or an
associate in the from of a
favor
Drug addicts lose clarity of
perception and thinking and
coherence in action.
Addiction becomes disease
which requires treatment on
a scientific basis
Drugs may remove
inhibitions but temporarily,
ultimately resulting in steep
fall in normal functioning.

Drugs with medical use can be abuse in the following

ways:
Too much- taking an increased dosage without medical advice
Too often- taking small doses for an extended period of time
Too Long- taking the drugs for an extended period of time
Wrong use: Taking a drug for reasons other than medical for
which it is intended or taking a drug without medical advice.
Wrong combination: Taking a drug in combination with
certain other drugs.
Effects of drug abuse:
1. Short term- These are effects that rapidly appears in
few minutes after taking the drug- sense of well being and
pleasant drowsiness
2. Long Term- These are the damages that occurs due to
constant excessive use of drugs physical and mental
illness