Continued from page 1
Types There are many different types of drug abuse. These have traditionally been divided based on action on brain, chemical salt or purpose for which it is used medically or socially. Some of these are:
a) Nicotine used in cigarette One of most heavily used and most damaging of drugs. It damages not only lungs and immunity but also whole body. Known to be implicated in causation on lung, ovarian, skin and certain other cancers.
b) Cocaine Known to have damaging effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular systems.
c) LSD Causes hypertension, tachycardia and insomnia. Also disturbs control of body temperature.
d) Marijuana Has caused memory and learning disabilities.
e) Methamphetamine Insomnia, anorexia, hyperactivity and psychosis are its major side effects.
f) Pain medications Can lead to dependence and drug craving.
g) Club drugs & date rape drugs Causes decreased muscle power and amnesia.
h) Steroids In males causes certain feminine changes and vice versa in males besides causes overall retarded development.
Diagnosing drug abuse Although diagnosis of abuse is not difficult at a full-blown stage but important features at an early stage are teenager becoming less social, poor performance at school, anorexia, unusual sleep pattern and weakness.
Problem solving The main success lies in convincing patient two things: first that drug is not helping him or her in any way and secondly drug abuse can be given up in a joint effort. Obviously that means managing drug abuse needs both medical and social treatment.
Ronit khera writes about Alcohol and drug abuse by college students topics.