Drug Index

Drug Abuse - Explained

Drug abuse is any use of a drug that causes a problem (apart from some undesirable but unavoidable side effects of certain medically used drugs).

Drug abuse can result in health problems like increased illness and physical damage to the body.

Drug abuse can result in personal problems such as loss of motivation, or addiction.

Drug abuse can result in group problems like strained and unhappy family relationships.

Drug abuse can result in social problems like increased crime and traffic accidents.

Sometimes even the use of a drug as prescribed by a medical practitioner can cause problems and lead to abuse.

Drug abuse is not limited to the illicit drugs like heroin, cannabis, or cocaine. Any drug can be abused, intentionally or unintentionally.

The Risks of Drug Abuse

Drugs can be considered harmful when their level of use causes physical, mental, social or economic problems.

Not all drugs are equally hazardous. But even when used under medical guidance, some drugs can have undesirable side effects.

Many drugs may also have effects beyond those for which the user is looking. When such drugs are used non-medically, these side effects become potentially dangerous.

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Drugs Defined

Scientists define a drug as any substance, other than food, which is taken to change the way the body or the mind functions.

Drugs may or may not come from doctors or drug stores. They may or may not have medicinal properties or purposes. Drugs can come from plants growing wild in fields, or they can be manufactured in labs. They can be legal or illegal. They can be helpful or harmful.

By this definition penicillin is a drug and heroin is a drug. Even toothpastes that contain fluoride and deodorants that contain antiperspirants are drugs. So long as a substance changes the way the body or the mind functions in some way, then it is a drug.

• the amount taken
• the user's previous experience with drugs
• the manner in which the drug is taken (i.e.: orally injected, smoked)
• the circumstances under which the drug is taken (i.e.: place, user's emotions, activities, presence or absence of others, simultaneous use of other substances)