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HEALTH TALK: Impact and psycho-social implications of drug abuse 

 

By Sulaiman Tajudeen 

 

CITIZENS COMPASS–Drug abuse or dependence is defined as a state of psychological or physical dependence on a drug, following the administration of the drug on a periodic, continuous basis (WHO 2015).

Drug abuse constitutes the use of any substance under international control, outside therapeutic indications, at an excessive dose level, or over an unjustified period (Tupper, 2012).

People who indulge in drug abuse cannot be regarded as healthy and developed since abusers lose their potential to this activity. The consequences of drug abuse are multifarious and range from untimely deaths to suicides, road accidents, violent crimes, laziness, mediocrity, and subsequent impoverishment, which most of the time lead to broken homes, shattered dreams, wasted potential power as the abusers struggle to sustain the habit, and subsequently become burdens to themselves, their families, and society at large.

Unfortunately, young people who are supposed to shoulder Nigeria’s future development in terms of socio-economic aspects are constant promoters of this anti-social activities of drug abuse.

Historically, drug abuse in Nigeria dates back to the pre-colonial era, when men moved from being gardeners to farmers, cultivating intoxicants such as wine, strong tobacco and other hard substances.

Illicit drugs, as we know them today, are not of Nigerian origin; they were introduced by World War II veterans who fought in Malaysia and Burma. After the war, they returned with concealed packets of cannabis souvenirs. It was with this introduction that illegal cultivation of cannabis started across the country.

Types of drugs 

Alcohol

Amphetamine

Caffeine

Cannabis

Cocaine

Hallucinogens

Inhalants

Nicotine

Opiates

Sedatives, hypnotics or anti-anxiety drugs

Heroin

When drugs become harmful

Disability in the area of functioning

Failure to meet responsibilities

Health issues like mental illness

Impaired control/judgement

Risky use of the drug

Social issues (i.e., poor interpersonal relationships)

Poor academic performance

Neglect of personal hygiene

Irresponsible behaviour

Substance use disorder

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (5th edition) recognises substance-related disorders resulting from the use of 10 separate drugs, which include:

Alcohol, Caffeine, Cannabis, Hallucinogens, Inhalants, Opioids, Sedative, Hypnotics or Anxiolytics, Stimulants, including Amphetamine, Cocaine and Tobacco.

Effects of drug abuse on academic performance

 

Dr Sulaiman Tajudeen is Head, Clinical Psychology, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-araba, Lagos State.

 

 

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