The dangers of drug addiction

In our pill-popping culture, literally thousands of substances are used extensively on a daily basis. We consume billions of pills yearly and spend billions of rands on them, and these figures do not even include the everyday use of caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.

Drug and substance abuse are an individual, family, and worldwide problem that can affect young and old, men and women, and people from all cultures.

Of the thousands of prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs currently available, they can be toxic, especially when over-used or when they are used for long periods of time. OTC products are more easily abused than pharmaceuticals because they can be readily obtained, and are usually less toxic.

Many of these drugs have the ability to create physical dependency, especially when there is a chronic problem or when there are withdrawal or rebound symptoms. Using sleeping pills, tranquillisers, and antidepressants is another way to deal with life’s challenges. 

Aspirin has been in common use for many decades, though its use is decreasing because of its association with stomach irritation, allergies, its effect on blood clotting, and the availability of other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen. Even stronger prescription narcotics, such as codeine, hydrocodone (Percodan), propoxyphene or even Demerol or morphine may be prescribed and all of these narcotic drugs are extremely addictive, and thus difficult to stop using.

Another concern is that caffeine addiction often occurs along with nicotine addiction and excessive sugar intake. Physiologically, caffeine is a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. For many users, it specifically improves muscular-coordinated work activity, such as typing, and generally speeds things up, increasing the basal metabolic rate (BMR), which can help you burn more kilojoules. Caffeine is also a diuretic and a mild laxative, an effect that many coffee drinkers appreciate. The amount needed to produce the wake-up and stimulation effect increases with regular use, as is typical of addictive drugs. Eventually, we need the drug to function and without it, fatigue and drowsiness occur. Caffeine is thus a natural stimulant, with both physical and psychological addiction potential and with withdrawal symptoms similar to the symptoms of its abuse.

Street or “recreational” narcotics are also a large problem. Instant gratification, a trip, a little peace or a feeling of power, are all things that are promised when people are offered drugs of one kind or another.

Remember, however, what they don’t tell you:

• The more you like it, the more you are going to want and then need it
• The more you need it, the more you will do unthinkable things to get it
• When adding chemicals to your brain, your body overreacts and later crashes, leaving you feeling depressed and even suicidal
• You cannot control your response to drugs
• You can never know exactly what is in a drug
• The effects are short-term and when the drug wears off, reality is still there with all the problems you tried to escape
• Drugs take over and make you lose control, which makes you vulnerable (to your own loss of ability, such as driving; and to sexual or physical assault)
• Uppers could make you need downers and the combination could result in death

Physical signs

• Unexplained skin rashes, injection marks, bruising, scabs andsores on arms
• Yellow stains on hands
• Weight loss, excessive perspiration
• Pale face, circles under eyes or red eyes, frequent use of eye drops
• Persistent cough, frequent colds, constant sniffing
• Changes in sleeping or eating patterns
• Dizziness, trembling of hands
• Deterioration of personal hygiene, or an odour of alcohol
• Indistinct speech, delayed reflex action and lack of co-ordination
• Regular nose bleeds

Behavioural signs

• New friends, lying or secretiveness, mysterious phone calls
• Getting fired from jobs, problems attending work or school, a drop in performance
• Increased need and use of money
• Theft or missing valuables, alcohol or medication
• Verbal or physical abuse of family
• Spending more time alone
• Quitting hobbies or activities, lack of motivation
• Mood swings (hostile behaviour, depression, outbursts)

Items to look out for

• Mouthwash, breath sprays or eye drops
• Thinners, Tippex or other solvents
• Alcohol or drugs in their possession, including seeds from dagga plants
• Bank bags, rolling papers (Rizla), broken glass bottle tops, pipes, tinfoil, mirrors, razor blades, small screens or burnt spoons
• Burns or stains on hands and clothing 

If you suspect that your child or your partner is using drugs, call FAMSA or SANCA for help.