Substance abuse among teenagers is a dangerous way to join the crowd

Content:

1. What causes substance abuse
2. Who is most likely to become a substance abuser?
3. Formation of substance abuse
4. Symptoms of substance abuse
5. Features of the effects of certain types of surfactants in substance abuse
6. Consequences of substance abuse
7. Treatment of substance abuse

Substance abuse is a variant of dependence on psychoactive substances (PAS) that are not included in the list of drugs. At its core, this is one of the types of drug addiction. Both drug addicts and substance abusers suffer from mental and physical addiction, deteriorate over time, and suffer complications in the form of mental problems, chronic diseases of internal organs and the nervous system. The medical department provides diagnosis and treatment of people suffering from substance abuse, subsequent rehabilitation and prevention of breakdowns.

What are the harmful effects of substance abuse on the body?

Due to the use of toxic substances, both physical and mental dependence develops. The structures of the brain, organs of the cardiovascular system, especially the lungs, as well as the liver and kidneys are primarily affected.

In addition, mental disorders, developmental delays from peers, and antisocial behavior are clearly expressed. Conjunctivitis, bronchitis, chronic runny nose and cough, lethargy - all this can be a signal that a person is using toxic substances.

What causes substance abuse

When treating addictions in adolescents, narcologists have to deal with patients who inhale toxic fumes from household and industrial chemicals. To obtain a hallucinogenic and intoxicating effect, drug addicts most often use products containing:

• xylene;
• toluene;
• benzene;
• perchlorethylene;
• trichlorethylene;
• trichloroethane.

These substances are highly toxic, change human consciousness, damage the intellect, and, as a rule, are part of:

• glue;
• ether;
• paint and varnish products;
• gasoline;
• domestic gas;
• solvents, stain removers;
• washing powders, fabric softeners.

All funds are available and inexpensive.

What to do if a teenager is a substance abuser?

A child who is a substance abuser is found not only in dysfunctional families. Even a loving and caring family can face this problem. The main thing is to promptly detect signs of substance abuse in a child and resort to timely therapy. If you detect signs of addiction, follow the algorithm:

• Have a calm conversation with your child about his problem. Express your desire and willingness to help, do not blame him. Threats are unacceptable. If it is not possible to carry out a conversation, call a social worker or a narcologist to your home to conduct an intervention;
• Take your teenager to a drug treatment clinic. Hospitalization and outpatient addiction treatment are possible, which will not interfere with school activities;
• A consultation with a narcologist involves prescribing diagnostic measures and drawing up a further treatment plan.

Quarrels, threats and reproaches will only lead to a reaction of protest: the teenager will withdraw into himself and will not make contact with you. The use of chemicals will become fundamental. To avoid such consequences, contact a specialist.

WHO IS MOST OFTEN TO BECOME A TOXIC ADICATOR

The main consumers of toxic compounds with narcotic effects are children and adolescents aged 12-14 years. Adults rarely suffer from this type of addiction.

The risk group includes:

• Children growing up without parents, from dysfunctional families.
• Teenagers who fell under the influence of subcultural groups.
• Boys and girls who are inclined to imitate certain authorities.
• Young people with mental underdevelopment and other psychopathology.

Ust-Labinsk Central District Hospital

Published: 08/02/2019, 15:38
Drug addiction is a chronic progressive disease caused by the use of drug substances, characterized by a phase course and the presence in its structure of several stage-by-stage developing syndromes.

In everyday life and in legal practice, the concept of drug addiction includes any use of prohibited psychoactive substances, including non-addictive substances (for example, marijuana or LSD). At the same time, the use of alcohol and tobacco is usually not considered drug addiction, since it is not prohibited, although they are also drugs, and they cause great harm and addiction.

The term “ substance abuse ” is also used - usually this means dependence on substances that are not classified as drugs by law. These are various chemical, biological and medicinal substances that cause addiction and dependence.

The following groups of narcotic and toxic substances are distinguished:

• morphine, opium and their semi-synthetic and synthetic analogues (heroin, codeine, promedol).
• cocaine and drugs made from it (“crack”).
• substances extracted from Indian hemp (hashish, anasha, plan, marijuana).
• sleeping pills (barbiturates, noxiron, bromural).
• stimulants (caffeine, ephedrine, doping).
• tranquilizers.
• atropine and atropine-containing drugs (asthmatol, belladonna).
• non-narcotic analgesics (analgin, amidopyrine, aspirin, paracetamol, etc.).
• organic solvents and household chemicals.
• nicotine.

Until the end of the 19th century, drug addiction was not considered a serious international medical problem. Only at the beginning of the 20th century, with the development of technological progress and the beginning of laboratory production of opium and cocaine alkaloids, drug addiction became epidemic. Drug use is a widespread phenomenon. It occurs in men and women, in all ethical and social groups. The development of transport, open borders, and international trade have reduced the distance between countries and peoples, which also contributed to the spread of drug addiction.

Drug addiction primarily affects the lower strata of society. Children from low-income, drinking families, unsupervised by their parents, begin to drink alcoholic beverages at an early age, sniff gasoline, Moment and Rubber glue, then switch to marijuana, poppy straw, and “indulge” in parkopan and ketamine. Then they try hard drugs, such as screw. And if for them this is a way to escape from the “dirty” reality around them, then the offspring of rich parents begin to take drugs for the sake of “coolness”. Oddly enough, for them the lower stratum is a kind of personification of freedom and impunity, and they envy it in their own way. The rich start with parkopan, anasha, ecstasy, then move on to heroin and cocaine.

Causes

Modern scientists are developing in sufficient detail explanations for the emergence of drug addiction and identify 3 main directions, 3 groups of drug addiction factors: sociological, including the influence of society and family, biological, explaining the tendency to abuse the characteristics of the body and a special predisposition, and psychological (or mental), considering characteristics and deviations. in the psyche.

Substance abuse

Substance abuse is a disease caused by chronic use of psychoactive substances, characterized by the development of mental and, in some cases, physical dependence, changes in tolerance to the substance consumed, mental and somatic disorders, and personality changes. A drug addict – a “sniffer” – is someone who intoxicates himself with so-called “volatile narcotic substances” (or VDU). Volatile substances are found in various chemical and technical preparations, such as paint thinners, gasoline, trichlorethylene, acetone, flammable gas in cylinders and lighter gas. Substance abuse is associated with chronic or periodic poisoning, the effect of which on the body is very significant.

Consequences of drug addiction and substance abuse

The physical health consequences of substance abuse may include:

• respiratory tract burns;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• lungs' cancer;
• lung abscess and its complications - pulmonary hemorrhages, degeneration of lung tissue, degeneration of the structure of internal organs;
• pathology of cardiac activity - heart attack, hypertension, heart defects;
• benign and malignant kidney tumors;
• inflammation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.

The physical consequences of substance abuse are irreversible! Even in the case of complete recovery from addiction, the patient develops persistent disturbances in brain activity and becomes mentally disabled

The consequences of drug addiction are destruction of liver cells.

• Hepatitis, hepatosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer are common diagnoses for drug addicts;
• premature aging. This affects not only the work and condition of internal organs, but also the appearance of drug addicts;
• The hormonal background of the drug addict suffers greatly. Reproductive health is incompatible with drug addiction: even young people face sexual impotence and problems conceiving;
• there is a pronounced rapid social and moral degradation of man. He forgets about standards of behavior, he does not care about appearance and basic politeness. A drug addict may behave inappropriately and even aggressively;
• the adequacy of perception of reality is impaired. While in a state of drug intoxication, a person can commit a crime, make a mistake with the dosage of the drug, or even commit suicide. He is not aware of his own actions and can be dangerous;
• drugs completely destroy the personality, leading to psychosis, dementia and disability.

Prevention of drug addiction and substance abuse.

The fight against drug addiction is carried out, first of all, at the legislative level: strict criminal penalties are provided for the production, transportation and distribution of a number of narcotic drugs.

Prevention of these diseases includes a large set of measures to prevent people from becoming involved in drug use. Widespread promotion of a healthy lifestyle is of great importance. The most accessible way to prevent drug addiction and substance abuse by creating a negative attitude towards drug use among the younger generation is in educational institutions. As part of the activities, children and adolescents independently form opinions about drugs, focusing on the information provided to them about their destructive effects. Parents also shape their children's understanding of the norms, values, and dangers of life. Feature films and documentaries on this topic make a great impression on older children. Do not forget that the personal example of teachers and family members, demonstrating a healthy lifestyle without alcohol, cigarettes and drugs, a critical attitude and condemnation of addictions is one of the most effective measures to prevent drug addiction and substance abuse in the younger generation

Formation of substance abuse

The main route of ingestion of toxic substances is inhalation of vapors. Vivid hallucinatory visions do not always occur when first used. Most often, the symptoms of poisoning come to the fore:

• nausea;
• weakness;
• vomit;
• headache;
• bad feeling.

But in cases where a drug addict persistently continues to use a psychoactive substance, the signs of poisoning gradually disappear, and euphoric experiences take on leading importance. The attraction becomes stronger every time. To form a mental form of addiction, it is enough to experience the “high” only 5-6 times. Over time, the body gets used to the constant presence of psychochemicals. Toxic symptoms subside, incoordination of movements disappears. Euphorization becomes more pronounced and occurs earlier. The dose required to achieve intoxication increases 2-3 times (the addiction stage is underway).

Outwardly, the substance abuser begins to show personality degradation. Observed:

• narrowing the range of interests;
• desire to be alone;
• directing all desires to search for the next portion of a chemical psychotropic drug.

Reception and effect of using toxic substances

The effect of substance abuse on the human body manifests itself gradually, but even the first sample of poisons causes harm. 5 minutes after poisoning with chemical vapors, the user begins to feel dizzy, the world around him is seen as if in a fog, his ears are ringing, and his consciousness becomes confused.

After about 10 minutes, disturbances in coordination appear, and after a few minutes - the long-awaited euphoria. Due to individual differences in the functioning of the central nervous system, some people feel complete relaxation (a kind of “going into nirvana”), others begin to hallucinate, while others, on the contrary, experience strong emotional uplift and excitement.

The sense of time disappears, and the drug addict cannot say exactly how long he was in an altered state of consciousness. Then all of the above effects begin to subside, and the addict repeats the drug again to prolong the pleasure. Typically, the harmful effects of toxic substances last for several hours.

Symptoms of substance abuse

Addiction forms very quickly. Clinical manifestations of toxic effects depend on the stage of anesthesia:

1. At the first stage, against the background of inhalation of vapors, euphoric sensations arise, similar to alcohol intoxication and characteristic of the first stage of the process. The drug addict's mood rises, a feeling of comfort arises, a slight stupor appears, warmth in the body, slight dizziness with noise. If you stop inhaling vapors during this phase, the condition will quickly return to normal.
2. As inspiration continues, lightness appears in the body, carelessness and carelessness. Unreasonable joy gives you the opportunity to have fun and laugh just like that.
3. The third stage is characterized by the appearance of “cartoons”. Hallucinatory visions are filled with a variety of sounds and colors. Even after stopping inhalation of psychoactive compounds, symptoms continue for about 2 hours. Euphorization gradually turns into depression, weakness, lethargy, and physical fatigue.

Effects of toxic substances on the brain

Such substances affect the brain, changing its functions and hormones. The effects of toxic substances usually do not last longer than an hour. Because of this, the addict snorts the substance many times over several hours to maintain its effects. This behavior is very risky and leads to significant damage to health.

Symptoms of use include:

• Euphoria, hallucinations
• Drowsiness
• Loss of sense of reality
• Nausea, vomiting
• Dizziness
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Rapid breathing
• Redness of the eyes

Features of the effects of certain types of surfactants in substance abuse

Based on external changes, one can draw conclusions about what substance the patient is under the influence of.
Each chemical compound has its own characteristic manifestations:

• Gasoline is characterized by intoxication 8-12 minutes after inhalation. The entry of fumes into the lungs is accompanied by coughing and sore throat. After their disappearance, an accelerated heartbeat, redness of the facial skin, dilated pupils, incoordination and unsteadiness of gait appear. The next stage is delirium and hallucinatory visions against a background of euphoria.
• Inhaling acetone is characterized by an instant euphoric reaction, disorientation and hallucinatory colorful symptoms, often with erotic content.
• When inhaling glue, euphoria and hallucinations occur when the bag is placed on the head. It is this factor that causes sad consequences - suffocation.
• When exposed to solvents, mood swings are observed - joy is often replaced by attacks of malice and anger.

After the cessation of the intake of psychoactive substances into the body, weakness, nausea and loss of strength develop.

Consequences of substance abuse

Without timely treatment of substance abuse, regular use of psychoactive substances leads to loss of vital interests and failure to fulfill responsibilities.

Children and adolescents develop mental and somatic disorders:

• reduced body weight;
• brittle nails and hair loss;
• sallow color and puffiness of the face;
• reduced intelligence.

Withdrawal syndrome develops after 3-6 months of regular use of psychotropic substances.

Withdrawal is accompanied by:

• aggressiveness and malice;
• sleep disorders;
• decreased appetite;
• constant dilation of the pupils;
• tremor of the arms and legs, local convulsions;
• depression and anxiety.

The withdrawal syndrome lasts about 2 weeks. Mental dependence can take much longer to make itself felt.

How does substance abuse affect the human body and his life?

An adult who uses inhaled toxins, just like a teenager, quickly develops addiction. Constant poisoning leads to a decline in performance and a transition to an asocial lifestyle. Most lovers of “artificial highs” are unemployed, many do not have a permanent place of residence. Their main income is theft, begging, collection and delivery of recyclable materials.

A characteristic feature of substance abusers is the intake of volatile substances in groups, which forms a certain society and lifestyle around them, and aggravates toxic dependence. Changes in character are also clearly visible: constant aggressiveness, irritability, conflict are observed, the level of empathy and self-criticism decreases. A person rapidly moves away from generally accepted norms of life and behavior, and subsequently becomes involved either in an asocial lifestyle, or in a criminogenic environment, or acquires severe chronic mental illness.

Treatment of substance abuse

Getting rid of the disease begins with a visit to a narcologist. After the examination, the patient is sent to a narcological hospital.

Treatment of addiction to toxic substances takes place in several stages:

• Cleansing the body and relieving withdrawal symptoms. Medical detoxification includes infusion-drip therapy. Droppers are placed for several days until complete removal of toxins is achieved.
• Medicinal cleansing is complemented by procedures of laser blood irradiation, plasmapheresis, hemodialysis, hemosorption, and xenon therapy.
• Maintenance pharmacotherapy. The patient receives injections of vitamins, nootropics, hepatoprotectors, and metabolic agents.
• Psychotropic therapy. To relieve symptoms of mental disorders, the following are added to the course of treatment: antidepressants, tranquilizers, antipsychotics.
• Additional methods are acupuncture, electrical stimulation.
• Psychotherapy. When treating substance abuse, individual and group psychocorrection, hypnosis, and cognitive-behavioral techniques are prescribed. Relatives (most often parents of adolescent substance abusers) are involved in psychotherapeutic sessions.
• Coding. The most effective results in the treatment of addiction are provided by stress therapy methods according to Dovzhenko.

The final stage is rehabilitation, aimed at consolidating the results of therapy and preventing possible breakdowns. Narco has its own programs for the resocialization of people suffering from substance abuse. The prognosis for recovery from substance abuse depends on timely consultation with a specialist. The earlier therapy begins, the better its results will be.

The text was checked by expert doctors: Head of the socio-psychological service of the Alkoklinik MC, psychologist Yu.P. Baranova, L.A. Serova, a psychiatrist-narcologist.

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The ARMA Center for Social Rehabilitation has been providing successful treatment for substance abuse for more than five years. All information about visiting the clinic, treatment and medical history is completely confidential. In a hospital setting, the patient is not only constantly under the supervision of doctors, but also does not have the opportunity to again fall under the influence of bad company and return to a pathological addiction.

In addition to drug cleansing and restorative therapy, psychotherapists and psychiatrists work with patients of the center.
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