Drug Abuse Resources For Students, Teachers, and Parents

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Drug abuse is defined as the inappropriate use of a substance such as narcotics, tobacco or alcohol. Drug abuse often starts as a way for people to mask physical or emotional pain or to boost confidence or creativity through a mood-altering or pain-numbing substance. However, these artificial approaches to feeling better are short-lived and do not address the underlying problem. Worse, prolonged drug abuse causes additional and more serious problems with psychological, physical and social consequences.

Someone who voluntarily abuses drugs on a regular basis often becomes dependent on that drug. Addiction is another way of describing what happens to a person who is drug-dependent. When someone is addicted, continual abuse of the drug is no longer a choice because the drug abuse has affected areas of the brain controlling motivation, self-judgment, memory and inhibitions. This chronic brain disease causes the addict to continue using the substance of abuse compulsively regardless of the consequences to health, finances, job or school performance and personal relationships.

List of the most commonly abused drugs
acid/LSD
alcohol
club drugs
cocaine
Ecstasy
heroin
inhalants
marijuana
methamphetamine
PCP
prescription medications
anabolic steroids
tobacco

Since 1975, the U.S. government has been tracking drug, alcohol and tobacco use among those aged 12 to 20. There is concern that the use of smokeless tobacco is increasing, as well as non-medical use of prescription drugs. According to a 2009 survey, abuse of the prescription narcotics Vicodin and OxyContin seems to be on the rise among high school sophomores in particular. In fact, eight of the 13 most commonly abused drugs are now prescription and over-the-counter medications, which teens can obtain easily.

The U.S. Congress established the National Institute on Drug Abuse in 1974 to support research into drug abuse and addiction and to put the findings into action in the form of better prevention and treatment programs, as well as better policies to deal with addiction at the governmental and law-enforcement levels. Treatments such as therapy, medication and exercise are all helpful in fighting addiction.

NIDA now supports about 85 percent of the world’s studies on how drug abuse and addiction affect health. Some of those studies have focused on how drug abuse affects the brain and the addict’s behavior. Others have explored the biomedical processes that underlie drug addiction. Research supported by NIDA has discovered what parts of the brain are most affected by popularly abused drugs such as cocaine and marijuana, and that helps lead to new methods of treating addiction. One area this research has already affected is nicotine addiction: NIDA-supported research was instrumental in the development of nicotine skin patches and gum to help smokers kick the habit. A potential cocaine “vaccine” was announced in October 2009. This would help cocaine abusers shed their addiction.

Some studies focus on drug abuse among specific populations, such as minority groups and military personnel. Researchers are concerned that servicemen and women under stress are at much greater risk for drug and tobacco abuse, as evidenced by studies in war zones such as Afghanistan.

Certain other conditions have been identified as risk factors in drug abuse. These include using addictive substances at an early age, having a family history of addiction, experiencing childhood trauma, and suffering from an emotional disease such as depression or anxiety.

Drug Abuse Resources

StanfordsAlcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention
This searchable directory of drug and alcohol treatment programs shows the location of facilities around the country that treat alcoholism, alcohol abuse and drug abuse problems.
The Science behind drugs.
Drug Abuse: Facts, Studies, and Resources
Alcohol Abuse: Treatment, Prevention, and Resources

Resource by k.Pearson

My name is Kim, I am a volunteer at a local Zoo in Chicago, IL. I have been a volunteer for about 5 years now and love it. My full time job is at a vet just outside of the city. I am intrigued by the nature of animals and how they interact with one another.

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