"We hold these truths to be self evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
~Thomas Jefferson

Introduction

According to the words of Thomas Jefferson, all men have the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Jefferson’s words have echoed through the years as our country struggled for its independence and Americans fought and died to preserve these rights. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget that with these unalienable rights comes the responsibility to use these privileges wisely and productively. When we abuse these rights, we cheat ourselves from enjoying them fully, and we rob other people of their personal freedom and happiness.

"It’s my life; I can do what I want with it" is a common phrase used as a defense for risky behavior that can be dangerous and/or deadly. Abuse of drugs is an example of such risky behavior. Those who abuse drugs often use the excuse that drugs make them happy and they have a right to be happy. They focus on the immediate satisfaction and do not see the long-term consequences that can shorten their lives, take away their freedom, and ruin their happiness. Others claim, what I do is my business as long as I’m not hurting anyone else." They focus on their own pleasure and do not consider the negative effects of their risky behavior on their families, friends, and co-workers.

Drug use both as medicine and for pleasure has been a common practice throughout history. Studies of early civilizations show evidence of alcohol, marijuana, and opium use in various forms. At the beginning of the twentieth century, society began to recognize the serious dangers connected to the misuse of drugs, but this did not prevent the evolution of the drug era (Dixon 1998).

The drug culture of the twenty-first century is a complex problem that does not distinguish between races, sexes, religion, or social status. It affects the young, the old, the poor, the wealthy, the unknowns and the famous. From athletes, to television personalities, to the homeless, substance abuse continues to increase (Dixon 1998). The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) describes misuse of drugs as "a public health problem that affects man people and his wide-ranging social consequences" (June 2003).

In an effort to ease this problem, numerous government agencies and national organizations are studying causes, effects, preventions, and treatments of substance abuse. These studies provide extensive information for use in drug education efforts. To provide basic knowledge about substance abuse, facts from these studies have been condensed into the ABC’s of Substance Abuse: addiction, behavior, and causes.

ABC’s of Substance Abuse

Addiction is defined as a brain disease. It begins with an individual choosing to abuse drugs, but turns into an addiction when the individual develops compulsive drug cravings. These cravings are desperate needs to change the feelings and emotions of the user. While detailed scientific language can be used to explain these cravings, the simplified explanation is that changes take place in the makeup of the brain that affect the way the brain works (NIDA, June, 2003). As stated in Mind Over Matter: The Brains Response to Drugs, ‘ it is as though there is a switch in the brain that flips at some point during an individual’s drug use…that transforms a drug abuser to a drug addict" (1998). The point at which the switch flips is not predictable because drugs do not affect all users in the same way. Some may abuse drugs for a long time before experiencing negative effects; others may experience negative reactions the first time they abuse drugs (NIDA, March, 2003). The bottom line is that individuals who choose to abuse drugs run the risk of becoming addicted each time they use.

Whether the switch flips or not, research shows that misuse of drugs has definite negative impact on brain function. According to the NIDA, the effects differ with the type of drug being abused. For example, inhalants affect the parts of the brain that can control the ability to solve problems, to remember things, and to direct the body to move. Hallucinogenic drugs, like MDMA, change the way the brain hears, sees, and interprets things. Stimulants over-activate the pleasure circuit of the brain, sometimes leading to obsessive behavior, hallucinations, and even brain hemorrhage. Marijuana alters the way the brain sends out messages to the body, affecting coordination, memory, and concentration. Opiates affect the respiratory center of the brain, causing breathing to slow down sometimes to the point of death (1998).

These facts emphasize that drug addiction is more than a bad habit. Unlike behaviors like nail biting or swearing, addiction is a serious disease that has physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms. Breaking an addiction is a difficult process that requires professional assistance and personal determination.

Behavior related to drug abuse varies, but scientific studies have identified characteristic behavior patterns of potential drug abusers and those of practicing drug abusers. These indicators serve as guides in the design of prevention, support, and treatment programs focused on reducing the nation’s substance abuse problem.

NIDA states that children who demonstrate violent behavior, little self-control, or a stubborn personality are at risk of eventually becoming drug abusers. These behaviors are evident at an early age and often carry over into schools and onto playgrounds. They lead to disruptive behavior in the classroom, failing grades, inability to get along with others, and association with drug-abusers (November, 2003).

In The Truth About Drugs, Dixon identifies addictive, compulsive personalities and thrill-seeking daredevils as being at high risk of becoming drug abusers. Addictive, compulsive individuals are obsessed with uncontrollable thoughts. Their need for perfection leads them to repeating actions multiple times, rechecking their work repeatedly, and worrying anxiously about little things. Their behavior can affect their performance in the work place and their interaction with other people. These characteristics combined with the highess level they live under make them potential candidates for substance abuse. The daredevils are looking for excitement. The thrill of danger is appealing to them. Because they thrive on living on the edge, they too are possible candidates for drug abuse.

Individuals with addictive, compulsive personalities or daredevil behaviors are sometimes compared to family members who have similar characteristics, suggesting that these behaviors are inherited. Some scientific studies support the idea that these behavior patterns tend to run in families. According to information cited by Dixon "sons of alcoholic fathers who were brought up by sober foster parents are still eight times more likely to become alcoholics than their fostered siblings born of non-alcoholic father." This information is startling, but the debate on whether abuse/addiction is hereditary or not continues. Whether genetic or learned, research indicates that these behaviors can be signs of future substance abuse (Dixon, 1998).

Once individuals make the choice to abuse drugs, identifiable behaviors become noticeable. These include changes in physical appearance, personality, and emotions. Users pay little attention to how they dress. They wear sunglasses regularly, even in inappropriate places, to hide bloodshot eyes. They have problems with coordination, causing them to stumble or drop things. They have difficulty focusing and often demonstrate a "whatever" attitude, losing interest in activities, family, and friends. They develop poor work habits, such as missing school or work. Their behavior becomes unpredictable. They become easily irritated and angry. They experience mood swings, ranging from extreme happiness to sever depression (NIDA, March, 2003; Drug Abuse Treatment. Org. 2003, Teenline, n.d.). Some drug abusers deny the changes; others provide multiple excuses for acting differently. These behavior changes often result in substance abusers losing their families, friends, and freedom to live a happy, secure life.

Causes that lead individuals to abusing drugs can be classified into several categories: pleasure, accessibility, depression, escape, peer-pressure, rebellion, and misinformation (Dixon, 2003). One of man’s unalienable rights is the pursuit of happiness. For many the drive for pleasure and self-gratification is so great that they engage in high-risk behavior for a few moments of excitement. This includes misusing drugs that provide short-term pleasure, but long-term consequences.

Another cause of substance abuse is the easy availability of drugs to children, as well as adults. Accessibility to prescription drugs from home medicine cabinets or the Internet to cheap illicit drugs sold on the street increases the potential for misuse of drugs.

Drug abuse is also a way to cope with negative feelings. It temporarily kills the emotional pain of depression, hopelessness, rejection, or failure. It serves as an escape from unbearable situations, such as physical abuse, loss of a family member, unemployment, or other distressing factors.

Today’s drug culture puts extreme pressure on individuals who want to be accepted by their peers. The need to belong sometimes overpowers common sense, and individuals become users so that they will not feel left out of the crowd. For others, the need to go against authority figures leads them to misuse drugs in spite of the consequences.

Misinformation about drugs is yet another cause of substance abuse. Reference to drug use by celebrities, in song lyrics, and on videos sometimes presents a distorted view of the effects of drugs. Because this makes drug abuse appear harmless and attractive, it can promote misuse of drugs.

Are you in a CAGE?

Everyone at some time or other has felt caged into a situation that appeared hopeless. Such predicaments usually result from poor decision-making. Choosing to misuse drugs is an example of a poor choice that leads to major substance abuse problems (NIDA, March, 2003). Because many drug users are not aware that their choice to use drugs has become an abuse problem, they do not connect the frustration and anxiety they experience as signs of substance abuse. NIDA has identified four questions that can be used to determine if an individual has a drug abuse problem. These questions are referred to as the CAGE questionnaire. Each question focuses on a key word or phrase that describes actions or feelings that drug abusers experience. The following is an adapted version of the questionnaire from "Frequently Asked Questions" (March, 2003).

Cut down: Do you think about cutting down on your drug use?

Annoyed: Do you get annoyed by people who criticize you for using drugs?

Guilty: Do you feel guilty about using drugs?

Eye-opener: Do you use drugs first thing in the morning to relax your nerves?

A study conducted by the Office of National Drug Control Policy reports that between 1988 and 1995 drug users spent $57.3 billion on illegal drugs (NIDA, June, 2003). However, the users are not the only ones paying for this national problem. In 1992 alone, government agencies, organizations, businesses, and individuals spent $97.7 billion for drug-related care programs. However, a large amount of the financial burden was connected to lost income, decrease of production in the work place, drug-related crime, incarceration, and policing of drug activities (NIDA, June, 2003).

References:

Dixon, P (1998) The Truth About Drugs [Electronic version]. London: Hodder, retrieved June 20, 2004, from http://www.globalchange.com/drugs/TAD-Opening.htm

Drug Abuse Treatment.org (2003). "Signs of drug and alcohol abuse." Retrieved on June 20, 2004, from http://drug-abuse-treatment.org/signs-of-drug-abuse.htm

National Institute on Drug Abuse (June, 2003). "Costs to society." Retrieved on June 21, 2004 from http://www.drugabuse.gov/Infofax/costs/html

National Institute on Drug Abuse (March 2003). "Frequently asked questions." Retrieved June 9, 2004, from http://www.drugabuse.gove/tools/FAQ.html

National institute on Drug Abuse (1998). Mind over matter: The brain’s response to drugs [Electronic version]. Rockville, Maryland: National Institute of Health, Retrieved June 20, 2004, from http://nida.nih.gov/MOM/TG/momtg-index.html

National Institute on Drug Abuse (June, 2003). "Understanding drug abuse and addiction." Retrieved June 6, 2004, from http://www.nida.nih.gov/infoFax/understand.html

Teenline: A program for family services, (2004). Retrieved on June 12, 2004, from http://www.teenline.ws/drug_abuse.html