Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to dependence syndrome – a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use, persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal state. Policies which influence the levels and patterns of substance use and related harm can significantly reduce the public health problems attributable to substance use, and interventions at the health care system level can work towards the restoration of health in affected individuals.
This problem constitutes a serious threat to public health and well being of humanity Source: World Health Organization (WHO) –www.who.int/substance.

Another dimension to substance abuse is that most youths take them to help boost their immune systems but this ultimately causes damage to their bodies.

Addiction to drugs/substances can be emotional, psychological, biochemical dependent or a combination of the three. Users who are psychologically dependent feel that they need drugs in order to feel good about themselves, whereas those who are emotionally dependent need increasingly larger doses of drugs in order to achieve the initial effects and will suffer from withdrawal symptoms when they stop.

Cannabis and Indian hemp are the most frequently abused drugs in Nigeria, followed by amphetamines and to a lesser extent heroin and cocaine. Organic solvents are also becoming increasingly popular especially among street people.

Culled from: Agriculture Education Environment Health Home Front Islamic Forum IT World Jobs and career Labour Law Next Level Property Women Entrepreneurs By Fatima Shehu Aliyu | Publish Date: Aug 21 2014

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