DRUG

ADDICTION

DRUG ADDICTION
Definition

long-term,

compulsive drug use

overwhelming desire to continue taking
a drug
the body has begun to require the drug
in higher doses

COMPONENTS OF DRUG
ADDICTION
Physical

Dependency

characterized

by the development of physiological

reliance on the drug

described

by tolerance which means taking larger

dosage
Psychological
subjective

Dependency

feeling that the user needs the drug to

maintain a feeling of well-being and create a sense

of euphoria

SIGNS THAT A PERSON HAS AN

ADDICTION

Loss of control
engaging

Compulsive preoccupation
worrying

in risky behaviors while under the influence.

compulsively about getting a fix

Continued use of the drug of choice despite

negative consequences

losing control of the ability to monitor how much and

how often the user takes their drug.

Loss of motivation
losing

interest in activities that the user enjoyed

prior to addiction.

Withdrawal
general

term used to describe the symptoms that

occur when a person discontinues using a drug

that has been present in the body for a long time.

REASONS BEHIND DRUG

ADDICTION
Biology
The

genes that people are born with in combination with

environmental influences account for about half of their
addiction vulnerability.

Environment
A persons

environment includes many different

influences, from family and friends to socioeconomic
status and quality of life in general.

Development
Genetic

and environmental factors interact with critical

developmental stages in a persons life to affect
addiction vulnerability.

EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION

Psychological
An

effect of drug addiction is creation of a cycle

"craving" of the drug
Other psychological effects of drug addiction
include:
Hallucinations
Confusion
Psychological tolerance to the drug's effects
creating a desire to do ever-increasing
amounts of the drug

 Physical
primary

physical effects of drug addiction take

place in the brain
The brain adapts and comes to expect, and
depend on, these drug-induces highs.
Other physical effects of drug addiction include:
Heart rate irregularities, heart attack
Respiratory problems such as lung cancer and
breathing problems
Kidney and liver damage
Seizures, stroke, brain damage
Changes in appetite, body temperature and
sleeping patterns

TEACHING AND LAWS

Divine
God

Law

wants everyone to have a good physical

life (John:10:10; 3 John 2) and then, through
acceptance of His way of life, receive eternal
life (John:3:16).
Recognizing how vitally important one's mind
is, Proverbs:4:23 says, "Keep your heart [mind]
with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues
of life."

TEACHING AND LAWS

Church
Fifth
Life

Teachings

Commandment: Thou Shall Not Kill

and physical health are precious gifts

entrusted to us by God
The

virtue of temperance

According

to the late Pope John Paul II drug

addiction is the merchants of death

TEACHING AND LAWS

Civil

Law

REPUBLIC

ACT NO. 9165 June 7, 2002

"Comprehensive
It

Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002

is the policy of the State to safeguard the integrity of its

territory and the well-being of its citizenry particularly

the youth, from the harmful effects of dangerous drugs on
their physical and mental well-being, and to defend the
same against acts or omissions detrimental to their
development and preservation.

 Biblical

Scripture

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy
Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?
You are not your own; you were bought at a price.
Therefore honor God with your bodies.
1 Thessalonians 5:23
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through
and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the
one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one
and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and
money.

STAND

We are not in favor of drug addiction because it

harms our body. Drug-induced individuals
include those from overdose, heart attack, organ
damage, and even malnutrition. The most
common part of our body that gets damaged is
our brain. It violates what is written in the Bible
that states The thief cometh not, but for to steal,
and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they
might have life and that they might have it more
abundantly. Taking drugs reduces our ability to
make reasonable decisions. Most drug addicts
often turn to killing so it violates the fifth
commandment (Thou shall not kill).