CONSEQUENCES OF

PSYCHOACTIVE SUBSTANCE
ABUSE
ETUKA CHIZOBA IFEOMA,
NDLEA, IKOYI,
21, FEB, 2019
OUTLINE
• Introduction
• Specific Drugs of Abuse and their Effects
• Predisposing Factors
• Indicators to drug abuse related problems
• Impact of drug abuse in the work place
• Socio-economic Consequences of drug abuse
• Prevention of drug abuse in the work place
• Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
• Man has used drugs in various forms and ways for many years.
• Drugs can be produced from different chemicals.
• Most of these chemicals are derived from plant and animal
sources.
• Most of the drugs we take are either natural or synthetic products.
• Drugs are mostly used for prevention, treatment of diseases and
relief of symptoms.
• Drugs are harmful to the body when used inappropriately.
INTRODUCTION contd
• According to the United Nations, no country is immune to the
devastating consequences of drug abuse.
• It has affected homes, workplaces, educational institutions and of
course, the society in general.
• Drug abuse related problems affect people of all works of life in all
types of job and all ages.
• In fact, the drug abuse problem has been described as an equal
opportunity affliction.
• However, available data in Nigeria reveal that young people between
the ages of 11 – 35 years constitute the high-risk group to drug abuse.
INTRODUCTION cont
WHAT IS DRUG?
• Drug is defined as any substance, natural or synthetic which
when taken into the body affects one’s mood, or behavior
• There are some drugs that when taken exert major action on
the brain thereby producing such effects as sedation,
stimulation, and changes in mood or behavior.
• Such drugs are called psychoactive drugs.
INTRODUCTION cont
WHAT IS DRUG ABUSE?
• Drug /substance abuse can be defined as a pattern of harmful use of any substance for
mood altering purposes.
• The use of illicit drugs or the abuse of prescription drugs or over- the- counter drugs for
purposes other than those for which they are indicated or in a manner or quantity other
than directed.
• Any use of illegal drug by this definition constitute abuse. Those drugs are illegal in the
first place because they are potentially addictive or can cause severe negative health
effects.

• Excessive use of socially acceptable substances like alcohol, kolanuts, etc.

• It should be noted that drug abuse is not a weakness, rather it is a sickness that causes
real changes in the brain, causing the user to crave for more and more of the destructive
substances
An assortment of psychoactive drugs—street drugs and
medications
• 1:cocaine
• 2 crack cocaine
• 3 methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• 4 ephedrine
• 5 MDMA (ecstasy)
• 6 mescaline (cactus)
• 7 LSD blotter
• 8 psilocybin mushroom (Psilocybin
cubensis)
• 9 Salvia divinorum
• 10 diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• 11 Amanita muscaria mushroom
• 12 Tylenol 3 (contains codeine)
• 13 codeine with muscle relaxant
• Pipe 14 tobacco
• 15 bupropion (Zyban)
• 16 cannabis
• 17 hashish
SPECIFIC SUBSTANCES OF ABUSE
Drugs can be classified in different ways.one way of classifying drugs is according to the effects it has on the
body.
• DEPRESSANTS
-Alcohol
-Benzodiazepines
• STIMULANTS
-Tobacco (cigarette)
-Cocaine
-Amphetamine- Type Stimulants ATS, etc

• NARCOTICS
-Heroin
HALUCINOGENS
• CANNABIS (marijuana)
Kola Nut
• Contains caffeine which
stimulates the central nervous
system.

• It can cause sleeplessness.

• increases heart rate, pulse rate

etc.
Tobacco/ Cigarrete

• Tobacco is a green leafy plant that is

grown in warm climates.
• Can be chewed, sniffed and smoked
• Can be processed into cigarette or
cigar
• Tobacco contains nicotine , an
ingredient that can lead to
addiction.
• Tobacco smoking affects (damages)
every organ in the body
Effects of Tobacco
Effect of smoking on the lungs
Alcohol
It is the most commonly abused substance in Nigeria.

It is a depressant

Can be found in beer, wines, spirits

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

Slurred speech

Drowsiness

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Stomach upset

Headaches

Breathing difficulties

Distorted vision and hearing

Impaired judgment and decision making

Decreased perception and coordination

Unconsciousness

Anemia(loss of red blood cells)

Alcohol
LONG TERM EFFECTS
• High blood pressure
• Liver diseases
• Nerve damage
• Vitamin B1 deficiency
• Ulcers
• Malnutrition
• Cancer of the mouth and throat
Some forms of alcoholic beverages

Beverage Percentage
of Alcohol
Distilled spirits,
40-42%
Whisky, Rum, Vodka, Gin
Beer 4 to 8%.
Wines 12%
Alcohol contd
Indicators of Drinking Problem
CAGE
Have you ever felt you should cut down on drinking?
Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?
Have you ever felt bad and guilty about your drinking?
Have you ever taken a drink first thing in the morning (eye opener) to
steady your nerves or get rid of a hang-over?
Cannabis sativa –
marijuana
Cannabis from the plant Cannabis sativa.

Psychoactive ingredient: delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which produces the ‘high’

SHORT TERM EFFECTS

Quiet and reflective mood, drowsy

Intense or altered senses to sound, colour and other sensations

Altered memory and thinking, confusion

Altered vision and bloodshot eyes

Dryness of the eyes, mouth and throat

Reduced coordination and balance

Decreased nausea and increased appetite

Drugs of abuse by clients

CANNABIS
COCAINE
ALCOHOL
TOBACCO
DEPRESSANTS
STIMULANTS
STIMULANTS
Also known as ‘’uppers’’ act on the
brain and the central nervous system
Speed up activity in the brain
Generally make a person more alert
and energetic
Suppress Appetite
Examples are caffeine, nicotine,
amphetamine and cocaine
DEPRESSANTS(rock, peanuts, m & m)
Downers’’ that decrease alertness
and diminish impacts of the drugs
normally used as seductive or
sleeping pills
• Decreased activity in the brain,
slow down body functions &
reduce sensitivity
• The cumulative effects make taking
combinations of depressants
extremely dangerous
• Examples are alcohol, Barbiturates,
Tranquilizers and opioids such as
Heroine, codeine
HALLUCINOGENS (Psychedelics)

• Drugs that distort perceptions of

time and space, alter mood, and
cause sensations not based in
external reality
• Hallucinogens often magnify
whatever mood the user was in
prior to use
• Examples ; marijuana & Ecstasy
(MDMA) methylenedioxy-methaphetamine
REASONS WHY WE ABUSE DRUGS?
• Unhealthy family background
• Peer pressure influence
• Desire to remain awake at night
• High social class(to be know as big guys)
• Depression
• Curiosity
• Easy accessibility of drugs
• Exposure to mass media content
• Poor mental health, low level of self esteem and
personality problems
INDICATORS TO DRUG ABUSE RELATED PROBLEMS(HOW TO KNOW THAT
A CO-WORKER IS ABUSING DRUGS)

The following are the indicators that could be used to

monitor the use of drugs in the workplace.
• Rising accident rates.
• Absenteeism or tardiness.
• Decreased productivity.
• Deterioration in relationship among co-workers.
IMPACT OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN THE WORK
PLACE
• Personnel’s health
• Productivity
• Decision making
• Safety
• Personnel morale
• security
CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE
The alarming evidence of drug abuse, its effects and consequences
among youths, students, individual and society at large has called for
concern as well as
Challenge to all health professions to develop strategies of equipping
our youths with skills of living devoid of substances.
The consequences of substance use are diverse
Including: health, (acute or chronic) social and psychological problems
HEALTH PROBLEMS
• Alcohol related problems includes ;
• Liver cirrhosis
• Peptic Ulcer
• Tuberculosis
• Hypertension
• Mental retardation of the Foetus in the womb, growth deficiency, and
delayed motor development
• Tobacco stimulation of heart and narrowing of blood vessels,
• Hypertension
• Headache
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and delayed growth of the foetus.
• Cancer, strokes, and heart attack
Health problems continued
Stimulants (eg, caffeine) lethargy, irritability, exaggerated self
confidence and sleeplessness.
Inhalants (eg glue). Anaemia, damaged kidney, and peptic ulcer
diseases.
Narcotic (eg heroine) poor perception, constipation, cough,
suppression, vomiting, drowsiness and sleep, unconsciousness and
death.
Physical Effects
• Damage to vital organs of the body such as liver, lung, kidney,
pancreas, facial muscles, etc.
• Head ache
• High blood pressure
• Rise in temperature
• Trembling
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive appetite, etc.
Psychosocial consequences
• Psychiatric eg pathological drunkenness, suicidal behaviour,
• Disruption of interpersonal relationships particularly within the
family.
• Failure to achieve normal milestones and school failure
PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE
• Everybody has a role to play in drug abuse prevention.
Example:
• School
• Parents
• Religious bodies
• Community/opinion leaders
• Media
• Youth, etc
conclusion/ Recommendation
• Psychoactive substances is very costly and has negative
health consequences
• The greater a person’s drug use, the higher the risk of
becoming dependent
• Drug abuse is a medical disorder that could affect
anyone and can be treated.
• Beyond stopping drug use, effective treatment
requires changes in the behaviour of drug users
• Effective public health programs are needed to reduce
the overall health burden of psychoactive substance
abuse