Quoting from the statement made by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV), you can get a clear idea when you will call something as a substance abuse. This is same in case of drugs as well.
Routes of drug addiction
When we refer to drug abuse we generally try to indicate the use of those drugs that have been regarded as illicit and illegitimate. Heroin, cocaine and drugs like marijuana normally fall under the category of illicit drugs. When you are dependent on anyone of these drugs you automatically fall under the category of drug abuser. There are some medicines too which when overused can be referred as drug abuse. Excessive consumption of cough syrups without the prescribed mode to treat cough and cold is very much a way of drug abuse.
An abuser of drug after a certain extent of time and over a period of drug use turn out to be drug dependent. At this point it is no more the stage of drug use but more appropriately referred as drug dependency.
Ways to get dependent
The stage of dependence towards a particular substance arises when an overdose of the substance is being regularly used and in spite of critical problems at the physiological level and behavioral pattern, the psychological yearn for the substance cannot be prohibited. The desire is uncontrollable and you simply need it. Without it you react erratically as if you will end up your life. If you have acquired this stage in your addiction of a particular drug it is very much indicating your dependency on the addiction. The DSM-IV also defines drug dependency in the above mentioned way.
The term "normal being" acquires a different definition in case of drug abuse and addiction. The real normal persons will find the drug addict to be abnormal in his behavior and also at the level of physical health. But for the drug addicts their present condition is normal. They are in an instable situation if the supply of the particular drug they have become use to is stopped. Under any circumstance they are unable to inhibit the use of the drugs on their own and for them they are healthy with the drugs.
There is no other way except to get them treated properly in a drug rehab center. For many the outpatient treatment system works if the individual has just become a drug abuser. Or else you must help out the person with a long-term treatment through the inpatient treatment pattern provided by a rehab center. That's the best way to overcome this personal as well as social crisis.
Drug abuse is not only seen in adults, it is also seen more and more in young teens. The problem seems to escalate every day. You hear more about teen drug abuse than you do about adult drug abuse. The reasons are attributed to peer pressure, low self-esteem, loneliness and because parents do the same thing. Parents are rarely completely without fault whether they are doing drugs or not.
If a child sees a parent drinking, they may feel this is normal behavior and want to do as their parent's do, except they turn to drugs, which is easier to obtain than alcohol. Even if a parent does not drink or take drugs, they should still monitor their child's behavior and emotional status. Drug abuse is not hard to detect, it is easy if you know your child.
Parents should always have an idea about their child's friends as well as where they go and what they do. A parent that goes to bed before the child is home for the night will have no clue as to what condition the child came home in. Parents do need to have control over any child that shows any signs of drug abuse, early. If drug use is left unaddressed, the problem can only escalate. This is when a parent loses control of their child and the problem.
Drug abuse counselors and school counselors can help with a drug abuse problem, but a parent needs to take control of their child's life to help control the ease of obtaining the drugs. If you think your child is using drugs, you can receive information and counseling yourself before confronting your child. Some parents feel that they cannot deal with the drug situation, which results in another problem. The child has gained control of the parent.
Drug abuse is rising every day and not much can be done to control the problem. As a parent, you can educate your child on the different outlets to turn to instead of drugs. If a child knows you are there for them, they may be more apt to open up. If they are alone all the time and you do not have time to talk, they may find their own solution, which could easily be drugs.
Children who have open and close relationships with their parents seem to adjust rather well to changes and do not need to try drugs. For some, personal issues weigh heavily on the decision to try drugs, which can lead to drug addiction. Drug abuse is a growing problem that can only be stopped with parental control over children.
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