Drug Misuse, Consequences and Some Preventive Strategies | Chapter 5 | Emerging Trends in Disease and Health Research Vol. 8

Introduction: Drug abuse and its associated repercussions are now a global problem that affects many countries and worries both governments and the general populace. These societal problems include gangsterism, rape, prostitution, kidnapping, armed robbery, assault, and assassinations. The non-therapeutic (licit/legal) drugs like caffeine, tobacco/nicotine, or alcohol, as well as OTC drugs, prescription drugs, and illicit/illegal psychoactive substances like cannabis (use of this drug is now legalised in some countries, but not in Nigeria), cocaine and crack, morphine, and amphetamines are among the drugs that are misused. heroin, benzodiazepines, tramadol, codeine, etc. The abuse of these medications has sharply escalated, with severe health and social repercussions that every healthcare provider and government must acknowledge and address. Despite this despicable predicament, the cure for drug abuse has remained a mystery. This review intends to inform readers and offer support in easing and minimising the problems caused by drug abuse and its effects, especially in Nigeria.

Methods: A manual literature search as well as an online search (using databases like Medline, HINARI, PubMed, and others) were done.

Results: It was discovered that the medications being abused have a well-known propensity for addiction, which gives them the special capacity to be continued by impairing reason and wrecking havoc on the faculty of self-preservation. This results in a molecular brain illness that invariably brings about disarray, malfunction, or even obliteration. Substances that are addictive cause happy or pleasant feelings (euphoria in the first stage) or alleviate discomfort. Continuous usage causes the central nervous system (CNS) to adapt, which results in tolerance, dependence, sensitization (reverse tolerance), yearning, and relapse, all of which have detrimental effects on one's physical health as well as their social, psychological, spiritual, and economic well-being. Reducing damage, psychotherapy, drug treatment, and preventative programmes are among the methods used to regulate drug abuse. Religious group activities are a safeguard, and realistic media literacy for youth is essential.

Drug abuse is a significant global public health concern. Misuse corrections aim to enhance political and economical situations while also restoring the overall wellness of the person and their family. All hands must be on deck to minimise risk factors and increase protective variables since prevention is the key to effective management. Only then will we be able to successfully reduce and cure the sad effects of drug usage and its repercussions on individuals, families, and nations.

Author(s) Details:

S. I. Iyalomhe,

Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

R. N. Osunde,

Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

I. Omoregbe,

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

I. O. Edeawe,

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

O. E. Iyalomhe,

Institute of Lassa Fever and Research, Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital, Irrua, Nigeria.

G. B. S. Iyalomhe,

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, College of Medicine, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria.

Please see the link here: https://stm.bookpi.org/ETDHR-V8/article/view/7231