Introduction:

There are several benefits to drinking moderate amounts of alcohol, including a sensation of
excitement and relaxation. When used in moderation, alcohol may also function as a social
bridge, bringing people together and establishing a sense of community. One of the most serious
repercussions of excessive alcohol use is the risk of health problems and premature death, as well
as the loss of productivity at work and the risk of drunk driving.

Dependency is rampant in today's society. Although alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug misuse
have been around for a long time, prescription medicine abuse has just emerged as a big concern.
Reliance has physical, emotional, and social ramifications felt by the individual and their loved
ones. Australia's culture, healthcare system, and economy will bear a heavy burden as a result.
The lives of those who are battling drug misuse may be improved by those who work in
community services. For people who are battling with addiction, you can help in numerous ways.

Alcohol and other substances are abused for what reason?

Alcohol and other substances are used by people for a variety of reasons. Some of the
motivations include to relax, have fun, dull mental or physical pain, or to escape from the
hardships or troubles that one encounters in daily life. Misusing drugs or alcohol may lead to a
reliance on them, which can hinder you from developing appropriate coping mechanisms.
Emotional discomfort may be alleviated in the short term by using drugs, but the long-term
effects on your health and well-being can be disastrous.

There are drugs that, when used on a regular basis, cause physical and psychological dependency
on the user. The risk of developing a drug use problem is higher in those who have impaired
inhibitory processes in their brain or who lack self-control.

Misuse of Alcohol:

Australians have a strong affinity for booze, yet its negative effects cannot be ignored. Drinking
alcohol is linked to around 4.5% of the overall burden of disease. 1,452 Australians will die in
2020 as a consequence of alcohol-related causes, while 1 in 3 Australians confess to frequently
drinking at a harmful level (i.e., more than 2 standard drinks per day). Alcohol is the top cause of
drug and alcohol-related ambulance calls in Australia.
When you drink alcohol, you don't have to be unhappy all the time. Alcohol, on the other hand,
slows down your nervous system. Thus, your brain and body must communicate more slowly
than normal. A few of the short-term effects of alcohol include making you feel relaxed, making
it harder to move, prompting you to say things that you normally wouldn't, and distorting your
vision. The long-term effects of alcohol addiction include cancer, liver damage, heart disease,
and diabetes. Financial ruin, a shattered marriage, and severe depression are just a few of the side
consequences of excessive alcohol use. In Australia, alcohol use is responsible for more car
accidents than any other factor and correlates to around 30 percent of all fatalities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are more likely than the general population to drink
excessively at some point in their life, despite the fact that they are less prone to do so. A number
of things play a role in this, such as the breakup of families and the legacy of generational trauma
and racial prejudice. For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, alcohol is responsible for
8.3% of sickness, which is 2.3 times more than for non-Indigenous persons.

Misuse of Tobacco:

Smoking accounts for 9.3% of Australia's health care expenses. To lower the number of
individuals who smoke, Australian governments have implemented tobacco levies and run public
service announcements. It is because of this that the percentage of individuals who smoke has
dropped from 23% to 13% since 1995. Smoking cessation among young individuals and those
who have never smoked has increased in recent years. Men are more likely than women to
smoke every day, and they smoke an average of 12.3 cigarettes every day.

Cigarette smoking may lead to nicotine addiction because of the presence of the drug. Nicotine,
on the other hand, stimulates rather than depresses brain-to-body connection, as alcohol does.
Nicotine is also found in tobacco-free electronic cigarettes, such as e-cigarettes and vapes.
People who have never smoked before may feel nausea, dizziness, or headaches when they begin
using tobacco or other nicotine-containing products. An increase in heart rate and relaxation, as
well as an exhilarating sense, may be felt as tolerance is built. Toxic effects, including death,
may occur if you take in a substantial quantity of nicotine all at once.

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Using items like as gum,
lozenges, or slow-release patches, a patient is given lowered nicotine levels. If you're a non-
smoker, you can still get your nicotine fix without lighting up. Those who are seeking to quit
smoking or have previously done so may get help from the Lung Foundation Australia and Quit
for no charge. Smokers may call the Stop's Quit line, which is handled by experienced
counsellors and operated by Stop.

Misuse of illicit drugs:

Drugs like kava (fake cannabis) and household adhesives like glue and gasoline are included in
our definition of "illicit drug use," as is the usage of illegal opioids and prescription medications.
Cannabis is followed by cocaine and ecstasy as the second most often used illicit substances,
respectively. It was opioid addiction that killed 1,865 people who died of drug overdoses in
2019. Opioid painkillers include oxycodone, oxycodone hydrochloride, tramadol, and fentanyl,
in addition to heroin and prescription opioids. Opioids are responsible for over three-quarters of
the illicit drug-related illness in Australia, followed by amphetamines, cocaine, and cannabis (8.3
%).

It used to be the case that heroin overdoses killed more people than prescription opioid overdoses
each year, but that has changed in recent years. The producers of opiate painkillers assured
doctors in the late 1990s that their products would not lead to addiction. 70% of drug-related
fatalities are now directly linked to opioid usage as a result of the epidemic. The creation of
endorphins, the feel-good neurotransmitters that reduce pain and create a strong feeling of well-
being, exacerbates opiate addiction. As one's tolerance to the medication increases, one must
increase one's dosage.

A variety of programmes have been launched in an attempt to curb opioid abuse. For the first
time, Australia's Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has suggested new packaging
regulations for opioid medications (Therapeutic Goods Administration). Additional precautions
and warnings will be necessary in addition to amending the packaging's content. Alternative
painkillers that have been shown to be ineffective will have their indications (the conditions
under which a drug should be used) changed so that they are only used when absolutely
essential.

A period of maltreatment is followed by:

When a person is addicted to a substance, they may have withdrawal symptoms when they stop
using it. The severity of withdrawal symptoms is affected by a variety of factors, including the
kind and duration of use, the age of the user, physical and psychological traits, and the technique
used for withdrawal. Some of the symptoms include mental and bodily anguish. Hallucinations,
tremors, and a general feeling of numbness are among the worst-case possibilities. The riskiest
method of quitting heroin or cocaine is to go "cold turkey." This is a word used to describe
quitting a drug cold turkey, without the assistance of a medical expert. In the worst-case scenario
of death, you are taking a huge risk. There are many people who can help you through the
withdrawal process, including loved ones, family, and medical professionals. In order to aid an
addict who has relapsed in their recovery, it's crucial to provide them with support and
reassurance that they haven't failed.

Signs of substance misuse or addition:

 Disregarding your obligations and withdrawing from previously loved activities, such as
job, family, hobbies, sports, and socialising with colleagues and acquaintances
 Using contaminated needles, alcohol driving, or engaging in other hazardous or deadly
activities
 Doing criminal acts such as stealing, obtaining and using illicit drugs, and injuring
oneself or others
 Relationships are in trouble if they are difficult to sustain or if they are fraught with
conflict with one's spouse, family, or other close friends.
 Withdrawal and physical symptoms – a buildup of a tolerance for the drug and the need
for more use to get the same results;
 Addiction has taken over your life and left you unable to operate as you once did because
of your inability to manage your drug use, which may induce symptoms of sadness,
anxiety, paranoia, or psychosis. You are unable to lessen or quit using the substance.

Conclusion:

Substance addiction is still a serious issue in Australia. Prescription and illicit opioids are among
the most deadly and poisonous medicines, second only to tobacco and alcohol in terms of
misuse. Government and non-profit programmes like Quit, Lifeline, and Turning Point are
helping many people who are addicted to a substance.