Drugs - is a substance that change the physical, emotional or behavioral state of the person taking it.

It
is used to alter, sustain, or control the recipients physical, mental or emotional state.

Substance abuse - is the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances such as alcohol and illicit
drugs.

Substance or Drug misuse - is the use of a drug for which it was not intended or using a drug in
excessive quantities.

Substance or Drug addiction - is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug.

Substance dependence - is an adaptive state that develops from repeated drug administration and
results in withdrawal upon cessation of drug use. It includes a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties
in controlling its use, persistence in its use despite harmful consequence, higher priority given to drug
use than to other activities and obligation, increased tolerance, and sometimes a physical withdrawal
state.

Drug addiction - is a complex disease. Quitting usually takes more than good intensions or a strong will.
Drugs alter the brain so much that quitting from it is very difficult, even for those who want to.

B. Factors that influence Substance Use and Abuse

No single factor determines whether a person will become addicted to drugs, the more risk factors a
person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs will lead to abuse and addiction.

Protective factors, on the other hand, reduce a person’s risk of developing addiction.

Risk factors

- Aggressive behavior in childhood

- Lack of parental supervision
- Poor social skill
- Drug experimentation
- Availability of drugs at school
- Community poverty

Protective Factors

- Good self-control
- Parental monitoring and support
- Positive relationship
- Academic competence
- School antidrug policies
- Neighborhood pride
1. Biological factors - scientists recognize that genetic predispositions to drug abuse exist. This may
have to do with the brain’s “feel-good” chemical called dopamine, and a person’s gene-controlled
relationship with it. While one person may try drugs only once, a teen genetically pre disposed to
have addiction problems may desire to use it again and again as he/she naturally derives more
pleasure from dopamine or has a deficit of it to begin with.

2. Environmental factors

Home and family - the influence of home environment, especially during childhood, is a very
important risk factor. Teens get their values from their parents and other adults. Parents or other
adult family members who abuse alcohol and drugs, or who engage in criminal behavior increase
the children’s risk of developing their own drug problems.

Peer and social pressure - peers have a great influence on drug-abusing behavior. Drug-using peers
can sway even those without risk factors to try drugs for the first time. Adolescents use drugs for the
first time to avoid being stigmatize by their friends or to impress others.

Some turn to drugs in an attempt to temporarily escape the negative feelings associated with
stress. This are the other pressures that may cause stress in an adolescent

a. Academic failure or poor academic performance

b. Illness or death in the family
c. Breakup from a relationship
d. Poor social skills or low self-esteem

Curiosity and thrill-seeking - adolescents tend to be curios and seek thrills as adrenaline rush is
higher in them.