DRUG ADDICTION

By: TENGCO, JUSTIN AL J.

DEFINITION OF TERMS
• DRUG: refers to any substance with the potential to prevent or cure
disease or enhance physical or mental well-being.
• STREET DRUG: Drug that is taken for non-medical reasons (usually
for mind-altering effects).
• HARD DRUG: Drug that is generally considered to be more
dangerous, with a higher risk of dependence than soft drugs. Ex;
Heroin, Cocaine.
• SOFT DRUG: This does not cause physical addiction, some of them
may still lead to psychological dependency (dependency of the
mind)
• ILLICIT DRUG: An illegal drug, can’t be prescribed. Ex; Cocaine,
Heroine, Marijuana.
• RECREATIONAL DRUGS: Those used for non-medicinal purposes, in
particular, for fun or leisure.
• DEPRESSANTS: A drug that slows a person down.
• STIMULANT: A stimulant speeds up a person’s body and brain.
• HALLUCINOGEN: A drug that causes a person to see, hear or think of
things that aren't there.
• DRUG ABUSE: The continued use of drugs other than its intended
purpose.
• DRUG ADDICTION: A complex, and often chronic, brain disease.
Characterized by excessive drug craving, seeking and use.
• DEPENDENCY: The state of physical and psychological dependence,
on a dangerous drug, experienced by a person following the use of
What is drug addiction?
• Drug addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes
compulsive drug seeking and use, despite harmful consequences to
the drug addict and those around them. Drug addiction is a brain
disease because drugs leads to changes in the structure and function
of the brain. Although for most people the initial decision to take
drugs is voluntary, over time the changes in the brain caused by
repeated drug abuse can affect a person's self-control and ability to
make sound decisions, and at the same time create an intense
impulse to take drugs.
MOST COMMONLY ABUSED DRUGS IN
THE PHILIPPINES
• Alcohol
• Marijuana
• Heroin
• Cocaine
• Methamphetamine (Shabu)
• Inhalants such as nitrates and gasoline.
• Opium
• Ecstasy
What are the syptoms of drug addiction?
• Craving the drug despite difficulties
obtaining it or wanting to quit
• Deterioration of relationships
• Deterioration of school or work
performance
• Difficulty holding a job
• Disengagement from non–drug-
related activities
• Financial problems
• High-risk sexual behavior
• Increasing time spent thinking
about, obtaining, using, and
recovering from the drug
• Leaving responsibilities unfulfilled
• Needing higher doses to get the
same effect (tolerance)
• Using a drug to avoid its
withdrawal symptoms
• Using drugs before or during
activities where safety is a concern
Cause of Drug Addiction:
• EXPERIMENTATION AND CURIOSITY: They want to feel that “high”, the
sense of euphoria that comes with drug use. While this may lead to
recreational use of drugs it rarely leads to actual addiction unless
other factors are present.
• PRESCIPTION DRUGS: This can turn people into addicts because they
have conditions in which they need to take drugs in order to get relief.
People become hooked on prescription drugs when they take more
than the recommended dosage, take it more frequently than
recommended and continue using the drug after their initial medical
condition clears up.
• EXPOSSURE TO DRUGS: Being around drugs and being exposed to
addicts can also lead to drug addiction. If a family member or close
friend uses or is addicted to drugs, it seems more acceptable for other
members to engage in similar behavior. It becomes a tolerated activity.
• PEER PRESSURE: This is also a factor in turning people into drug
addicts. Peer pressure can happen at any age. Adults fall prey to
peer pressure to fit into new social classes, new workplaces and
new neighborhoods. Teenagers can also fall prey to the rebellious
attitude that they need to do anything their parents or those in
authority say is bad.
• EASY ACCESSIBILITY OF DRUGS: Easy accessibility to drugs and new,
lower prices can also lead to drug addiction. Drugs can be found
anywhere if a person simply asks.
• Drug addiction can also be caused by using drugs to mask other
mental problems. For example, depressed people frequently use
drugs to escape their sad feelings. Schizophrenics find that some
street drugs can control their hallucinations. Denial and hiding the
problem just lead to more problems in the long run.
PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG
ADDICTION
• Contraction of HIV, hepatitis and other illnesses
• Heart rate irregularities, heart attack
• Respiratory problems such as lung cancer and breathing problems
• Abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea
• Kidney and liver damage
• Seizures, stroke, brain damage
• Changes in appetite, body temperature and sleeping patterns
PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF DRUG ADDICTION:

• Wild mood swings, depression, anxiety, paranoia, violence

• Decrease in pleasure in everyday life
• Complication of mental illness
• Hallucinations
• Confusion
• Psychological tolerance to the drug's effects creating a desire to do
ever-increasing amounts of the drug
• Desire to engage in risky behavior
PERSONAL EFFECTS OF DRUG
ADDICTION:
• 1. Those individuals who become addicted can become obsessed
with their habit. This means that everything else in their life will
take second place.
2. The individual’s behavior will change. They may become
physically violent or engage in other types of bad behavior.
3. Those who abuse these drugs can struggle to keep down a job.
They may become unemployable.
4. Young people who use these substances will be unable to
perform well in school or college. This means that they will be
limiting their future opportunities.
SOCIAL EFFECTS OF DRUG
ADDICTION:
1. When drug users run out of money to feed their habit they will be
tempted to turn to crime. This may mean stealing from family and
friends or from complete strangers.
2. Many addicts fall into a life of crime and eventually end up in prison or
worse.
3. If the drug addict is unable to escape this behavior it is highly likely to
lead to their death. This individual will shorten their lifespan as a result
of their behavior.
4. Illegal drug users run the risk of overdose. It can be difficult to assess the
strength of illegal drugs and it is even possible for people to die of an
overdose after only trying illegal drugs one time.
ECONOMIC EFFECTS OF DRIG
ADDICTION:
1. A huge proportion of criminal acts are committed by individuals who are
trying to satisfy their drug habit.
2. The economy suffers because drug users become less productive in their
jobs or they become unable to work completely.
3. The government needs to spend large amounts of money on tackling
drug problems. The resources used by law enforcement alone are a
drain.
4. Money that could be spent to improve the life of a family wasted
because one member is a drug addict. It can lead to a situation where
the rest of the family is living in poverty while one of them wastes
thousands of pesos each week on drugs.
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES THATDEAL
WITH DRUG ADDICTION:
DANGEROUS DRUG BOARD (DDB)
- This government agency in Philippines establishes policies and
programs for the prevention and control of drugs throughout the
country. 
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH (DOH)
- The Department of Health monitors and supervises all government
drug rehabilitation centers, facilities, operations and programs in the
country including private drug rehabilitation centers.
PHILIPPINE DRUG ENFORCEMENT AGENCY (PDEA)
- The lead anti-drug law enforcement agency, responsible for
preventing, investigating and combating any dangerous drugs,
controlled precursors and essential chemicals within the Philippines.
DRUG ABUSE REHABILITATION NETWORK (DARN) - Department of
Health Treatment and Rehabilitation Center 
- The DARN is in charge for the rehabilitation and educational programs
for drug abuse victims.
NATIONAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION (NBI)
- This law enforcement agency initiates the treatment and rehabilitation
center for drug dependents.
PHILIPPINE NATIONAL POLICE (PNP)
- This implementing body has the mission of strict implementation of
laws and policies in regards to illegal drugs and underground groups. 
 LAWS AGAINTS DRUG ADDICTION:
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9165 (JUNE 7,2002)
“Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002.”
PENALTIES:
Section 11. Possession of Dangerous Drugs - The penalty of life
imprisonment to death and a fine ranging from Five hundred
thousand pesos (P500,000.00) to Ten million pesos (P10,000,000.00)
shall be imposed upon any person, who, unless authorized by law,
shall possess any dangerous drug in the following quantities,
regardless of the degree of purity 
• Section 15. Use of Dangerous Drugs – A person apprehended or
arrested, who is found to be positive for use of any dangerous drug, a
penalty of a minimum of six (6) months rehabilitation in a
government center for the first offense. Using any dangerous drug for
the second time, he/she shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment
ranging from six (6) years and one (1) day to twelve (12) years and a
fine ranging from Fifty thousand pesos (P50,000.00) to Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00).
SOLUTIONS TO DRUG ADDICTION
• Cognitive behavioral therapy to work on thought patterns and behavior
• Family therapy to help the family understand the problem and to avoid
enabling drug use
• Identification and treatment of coexisting conditions
• Medications to decrease cravings, block withdrawal symptoms, counteract
drug effects, or to cause unpleasant side effects if a drug is used
• Motivational incentives to reinforce abstinence
• Motivational interviewing to utilize a person’s readiness to change
behaviors
• Rehabilitation to assist those with severe addiction or coexisting mental
illness through the initial stages of quitting
• Supervised withdrawal (detoxification) to prevent, recognize and treat
physical symptoms of withdrawal
• Support groups
References:
• http://www.ddb.gov.ph/research-statistics/46-sidebar/58-facts-on-drugs
• http://alcoholrehab.com/drug-addiction/drug-addiction-in-the-philippines/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Drug_Enforcement_Agency
• http://www.philstar.com/cebu-lifestyle/590171/possible-causes-drug-addiction
• http://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/mental-health-and-behavior/drug-
abuse--treatments
• http://www.healthyplace.com/addictions/drug-addiction/effects-of-drug-
addiction-physical-and-psychological/
• http://alcoholdrugrehabphilippines.blogspot.com/2014/08/philippine-
government-agencies-that.html
• http://www.lawphil.net/statutes/repacts/ra2002/ra_9165_2002.html