Substance

Abuse

ROBERT DOMINIC D. GONZALES, RPh

University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
In the books.
WHAT IS A POISON?

● any agent capable of producing a deleterious

response in a biological system
PARACELSUS
Paracelsus (1493–1541), a Swiss/German/Austrian physician,
scientist, and philosopher.

Philippus Aureolus
Theophrastus Bombastus
von Hohenheim
PARACELSUS

“What is there that is not poison? All things are

poison and nothing [is] without poison. Solely
the dose determines that a thing is not a
poison.”
WHAT IS A DRUG?
A drug is any substance other than food which changes the
way the body or mind functions.

● Drugs may or may not have medicinal

properties or purposes.
● Drugs can come from plants or be made in
labs.
● Drugs can be legal, illegal, helpful or harmful.
SUBSTANCE VS
SUBSTANCE
USE ABUSE
SUBSTANCE USE

● To get better if you are ill (doctor’s prescription).

● To reduce pain from illness or injury.
● To prevent illness (inoculation).
● To manage mental illness by balancing brain chemistry.
● To help the body do things it can’t do on its own (e.g.
make insulin).
SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Misuse or Abuse - any use of a drug that causes personal
problems such as health, work, relationship, legal, financial
emotional.

Frequent forms of abuse:

● Too much - taking too much at one time or taking smaller

doses more often.
● Too long - taking the drug after it is no longer needed;
extending the prescription.
● Improper Use - taking the drug for a different illness /
complaint. Taking another person’s prescription.
WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS?
● Forget problems
● Get high
● Lose or gain weight
● Relax, energize
● Go to sleep, stay awake
● Boredom, depression
● Gain confidence
● Be cool, socialize, friends
● Experience altered states
WHY DO PEOPLE USE DRUGS?
● Symbol of rebellion
● Sex
● Sports
● Religious ritual
● Have fun, excitement
● Reduce anxiety
● Experiment
● Avoid withdrawal if dependant
● Reduce pain (i.e. physical, emotional, etc.)
PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS
Definition: Drugs that work on the mind or on behaviour.

Psychoactive drugs alter your mood and the way you think and
act.

● Caffeine ● Cocaine
● Marijuana ● Valium
● Nicotine ● Alcohol
● LSD ● Heroin
STATISTICS
EFFECTS
OF
ALCOHO
L ABUSE
EFFECTS
OF
CAFFEIN
E ABUSE
EFFECTS
OF
TOBACCO
ABUSE
THE RECOVERY PROCESS
EARLY RECOVERY: GETTING
CLEAN
● Concrete changes in daily living
● Adequate sleep, diet, exercise
● Staying away from those who are using
● Building support; education
MIDDLE RECOVERY:
STABILIZATION
● Able to turn energies to family, work,
relationships, friendships
● Support, life skills, relaxation, stress
management
● Less focus on using
LATE RECOVERY:
MAINTENANCE
● Insight into early trauma
● Healing, repairing self-esteem
In the news.