🚫 Drugs and Alcohol Abuse – Understand, Prevent, Overcome!

1. Why care? 🤔

Drug and alcohol use is climbing among young people, bringing serious health and social problems. Learning the facts helps you stay safe and guide friends. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}

2. Meet the most-abused substances

2.1 Opioids (e.g., Heroin/“Smack”)

  • Made by acetylating morphine from the poppy Papaver somniferum.
  • White, bitter crystals; people snort or inject it.
  • Effect: Depresses the nervous system and slows body functions. 😴

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2.2 Cannabinoids (Marijuana, Hashish, Charas, Ganja)

  • Come from Cannabis sativa flowers, leaves, and resin.
  • Interact with brain cannabinoid receptors; taken by smoking or eating.
  • Effect: Alters heart function and gives mood changes. 💓

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2.3 Coca Alkaloid (Cocaine/“Coke” or “Crack”)

  • Extracted from Erythroxylum coca leaves (South America).
  • Blocks dopamine re-uptake, creating intense euphoria and energy.
  • High doses cause hallucinations and can be fatal. ⚡

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2.4 Misused Medicines

  • Barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines — normally treat depression or insomnia.
  • Morphine — excellent pain-killer after surgery but often abused.

Taking any drug for non-medical “kicks” = drug abuse. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}

2.5 Tobacco & Nicotine 🚬

  • Nicotine triggers adrenal glands ➜ adrenaline & nor-adrenaline ➜ ↑ blood pressure and heart rate.
  • Smoking links to lung, bladder, throat cancers; bronchitis; coronary disease; gastric ulcers.
  • Chewing tobacco risks oral-cavity cancer; carbon-monoxide in smoke lowers blood O2. 😮‍💨

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3. Adolescence (12-18 yr) – a tricky bridge 🌉

Curiosity, thrill-seeking, academic stress, peer pressure, media glitz, and shaky family support can push teens toward first use. Early choices set lifelong patterns, so stay alert! :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}

4. Addiction vs Dependence

  • Addiction: Psychological craving for euphoria; tolerance grows ➜ user needs bigger doses.
  • Dependence: Body shows withdrawal if drug stops (anxiety, shakes, nausea, sweating).

Even one trial can start the vicious circle, so saying “no” the first time matters most. 💪 :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}

5. How drugs and alcohol hurt

  • Instant risks — reckless acts, violence, coma, or death (respiratory/heart failure, brain bleed).
  • Signs in friends — falling grades, missing classes, poor hygiene, mood swings, isolation.
  • IV drug use spreads AIDS & Hepatitis B via shared needles.
  • Long term — nerve damage, liver cirrhosis, heavy adult drinking, trouble in pregnancy.
  • Sports doping with steroids/analgesics ➜ acne, hormonal chaos, stunted growth, organ damage.

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6. Prevention & Control 🛡️

  1. Beat peer pressure: Respect personal limits in study, sport, life.
  2. Education & counselling: Learn healthy coping skills, pick uplifting hobbies (music, yoga, reading).
  3. Ask for help early: Talk to parents, teachers, trusted friends.
  4. Spot danger signs: Alert adults should act fast when behaviour changes.
  5. Seek professionals: Doctors, psychologists, de-addiction centers guide full recovery. 🌱

With will-power and support, anyone can bounce back to a happy, healthy life. 🎉 :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}

7. High-Yield NEET Nuggets 🏆

  1. Know three main drug groups: opioids, cannabinoids, cocaine — sources, routes, key effects.
  2. Nicotine action (adrenaline release) and smoking-related diseases.
  3. Definitions & differences of addiction and dependence, plus withdrawal symptoms.
  4. IV drug hazards: AIDS & Hepatitis B spread through shared needles.
  5. Steroid misuse in sports and its masculine/feminine side-effects & stunted growth.