Concept of Drug Dependence

& Addiction and Their Health

Impacts

DR. SNITA DAS

PhD (JNU, New Delhi), MPH (JNU, ND),
MBBS(BD)
Faculty Member, North South University

Definition of Drug
A drug is a substance, other than food, which

when

consumed,

produce

changes

in

the

physical or mental functioning of the individual.

Refers specifically to psychoactive (psycho

topic, phenotopic) drugs, and more specifically,

to illicit drugs, of which there is non-medical use
in addition to any medical use [WHO].
These pharmacological agents exert powerful

effects on the higher function of CNS i.e. Brain.

Some terms related to

Drugs
Drug Use: is the taking of a drug for medical

purpose like treating an illness or to relieve

pain, tension etc.
Drug Misuse: means taking a drug for its
prescribed purpose but not in the way it is
supposed to be taken i.e. not in the
prescribed dose.
Drug Abuse: excessive use of the drug
inconsistent with accepted medical practice.
It is the use of licit or illicit drug beyond the
permitted medical practice or jurisdiction.

Most commonly abused drugs

Metamphetamine

Alcohol

(GHB, Opioids
Prescription drugs and
Rohypnol, ketamine,
cold medicines
MDMA, LSD etc.)
Steroids (anabolic)
Cocaine
Club

drugs

Hallucinogens
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
MDMA (Ecstacy/Molly)

Synthetic cannabinoids

(K2/ Spice)
Synthetic

Cathinones

(Bath Salts)
Tobacco/Nicotine

Effects of drug Abuse

Long term effects:
A. Personal.
Physical

Damage of different body parts- Brain,

Liver, Lung, Kidney etc.
Reproductive
systeminfertility,
impotence, problems with pregnancy
Transmission of hepatitis B, AIDS and
various other diseases due to sharing of
contaminated syringes.

Effects of drug Abuse

Psychological
Anxiety
Depression
Panic disorder
Paranoia
Confusion
Acute psychosis etc.

Effects of drug Abuse

B. Effect on Family and Society On the family

Loss of face in the family

Indiscipline in the family
Break-down of family bonds
Disruption of family peace

On the Society

Pollutes social environment

Increases anti-social activities and crimes
e.g. theft, robbery, terrorism, gambling,
extortion etc.

Why do people get drug

dependent?
Curiosity to drugs
Desperate attitude of youth
Peer pressure
Ignorance and lack of information about

the addictive nature of drugs

Inability to cope with personal problems
Self- medication- people with mental
illness are more likely to abuse drugs as a
means of medicating their symptoms

Why do people get drug

dependent?
Poor communication between parents and

children/ broken families

Love, affection and sexuality problems: belief
that drugs enhance sexual power
Unemployment and frustration for future goals
Easy availability of drugs due to porous
borders of Bangladesh with India and Myanmar
Lack of strong values and guidance
Political instability

Thank you all