Myths and Misconceptions about Drugs of Abuse
Myths and Facts about Drugs of Abuse
Misconceptions
Drugs of abuse shut down proper brain functioning. Certain drugs
stimulate the brain but do not really help improve memory. Most
drug users claim they think better and clearly after taking drugs
Drugs of abuse but tests on performance and cognition have proven that they
have performed worst.
improve memory
Drugs of abuse do not improve memory. .
Certain drugs of abuse stimulate the production of
stomach acids. Constant exposure to higher than
Drugs of abuse normal acid level damages stomach linings which
help in the can result to ulcers.
digestion of food.
Drugs of abuse do not help in the digestion of
food.
Certain drugs of abuse remove shyness and
inhibition. In psychology, normal inhibition
Drug of abuse prohibits a person to do unacceptable things,
thoughts and desires. Normal inhibition includes
make a person
not taking other people’s things, not crossing a
bold and brave
busy street and knowing what is right from wrong.
The temporary courage brought about by taking
drugs is a dangerous one as it makes a drug user
lose normal judgment which is part of the person’s
normal inhibition.
Drugs of abuse place a user in a dangerous and
life-threatening situation.
Drugs of abuse are not the solution to problems and
worries people encounter. Some people believe that using
drugs eliminate one’s problems and worries in life. The
truth is drugs of abuse will only worsen the scenario and
Drugs of abuse further add more problems some of which are even harder
remove life’s to solve.
problems and
worries. Drugs of abuse worsen life’s problems and
worries.
Drug users believe that certain drugs cause the blood to become
warmer which makes the body temperature rise. In cold countries,
drugs are used to heat the body. The truth about this is far from
reality. Drugs dilate blood vessels in the skin which makes the
Drugs of abuse heat blood to flow nearer to the skin which enhances convection of
up the body. heat from the body to the outside environment. Convection
transfer heat from inside the body to the outside. Through
convection of heat, body heat is lost faster than normal.
Drugs of abuse do not heat up the body; instead
they make the body lose heat faster than normal.
Profile of a Drug Abuser
The Dangerous Drugs Board listed the following signs and symptoms of drug
abuse.
It is important to note that having a few of these signs doesn't immediately
make a person a drug user. Therefore, observations of physical, mental,
emotional and social behaviors must be carefully done to confirm if a person is
a drug user.
Below are some of the signs and symptoms of drug use:
Declining interest in studies and work
Identification with known drug users
Negative outlook in life
Uncontrolled irritation
Paranoia (fear that people always stalk and talk about him/her)
Severe feeling of depression and loneliness
Complains of over fatigue (psychological or physiological)
Frequent involvement in petty fights and crimes
Frequent changes of mood and extreme mood swings
Lousy physical appearance
Reddish eyes
Sudden loss in weight
Frequent complaints of headache and stomach pains
Convulsions
Frequent attacks of cough and runny nose
Brown stains on fingertips
Foul body smell
Wearing of sunglasses even at night
Loss of balance
Loss of interest in sports and hobbies
Poor judgment and loss of inhibition
Loss of concentration
