Drug Addiction
Substance addiction is one of the most important problems affecting public health today. The spread of this problem to all parts of the world has become a priority issue today. The fact that substance use starts in childhood and that adolescents prefer substances to escape from their problems increases concerns (Ulutaş, 2021).
Substances cause changes in the body and behavior from the moment they enter the body. Drugs that are not chemical but trigger addiction and are used for non-medical purposes are also included in this classification (Braverman, A. Stress, Drugs and HCV)
80% of drugs in our country are obtained from street vendors and the internet. Substance use has been detected in all 81 provinces, especially in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul, Bursa, Izmir, Ankara and Antalya. It is estimated that the number of people who use drugs and stimulants at least once or occasionally in their lives in Turkey is around 6-7 million. Many people have lost their lives due to substance use. 82% of addicts in Turkey are between the ages of 20-35, that is, among the young population. 90% of those who lost their lives to drugs are under the age of 35
(The Role of Civil Society in Combating Substance Abuse and Addictions, 2020).
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF SUBSTANCE ADDICTION?
- Use for longer than planned
- Making long and fruitless efforts to quit the substance
- Spending a lot of time on things related to the substance (Obtaining, using, trying to quit) Feeling a great desire to use the substance
- Not being able to fulfill one's duties as a result of substance use (At home, at work, at school, in social life) Continuing to use the substance despite experiencing social and personal problems
- Reducing or quitting daily routines
- Continuing to use the substance even in situations where there may be a risk
- Developing tolerance to the substance (Not seeing the same effect as a result of using the same amount of the substance or increasing the amount of the substance to get the desired efficiency from the substance)
- Experiencing withdrawal symptoms (Decreased desire to eat or weight loss, restlessness, vomiting, irritability, insomnia, nausea, aggression, tremors, muscle pain, diarrhea, etc.) (Nida, 2021).
WHAT ARE THE DAMAGES OF SUBSTANCE ADDICTION?
The chemical structures of the drugs used are different from each other. They cause different physical and psychological damages in the body. There is no safe way to use drugs. No matter how they are used, they cause significant damage and are addictive. The probability of becoming addicted is equal for all users. Cells recognize the substance that enters the body and memorize it so that it will never be forgotten again.
Drugs render the mind and will dysfunctional, and distance the person from their normal life. They damage all internal organs and cause certain diseases. They cause poisoning and sudden deaths. Substances seriously damage the individual's social adaptation ability. Over time, the individual becomes detached from their family and social environment and becomes lonely. This loneliness causes severe depression and an increase in the tendency to commit crime (World Health Organization, 2010).
WHAT TO DO?
Substance addiction is a difficult but treatable disease. Therefore, the method of communicating with the addicted individual is very important. When the person is under the influence of the substance, communication with him/her should not be attempted, because this type of communication is useless. After the person is out of the effect of the substance, communication with him/her should be open, sincere and convincing. The important thing here is to communicate without generalizations and by empathizing with him/her. When talking, it is necessary to avoid offensive phrases such as, “You will not be a man”, “You will never be saved”. At the end of the conversation, the addicted person should be convinced to seek help from experts.