Drug abuse is when one consumes drugs which are not legal. It also entails using alcohol, prescribed drugs, or other legal substances wrongly or in high amounts. Drug/alcohol abuse is a behavior that has increased on a high note in the USA and other parts of the world. Substance use and alcohol use is common in the younger generation compared to older people. Adolescents are the most targeted market for drugs since they are easily influenced due to peer pressure.
Drugs whether legal or illegal can alter how one’s mind and body functions. They make one have a pleasurable feeling of being “high” which gives false illusions and eases stress. Substances which are abused include, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, alcohol, tobacco and some prescribed medicine. Alcohol impacts individuals differently. Alcohol causes disorientation in one’s movement and thinking capabilities. Alcohol is known to cause stammering and staggering. Heavy drinking causes liver problems and other health problems. Prescribed drugs can also be addictive and dangerous just like other illegal substances if not taken correctly. Heroin is an illegal drug that is in the natural form of prescribed opioid narcotics that is human-made. Heroin gives someone a hush of good feelings when used but this hush wears off and everything becomes slower than normal. One may feel chills, nervous or have nausea. One feels the urge to use more heroin for them to feel better. Cocaine use speeds up one’s whole body and movements. One thinks or talks faster but later gets feelings of anger. Use of cocaine for long periods makes one addicted to the drug. Marijuana has been legalized in some states for its medicinal use, but it is still illegal in most countries. Marijuana use makes someone become silly and laugh at nothing at all. It also makes one feel sleepy or forget things easily. Tobacco contains nicotine and tar which are harmful to one’s health. Nicotine gives a feeling of pleasure and energy, but it wears off quickly leaving the user to crave for more. Tar affects the lungs and the breathing system.
I am influenced not to use drugs or alcohol because I fear the risks which are involved in substance use. I am also influenced by my relationship with my family members since no one in my family engages in drugs. I love to emulate them and keep myself drug-free as it also shows that I respect them and don’t want to tarnish my family’s name. My personal goals and ambitions in life also influence my decision not to involve in drug use. I want to achieve these ambitions and therefore cannot have drugs deter me from achieving success in life. I have also never found any interest in drugs since there is really no ‘appeal’ in losing control of your body. I believe that being strong-minded helps one not to be easily pushed into doing things they don’t like. One of my distant cousins takes alcohol in large quantities, and I was to do the math of the amount of money he spends on alcohol in a year, it would be enough to build a to room house. He takes around four beers a day which can buy four bricks in the event of building a house. I also don’t find any sense in drinking a liquid to be ‘high’ only for you to get liver problems and become broke. My parents influenced my decision majorly because they are in guidance and counseling and they have built me majorly giving me advice not to engage in drugs and to avoid bad company. All these things have compelled me not to involve myself in drugs and alcohol use. I love my family and respect them; I also love life to see it destroyed by such small a thing as drugs and fear the consequences one would face when involving in drug use such mental illnesses.
