Domestic Violence Day 9: Drug Abuse/Substance Abuse

For October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am continuing a series on the various abuses. Now, I will proceed with the next abuse:  drug abuse or substance abuse… Substance abuse leads to other abuses with violence.

Many people feel that drug abuse only includes illegal drug usage. However, drug abuse is also called substance abuse which also includes the abuse of over-the-counter medications and prescription medications, as well as substances not even meant for human consumption. Many of these things cause alterations in personality and potential for violence.

According to Wikipedia, “Substance abuse or drug abuse, is a pattern of using a substance or drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods neither approved nor advised by medical professionals. If an activity is performed using the objects against the rules and regulations of the substance (as in steroids for performance enhancement in sports), it is also called substance abuse. Therefore, mood-altering and psychoactive substances are not the only types of drugs abused. Using illicit drugs such as narcotics, stimulants, depressants or sedatives, hallucinogens, cannabis, even glues and paints, are also considered to be classified as drug/substance abuse.”

So you see, there are many drugs or substances that are used for purposes other than their intended usage. Whether or not these substances contribute to a dependency on these substances, it is still considered substance abuse. Many of the substances that are not used according to its intended purpose include glues, paints, even air fresheners. Whatever the drug or substance, it is an irresponsible use of the substance that makes it a substance abuse.
Use of these substances and other illegal drugs like narcotics may lead to criminal charges. They may also have possible physical, mental, and psychological harmful effects due to the non-tested usage of some of these substances.
Now, what amazes me is that so many people including teenagers will sniff, snort, smoke, or ingest substances that are not even made for human consumption. Every time they do this, they are taking a chance or gambling on their lives. How many young people have brain damage from just wanting “to have a little fun.” The possible detrimental effects are definitely not worth the few minutes of the “thrill” or whatever they feel that they get out of it…

I pray that every person who is in bondage to some sort of drug or substance will be delivered from that physically, spiritually, and emotionally so that they can be made whole again…