A drug is any substance that, when taken, has the ability to change the way a person thinks, feels, sees or behaves. Such substances are sometimes said to be psycho active because they work on the brain.
Alcohol
The abuse of this substance is the largest form of addiction in the world.
This is sometimes referred to as alcoholism, the addict being referred to
as an alcoholic. It is the most readily available drug both in economic
terms and in the vast numbers of outlets through which it is sold. It is
legally sold under licence and is socially acceptable in most cultures.
Abuse of legally prescribed drugs
This
is the second most serious drug addiction problem in our society. These
last few years have seen an increasing number of people taking medically
prescribed drugs such as anti-depressants, tranquillisers and sleeping tablets.
The ease of availability has contributed to many becoming dependent on some
of these substances to be able to cope with everyday living.
Solvent Abuse
Young people’s deaths from solvent abuse make it, in comparison, as
deadly as heroin. Young people are most vulnerable to this activity as they
are experimenting with easily accessed substances, which in themselves are
not illegal. Vapours given off from glues, gasses, aerosols etc. are inhaled
producing a short, but dangerous, high.
Illegal drugs
This
is the area of addiction that tends to get most publicity. Illegal drugs
include heroin, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines (speed), cannabis, etc.
These are frightening substances in that they cause havoc mentally, morally,
emotionally, physically and spiritually amongst their users. Those most
prone to getting involved with illegal drugs are young people who are introduced
to them in their adolescent years, when they are most susceptible to being
hurt by them. The curse of addiction and the drive to feed a habit leads
many young people into crime, violence and even prostitution.
All these areas of drug abuse can kill in one way or another. They are dangerous and can create many moral and emotional problems for which we believe the only true lasting source of hope is the healing and forgiving power of God.
Addiction
In simple terms, addiction is a developing dependence on a substance. To begin with this dependence is psychological but in some cases, depending on the substance, this can develop into physical dependency, where the body reacts badly if the supply of the substance is interrupted.