Counseling People Affected By Drug and Substance Abuse ($1) Introduction By the end of this section, you should be able to: Define drug and substance abuse. State different categories of drugs. ...

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Counseling People Affected By Drug and Substance Abuse ($1)
Introduction
By the end of this section, you should be able to:
Define drug and substance abuse.
State different categories of drugs.
Name some commonly abused drugs.
Explain the signs and symptoms of drug abuse.
Identify people affected by drug and substance abuse.
Explain die effects of drug abuse.
Explain how to manage drug and substance abuse.
Drug and substance abuse
A drug is a chemical compound that can alter the structure and functioning of the body. Psychoactive drugs affect the function of the brain, and most are considered illegal to use or possess. In content, the term 'substance' refer- to non-drug things like cigarettes and alcohol that can also alter the normal functioning of the body. Substance abuse is the overindulgence in and dependence of a drug or chemical leading to effects that arc detrimental to the individual's physical and mental health, or the welfare of others. It is also a regular use of a drug or a substance other than for its accepted medical purpose, or in doses greater than those considered appropriate obligations, interpersonal conflicts, or legal problems. Substance refers to things like alcohol and cigarettes.
Categories of drugs
Drugs can be classifieds under the following four major categories, namely depressants, stimulants, opiates and psychedelics and hallucinogens.
Depressants
A depressant is a chemical substance that slows down (depresses) the function or activity of a specific part of the body. The term is used particularly when referring to slowing down of processes in the central nervous system. The result is slowed, brain function and a drowsy or calm feeling. Alcohol is the most common example of a depressant.
Stimulants
Stimulants arc drugs that temporarily increase alertness and awareness. They produce effects opposite to those of depressants. They do this by increasing the activity of the body's nervous systems. Some stimulants produce a sense of euphoria. The world’s most commonly used stimulants include caffeine found in beverages such as coffee, and nicotine, which is found in tobacco.
Other well-known stimulants are cocaine, amphetamines and ephedrine.
Opiates
An opiate is a drug, hormone or substance derived from or related to the opium poppy. They may be natural derivatives, for example morphine and codeine, or may be synthetically produced, for example heroine and hydrocodone.
Opiates depress the nervous system and block the perception of pain. They also dull the senses and induce sleep. Opiates are among die most harmful of the drugs that are in widespread use.
Psychedelics and hallucinogens
Psychedelics are drugs that alter the thought processes of the brain and perception of the mind. The term is derived from the Greek wordspseche (mind) and delein (manifest), which literally means "mind-manifesting. The implication is that the psychedelic drugs can access and develop unused potentials of the mind. A