Drug Abuse Drug abuse is characterized by wrong use of substance that leads to adverse health effects. This mostly affects teenagers as they misuse prescription drugs and stimulants. Drug abuse is closely related with drug addiction. However, drug addiction is extreme dependence on drugs which forms a pattern of drug abuse. This causes problems and complications such as withdrawal from the substance or tolerance to the substance. This usually affects the user socially and academically if they are learners (Rehm et al., 2009). Different types of drugs can be abused. Alcohol is legal but most people end up abusing it through overconsumption or taking it during pregnancy. Alcoholism has negative effects on the health of an individual including both physical and social health. Secondly, amphetamines which include prescription drugs and other illegal drugs can as well be abused. Overdose of prescription drugs such as concerta and Ritalin can result in death as well as seizure. Cannabis or marijuana is also widely abused. This has multiple side effects such as infertility, demotivation, and paranoia. On the other hand, bodybuilders and athletes commonly abuse anabolic asteroids. These too lead to serious physical and psychological effects such as infertility, organ failure and paranoia. Caffeine is common but if consumed in excess amounts may be termed as abuse. This is found in tea, soda and coffee. Abuse of this may result in insomnia, and anxiety. Cocaine, like caffeine stimulates the nervous system and most people inject it in their bodies or sniff it in the form of powder. This too has adverse effects. Hallucinogens such as LSD alter the user’s perception. This causes behavioral changes as the user will be a victim of hallucinations. Inhalants too are easy to obtain and so highly abused. These are found in bleach, ammonia and different household cleaning agents. These can result in brain damage as well as death. Nicotine found in cigarettes leads to addiction and lung cancer. Similarly, opiates such as heroin lower the functioning of the nervous system. If high intoxication occurs, they cause respiratory arrest (Rehm et al., 2009). Oxycodone is a prescription pain reliever that is abused highly. If used for a long time, it may result in fever, nausea and flu. Antidepressants too if overconsumed may cause cardiac arrest and finally death since they function to depress the nervous system. In conclusion, drug abuse impacts negatively on individuals and can indirectly affect a whole nation. However, this can be conquered through counter-treatments and therapies. Successful management of this leads to restoration of affected individuals. References Rehm, J., Mathers, C., Popova, S., Thavorncharoensap, M., Teerawattananon Y., Patra, J. (2009). Global burden of disease and injury and economic cost attributable to alcohol use and alcohol-use disorders. Lancet, 373(9682):2223“2233, 2009.