CAUSES, EFFECTS, AND PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DRUG ABUSE

CAUSES, EFFECTS, AND PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF DRUG ABUSE

Introduction

CCHC is a humanitarian organization that seeks to create suitable environment, restore hope and opportunities in people. The organization formerly called CCCN as part of its social activities conducted a research with the help of a team from Ankaful Psychiatric Hospital on the topic ‘DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE’ in December, 2017.

The content in this topic include

?     Causes

?     Effects

?     Guidance and Counselling Solutions.

?     The Psychiatric Perspective

Definitions

•  Drug/Substance abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs…WHO
•  The harmful pattern of drug use that results in repeated adverse consequences, such as failure to meet social obligations or encountering legal problems

Medical Criteria for substance use

Any of the following within a 12-month period

1. Recurrent use resulting in a failure to fulfil major role obligations at home, work or school
2. Recurrent substance use in situations where it is physically hazardous
3. Recurrent substance use related legal problems
4. Continued use despite persistent or recurrent social/interpersonal problems caused or worsened by substance use

Classes of Substances of Abuse

•  Sedatives and Tranquilizers e.g. alcohol, pharmaceutical sedatives
• Stimulants e.g. cocaine,amphetamines,methamphetamines
•  Opiates and Narcotics e.g. morphine, heroin
•  Psychedelics and Hallucinogens e.g. LSD
•  Entactogens e.g. ecstasy
•  Volatile Hydrocarbons(inhalants) e.g. glue, paint thinners, deodorant spray, nitrous oxide, chloroform
•  Steroids
•  Marijuana 
• Biological

1. Genetic
2. Mental disorders
3. Medical conditions
4. Gender 
5. Developmental Stage

•  Psychological

1. Stress
2. Worry
3. PTSD
4. Learning Theories

•  Socio-cultural

1.     Peer influence

2.     Socioeconomic status

3.     Poor parenting styles

4.     Geographical location

5.     Availability

6.     Unstable home environment

7.     Apparent approval/ambivalence of drug use in school, community and peer group

Effects of Substance Abuse

• Biological

1. Brain damage
2. Liver and Kidney damage
3. Respiratory diseases
4. Cardiovascular diseases
5. GIT diseases
6. Musculoskeletal conditions
7. Hormonal abnormalities
8. Prenatal effects

Withdrawal leading to seizures, coma and sometimes death

• Psychological

1. Depression
2. Aggression
3. Paranoia
4. Suicide
5. Dependence leading to Addiction
6. Poor concentration and attention
7. Anxiety

•  Sociocultural

1. Breakdown of families
2. Loss of jobs
3. School dropouts
4. Delinquent behaviors
5. Impulsive sexual activity
6. Legal implications
7. Breakdown of spiritual values
8. Interpersonal conflicts
9. Loss of respect

Guidance and Counselling Solutions

• Family counselling session
• Referral to a medical officer for Detoxification
• Identification of high risk factors/situations
• Assertiveness training
• Acquisition of new skills
• Teaching coping skills
•  Rehabilitation
• Motivational Interviewing
• Psychotherapy  

Psychiatric Perspective

• The psychopathological Model of substance abuse sees mental disorders as the cause of abuse leading to addiction, these disorders might include cognitive difficulties, mood disturbances etc.
•  Research indicates that the vast majority of people who are addicted to substances have an underlying mental health condition or significant emotional or psychological difficulty.
• Alcohol and drugs are often used to self medicate the symptoms of depression or anxiety
• Substance Abuse can make symptoms of a mental health problem worse
•  Diagnosed mentally ill patients take medications that has unpleasant side effects and they abuse substances to help alleviate those effects
• A few drugs can cause mental illness after years of chronic use
•  Heavy substance abuse in adolescent years can lead to mental illness later
•  Studies conducted indicated a strong link between substance abuse and development of Schizophrenia

Way Forward

•  Recognizing early signs of substance abuse
•  Increasing positive attachment to family, school, neighborhood and community, friends, church etc.
•  Creating positive norms in the community
•  Creating environmental conditions associated with drug and alcohol free lifestyles
•  Increasing the perception of risk of substance abuse
•  Creating substance abuse prevention policy

 About CCHC

Counselling and Care for Humanity Centre (CCHC) extends a warm hand of invitation to students, youth groups or social groups, organizations, institutions, individuals, and among others who are looking for volunteering opportunities to take advantage of numerous opportunities created.

CCHC is a social humanitarian organization based in Central Region of Ghana. It has two offices located in Cape Coast and Jukwa Abodo respectively.

The offices have been furnished or have computers, printers, and other office equipment for efficiency of the day to day activities of volunteers and staff.

The offices are always open to welcome volunteers from Abroad. Volunteering and Internship opportunities are always created throughout the year, and all our causes or objects comprises of short terms, medium terms, and long terms.

CCHC principal activities are Professional Guidance and Counselling; Social Studies and Research Works; Human Resource Development and Entrepreneurship Aid; Schools and Community Outreach Programs; Women and Children; Community and Rural Development; Health, Population and Drug Abuse; Small-Scale Enterprise Development; Religion and Welfare Development; Educational and Vocational Skills, Advocacy and Research and Policy, and Human Rights.    www.cccn.webs.com

Currently there is a 10 years children’s education and welfare development project at Jukwa.

Follow us www.facebook.com/pageforcchc

YouTube videos on some project and rich Ghanaian culture

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4e4psmIkB9k  

2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-q1TZ9h8T5s&t=2s 

3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l1fOOdUr9E

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT

Email Addresses:

1.        General enquiries: contactcccn@gmail.com

2.        Secretariat: cccn@yahoo.com / ycbsoffice@gmail.com

3.        Chairman: mkacquah730@gmail.com

Post Office Box DL 730, Adisadel,

Cape Coast,

Ghana - West Africa

Telephone: (+233) 050 3000 840 / 054 96 75 317 / 057 411 1270

Website: www.cccn.webs.com

International Volunteers: www.intlvolunteers.webs.com

Facebook : www.facebook.com/cchcpage or https://web.facebook.com/pageforcchc/  

Facebook group: https://web.facebook.com/groups/2470017853224119/

Join our LinkedIn group: https://www.dhirubhai.net/groups/8582950

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cccncounseling / @cccncounseling

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_qtmHVAFCtfoG1nfVQsgDg

Brief History

This organisation was started as Yefulkay Discipleship and Writing Ministry in 2012 by Maxwell Kobina Acquah as a schools and community outreach organisation. The name was changed to Christ Centered Counseling Network and officially registered in January, 2017 to reach out to the poor, vulnerable, rural communities, and help humanity as a whole.

The organisation name has changed to Counselling and Care for Humanity Centre (CCHC) as a result of some people who thinks our programme of activities is limited to Christians. We want everybody who needs or wants our help or support or wants to donate feel free to come to us.