Drugs are considered all natural or chemical substances which affect the way the human mind or body work, and which cause bodily and psychic addiction.
People who take refuge in drug abuse believe that in this way they will enjoy themselves, blend in with some group, relax, cope with their anguish, overcome boredom. Therefore, the problem lies not on the substances themselves, but on the causes which force people to resort to them and abuse them.
The goal is common: to hold back unpleasant feelings and intense psychic strain. Drug abuse as an attitude reveals that the individual is facing difficulties, that he/she suffers and is not able to communicate with people around and society in general in a different way.
Addiction is generated not only by the substances. Many people can develop addictive elations with work, ideology, religion, gambling, internet, with other people also, etc.
ALCOHOL
It is a substance which holds in the bodily functions, passes into the blood very quickly and has access to all body organs. It reaches the brain almost immediately and distorts functions like: self-control, reflexes, thought, sense of orientation, sight, memory.
MYTH... ...AND REALITY |
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| «It's not dangerous» | It is the first-rating cause of death in the world: car accidents, accidents at home or at workplace, forceful or self-destructive behaviour, suicidal attempts; it also «facilitates» high risk behaviour like: violence, unprotected sexual intercourse, hazardous driving. |
| «It adds to your style, it helps you flirt» | Drinking affects our feelings and thoughts and we can easily slip into impulsive actions or hurt other people. We can also recall several incidents of people who have ridiculed themselves after some drinks, while the strong smell of a drunken person is rather appalling. |
TOBACCO
Tobacco contains more than 4000 different chemical substances, 5% of which is carbon monoxide. It also contains tar and nicotine. It undermines our health quality (taste, smell, keeping fit) while it harms our pocket. A year of systematic smoking steals us of trips, buys, outings, shopping.
MYTH... ...AND REALITY |
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| «It relaxes» | On the contrary it actually reinforces feelings of anxiety and nervousness. Surely there are more creative and effective ways to relax? |
| «I can quit it whenever I want» | Had it been so easy, there wouldn't have been millions of addicted smokers all over the world. |
CANNABIS
It is an illicit narcotic substance called by different names. It affects the brain, consequently seriously damaging the body. The human body quickly develops a tolerance to this particular substance, which means that if you want to feel the same, you have to use greater quantity or a stronger substance.
MYTH... ...AND REALITY |
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| «It's healthy because it's natural» | It contains lots of chemical substances, proving quite the opposite. It harms much more than the cigarette and studies show that it is related to serious diseases. |
| «Hashish doesn't kill» | Very easily can one cause a serious accident when driving and he/she is «high on pot». |
| «It isn't addictive» | If for many people it is the only thing that makes them relax, have fun, feel popular, attractive, amorous, they are in serious danger of ending up psychologically addicted. |
CLUB DRUGS - PILLS
A substance is defined as illicit by its chemical formula. To get round these legal restrictions, chemists of the underworld change the molecular structure of certain illicit substances in order to produce analogous chemicals, known as substitutes. They are produced in illegal improvised laboratories and you can never be sure of the chemical ingredients used or of their purity.
These substances can be some hundred times stronger than the ones they were designed to reproduce.
MYTH... ...AND REALITY |
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| «There's nothing wrong. I'll just take it once, I'll be dancing all night and everything is going to be ok» | Many of the symptoms hold on for weeks. |
| «They are harmless» | They are more dangerous than what you think. Intermingling them or mixing them with alcohol may be fatal. |
| «They look harmless: small, colourful, in different shapes like stars or butterflies etc.» | They destroy the brain cells, distort the senses, memory, thought, coordination. Regular use brings along loss of memory and of conscience, anxiety, panic, depression, psychotic episodes, coma and even death. |
COMPUTERS - INTERNET
The internet is the revolution of our era; it is our tool which opens the gates of knowledge, information, science, entertainment and leads us to any corner of the world. It is a must for every scientist, professional, even every student. Apart from it being a means to communicate, share knowledge and entertain, it also brings along dangers.
The possibility of addiction or probable dependence on various - mainly entertaining - activities offered by computers, was greatly expanded after 1996, when several special psychiatrists and psychologists observed that overcommitment on the computer may result in addiction. They also defined the particular passion as substantive disorder and addiction sharing the same criteria with other addictive conditions.
In our country the problem exists and is gradually expanding; nevertheless we do not know to which extent as we do not have access to official studies yet.
There are no specific clues warning us that our relationship with the computer may be developing into an addictive relationship, but we need to notice any important change. For example, if all of a sudden:
- We are lost on the computer and we are not aware of the time we spend on it.
- We engage ourselves on the Internet and activities related to it, while often neglect our commitments at home or at school.
- We prefer internet games to meeting our friends and end up isolated.
- Our performance at school tends to grow poorer.
- We are obsessed by the internet even when we eat or study or watch a film at the cinema.
- We react angrily or aggressively or overreact when we are interrupted during a game or an online chat.
- We often keep long hours to stay logged on.
- We often say 'ok, I'll play one more minute.'
- For several times we have consciously stated that we should cut down on the time we spend on the internet but we have failed to keep to the time-schedule we ourselves had set.
- We keep back from our parents the long hours we spend at the computer and very often we don't dare to confess it to ourselves.
- We show anxiety, discomfort, fits of anger or violence or depression when we are not on the internet.
It is of vital importance to consider that the use of the computer and the internet are not the evil genius of the times and we shouldn't sit back and say that they are addictive. They are rather useful, positive and essential. However, our personal responsibility lies on using them wisely, and this is the safety valve which enables us 'surf' without 'getting drowned' in enormous 'waves'. It could also be helpful to ask ourselves a question of the kind: 'why do I need to spend so much time on the internet? What else could I do instead?'
An answer to all above addictions is our effort to shape our lives giving them positive meaning and value; feeling that there are things we can do using our creativity and imagination and which we can share with special people around.
"Elpida" is the Greek word for "hope"
Suggestions in our attempt to grow HOPE into action...
Have an opinion and speak it out!
Overcoming difficulties makes me stronger. I believe in me and my capabilities.
Particular special needs? These are mine: to be loved, to be heard, to be respected.
Emotions and feelings? I'm not afraid of them any more. I love myself and people around me... anyway, it's so great to be all together!