Question

In 300 words What is the difference between drug abuse and drug dependence? Provide examples. As a healthcare professional, what is your role in preventing abuse and dependence of narcotic medications? What actions should you take if this is suspected?

Answer 1

• Drug abuse is illegal use of drugs as a habit. It is the early phase of consuming drugs.It starts out of curiosity, compelling by friends, unemployment,etc.Example : Alcohol intake
• Drug dependence is an adaptive state occuring after repetitive consumption of drugs. Development of strong physical and psychological need for the drugs. Their body and mind needs the drugs for functioning.Example: Cannabis can induce a psychic craving for it.

Drug abuse is a global social problem and becoming an epidemic.

As a first step towards treating them is by detoxification .

Role in preventing abuse and dependence of narcotic medications

• Prescription drugs monitoring programmes
• Awareness and preventive education
• Non medical use of drugs should not be entertained
• Educate patients about possible complications of more intake than prescribed dosage of narcotics
• Counselling
• Encourage to follow good family values
• Advice the patient to take the drug prescribed by physician in correct dosage and time and donot take it often without physician recommendation
• Identify the prescribing drug abuse as soon as possible and help the patient to recover

Actions

• Identify the patient abusing drug
• Set goals , and formulate interventions for recovery
• Screening of the patient for finding the drug abused
• In planning intervention first step is to identify the abuser and supportive member around abuser
• Collect datas regarding the abuser
• Self efficacy treatment and relapse prevention strategies should be done
• Behavioural self control training to be given to the abuser
• Therapeutic activities to reduce consumption of drug should be done
• Narcotic farm technique allows the abuser to stay in a farm setting engaging in work for some time which may help him change
• Chemical aversion therapy can be given.

Thus educate the patient and family about the complications and provide counselling to harbour harmony in thier families.