Substance Abuse Essay

Words: 15086
Pages: 61

WHAT IS MEANT BY DRUG DEPENDENCY?
Drug dependence is a situation where an addict feels he/she must have drugs in order to live; this is the term to describe psychological dependence. Physical dependence occurs when the body metabolism adapts to the presence of the drugs, when the drug is removed strong withdrawal symptoms are produced. This withdrawal syndrome is experienced as sickness, stomach upset and muscular pain. Hallucinations and convulsions may also occur.

EXPLAIN WHY ALCOHOL IS A DRUG
Alcohol is a drug because it affects the body tissues and as a result influences behaviour.
BRIEFLY OUTLINE THREE REASONS WHY PEOPLE BECOME DEPENDENT ON DRUGS
People become dependent on drugs because of curiosity, believing drugs will

Overwhelmingly, the recipients of the violence are women and the perpetrators are men. It is clear that women do sometimes abuse men and that violence can occur in lesbian and gay relationships.
But the overriding majority of domestic violence incidents consist of men abusing, intimidating and violating women whom they know intimately and often profess to love. Women have been socialised to be good wives. They are taught to grow up, get married, have children, and live happily ever after. They have been taught to believe the phrase "for better for worse" and she has also learned that "marriage isn't a bed of roses".
Violence often occurs later in a relationship. The relationship has most likely experienced many caring, intimate and pleasurable periods. The people in the relationship have had enough time to establish a history of unity and concern for one another. Few would walk away from a serious commitment without many hours of thought and consideration. With the onset of violence the individuals become confused. Not only do individuals have to make the difficult decision of leaving their spouses in relation to their own needs and desires, but must also make major decisions which affect the lines of their children
Ironically, it is not until the spouse is abusing the children, or the children have reached the expressive age of adolescence and urge them to leave, will a decision be made to abandon the relationship. Many abused women have no employable