According to Abianwu
(2015), drug abuse, is a patterned use of a
drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which
are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder. Widely differing definitions of drug abuse are
used in public health, medical and criminal justice contexts. In some cases
criminal or anti-social behaviour occurs when the person is under the influence
of a drug, and long term personality changes in individuals may occur as well.
(2015), drug abuse, is a patterned use of a
drug in which the user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods which
are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance-related disorder. Widely differing definitions of drug abuse are
used in public health, medical and criminal justice contexts. In some cases
criminal or anti-social behaviour occurs when the person is under the influence
of a drug, and long term personality changes in individuals may occur as well.
West and Graham (2010) referred to drug abuse as
a compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit forming drugs or
substances leading to addiction or dependence, serious physiological injuries
(such as damage to kidney, liver or heart) and/or psychological harm such as
dysfunctional behaviour pattern, hallucination, memory loss or death.
a compulsive, excessive and self-damaging use of habit forming drugs or
substances leading to addiction or dependence, serious physiological injuries
(such as damage to kidney, liver or heart) and/or psychological harm such as
dysfunctional behaviour pattern, hallucination, memory loss or death.
Adamson, Onifade and Ogunwale (2010) defined
substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,
including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to
dependence syndrome which is a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological
phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include
a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use,
persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to
drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and
sometimes a physical withdrawal state.
substance abuse as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances,
including alcohol and illicit drugs. Psychoactive substance use can lead to
dependence syndrome which is a cluster of behavioural, cognitive, and physiological
phenomena that develop after repeated substance use and that typically include
a strong desire to take the drug, difficulties in controlling its use,
persisting in its use despite harmful consequences, a higher priority given to
drug use than to other activities and obligations, increased tolerance, and
sometimes a physical withdrawal state.
