Drug abuse according to World Health Organization (WHO) (1964) is an “extensive use of any drug, orthodox or synthetic that is measurably damages health or impairs socio-vocational adjustment of the user”. It can also be referred to as the use of any drug to the point at which it interferes with the individual’s health or with his economic and social adjustment.
Kalunka (1976), defined drugs abuse as to obtain and take drug in over-increasing dose, and to develop physical and psychological symptoms if the source of supply is cut off. Drug is any chemical substance that has effect upon the body or mind, by modifying one or more of its functions (Mumbor, 2012). The most commonly abused drugs according to Inhinmwin (1987), includes, alcohol, nicotine, hyponotics like barbiturate and stimulant caffeine like coffee tea, kolanuts and cocaine, hallucinatory like marijuana and narcotics like opium, tramadol and other drugs.
Sexual enhancers are drugs which enhances (normal/abnormal) erectile function and aphrodisiacs which increase sexual arousal and desire. Drugs like (Viagra) sildenatil was first approved in 1998 and was the first effective oral therapy to treat erectile dysfunction and melanotanII, supposedly cause spontaneous erections as well as increase sexual desire and arousal. Sexual enhancers (e.g. Viagra,Valium, tramadol) are used by the youths without prescription. While sexual enhancers are frequently associated with male users, it has become evident that female users are increasingly interested in this type of drugs to treat low sexual desire and the youths purchase these drugs without prescription because some of these drugs are easily available. The youths abuse of these drugs is the reason for the increase in sexual abuse (rape), sexual assaults and child abuse in the society.
According to Ksir(2002), drug abuse for sexual enhancement is refers to a patterned use of a drug set aside for the cure or management of other ailment as sexual enhancement due to some particular characteristic of the drugs as noticed by the abuser.
Nutt, King, Saulsbury and Blackemore (2007) stated that drugs usually abuse for sexual enhancers are drugs which enhance (normal/abnormal) erectile function and aphrodisiac which increase sexual arousal and desire.
Barrett, Meisner and Stewart (2008) highlighted that in most cases, the drugs abused as sexual enhancers are taken in far above the normal recommended doses and the users consume the substance in amount or with methods and which are harmful to themselves or others, and is a form of substance related disorder which leads to possible physical, social, and psychological harm. Some of the drugs most often used as sexual enhancer include Viagra, cialis, lube, levitra, tramadol and other herbal sexual enhancers.
Jaffe (2015) noted that some of the popular psychoactive drugs are also used in some cases at a very high doses as sexual enhancers. Some of this drugs as identified by him include alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, cannabis, cocaine, methaqualone, opioids and substituted amphetamines.
The major characteristics that is exploited in these drugs in enhancing sexual functions in currently unclear, but Peterson (2013) noted that all commonly abused drugs for sexual enhancer inhibit impulses in the central nervous system and if taken in very high doses lead to high blood pressure, increased heart rate, manic reactions, palpitations, insomnia, anxiety, irritability, shivering, sweating, nausea, flushing and headaches which can be attributed to its central adrenergic activity.
Ekamen(2000) concluded by saying that when drugs are suspected especially among young ones it should be handle as an illness and not as a crime. The diagnosis and treatment should be medically supervise for a rapid withdrawal for many types can cause seizers, coma and even death.
References
Barrett, S. P., Meisner, J.R.& Stewart, S.H. (2008). What constitutes prescription drug misuse? Problems and pitfalls of current conceptualizations, Curr Drug Abuse Rev., 1 (3), 255-62.
Ekamen P. (2002) Certificate Health Science and Health Education, 60(24), 9.
Jaffe, J,H (2015), the pharmacological basis of therapeutics (5th ed) New York; Macmillan
Ksir, O. (2012). Drugs, society, and human behaviour (9thed). Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Mumbor, M. I. (2012). Manual on substance abuse education for Schools/Colleges of Health Technology in Nigeria
Nutt, D. King, L.ASaulsbury, W. &Blakemore, C. (2007).Development of a rational scale to assess the harm of drugs of potential misuse.The Lancet, 369(9566),1047-1053.
Peterson, A. L. (2013). Integrating mental health and addictions services to improve client outcomes, issues in mental health.Nursing, 34,752-756.
