Drug abuse is a characterised by taking more than the recommended dose of prescription drug such as barbiturates without medical supervision, or using government controlled substance such as marijuana, cocaine, heroine or other illegal substances. Legal substance such as alcohol, nicotine are also abused by many people. Abuse of drugs and other substances can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Drug abuse can cause a wide range of adverse physical reactions. Long term drug use may damage the heart, liver and brain. Drug abuser may suffer from malnutrition if they habitually forget to eat ;most times they cannot afford to buy food or eat food that contains the proper vitamin and minerals. Individual who abuse injectable drug risk contacting infections such as hepatitis and HIV from dirty needles and needle shared with other infected users. One of the most dangerous effect of illegal drug use is the potential for over dosage that is taking too large or too strong a dose for the body system to handle. A drug overdose may cause an individual to loss consciousness and to breathe in adequately. Without treatment an individual may die from drug overdose. Drug addiction is marked by a compulsive craving for a substance. Successful treatment method vary and include psychological counseling or psychotherapy and detoxification programmes. The illegal use of drugs was once considered a problem unique to residents of poor urban neighborhoods. Today. However people from all economic levels in both cities and suburbs abuse drug to relieve stress and to forget about their problems.
