Consequences Of Alcohol And Drug Abuse Among The Youth

Youths have higher rates of using alcohol and drugs in ways that increase their risk–getting very drunk, drinking while driving, and using drugs and alcohol together. The highest rate is found among reservation youth, a lower rate among non-reservation Nigerians, and the lowest rate among non-Indian youth. Frequency of self-reported consequences from alcohol and drug use follow the same order, with 15% of reservation seniors involved in an alcohol-related accident. The most frequent consequences involve relationship problems. This study is aimed at examines the consequences of increasing alcohol and drug abuse among youths in Ofuoma Community Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State.

TABLE OF CONTENT

TITLE PAGE

APPROVAL PAGE

DEDICATION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

ABSTRACT.

TABLE OF CONTENT

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

• • BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

• • STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

• • OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

• • SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

• • RESEARCH QUESTIONS

• • SCOPE OF THE STUDY

• • RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

• • DEFINITION OF TERMS.

CHAPTER TWO

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

• • OVERVIEW OF THE STUDY

• • TYPES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

• • THEORIES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

• • CAUSES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

• • SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF DRUG ABUSE

• • THE CONSEQUENCES OF ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

• • INCIDENCE OF DRUG ABUSE AMONG NIGERIAN ADOLESCENTS

• • STRATEGIES FOR COUNSELLING

• • COMMON SYMPTOMS THAT PARENTS/FAMILY MEMBERS SHOULD LOOK OUT FOR

• • IDENTIFY RISK FACTORS OF DRUG ABUSE

CHAPTER THREE

METHODOLOGY

• • INTRODUCTION

• • RESEARCH DESIGN

• • POPULATION OF THE STUDY

• • INSTRUMENT

• • SAMPLE AND SAMPLING PROCEDURE

• • INSTRUMENT FOR DATA COLLECTION

• • VALIDITY OF THE RESEARCH INSTRUMENT

• • RELIABILITY OF THE INSTRUMENT

• • DATA COLLECTION PROCEDURE

• • PROCEDURE FOR DATA ANALYSIS

CHAPTER FOUR

RESULT ANALYSIS

4.1.     PRESENTATION OF RESEARCH FINDINGS

4.2      RESULT ANALYSIS

CHPATER FIVE

DISCUSSION, CONCLUSION AND REFERENCES

• • DISCUSSION

• • CONCLUSION

• • REFERENCES

• • QUESTIONNAIRE

CHAPTER ONE

1.0                                                        INTRODUCTION

Whether we talk of increased marijuana consumption or growing cases of alcohol abuse, substance abuse among teenagers and young adults poses a serious challenge to our society.

Many studies and surveys have found that a large percentage of people who abuse drugs and alcohol are teens still in high school. Studies conducted by renowned organizations have also shed light on the fact that teens and college students have at least experimented with drugs or alcohol at one time or another, even if they don’t abuse them.

Many people become addicted to harmful substances at a young age which can continue into adulthood. A large percentage of people in recovery at drug and alcohol rehab centers consists of young adults.

Abusing harmful substances such as heroin, cocaine and alcohol negatively affects both the physical and mental health of a teenager, and drug and alcohol abuse may lead to various other complications. Drug abuse can negatively affect the memory of teenagers. This may lead to poor academic performance and difficulty memorizing things. The problem may deteriorate as a person grows older. During the teenage years, the brain sheds gray matter to work more efficiently.

It’s been found that teenagers who abuse drugs are likely to suffer from various social problems. They have difficulty relating to their peers, and are more likely to show anti-social behavior. The “rebellious” behavior of teens is sometimes associated with drug and alcohol abuse. Teenagers who abuse drugs are also more likely to steal and get into physical fights

For some, one time or infrequent use of alcohol or drugs can result in tragedy: alcohol overdose (alcohol poisoning), an accident or fall when under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or an arrest associated with alcohol or drugs that may cost you your reputation and/or your freedom. For others, even though they may not use alcohol or drugs, they could become a victim of an alcohol or drug-related crime. And, for yet others, what may have started as occasional use can turn into an addiction that presents extraordinary health concerns with potentially grave and tragic consequences.

The menace of alcohol and drug abuse has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society; however, with effective counselling programmes, the problems can be tackled through campaign against alcohol and drug abuse by government and other relevant authorities. Alcohol and Drug control counselling centres should be established in every community and qualified health counsellors should be employed in helping drug addicts by giving them special advice on how to go about the withdrawal system. Alcohol and Drug awareness units to be set up in all states by the federal, state and local government not to try people who use drugs as criminals, but to help solve their socio- psychological problem. This paper discusses the concept of alcohol and drug abuse and its consequences on Youths in Ofuoma Community Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State.

1.1                                           BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

For many young people, using alcohol, drugs, or other substances like cigarettes is just part of growing up. Many of them try these substances only a few times and stop, while others may continue to use them on a more regular basis.

Young people may try a number of substances, including alcohol, household chemicals (inhalants), prescription and over-the-counter medicines, illegal drugs, and cigarettes. They use alcohol more than any other substance. Marijuana is the drug that young people use most often.

Young people use these substances for many of the same reasons that adults do—to relax or feel good. But they may also have other reasons for using substances. For example, they may want to know what it feels like to get high. Or they may want to rebel against their parents or fit in with their friends.

Using alcohol or drugs can affect young people’s general health, physical growth, and emotional and social development. It can also change how well they make decisions, how well they think, and how quickly they can react. And using alcohol or drugs can make it hard for young people to control their actions. For some young people, alcohol or drug use may turn into a substance use problem.

Parents can play a key part in teaching their children about alcohol and drug use by talking honestly and openly about the effects that alcohol and drugs can have on their children’s health, schoolwork, and relationships.

1.2                                          STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Alcohol and drug abuse has poised itself against this very important criterion for good development. This research work aims at studying this problem and possibly proffering feasible and qualitative solution in the end.

1.3                                                  RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. 1. How influential are youth over alcohol and drug abuse among Youths in Ofuoma Community Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State?

1. 1. What are the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse on the Youths in Ofuoma Community Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State?

1.4                                                     AIM OF THE STUDY

The use of alcohol and drugs is prevalent among adolescents, but too little is known about the association between debut of alcohol and drug use, problematic use and concurrent mental health. This study is aimed at highlighting the consequences of increasing alcohol and drug abuse among youths in Ofuoma Community Ughelli North Local Government Area Delta State.

1.4                                              OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

At the end of this work student involved shall be able:

1. 1. To understand the meaning of alcohol and drug abuse

1. 1. To understand different kinds of alcohol and drug abuse.

• • To understand different level alcohol and drug can be abused.

1. 1. To highlight severe consequences of alcohol and drug abuse among youths.

1. 1. To draft means of alcohol and drug abuse can be overcome

1.5                                           SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This work has exposed the consequences of alcohol and drug abuse. Here, the problems of alcohol and drug abuse which negatively influences the youth’s development will be duly enumerated and discusses and hopefully feasible solutions will be proffered.

Secondly, this research will also be of importance to publishers who specialize on youths’ books. The findings here could go a long way in their instructional materials and their subtle advices to youths.

1.6                                                 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis 1: There is no significant relationship between the reasons given for abusing alcohol and drugs and youths

Hypothesis 2: There is no significant relationship between the consequences of drug abuse and youth.

1.7                                                   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

As was mentioned in the background to the study of the present research, this research work would focus on the prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse and it’s consequences on youths level only. This means that attention would be given first to the problems of alcohol and drug abuse peculiar to youths first before treating those that they share with other age range.

Secondly, the scope of this research will be around how alcohol and drug abuse is problematic to the youths’ development. The health and sociological implications would be given secondary attention.

1.8                                            LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Every research work require a thorough examination of the large pool of youths and reading materials as it is a research that requires lots of one on one counseling of youths from various topography which will enquire particularly, of the reasons why they engage in alcohol and drug abuse. This means that lots of questionnaires would be distributed to youths of the local government with questions designed to explicate the problems involved in drug abuse among them and why they engage in it. The above are the limitations of this research work namely the time constraints and financial inadequacies to cover wider grounds.

1.9                                          DEFINITION OF TERMS

Risky drinking is defined by drinking above the recommended limits:

• • greater than 14 standard drinks units per week or greater than 4 standard drinks on a single occasion in men

• • greater than 7 standard drinks units per week or greater than 3 standard drinks on a single occasion in women

• • any drinking in pregnant women or persons < 21 years old

Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol consumption that brings blood alcohol concentration ≥ 0.08%, usually corresponds to

• • ≥ 5 standard drinks on a single occasion in men

• • ≥ 4 standard drinks on a single occasion in women

Alcohol misuse is a term used by United States Preventive Services Task Force to describe a spectrum of drinking behaviors that encompass risky drinking, alcohol abuse, and alcohol dependence (similar meaning to alcohol use disorder but not a term used in DSM).

Drug Abuse: This refers to any use of pharmaceutical products for none medical purposes. This is also referee to as substance abuse. The drugs in question are usually illegal in majority of the countries.

Mental disorder: A mental condition marked primarily by disorganization of personality, mind, and emotions that seriously impairs the psychological or behavioral functioning of the individual. This is sometimes referred to as a mental health condition. Addiction is a mental disorder.

Intranasal: Taken through the nose.

Illicit: Illegal or forbidden by law.

Impulsivity: A tendency to act without foresight or regard for consequences and to prioritize immediate rewards over long-term goals.

Injection drug use (IDU): The act of administering drugs by injection. Blood-borne viruses, like HIV and hepatitis, can be transmitted via shared needles or other drug injection equipment.

Abstinence: Not using drugs or alcohol.

Addiction: A chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive (or difficult to control) drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences, as well as long-lasting changes in the brain. In the past, people who used drugs were called “addicts.” Current appropriate terms are people who use drugs and drug users.

Addiction Illegal/Illicit Drugs: Drugs that is illegal to produce, use, and sell.

Intoxication: A state of being drugged or poisoned; results from abuse of alcohol, barbiturates, toxic drugs, etc.

Intrinsic Activity: The extent to which a drug activates a receptor.

Legal Drugs: Everyday drugs not for medical use (e.g. alcohol, caffeine, carbohydrates, nicotine, etc.)