Substance Abuse

Substance Abuse

Introduction

The lack of awareness, social stigma, changing trends and regional differences apparent, as well as differences in survey methodology, complicating accurate statement of the epidemiology of volatile substance abuse. The survey of American Addiction, a random telephone survey, shows that in 2004, 1.3 ± 0.3% of Americans aged 15 and older reported having used substance abuse (volatile substances) during their life, by vs. 0.8 ± 0.2% in 1994. Inhalants are legal, inexpensive and readily available, all elements that could explain the higher consumption potential in young children. In a survey conducted live in the United States (U.S.) in 2007, 1.1% of youth aged 12 to 13 had used volatile substances during the previous month, and 66.3% of respondents aged 12 and over were children when they had eaten for the first time. Notably, 10.7% of respondents reported that volatiles were their first drug. The Canadian and U.S. surveys excluded homeless and prisoners. The prevalence of abuse of volatile substances could be even higher. The research also varies in terms of the categorization of various substances and those who qualify as "volatile.

In a self-administered survey with youth, fewer students in the same cohort class claimed to have poisoned the volatiles in subsequent years. These results can be explained because some students who used volatile substances may have left school or forgot their experiences when questioned later. It may be that older students have seen the abuse of volatile substances as less socially acceptable, and have therefore more reluctant to report it. The perception that the volatiles are a "drug for the little" (as does the use of the generic term "sniffing glue", which seems harmless) has been described. This perception may explain the epidemiological trends of abuse of volatile substances and deserves to be taken into account by health professionals (Smith, Abigail & Thompson, 2008).

Discussion

Substance Abuse among Students

The volatile substance abuse is more common among dropouts, people who have been neglected or abused physically or sexually, prisoners and the homeless, as well as within indigenous communities. The differences between other ethnic groups and gender are more ambiguous. The volatile substance abuse is more prevalent in rural communities, as well as in isolated communities with unemployment, poverty and violence rates. It also correlates with limited family support or deviant family environment, poor school performance, poor self-esteem and suicidal tendencies, psychiatric disorders, the use of other drugs, families and friends who also consume. The volatile substance abuse is a global problem closely related to health determinants. Children and adolescents from different social backgrounds begin to eat them for various reasons. For example, in developing countries, it can often relieve the symptoms of hunger (Blume, 2007). 

Substance Addiction

Addiction is a generic term to identify any psychoactive substance dependence or alcohol, psychotropic medications or illicit drugs. 

In terms of consequences, consumption of psychotropic substances has significant adverse effects at the level of psychological functioning. It is widely known that eating causes symptoms, depressive and anxiety syndromes. Cognitive squeal are also frequently observed. 

In its publication, International Journal of Mental Health (2011) mentioned that: "The link between mental illness and problematic substance use is ...