CDI 7: Vice and Drug Education and Control

Module 3 Underlying Causes/Influences of Drug Abuse Page 1 of 15

Topic: Underlying Causes/Influences of Drug Abuse

WELCOME CRIMINOLOGY STUDENTS

I. INTRODUCTION:
Drug abuse or substance abuse refer to the use of certain chemicals for the purpose of creating
pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over 190 million drug users around the world and the problem has
been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30. Apart from the long-
term damage to the body, drug abuse causes many other problems to the body. Drug addicts who use needles
are also at risk of contracting HIV and hepatitis B and C infections.

II. OBJECTIVES:

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

1. Determine the factors that may influence people to abuse drugs.
2. Identify the different psychological test relating to Drug Abuse.
3. Discuss how to identify drug abusers.

III. PRELIMINARY ACTIVITIES:

Before you proceed to the main lesson, test yourself in this activity.

Direction: identify the picture by completing the missing words.

I __ LI __IT DR __ __S

Source: https://worklife.flinders.edu.au/online-learng
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GREAT!!!
You may now proceed to the main lesson.

IV. LESSON PROPER

Based on the preliminary activities, what did you notice about it?
________________________________________________________
CONGRATULATIONS!
You may now proceed to the lesson.

UNDERLYING CAUSES/INFLUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE

The drug addict or abuser is generally an emotionally unstable person before he acquires the habit. He cannot
face painful situations without help, he has less will power and self-control. He has not adjusted himself to his emotional
reaction. Due to this, drug addicts have low capacities for dealing with frustrations, anxieties and stress.
Drug abuse is a multi-faceted problem exits in our locality and countryside, there is usually more than one
reason why this problem exists. Any of the following factors may influence people to abuse drugs.

A. Biological Factors
There are some reasons or pre-existing induced biological abnormalities of chemicals, physiological or
structural in nature that induced a person to take drugs.
The following are some to consider:
1. Individual 's general health - there are several disease abusers. That easily make a person become a drug abuse.
Examples are fatigue, chronic cough, insomnia, and discomfort.
2. It is believed that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase sexual capacity.
3. One specific genetic theory proposes that there is an inherited defect in the production of endorphin, similar to
morphine. A deficiency of the substance leads to bodily discomfort. With the use of the morphine, this feeling is induced.
According to theory, a person who uses morphine has the physiological abnormality where endorphin production is
less. The drugs when we use the body cells work actively.
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B. Common Causation of Drug Abuse

1. Children of broken home easily join peer groups as 12.The enjoyment of euphoria or excitement induced
substitutes to their lost family solidarity. by drugs.
2. To strike and over protectiveness of parents. 13.The search for sharpened perception and high
3. For curiosity -eagerness to know what they have not perception and creativity, which some people believe
experienced. they obtained from drugs.
4. To assert their independence. 14.The beliefs that they are just taking it like alcohol.
5. To rebel from parental authority. 15. The dissatisfaction or disillusion of loss of faith in
6. To prove their guts. the prevailing system.
7. To escape problems. 16.The tendency of persons with psychological
8. Peer pressure and for the sake of PAKIKISAMA. problems
9. They believe that drug can give deeper insights. to seed easily solution with chemicals.
10.The belief that medicines can magically solve 17.The statement of proselytizers who proclaim the
problems. goodness of drugs.
11.The easy access to drug or various sort in an 18.Slum condition the most critical is that the slum
affluent society. dwellers are often deprived of emotional support.

C. Factors in Youthful Drug Abuse (Psychological, mental health, family conditions)

1. Motives and Attitudes

Psychologically speaking, in terms of motives and function of drug use, some of which may not be recognized
by users themselves. The more a drug is used, the more it tends to satisfy more than one motive or need.
Recent surveys of college drug use have induces the students reasons for drug use. In one study smaller or larger
groups mentioned all of the following motives;
1. To feel more courageous.
2. To find out more about oneself.
3. To have a religious experience to come close to God.
4. To satisfy a strong craving or compulsion.
5. To increase or reduce appetite.
6. To feel less dull or sluggish, improve sex.
7. To reduce sexual desire and keep from being panicked or crazy.
8. To improve intelligence or learning, prepare stress.
9.To feel less depress of sad, relieve tension or nervousness
10.To make good moral mood last longer, relieve anger or irritation
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2. Personality and Pathology

This psychology has been described as follows:
1. Chronic, low-grade depression.
2. Smoldering, tense and restlessness.
3. A sense of not being taken seriously.
4. Narcissism or egocentricity.
5. Preoccupation with issues or identity, autonomy, and freedom of expression.
6. Repeated dwelling on drug taking and its effects.
7. Difficulty in interpersonal relations.
3. Family Background
The kinds of personality disturbances found in some young addicts and heads cannot, in the current state of
knowledge, be identified as brain damage or schizophrenia. It is more in the manner of character disorder. And the
behavior may be the result of inadequate socialization, condition of child rearing and family interaction. The few
available facts about families of young abuser lend credence to this idea.

In one broad study of New York's high addiction areas, the families of adolescent narcotics users showed the
following characteristics:

1. Absent or weak father

2. Overprotective, overindulgent and domineering mother
3. Inconsistent standards of behavior, lack of definition of limits
4. Hostility or conflict between parents
5.Unrealistic aspiration for children

D. The Psycho-Social Factors

1. Personality Disorder - Drug abuse is a manifestation of an underlying character of personality disorder. thus
majority of the drug users are fundamentally immature, emotionally childish, insecure or are suffering from problems
of adolescence.
2. Social Disorder - A sign or symptom of family problem involving parent - child relationship, peer press unethical
values.
Drugs use does not also occur in isolation of other environmental factors but rather, is greatly influenced by
these factors. Some of the sociological factors also influence drug use is as high toll.
a. Availability of over-the counter and prescription drugs variety of drugs available for different ailments,
b. Influence of media-advertisement message that all ailment can be cured through the use of chemical substances
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toward messages and help to create the acceptance of drugs.

c. Impact of affluent lifestyle or of high employment.
d. Effect of increased travel and exposure to different culture and social values
e. Modeling, if parents or key influence are drug users, young person’s often tend to model the behavior they are at
home.
f. social pressures exerted by peers
g. Collapse of religious values
h. Alienation and enemies feeling of powerless
i. Lower value on academic achievement

E. Other Factors
1. Ignorance, curiosity 4. Nature of society resulting in the increased
2. Laxity of government and other authorities violent behavior for youth.
3. Mass media influence

F. The 7 Deadly Sins - Primary Causes of Drug Abuse

1. Pride - excessive feeling of self-worth or self-esteem sense of self-importance.
2 Anger - unexpressed, deep-seated anger against himself, his family, his friends or the society in general.
3. Lust - burning sexual desire can distort the human mind to drug abuse.
4 Gluttony - "food trip" in the lingo of junkies
5. Greed - wealth, fame, recognition as exemplified by people under pressure in their work of art, such as musicians,
actors, athletes who indulge in drug abuse.
6 Envy- to get attention from someone: as a sign of protest envy is a major cause of drug abuse.
7. Laziness " I can't syndrome", incapacity to achieve - the breeding ground of drug abuse. Boredom coupled with
poor self-image.

How is Addiction acquired?

People have generally different motivation in life. The young ones are very much adventurous and some of
them have strong attraction in drug-taking, because these "Space are era belongs to them so to speak, thus, the "IN"
thing these days are drugs. To see drug abusers around seemed to be of a common sight.
The drug habit is acquired in three ways:
1. Association 2. Experimentation 3. Inexperienced doctors
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Likewise, addiction may be acquired through:

1. Habituation closely related to euphoric effect, and the relief of pain or emotional discomfort.
2. Toleration the necessity to increase the dose too obtain an effect equivalent to the original dose.
3. Dependence the altered physiological state brought about by the repeated administration of the drug which
necessitates the continued use of the drug to avoid withdrawal syndrome.

What are the Group Classifications of Drug Abusers?

1. Situational Users- those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional energy to perform an important work.
Such individual may or may not exhibit psychological dependence.
2. Spree Users - school age users who take drugs for "kicks, an adventurous daring experience, or as a means of fun.
There may be some degree of psychological dependence but little physical dependence due to the
mixed pattern of use.
3. Hard Core Addicts - those, whose activities revolve almost entirely around the drug experience and securing
supplies. They show strong psychological dependence on the drug.
4. Hippies - those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life.

DETECTION OF DRUG ABUSERS

Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and symptoms of drug abuse, especially in the beginning
stages can be identical to those produced by conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with drugs.
It is always necessary to exercise certain prudence before drawing conclusions. Some judgments may only hurt the
individual; if he is innocent and one may lose his love and trust. Only after observing calmly and patiently his behavior
appearance and associations, may one pass judgment and act.
To detect a drug abuser, one should observe the following:
1. neglect of personal appearance behavior
2. diminished drive, lack of ambition 9. secretive about money, disappearance of money
3. reduced attention span and other valuables from the house
4. poor quality of school work 10.friends refusing to identify themselves or hang up
5. impaired communication skills when you answer the phone
6. less care for the feeling of others, lessening of 11. over reaction to mild conditions
accustomed family warmth 12. smell of marijuana, sweetish odor, like a burned
7. pale face, red eyes, dilation or constricted pupils, rope in the clothes or room, etc.
wearing sunglasses at wrong places 13.symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors,
8. change from active to passive and withdrawn muscular aches, insomnia and convulsions, etc.
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14.presence of:
a. butt from marijuana joint
b. holders (i.e. pipe clips) for the joint
c. presence of leaves, seeds in pockets or lining
d. rolling paper, pipes, "bong" in closet or pocket
e. cough syrup bottles, capsules, syringes, etc.
F. Visine Eye Drops or Eye-Mo bottles to treat red eyes
g. devices for hiding drugs like trash cans, soft drinks bottles
h. presence of other pills like valium, artane, other tranquilizers
i. presence of physician's prescription pad in blank form

IDENTIFICATION OF DRUG ABUSER

The following markers can help in identifying them:
1. Change in interest-they lose interest in their studies and in their work. They fail in school, shift from one course to
another, transfer of school of lower standard until eventually drop out.
2. Frequent shifting of mood - they are euphoric, elated and sometimes even ecstatic when under the influence of
drugs. They would be indifferent, irritable and even hostile when the effect of drug is waning from the system.
3.Changes in behavior-they usually spend a lot. They are usually in the company of known drug users in the community.
They come home late; they become disrespectful and would sell personal or family valuables.
4. Changes in physical appearance - if they can be seen while still under the influence of drugs the following can be
noted:
A. Presence of linear scar in the arms, forearms and abdomen.
B. Lobule of left ear punctured and some of the males even wear earrings.

PROCESS OF DETECTING DRUG ABUSERS

The detection of drug abuse involves five process namely:
a. Observation
b. History taking
C. Laboratory examination
d. Psychological examination
e. Psychiatric evaluation

1. OBSERVATION
Observations of the signs and symptoms of drug abuse may take relatively a long period of time. Good may
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take sensory equipment and a high degree of objectivity are two requirements for a good observer. To be an effective
observer, the observer should not let his own personal judgements and reactions affect his observations. He should
exercise care in his observation such that the suspected drug abuser is not made aware of being observed.

2. HISTORY TAKING
A. Collateral Information (Interview with information)
The best information is from the patient himself, but collateral information is necessary. Ideally, a parent or
close relative or a close friend should be present to furnish useful details as to the different changes observed in the
patient that made them suspect the subject is abusing drugs. These changes may be in his appearance, behavior,
mood, or interest.

Added information
1. If subject's "barkadas" are also known drug abusers in the community.
2. He knows the language of drug dependents.
Seeing in his room, books or in his belongings or in is possession empty bottles of cough syrups, empty
medicine foils, MJ sticks or rolling paper.
B. Interview with patient his drug taking activity, reason for abusing drugs, how he his drug Inquire regarding
the drugs being abused, onset of supports his vice, etc.

3. LABORATORY EXAMINATION
Accurate laboratory examinations cannot be performed by any ordinary chemist since detection of dangerous
drugs requires sophisticated equipment and apparatus, special chemical reagents and most of all, the specialized
technical know-how.

PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION
This phase of drug detection requires the expertise of trained psychologists. Teachers therefore are not in a
position to administer psychological examinations among their students. Psychological examination findings will
correspond to the general findings of a drug prone individual.
- drowsy or lethargic appearance accompanied by scratching and without alcoholic breath, tendency to giggle
excessively at things which others don’t consider funny, and over-active and over talkative

PSYCHOLOGICAL TESTS
a. Intelligence Test - the test is designed to cover a wide variety of mental functions with special emphasis on
adjustment comprehension and reasoning.
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b. Personality Test - this type of test is used to evaluate the character and personality traits of an individual such as
his emotional adjustment, interpersonal relation, motivation and attitude.
c. Aptitude Test - this test is to measure the readiness with which the individual increases his knowledge and improves
skills when given the necessary opportunity and training.
d. Interest Test - this is designed to reveal the field of interest that a client will be interested in.
e. Psychiatric Evaluation - it is a process whereby a team of professionals composed of psychiatrists, psychologists,
psychiatric social workers conduct an examination to determine whether or not a patient is suffering from psychiatric
disorder.

Actual Outward Physical Signs/ Symptoms of Drug

Abusers:
The actual profile of an abuser of narcotic drugs may show some of the following manifestations.
1. Admission of the addict himself.
2. Consistently wear long-sleeved shirt or blouses, dark eyeglasses unlikely times to hide dilated or constricted pupils
of eyes.
3 Blood spots around elbow areas of blouses shirt or pajamas.
4. Walk, talk and act as if under alcoholic influence.
5. Prolonged period of sleep or lethargy, abnormal sleepless, nervous, jumpy and talkative.
6. School works deteriorates (grades and homework’s)
7. Work habits, become slip-shod, too many emotional explosions, loss body weight., abnormal bowel habits,
blood-shot eyes.
8. Sloppy in dress and careless in bodily hygiene, inordinate desire for consumption of sweets. Unusual odor in the
house or room (marijuana, hash, or incense)
9 Develop defiant or contemptuous attitudes towards authority (Parents, Teachers, Police, Etc.) constant demand for
ever-increasing amount of money.
10. Takes money from everyone and fails to repay, steel and sells all possible items of value from home or elsewhere
when opportunity comes.
11. Receives or makes numerous phone calls to people who are unknown in the house. Associates only with people
who have the reputation for playing with using drugs.
12. Persistently lies when asked to explain in expected knock on the door.
13. Unrealistic attitudes, having difficult of concentration.

The Personality Profile of a Filipino Drug Abuser

1 They are of average or above average intelligence
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2. They are witty and manipulative

3. They have negative attitude; they demonstrate hostile feelings to the world or to anybody who does not to conform
to what they want.
4. They are emotionally immature, selfish and demanding.
5. They want immediate gratification of needs and desires.
6. They have low frustration tolerance.
7. Their interest and aptitude are on dramatics, persuasive and musical field in that order.
8. They are depressed and excessively dependent.
9 They are rebellious and have impulsive behavior.
10. They are pleasure seeker and pathologically liars
11. They like to join anti-social groups/ delinquent group
12. They have difficulty in solving problems.

We had just finished the discussion on the Underlying Causes/influence

of drug abuse.
Let’s move on to the next higher level of activity/ies or exercise/s that
demonstrate your potential skills/knowledge of what you have learned.
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V. ANALYSIS, APPLICATION AND EXPLORATION

ACTIVITY 1

Name: ______________________________ Course & Section: __________________

Direction: Read carefully each question and determine the factors that may influence people to abuse drugs
by writing the correct letter of your answer on the space provided.

A. Biological Factors
B. Factors in Youthful Drug Abuse
C. The Psycho-Social Factors
D. Common Causation of Drug Abuse
E. The 7 Deadly Sins - Primary Causes of Drug Abuse

__________1. It is believed that drug has the special power to prevent or to increase sexual capacity.
__________2. It is said that anger is unexpressed, deep-seated anger against himself, his family, his friends or the
society in general. In what factor does anger belong?
__________3. Slum condition the most critical is that the slum dweller is often deprived of emotional support. In what
factor does this statement belong?
__________4. Motives and Attitudes, Personality and Pathology and Family Background belongs to what factor?
__________5. In what factor does social disorder belong?

ACTIVITY 2
Direction: Write the word TRUE if the statement is correct and False if the incorrect.

__________1 Personality test is designed to cover a wide variety of mental functions with special emphasis on
adjustment comprehension and reasoning.
__________2. It refers to a process whereby a team of professionals composed of psychiatrists, psychologists,
psychiatric social workers conduct an examination to determine whether or not a patient is suffering
from psychiatric disorder is called Psychiatric Evaluation.
__________3. Aptitude test is designed to reveal the field of interest that a client will be interested in.
__________4. A test to measure the readiness with which the individual increases his knowledge and improves skills
when given the necessary opportunity and training is called Interest test.
__________5. Personality Test is a type of test is used to evaluate the character and personality traits of an individual
such as his emotional adjustment, interpersonal relation, motivation and attitude.
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Finally, let us summarize the lesson of what we had

discussed today.

VI. GENERALIZATION

Direction/Instruction: Read the question carefully and answer in not less than 3 sentences. Rubric is
attached for reference and guidance.

1. In your own opinion, discuss how to identify if a person is a drug abuser.

_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

Rubric:
Level Description Score
 Well written and very organized.
 Excellent grammar mechanics.
OUTSTANDING  Clear and concise statements. 9-10
 Excellent effort and presentation with detail.
 Demonstrates a thorough understanding of the topic.
 Writes fairly clear.
 Good grammar mechanics.
GOOD 7-8
 Good presentation and organization.
 Sufficient effort and detail
 Minimal effort.
 Good grammar mechanics.
FAIR 6
 Fair presentation.
 Few supporting details.
 Somewhat unclear.
 Shows little effort.
POOR  Poor grammar mechanics. 5
 Confusing and choppy, incomplete sentences.
 No organization of thoughts.
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KUDOS!
You have come to an end of Module 3.
OOPS! Don’t forget that you have still an assignment to do.
Here it is….

VII. ASSIGNMENT

Name: ___________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

Direction: Fill in the missing words by selecting the correct answer on the box provided.

Symptoms Innocent Judgment

Prudence Behavior

Detecting a drug user is not an easy task. The signs and ________________ of drug abuse, especially in the
beginning stages can be identical to those produced by conditions having nothing whatsoever to do with drugs. It is
always necessary to exercise certain ______________ before drawing conclusions. Some judgments may only hurt
the individual; if he is ______________and one may lose his love and trust. Only after observing calmly and patiently
his _________________ appearance and associations, may one pass ________________ and act.

(This assignment will be submitted on ________________.)

After your long journey of reading and accomplishing

the module, let us now challenge your mind by
answering the evaluation part of this module.
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VIII. EVALUATION

Name:___________________________________ Course & Section: __________________

Direction/Instruction: Read carefully each question and encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. It refers to those who use drugs to keep them awake or for additional energy to perform an important work.
Such individual may or may not exhibit psychological dependence.
A. Situational Users
B. Hard core Addicts
C. Spree Users
D. Hippies
2. The detection of drug abuse involves five process except___________.
A. Observation
B. History taking
C. Laboratory examination
D. None
3. Drug abuse is a manifestation of an underlying character of what disorder?
A. Social Disorder
B. Psychological Disorder
C. Mental Disorder
D. Personality disorder
4. The following can also help in identifying drug abusers except____________.
A. They know the lingo of the abusers, i.e. OMAD. Chongki, Bitin, etc.
B. Presence of linear scar in the arms, forearms and abdomen.
C. Lobule of left ear punctured and some of the males even wear earrings.
D. None
5. It is one of the common causations of drug abuse which shows eagerness to know what they have not
experienced.
A. For curiosity
B. To assert their independence.
C. To prove their guts.
D. To escape problems.
6. It is one of the identifications of drug abuser which states that being euphoric, elated and sometimes even
ecstatic when under the influence of drugs is one.
A. Change in interest
B. Frequent shifting of mood
C. Changes in behavior
D. All answers are correct
7. Those who are addicted to drugs believing that drug is an integral part of life is called___________.
A. Situational users
B. Hard core Addicts
C. Spree users
D. Hippies
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8. A sign or symptom of family problem involving parent - child relationship, peer press unethical values.
A. Social Disorder
B. Psychological Disorder
C. Mental Disorder
D. Personality disorder
9. When a school age user who take drugs for "kicks, an adventurous daring experience, or as a means
of fun it is called____________.
A. Situational Users
B. Hard core Addicts
C. Spree Users
D. Hippies
10. These are people who are showing strong psychological dependence on the drug.
A. Situational Users
B. Hard core Addicts
C. Spree Users
D. Hippies

(This evaluation will be submitted on ________________.)

CONGRATULATIONS on reaching the end of this module!

You may now proceed to the next module.
Don’t forget to submit all the exercises, activities and portfolio
on ___________________.
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
Well Done!!!