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Prevalence Of And Motivation For Drug Abuse
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CHAPTER TWO
REVIEWED OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
Preamble
Several studies in Asia, USA, United Kingdom and Nigeria have shown widespread drug use among adolescents and young adults in tertiary institutions. Thus, drawing global attention to this problem. However, there is a paucity of data on drug use among youths in Nigeria. This chapter shall on this note examine the prevalence of, and motivation for drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions in Kwara state under the following sub-headings:
• Concept of Drug Abuse
• Prevalence of Drug Abuse
• Motivation for Drug Abuse
• Preventive Measures for Drug Abuse
• Summary of the Reviewed Related Literatures
Concept of Drug Abuse
Drugs that affect the brain, alter mood and behaviours are legally controlled substances and the most commonly abused drugs. These psychoactive drugs can be categorized according to the nature of their physiological effects which fall into one of the general categories: stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, cannabis, narcotic and inhalants.
Stimulants
Stimulants are a group of drugs that excite or increase the activity of the central nervous system (CNS). Stimulant effects can be mild or strong depending on the kind of drug and the amount taken. Stimulants may cause an increase in alertness or give body a temperature, feeling of energy and well being. Thus, the user feels uplifted and less fatigued. Example of stimulant drug include: caffeine, amphetamine and cocaine. These drugs have a high potential for psychological dependence and tolerance relatively quickly, but they are unlikely to provide significant physical dependence when judge by life threatening withdrawal symptoms. The important exception is cocaine which seems to be capable of producing psychological dependence and withdrawal so powerful that continued use of the drug is inevitable in some user (Pollock, Candace & Charles, 1979).
Caffeine: The methylxanthines are family of chemicals that includes three compounds, caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. Of these, caffeine is the most heavily consumed. Caffeine is a tasteless drug found in coffee tea, cocoa, many soft drinks and several group of over-the-counter drugs. It is a relatively harmless Central Nervous System (CNS) stimulant when consumed in moderate amounts. Many coffee drinkers believe that they cannot start the day successfully without the benefit of a cup or two of coffee (Pollock, Candace & Charles, 1979).
According to Pollock, Candace and Charles (1979), the chronic effects of long term caffeine use are less clear. Chronic users show evidence of tolerance and withdrawal, indicating that they are physically dependent. Researchers have attempted to link caffeine to coronary heart disease; pancreatic, cancer and fibrocystic breast disease. Experts thus advised that pregnant women should consume caffeine sparingly because babies born to women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had a slightly increased risk of low birth weight and smaller head size. Moderate caffeine consumption for an average adult is unlikely to pose any serious health threat. Nevertheless, excessive consumption could lead to anxiety, diarrhea, restlessness and delayed onset of sleep or frequent awakening headache and heart palpitations (Merki, 1996).
Amphetamines: These are stimulants that accelerate function of the brain and body. They come in pills or tablets. Prescription diet pills also fall into category of drugs. It street names are speed, uppers, dexies, bennies and are being used by swallowing, inhaled or injection. Amphetamines users get fast high, making them feel powerful, alert and energized. Uppers pump up heart rate, breathing, blood pressure and they can also cause sweating, shaking, headaches, sleeplessness and blurred vision. Excessive and prolonged use may cause hallucination and intense paranoid. Tragic highway accidents have occurred when a driver who has taken amphetamines to stay alert has swerved to avoid a danger that was not there at all, (Wayne & Dale, 1998). Amphetamines are very addictive. Users who stop reported that they experienced various mood problems such as aggression, anxiety and intense craving for the drugs (Durani, 2012).
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ABSRACT - [ Total Page(s): 1 ]ABSTRACT COMING SOON ... Continue reading---
APPENDIX A - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]UNIVERSITY OF ILORINFACULTY OF EDUCATIONCOUNSELLOR EDUCATION DEPARTMENTPrevalence of and Motivation for Drug Abuse Questionnaire (PMDAQ)Dear Respondent, This instrument is designed to elicit information on the prevalence of, and motivation for drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions in Kwara State, Nigeria. Your sincere responses to each of the items will be highly appreciated as all information supplied will be treated with utmost confidentiality and be used strictly for the re ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER ONE - [ Total Page(s): 6 ]The American Psychiatric Association (2010) referred to substance abuse as maladaptive patterns of substance use leading to clinical significant impairment or distress, as manifested by one (or more) of the following, occurring within a 12 month period: recurrent substance use resulting in a failure to fulfill major role obligations at work, school, or home; recurrent substance use in situations in which it is physically hazardous; recurrent substance related legal problems; continued substance ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER THREE - [ Total Page(s): 2 ]Pilot Testing The pilot testing is used to determine the usability
of an instrument. To establish this, the instrument was administered to
ten students of the University of Ilorin, which did not form part of the
final respondents of the instrument. After administration, the
researcher interacted with the respondents, recorded their observation
about the instruments and effect necessary corrections.Psychometric Properties of the InstrumentAn instrument is considered appropriate when i ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER FOUR - [ Total Page(s): 7 ]Hypothesis Three:There is no significant difference in the prevalence of drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions on the basis of age.Table 7 indicates that the calculated t-value of 1.51 is less than the critical t- value of 1.96 at 0.05 alpha level. This indicates that there is no significant difference. Hence, the hypothesis is accepted. Therefore, there is no significant difference in the prevalence of drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions on the basis of age.Hypothesi ... Continue reading---
CHAPTER FIVE - [ Total Page(s): 4 ]Still on the basis of age, the hypothesis that there is significant difference in the motivation for drug abuse among students of tertiary institutions was accepted as no significant difference was found. It then indicates that respondents’ age has no influence in their motivation for drug abuse. Irrespective of their different age brackets, they tend to be motivated towards drug abuse by peer pressure, in order to work better and experiment how it works. The finding thus supports that of ... Continue reading---
REFRENCES - [ Total Page(s): 3 ]REFERENCESAaron, K., Robert, L., Reische, D., Barbara, V., Waggoner, S. & Wagger, H.(1982). Understanding health. New Jersey: Random House Visual Education Corporation. Abdullahi, O. (1995). Typology of research. In S. Jimoh (ed). Methodology: An inter disciplinary approach. Ilorin: Unilorin Library and Publication.Akindelly, B. (2009). Causes, effects and control of drug abuse in society.Retrieved July 22, 2013 from. http://www.voices.yahoo.com/causes-effects-control-drug-abuse-society. ... Continue reading---
