In relation to alcohol and substance abuse, it would be important to understand the following terms:

A drug refers to any chemical substance that when taken into the body, can affect one or more of the body functions. These include substances that are useful or harmful to the body. Whenever we use the word drugs we will do so in its NEGATIVE nuance (in relationship to their unhealthy and harmful effects). Therefore by drugs we mean any substance in the form of food, drink, capsule, smoke, injection or smell which taken into the body through the mouth, nose, or skin, upsets the biochemical system of the body, and especially the nervous system.

Psychoactive Substances refer to drugs that have a particular impact on the psyche of the individual. They produce in the consumer effects such as feelings of surplus energy, euphoria, stimulation, depression, relaxation, hallucination, temporary feelings of well- being, drowsiness, and/or sleepiness.

Addiction is a condition where one becomes totally obsessed and over dependent on substances (drugs/alcohol), physically, socially and psychologically. A person’s life and thinking becomes centered in substances in one form or another.

A person uses for short-term gratification but creates long-term pain and discomfort and continues to use and abuse to relieve pain caused by the substances. It is the last resort in trying to cover pain. Inability to deal with difficult emotions and feelings drives the addict to their substances of use as using gives them that sense of detachment from their fears and worries.

It is a life threatening and life damaging disease characterized by obsession, compulsion, periodic impaired control despite negative effects, and distortions in thinking and especially denial. This disease expresses itself in many ways. It isolates the addict from people (except from fellow addicts) or (when one is finding ways to use).

It enslaves, it imprisons. The addict becomes no more than a puppet where the substance of use acts as the master. The addict ceases to be him/herself/themselves and becomes all mechanical, that is he/she/they use to live and lives to use. Any time becomes using time and all occasions – joys and sorrows, happiness and grief– demands senseless using.

Totally controlled by substances, the addict becomes trapped in his addiction, this is a progressive illness which is fatal if unchecked. The end results are always the same – depressions, isolation, pain, misery, disappointment, frustrations, anxiety and stress, fear, insanity, imprisonment, mental health institutions, and death.

Euphoria is the feeling of emotional uplift, exhalation, being turned on, being high; intense happiness may be accompanied by physical sensations of pleasure. A person can experience euphoria without using drugs, such as the euphoria that can be experienced by the runner, the dancer, the singer, and the lover.

Drug Addict is someone who has used a drug repeatedly and has developed a dependence/addiction to it. This is a man or a woman whose life has come to be controlled by drugs.

Psychological Dependence deals with the urge to use our chemical of choice. That urge rules our lives. In fact the urge to get high again is so strong that we forsake many- or even all – of our values. We remember the good times we had during the early stages of our drinking, and we want to repeat them no matter what the cost.

Physical Dependence has to do with the X factor meaning that you respond to alcohol and other drugs in an unusual/ unique way, you can’t control how your body react to alcohol and drugs, once you start using, you can’t stop even when you want to. You don’t have to feel bad or guilty about that.

Tolerance is when the body of an addict will need an increasingly larger dose of drugs to maintain its balance and biochemical functions or to produce the same/expected effects.

Withdrawal Syndrome is a profile of bodily “demand” if a drug addict does not have their drug of choice when they need or crave it; their body and/or mind will develop a series of specific physical and psychological symptoms depending on the type of drug that causes the addiction. The symptoms and/or signs range from headaches, nausea and general discomfort, to an intense burning itch of the skin, depression, despair, and aggression against oneself or one’s surroundings.

Abstinence is the condition of not taking or using a substance. A person who does not drink is practicing abstinence from alcohol. When a drug user, usually after treatment, stops taking drugs and remains drug-free, that person is abstinent.

Relapse is when a recovering drug or alcohol abuser goes back into continued using of drugs or alcohol again after a period of abstinence.

Lapse/ lip is when a recovering drug or alcohol abuser starts to use drugs or alcohol again after a period of abstinence. This is simply known as “missing a step”.

Recovering Addict is a person who has been strongly dependent on a drug, who is building a new drug-free lifestyle and not currently using drugs (“staying clean”).

Confidentiality is the preservation of private, personal information concerning the client which is disclosed in the professional relationship. Confidentiality is a client’s basic right.

Co-dependency is a relationship between two or more people who rely on each other to meet and provide for their needs, particularly unhealthy emotional ones.

Rehabilitation, is originally from the Latin word rehabilare, to return home to yourself (to be yourself again); meaning this is a long journey. A process of recovering those capacities that have been diminished due to illness or injury is what encompasses rehabilitation.

Recovery is a process of growth and development that involves the whole person. It’s also understood as bringing back what was lost.

WHY PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS

One would be doing drugs/alcohol for the following reasons:

• Curiosity: People learn through observation especially youth. As those around them consume drugs, they also attempt to experiment with the drugs, in order to satisfy their curiosity.

• Peer pressure: People will use to ‘belong’ or be accepted to a certain group. Some people, reason that, ”if everyone does it, why shouldn’t I?” just do as others are doing.

• False ideas and perceptions: False perception that drugs of abuse enhance power of imagination, e.g. smoke bhang you pass exams. Some believe drugs give them extra strength and courage to overcome shyness. Others believe its only alcohol that can really quench their thirst. There are people who take alcohol before eating to stimulate the appetite; the irony is that if this dependence takes root, alcohol will end up doing away with the appetite.

• Frustrations: This may come about due to inability to achieve desired goals or set targets. Others use drugs to avoid the demands of life.

• Family negligence: This is where parents/ guardians fail to spend time with their children, inadequate parental love and guidance, lack of proper communication between children and parents, frequent harassment and insults depresses children (low self-esteem), and may lead one to turn to drugs.

• Urbanization/ westernization: Loosening of family norms and break down of cultural values, pressure on social amenities, services and space creates a harsh environment characterized by crime, unemployment, and poverty that may lead to drug abuse.

• Poor role models: Parents as role models may condemn their children’s use of drugs yet they use them themselves many people start drinking because their parents drink and because they have easy access to liquor at home. People held as public figures, people in authority, celebrities use drugs others glorify the drugs encouraging non users to start abusing.

• Rapid social change: Economic crisis/ prosperity can create situations conducive for drug abuse. Other social-cultural factors include: rebellion against authority and lack of information on drugs.

• Rapid increase in population: The bigger % of Kenyans population is youths and adult youth thus putting pressure on recreational facilities, educational and employment opportunities. Thus increasing the risks of their population getting involved in drug abuse.

• Genetic propensity: This is the predisposition to alcohol and other drug use due to the genetic composition in a particular family.

• Lack of guidance and clarification on drugs issues: Parents and guardians lack enough knowledge and information on harmful effects of drugs and are not therefore able to clarify issues to the youth. Others demand for academic excellence leads to stress. Environmental factors such as: advertisements, accessibility and availability of drugs, music and available reading materials glorifying drugs and success of those who consume them. Pressure placed on youth to meet high family expectations.

• Availability: Most of the times during festivals, parties or celebrations drugs of abuse are passed freely to party goers. Where we stay peddlers and sellers of these drugs are all over.