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Substance abuse refers to the overindulgence in and dependence on a stimulant, depressant, chemical substance, herb (plant) or fungus leading to effects that are detrimental to the individual's physical health or mental health, or the welfare of others.
The disorder is characterized by a pattern of continued pathological use of a medication, non-medically indicated drug or toxin, that results in repeated adverse social consequences related to drug use, such as failure to meet work, family, or school obligations, interpersonal conflicts, or legal problems. There are on-going debates as to the exact distinctions between substance abuse and substance dependence, but current practice standard distinguishes between the two by defining substance dependence in terms of physiological and behavioral symptoms of substance use, and substance abuse in terms of the social consequences of substance use.
Substance abuse may lead to addiction or substance dependence. Medically, physiologic dependence requires the development of tolerance leading to withdrawal symptoms. Both abuse and dependence are distinct from addiction which involves a compulsion to continue using the substance despite the negative consequences, and may or may not involve chemical dependency. Dependence almost always implies abuse, but abuse frequently occurs without dependence, particularly when an individual first begins to abuse a substance. Dependence involves physiological processes while substance abuse reflects a complex interaction between the individual, the abused substance and society. *
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Substance Abuse
Drug Problem and Solutions :: Church of Scientology
New drug being tested in Africa for river blindness
Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:00:00 -0000
1 July 2009 -- The clinical trial of a drug that could eliminate river blindness is being launched in three African countries. Also known as onchocerciasis, this disease is one of the leading infectious causes of blindness across Africa.
Working relationship between the Russian Federation and WHO strengthened
Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0000
26 June 2009 -- Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, today met Mr Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, during an official visit to the country. The visit has seen the strengthening of the working relationship between the Russian Federation and WHO.
Call to protect hospitals, schools from impact of disasters
Thu, 18 Jun 2009 10:00:00 -0000
18 June 2009 -- WHO and UNICEF today called on governments to strengthen risk reduction measures so that health and education systems are able to cope with disasters.
WHO welcomes sanofi-aventis's donation of vaccine
Wed, 17 Jun 2009 19:15:00 -0000
17 June 2009 -- WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan has welcomed the announcement by sanofi-aventis to donate 100 million doses of vaccine against the pandemic H1N1 2009 virus.
Pedestrians, cyclists among main road traffic crash victims
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:00:00 -0000
15 June 2009 -- The first global assessment of road safety finds that almost half of the estimated 1.27 million people who die in road traffic crashes every year are pedestrians, motorcyclists and cyclists. While progress has been made towards protecting people in cars, the needs of these vulnerable groups of road users are not being met.
Greater equity in health should be a progress indicator
Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:00:00 -0000
15 June 2009 -- Greater equity in the health status of populations, within and between countries, should be regarded as a key measure of how we are making progress, said WHO Director-eneral Dr Margaret Chan today, speaking at the UN Headquarters in New York.
Addiction by Prescription Drugs - Offers details about prescription abuse, addiction, and controversy. Includes two book offers.
Meta Description: [ Addiction by Prescription is the story of one woman's fight for responsible prescribing and informed usage of medications to stop prescription drug addiction. ]
Be Drug Free - Personal site of a drug preventionist and writer. Includes articles, news, and information on alcoholism, addiction, mental health, and youth violence.
Drugs and Teen Substance Abuse - Article summarizing warning signs and treatment issues.
Meta Description: [ Resources, research, information, articles, and books on adolescent substance abuse and chemical dependency. Find out who is at risk, the warning signs, and how parents can be involved in their child's treatment. ]
Drugs, Smoking and Addiction - A perspective on the psychology of addiction, and criticism of the drug war as an authoritarian attack on individual liberty.
Meta Description: [ The psychology of addiction and the authoritarian attack on individual liberty, known as the 'drug' war. Why users become accustomed to drug-taking and the possible consequences. The advantages to government and big business of illlegal drugs. ]
Fact Sheet - Adolescents and Substance Abuse - Information on teenage drug abuse and alcohol abuse, from a provider of residential treatment services.
Meta Description: [ Alcohol and drug use by teenagers and pre adolescents can be recognized if
you are aware of the signs of alcohol and drug intoxication. Catching these problems early on improves the success
rate of treatment dramatically. ]
Issues in Focus: Substance Abuse - Discusses the stance the US Government has taken on substance abuse. Site offers statistics and links to articles.
KCI: The Anti-Meth Site - Methamphetamine discussion forum, chat room, meth information, recovery information, and current headlines.
Meta Description: [ Crystal Meth and methamphetamine addiction support for the recovery and treatment of methamphetamine addicts; information to teens, adults, parents, teachers, or anyone affected by Crystal Methamphetamine offering a chat room / message board, informative DVD's and more. ]
Mental Health - Provides information and statistics about mental health problems related to substance abuse. Site also provides comprehensive information about specific mental disorders.
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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Issues - This site provides information on results from research on mental health and substance abuse by Mathematica Policy Research.
Perry County, Indiana Substance Abuse Committee - Coordinating existing community resources to heighten public awareness and to develop programs to prevent, reduce, and treat substance abuse.
Meta Description: [ Health and social issues in the community are frequently the result of substance abuse. We help coordinate existing community resources to heighten public awareness and to develop programs to prevent, reduce, and treat substance abuse. ]
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Substance Abuse - The Issues - This site discusses issues related to substance abuse and crime. Site discusses the impacts of substance abuse on society.
Teen Substance Abuse - Information on what substance abuse is, early detection and treatment, with emphasis on what a parent can do.
Web of Addictions - Providing information about alcohol and drug addictions. Includes fact sheets, links, and other resources.
Meta Description: [ The Web of Addictions is an award winning web site dedicated to providing accurate information about alcohol and other drug addictions. It contains Fact Sheets on various drugs, current information on the addictions field, and a huge collection to addiction related links. ]
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