1.) Physical Dependence.

Physical dependence on a substance is defined by the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when use of the substance is discontinued. Opiates (such as Heroin), benzodiazepines, barbiturates, alcohol and nicotine induce physical dependence. The speed with which a person becomes addicted to a substance varies with the substance, the frequency of use, the method of use, the intensity of pleasure, and the individuals genetic and psychological susceptibility. Some people may exhibit alcoholic tendencies from the moment of first intoxication, while most people can drink socially without ever becoming addicted. Heroin (or other opiate) dependent people have different responses to even low doses of heroin, although this may be due to a variety of other factors, as heroin use heavily stimulates pleasure-inducing areas in the brain. Nonetheless, because of these variations, in addition to a variety of studies that have been undertaken, much of the medical community is satisfied that addiction is in part linked to a persons genetic makeup. That is, ones genetic makeup may regulate how susceptible a person is to a substance and how easily one may become psychologically attached to a pleasurable routine. Psychological Dependence. Psychological dependence is a dependency of the mind, and leads to psychological withdrawal symptoms (such as cravings, irritability, insomnia, depression, anorexia etc). Addiction can in theory be derived from any rewarding behavior, and is believed to be strongly associated with particular areas of the brains reward system (as in the case of cocaine). It is considered possible to be both psychologically and physically dependent at the same time. Some doctors make little distinction between the two types of addiction, since the result, drug or alcoholabuse, is the same. However, the cause and characteristics of each of the two types of addiction is quite different, as is the type of treatment preferred. Psychological dependence does not have to be limited only to substances; even particular activities and behavioural patterns can be considered addictions, if they become uncontrollable, for example gambling, Internet addiction, computer addiction, sexual addiction/pornography addiction, shopping/spending addiction, eating, self-harm, or work addiction. 2.) Effects on the Drug Abuser Drugs that are smoked, such as nicotine, can lead to respiratory problems, heart disease and cancer. Alcohol consumption can impair memory and damage the liver. Drugs that are inhaled can cause heart damage and kidney, brain and lung damage. Cocaine is another drug that can damage the heart, and it can also affect the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems. Illegal drugs that can damage the brain include amphetamines, ecstasy, LSD and heroin. Effects on Others Pregnant women who take drugs can give birth to children who could have attention problems, impaired judgment and/or behavioral problems that, although not yet confirmed, could extend into their adolescent years. People who smoke cigarettes put those who do not smoke at risk of getting lung cancer or heart disease. Those who inject drugs such as heroine, cocaine and methamphetamine may infect others with HIV, AIDS, hepatitis and other STDs when they engage in unprotected sex or sharing needles. Inhalants Consistent use of inhalants can cause liver failure and impairment of peripheral nerve function. Brain damage caused by inhaling drugs can leave you so badly impaired that you could wind up living the rest of your life with learning and communication problems. Inhaling strong chemicals can cause death when the drug abuser regurgitates and chokes on his own vomit. 3.) => Talk with your children about drugs. Explain how taking drugs can hurt their health, their friends and family, and their future. Tell them you don't want them to do drugs. => Be a part of their lives. Spend time together. Even when times are hard, kids can make it when they know that the adults in their life care about them. => Know where your children are and what the y're doing. Keeping track of your children helps you protect them. It gives them fewer chances to get into drugs. => Set clear rules and enforce them fairly. Kids need rules they can count on. That is how they learn for themselves what is safe and what can get them in trouble. => Be a good example for your children. You might not think so, but kids look up to their parents. Show them how you get along with people and deal with stress, so they can learn how to do it. => Teach your children how to refuse drugs. Kids often do drugs just to fit in with the other kids. Help them practice how to say no if someone offers them drugs. => Make your home safe. Do not have people in the house who abuse drugs and alcohol. Keep track of medicines and cleaning products .

Sadly, because of "pakikisama" or our desire to bond with everyone. Because we want to please everyone, including the people who are addicted to drugs, the people who do it to please them end up becoming addicts themselves. These are some of the commonly abused drugs in the Philippines. Recently, the drug problem is quite alarming.The increasing number of arrested drug traffickers, seizures of big volumes of dangerous drugs, controlled precursors and essential chemicals and dismantling of clandestine laboratories since the conception of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency show the extent and impact of the drug abuse and drug trade problem in the Philippines. The illegal trade of methamphetamine hydrochloride commonly known as "shabu" has grown into a P1 billion-a-day industry, but the drug has now become more expensive, making it the poor mans cocaine no more, antinarcotics officials and international drug reports said. Recently, the average street price of "shabu" in the Philippines ranges from P15,000.00 - P17,000.00 depending on the demographical location (regional, provincial, city, or municipal). The increase of prices of shabu was due to the government success on dismantling of clandistine laboratories nationwide. Thus, these problems don't limit on trafficking and production of drugs but go beyond the problem of drug addiction. Drug addiction is the cradle of heinous crimes committed by persons. 65% of the suspects are drug addicts. Drug addiction respects no boundaries. The worsening drug abuse in the country can be gleaned from the fact that in 1972, there were only 20,000 drug users in the Philippines. In 2004, this figure has climbed to an astounding 6.7 million. Methamphetamine hydrochloride or "shabu" and marijuana are the illegal drugs preferred by one in every 29 Filipinos aged 10 to 44 years. While drug abuse is alarming in the country, the government is strong fisted in the fight of eradicating the supply and demand of illegal drugs.Thus, drug lords, big time drug pushers and transnational syndicates are laughing their way to their banks using the "dirty money" which is the proceeds of illegal drugs and invest the money to legitimate businesses. They are having a field day destroying lives and future of the people courtesy of inutile and corrupt government agencies. The law enforcers cannot do it alone.The prosecutors and judges cannot move on without harmonious relationship. The problem rest upon us. It starts within ourselves. Schools, churches, civic organizations, non-government organizations and private groups and individuals must all do their share and contribute to the battle against illegal drugs. This country cannot afford to waste its future to drug addiction. If the war on illegal drugs is lost, the future of the country will follow the wrong direction. Despite and in spite of the government, Filipinos must remain resolute in their resolve to win the war against illegal drugs.

Drug Problems in the Philippines

Reports of drug related crime are common in the Philippines media. The main concern tends to be towards Shabu which gets the most media attention. It does seem that illegal drug use is on the rise, and this has worrying implications for the future. There is an urgent need to educate young people as to the dangers of drug use, and there is also a great need to help those who are already addicted to escape their misery. Failure to do this could mean there will be further deterioration within many Filipino communities.

Statistics for Drug Problems in the Philippines

A US government report in 2009 concluded that illegal drug use was a significant problem in the Philippines due to corruption and poor law enforcement. There was particular concern expressed about the amount of methamphetamine (shabu) and cannabis production in the area. Drug addiction appears to be on the rise in the Philippines. There are believed to be as many as 6.7 million drug abusers according to figures from 2004- this is a dramatic increase from 1972 when there was only believed to have been around 20,000 drug users in the Philippines. The drug that is most abused in the Philippines continues to be Alcohol they are the second highest consumers of alcoholic drinks in South East Asia.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs in the Philippines

The most commonly abused drugs in the Philippines include:

Alcohol Marijuana Heroin Cocaine Methamphetamine (locally known as Shabu) Inhalants such as nitrates and gasoline. These can be a cheap way for people to get high. Opium Ecstasy (MDMA)

Concerns for Shabu Abuse

One of the most abused drugs in the Philippines is a local type of methamphetamine mixed with caffeine known as Shabu. This stimulant is believed to be the drug of choice for 90% of the Philippines illegal substance users. This is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause people to have intense hallucinations and become extremely paranoid. Some users of this drug have even jumped off high rise buildings because they believed they could fly. Shabu didnt arrive in the Philippines until the mid eighties, but it soon became hugely popular among drug users. Methamphetamine causes feelings of euphoria and the user feels full of energy.

Problems Related to Drug Addiction

Drug abuse leads to many problems such as:

The individual does not have to be abusing a substance like Shabu long before they become addicted. Those individuals who become addicted can become obsessed with their habit. This means that everything else in their life will take second place. The individuals behavior will change. They may become physically violent or engage in other types of bad behavior. Those who abuse these drugs can struggle to keep down a job. They may become unemployable. Young people who use these substances will be unable to perform well in school or college. This means that they will be limiting their future opportunities. When drug users run out of money to feed their habit they will be tempted to turn to crime. This may mean stealing from family and friends or from complete strangers.

Many addicts fall into a life of crime and eventually end up in prison or worse. If the drug addict is unable to escape this behavior it is highly likely to lead to their death. This individual will shorten their lifespan as a result of their behavior. Illegal drug users run the risk of overdose. It can be difficult to assess the strength of illegal drugs, and it can be similar to playing a game of Russian roulette every time the addict uses these substances it is even possible for people to die of an overdose after only trying illegal drugs one time.

Cost of Drug Addiction in the Philippines

The cost of drug addiction is high for the Philippines and it involves:

A great deal of domestic violence is associated with drug abuse. A huge proportion of criminal acts are committed by individuals who are trying to satisfy their drug habit. The economy suffers because drug users become less productive in their jobs or they become unable to work completely. The government needs to spend large amounts of money on tackling drug problems. The resources used by law enforcement alone are a drain. Money that could be spent to improve the life of a family is wasted because one member is a drug addict. It can lead to a situation where the rest of the family is living in poverty while one of them wastes thousands of pesos each week on drugs.

A criminal underworld had developed in order to take advantage of the desire for these illegal substances. The money made from selling drugs is used to finance other criminal acts as well as terrorism. Drug addict can destroy communities. It can lead to a situation where people are afraid to leave their homes because of fear of crime. The individual who falls into drug addiction can lose everything including their own self respect. This miserable life is a waste of human potential.

Treatment for Drug Addiction in the Philippines

There are a number of treatment options available to people in the Philippines who need help including:

Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve step program that supports the individual to escape their addictions. This fellowship is not just focused on stopping the drug use but also on building a life worth living. There are a number of drug rehabilitation facilities in the Philippines including Serenity at the Quarry. It is becoming more common for Filipinos to go abroad to seek the most effective treatment for their addictions. Drug and Alcohol Rehab Asia is based in Thailand and is considered to be one of the leading rehab in Asia.