Effects of drug abuse and the role of pharmacies

Drug abuse is one of the known substance use disorders that can cause long- and short-term negative health effects. These effects can be mild, moderate, or chronic. When drugs are abused, one of the effects is changes in coordination.

The individual will discover that it is challenging to reconcile the connection between the brain and other parts of the body. This means that what the brain wants to achieve, will not reflect in other areas of the body.

Another effect is the increase in blood pressure and changes in heart rate. This can lead to mental health problems like anxiety, PTSD, etc.

Some other effects of drug abuse are changes in the appearance of an individual’s body, insomnia or somnolence, weight changes, loss of appetite, etc. When it comes to combatting the effects of drug abuse, pharmacies have a big role to play.

The first step is usually to educate people about what they stand to lose in the long run if they continue to abuse drugs. When people realize that it can cause some unpleasant changes in their bodies that they cannot see, they might be motivated to stop drug abuse and seek help.

Additionally, pharmacy consultants are expected to partner with other health professionals like counselors, therapists, etc to help individuals who abuse drugs.

Most pharmacists are usually exposed to people suffering from substance abuse disorder, and when there is a strong partnership in place, it would be easy to provide the individual with necessary help.

Also, pharmacists are in the best position to collate important information about the individual so that they can conduct a screen for chemical dependence. This will help them determine the level to which the individual has abused drugs.

After collecting this data, they can present it to the therapist or the counselor and proffer the next step of the solution. Pharmacy consultants are also responsible for counseling the families of individuals who abuse drugs.

How pharmacists can help to stop drug addiction

When it comes to the judicious use of drugs, pharmacists are at the frontline of helping people get their lives on track.

Pharmacists have a pivotal role to play in helping people retain illness in their bodies and restore their health and wellness in the long run.

However, some people are addicted to some of these drugs and they begin to overuse them. In the long run, they become addicted and it becomes difficult to break free.

Pharmacists who are the leading health professionals in giving out drugs to people in need can also be employed in helping to stop addiction. It is important to note that the basic step in putting drug addiction at bay is by sensitizing people.

Many individuals are unaware of the ills that come with addiction. They are only concerned about the euphoria and delight it provides.

Beyond this, they are unaware that addiction comes with some chronic physical and psychological effects that are most times unpleasant.

Therefore, pharmacists need to teach people that drugs should be used for what it is intended for, and not for other selfish means.

Another way pharmacists can assist in stopping addiction is by identifying the needs of the addicted patient. This involves asking questions that demand a genuine answer.

Many addicts are unaware of what they truly need, and a pharmacist helps to identify that.

Also, pharmacists can play a crucial role in helping addicts seek treatment from a reputable source. This means that they can refer them to an addiction treatment center where they will get treated for their addiction problem.

Even during the treatment phase of addiction where medication is needed, the pharmacist also has an important duty to play by prescribing the right drug.

It is important to mention that when drug addiction is in play, health professionals need to put their concerted efforts to help the addict get their lives back on track. This involves contributions from pharmacists, therapists, counselors, etc.