Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse is generally defined as the use of a drug with such frequency

that the user has physical or mental harm or it impairs social abilities. The

substances that are discussed in this report are called psychoactive drugs;

those drugs that influence or alter the workings of the mind, affect moods,

emotions, feelings, and thinking processes.

Drug Dependence/Addiction

There are three basic characteristics that indicate that the user is

dependent on a drug. First, the user continues to use the drug for an extended

period of time. Second, the user finds it difficult to stop using the drug. They

may drop out of school, steal, go to jail, lose their jobs, or leave their

families in order to keep using. Finally, the user has withdrawal symptoms when

drug use is stopped. They may undergo physical pain or mental distress.

The drug mimics a natural process in the brain called neurotransmission.

This is when a brain cell releases a signal to another brain cell. The signal

then returns to the first brain cell. The signal is called a neurotransmitter.

One major neurotransmitter is called dopamine, which is involved in feelings of

pleasure. When the drug is released into the brain, it blocks the dopamine from

returning to the first brain cell. Repeated use changes the brain cells so that

normal messages can't be sent between brain cells. The drug must always be

present in order for neurotransmissions to take place. The user is only able to

feel pleasure from the cocaine rather than the things he/she used to find

pleasurable. This is called drug addiction or dependence.

Drug Classification

Drugs are generally categorized into two groups, stimulants and

depressants. Stimulants are drugs that speed up signals through the nervous

system. They produce alertness, arousal and excitability. They also inhibit

fatigue and sleep. They include the amphetamines, such as cocaine, caffeine, and

nicotine. Depressants slow down the signals through the nervous system. They

produce relaxation, lowering of anxiety, drowsiness, and sleep. They include

sedatives (such as barbiturates, alcohol, and tranquilizers) and narcotics

(heroin, morphine, opium, codeine), which dull the mind's perception of pain.

Some drugs are not included in the stimulant/depressant categories. An

example is the hallucinogens, such as PCP and LS...

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...nclude nausea, diarrhea, and pain,

but they vary between drugs. Cocaine users report depression when denied the

drug. Since heroin is a very addictive drug, it has many withdrawal symptoms.

For example, insomnia, muscle cramps, nausea, sweating, chills, panic, tremors,

loss of appetite, yawning, runny nose, and watery eyes.

Drug Treatment

A drug addict generally goes through denial before he/she accepts

his/her drug addiction. When they are confronted by a family member or friend,

they refuse to accept that they are addicted. This is sometimes called a mental

block. The user isn't ready or able to deal with thier addiction. The time

period of denial varies from person to person.

When the person has come to accepting their problem, they may go to

therapy for treatment. Group therapy has had excellent results. They learn to

come to terms with their problem with the support of other people who are going

through the same thing that they are. They also learn tools that they can use to

help them through the recovery period, such as prayer, excercise, and meditation.

Drug abuse is a serious problem, but through treatment and therapy, it can be

overcome.