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...
... middle of paper ...
...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.
Substance abuse is just one of the problems facing the United States today. Even though it seems like a big problem, it actually first started in the 1800’s when the first drugs were smuggled. This only began the never ending path of illegal drugs flowing through the U.S.
Many of the problems associated with early sobriety do not stem directly from psychoactive substances. Instead they are associated with physical and psychological changes that occur after the substances have left the body. When a person regularly uses psychoactive drugs, the brain undergoes physical changes to cope with the presence of drugs in the body. When the drugs are removed from the body, the brain craves the drugs that it has become accustomed to and as the brain attempts to rebalance itself without the presence of psychoactive drugs the person often experiences feelings of confusion, pain, and discomfort. The symptoms that are experienced immediately after stopping drug use are called acute withdrawal.
There are three different stages to addiction, the first being the adaptive stage. In this stage, the user is on top of his/her game. They feel as if they can function better while on the drug and are able to handle larger amounts. This is the person that can smoke crack before they go to work and will probably be more productive then most. “Cocaine is a powerfully addictive drug. Once having tried cocaine, an individual may have difficulty predicting or controlling the extent to which he or she will continu...
When a person takes cocaine, it causes a rush. There is between one or two minutes of intense pleasure. This is followed by five to 8 minutes of euphoria, then as the high comes down, an overwhelming urge for more, which may last for a day. (3) When a user is between cocaine doses or halts usage, the opposite effects occur. The user is depressed and tired (2).
A) He gives some of the street names for ecstasy and he calls it the club drug mostly because it is used at raves and such parties. Also goes on to call it the “safe drug”. Then even more he gets an in depth look of how the drugs looks and that it comes in a capsule about the size of an aspirin in po...
The person is dependent on the choice of substance because it seems to get them through the day with no problems or is like a gate way to happiness for them. There are different types of substances defenders such as depressants, stimulants and hallucinogens. These three categories contain alcohol, caffeine, and marijuana just to name a few. In society today, substance dependence is the main source that leads to substance abuse. Once the person is use to using these substances it will become a consistent thing and will also become a part of their daily routine. As an example, my aunt who lost her husband some time ago uses the stimulant nicotine. She first used nicotine as a stress reliever but now it has become an everyday thing. She smokes at least 3 packs of cigarettes a week. Since this started out as a stress reliever it has become a daily routine, and because of the amount of nicotine that is inhaled she now has lung cancer. Substance dependence can often get out of hand if people allow it to. Once the person becomes comfortable with the substance that person often becomes addicted to
Substance abusers seek this impairment for a variety of reasons such as to get away from reality or to escape their problems. In the process of getting this “high” their brain chemistry changes and they become addicted. “Addiction is the repeated compulsive use of a substance even after the person suffers from the physical, mental, and legal consequences” (Williams, 2011). Substance abuse causes many negative effects to the person who is addicted as well as their loved ones. Even though these effects are devastating, the person continues to use because their brain and body are reprogrammed to need the substance. When the person isn 't using the substance they begin to suffer from withdrawal symptoms. “Withdrawal is a physical response to the sudden cessation of a substance that has been used over a period of time; these symptoms are specific to the substance” (Williams, 2011). When a person is suffering from withdrawal symptoms they have mental and physical effects. These effects can range from sweating to seizures. Physical symptoms are usually the first step followed by mental symptoms, these two steps together can last up to a few weeks. (Melemis, 2016). I was recently able to observe at a substance abuse rehabilitation facility where I witnessed a client withdrawing. This client seemed to be agitated and anxious. Also he was very red in
Typically, almost everyone in the world has taken drugs at some point in their life. Whether it be over the counter medication or prescription drugs. People get sick, they have illness, allegories, sexually transmitted diseases or other aches and pains. As you may already know, there is medication for each aforementioned problem. This is called drug use, which is using drugs for its intended purpose. However, the real dilemma happens when people began to misuse and abuse drugs.
Next comes the social use stage. This is the stage where most individuals tend to stop or control their usage. People will try it and occasionally use drugs to “cut loose”, party, and have a good time, generally if, and only if, everyone else around them is doing it. Otherwise they could either take it or leave it and don’t necessarily seek out illegal drugs.
The addict becomes dependent on the drug. The addict uses it, despite having full knowledge of its harmful effects on health. It is considered a brain disease because it changes the structure and functioning of the brain.There is an uncontrollable desire or craving to consume the drug. Addicted people often engage in compulsive behavior to obtain the drugs. The addicts find if impossible to control the drug intake. In case of drug abuse, people start taking drugs in larger doses than the recommended doses. The addict is not able to discharge his/her day-to-day responsibilities in an efficient manner. It effects both the physical and mental health of the addict. Very often, addicts witness extreme changes in body weight. Very often, the addict stops socializing.Sometimes, drug addiction is also referred to as drug dependency since the addict develops dependency or addiction for a particular
Alcohol and drug abuse is one of biggest problems in United States today. It is not only a personal problem that dramatically affects individuals' lives, but is a major social problem that affects society as whole. "Drug and alcohol abuse", these phrases we hear daily on the radio, television or in discussions of social problem. But what do they mean or what do we think and understand by it? Most of us don't really view drug or alcohol use as a problem, if that includes your grandmother taking two aspirins when she has a headache or your friends having few beers or drinks on Saturday night. What we really mean is that some drugs or alcohol are being used by some people or in some situations constitute problem with which our society must deal. It becomes a real problem when using or I should say abusing drugs cause accidents, antisocial behavior, broken relationships, family instability, crime and violence, poverty, unsafe streets and highways, worker absenteeism and nonproductivity, and the most tragic one death. The situation in which the drug or alcohol uses accurse often makes all the difference. The clearest example is the drinking of alcohol, when individual begins to drink during the job, at school, or in the morning, we have evidence that indicates a potential drinking problem. If a person takes narcotic drug because he just wrecked his knee while his physician prescribed playing football and the drug, most of us would be not concerned. If, on the other hand, he took the same drug on his own just because he likes the way it makes him feel, then we should begin to worry about him developing dependence. Even use of illegal drugs are sometimes acceptable, but it also depends on situation, for example in some countries smoking marijuana is legal just like drinking alcohol in United States. Some subcultures even in United States that accept the use of illegal drugs may distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable situation, some college age groups might accept marijuana smoking at a party on weekends, but not just before going to a calculus class. Most of people would accept a fact that a bartender or a waiter who is working at a night club is having a beer or a drink on his break or that a landscape worker is having a cold beer with his lunch on a hot summer day. I'm not saying that it is "OK" but we wouldn't complain a...
them in the situation that they are in, and to know how to get them out. By doing the steps
Occasionally, we have had to deal with watching our friends struggle. By the time we summon the courage to take action or offer help, it is often too late.
There are many addictions in the world, and drug addiction is the biggest. People may experiment with the drug for many reasons. “If your drug use is causing problems in your life, then you likely have a drug abuse or addiction problem”.(Lawrence Robinson pg.1) Many people start out using drugs by peer pressure or out of their own curiosity. Stress, anxiety, lows self-esteem and depression could be another factor to start using drugs. The drug takes over your body and gives you a good feeling that many people tend to enjoy. The urge to use the drug can keep increasing rapidly after the first use. The urge can become so severe that your mind can find many other ways to deny the factor of addiction. Very few drug addicts can feel and realize when they have crossed the line with drugs. A drug addicts mind can build up a very large tolerance for the drug that they start to abandon the activities they used to do on a daily basis like showering, hobbies, socializing and even being associated with family members. The person with the addiction will continue to use the drug knowing that it is harming there body, but they don’t have any remorse. A drug addict will often try to hide their problem, so they can continue to use without anyone’s input. Family and friends may try to use preaching methods or tell the user that they need to stop using the drug. This method is not ...
The use of drugs is a controversial topic in society today. In general, addicts show a direct link between taking drugs and suffering from their effects. People abuse drugs for a wide variety of reasons. In most cases, the use of drugs will serve a type of purpose or will give some kind of reward. These reasons for use will differ with different kinds of drugs. Various reasons for using the substance can be pain relief, depression, anxiety and weariness, acceptance into a peer group, religion, and much more. Although reasons for using may vary for each individual, it is known by all that consequences of the abuse do exist. It is only further down the line when the effects of using can be seen.