Usually that does not happen, but drugs such as heroin and amphetamines may cause a craving, even after the first use. Once someone has tried a drug he may want to continue to use the drug, thus developing and dependence and addiction. Having obsessive thoughts and creating schemes to get more of the drug may be a sign of addictive tendencies. All illegal drugs are risky and should not be experimented with, however, once a person is addicted to a drug seeking proper treatment is one of the most important issue.
Alcoholism and drug addiction differ only in the type of substance abused. Alcohol is in a liquid form. Alcoholics and drug addicts both suffer from a dependence, tolerance and obsession with a mind–altering substance. Both are progressive diseases and both are treatable through abstinence and rehabilitative treatment.
They are:
- Cocaine
- Heroin
- Morphine
- LSD
- Marijuana
- Sedatives
- Speed
- PCP
- Ecstasy
- Narcotic painkillers
- Amphetamines
- Drugs for treating anxiety
- Sleeping pills
Marijuana is a mood and mind altering drug. THC is a chemical that occurs naturally in marijuana plants and when taken causes a ‘high’ feeling. Marijuana is most commonly smoked, and is also had in the form of various foods. It has not been scientifically proven that marijuana or THC is addictive, however if used over extended periods of time, a person can develop a dependence on marijuana.
Many people rationalize that, marijuana is not addictive, therefore they do not have a problem, but it decreases short–term memory capacity, creates insecurity, obsession, anxiety and agitation.
Many people rationalize that, marijuana is not addictive, therefore they do not have a problem, but it decreases short–term memory capacity, creates insecurity, obsession, anxiety and agitation.
Prescription drug abuse is difficult to detect. He may be preoccupied with going to the pharmacy or drug store in excess.
Cocaine is a highly addictive stimulant. It increases the activity of certain chemicals in the brain producing a sense of pleasure and alertness. Cocaine is usually snorted or sniffed up the nose, however it can also be injected or smoked in the form of crack.
People addicted to cocaine demonstrate a range of signs and symptoms including drastic changes in personality and mood. They often engage in hazardous and careless behaviour, doing things that they would probably not do otherwise. Sniffling, bloody noses, runny noses and dilated pupils are all signs that a person is addicted to cocaine. Changes in eating and sleeping habits are also characteristic of cocaine abuse or addiction.
There is no treatment to cure drug abuse or drug dependence. There are three main goals:
There are numerous organizations dedicated to helping people stop using drugs. Two examples are Narcotics Anonymous and numerous De–addiction centres. Members of these organizations meet regularly and talk about their drug–related troubles. They provide a network of support for each other.
- To help patients stop using drugs
- To decrease the toxic effects of the drugs being used
- To prevent relapse
There are numerous organizations dedicated to helping people stop using drugs. Two examples are Narcotics Anonymous and numerous De–addiction centres. Members of these organizations meet regularly and talk about their drug–related troubles. They provide a network of support for each other.
Withdrawal is the variety of symptoms that occur after use of some addictive drugs is reduced or stopped. Length of withdrawal and symptoms vary with the type of drug. In many cases withdrawal can be easily treated with medications to ease the symptoms, but treating withdrawal is not the same as treating addiction.
Detoxification is the process of allowing the body to rid itself of a drug while managing the symptoms of withdrawal. It is often the first step in a drug treatment program and should be followed by treatment with a behavioral–based therapy and/or a medication, if available. Detox alone with no follow–up is not treatment.
Many substances including alcohol, nicotine, and drugs of abuse can have negative effects on the developing fetus because they are transferred to the fetus across the placenta. For example, nicotine has been connected with premature birth and low birth weight as has the use of cocaine.
Although the chemical substances found in inhalants may produce various pharmacological effects, most inhalants produce a rapid high that resembles alcohol intoxication with initial excitation, then drowsiness, disinhibition, lightheadedness, and agitation. If sufficient amounts are inhaled, nearly all solvents and gases produce anesthesia, a loss of sensation and even unconsciousness.
One of the main reasons people give for abusing steroids is to improve their performance in sports. Among competitive bodybuilders, steroid abuse has been estimated to be very high. Among other athletes, the incidence of abuse probably varies depending on the specific sport.
Yes. Cocaine abusers, especially those who inject, are at increased risk for contracting such infectious diseases as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV/AIDS) and hepatitis. In fact, use and abuse of illicit drugs, including crack cocaine, have become the leading risk factors for new cases of HIV.
Drugs are actually chemicals or substances that change the way our bodies work. When you put them into your body (in any way i.e by swallowing, inhaling, or injecting them, drugs find their way into your bloodstream and are transported to parts of your body, such as your brain. In the brain, drugs may either intensify or dull your senses, alter your sense of alertness, and sometimes decrease physical pain. A drug may be helpful or harmful. In general, a drug is defined as any substance, other than food, which is taken to change the way the body and/or mind function. Mood-altering drugs?also called psychoactive (sy-koactive) drugs?are drugs that can change or affect the way a person thinks, feels or acts.These drugs usually have physical effects as well, but the thing that sets them apart from other drugs is that they work on the mind and the senses. The word ?psychoactive? literally means working (active) on the mind or behavior (psycho).
Some examples of commonly used drugs in South Asia are: Cannabis, Heroin, Opium, Buprenorphine, Dextropropoxyphene, Diazepam, Promethazine, Cough syrups containing codeine etc.
There are as many reasons for trying drugs or starting to use drugs regularly. People take drugs just for the pleasure they believe they can bring. Often it's because someone tried to convince them that drugs would make him or her feel good or that they'd have a better time if they took them.Some teens believe drugs will help them think well, be more popular, stay more active, or become better athletes. A few use drugs to gain attention from their parents. Many teens use drugs because they are depressed or think drugs will help them escape their problems. The truth is, drugs don't solve problems. Drugs simply hide feelings and problems. When a drug wears off, the feelings and problems remain - or become worse. Drugs can ruin every aspect of a person's life.
Positive Reinforcement:A person may use a drug and keep using a drug because the effects are pleasurable or positively reinforcing. Examples of such pleasurablepositively reinforcing effects can include: feeling ?high?, relaxation, disinhibition, relief from pain, tension or unpleasant emotions, being able to sleep to stay awake or achieve enhanced athletic performance.Curiosity:Drugs are talked and written about a lot these days. They are a frequent topic of conversation. Some people may have friends or acquaintances who use drugs illegally. Since curiosity is a natural aspect of human behavior, it is not surprising that many people, especially young people, are tempted toexperiment with drugs, both legally and illegally.
Emotional Pressures:Some people use psychoactive drugs to relieve various emotional problems, such as anger, stress, anxiety, boredom or depression. Others take psychoactive drugs to boost their self-confidence. Some young people may use drugs as a way of rebelling or to express their alienation from mainstream society.People may also use drugs to help them forget about or cope with traumatic life events or situations or to relieve the symptoms of severe psychiatric illness.Social Pressures:The social pressures to use drugs can be very strong. Both young people and adults may feel social pressure to use drugs (e.g., alcohol on social occasions). Children may be especially influenced by their parents? use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and use their parent?s use to justify their own drug use.In some groups, drug-taking the fashionable thing to do. It the badge of belonging and the key to social acceptance. Abstainers are excluded. It is hard to be different; so people go along. Going along may mean using cannabis or drinking heavily to be part of a group which this is the norm without regard to potential negative consequences.Dependence:Some people use drugs because they have become physically psychologically dependent on them. It does not matter whether the drug is mild or strong,whether it was first used for medical or non-medical purposes, or whether it is used legally or illegally. When people continue using a certain drug because they experience discomfort or distress when use is discontinued or severely reduced, they can be said to be drug-dependent.
Previous Drug Use: For most people, trying a drug, particularly using a drug illegally, for the first time is a major step. A single experiment does not mean a person will become a regular user of drugs, but it may remove some of the barriers against trying drugs again.In some cases, people who regularly use one drug are more likely to use other drugs as well. For example, regular smokers are more likely to be heavydrinkers than nonsmokers. Not surprisingly, there is also a high correlation between smoking tobacco and cannabis use. Also, those who start to smokeor drink early in adolescence are more likely to develop drug problems in later life, than those who begin smoking or drinking in later adolescence.
Positive Reinforcement:A person may use a drug and keep using a drug because the effects are pleasurable or positively reinforcing. Examples of such pleasurablepositively reinforcing effects can include: feeling ?high?, relaxation, disinhibition, relief from pain, tension or unpleasant emotions, being able to sleep to stay awake or achieve enhanced athletic performance.Curiosity:Drugs are talked and written about a lot these days. They are a frequent topic of conversation. Some people may have friends or acquaintances who use drugs illegally. Since curiosity is a natural aspect of human behavior, it is not surprising that many people, especially young people, are tempted toexperiment with drugs, both legally and illegally.
Emotional Pressures:Some people use psychoactive drugs to relieve various emotional problems, such as anger, stress, anxiety, boredom or depression. Others take psychoactive drugs to boost their self-confidence. Some young people may use drugs as a way of rebelling or to express their alienation from mainstream society.People may also use drugs to help them forget about or cope with traumatic life events or situations or to relieve the symptoms of severe psychiatric illness.Social Pressures:The social pressures to use drugs can be very strong. Both young people and adults may feel social pressure to use drugs (e.g., alcohol on social occasions). Children may be especially influenced by their parents? use of alcohol, tobacco or other drugs, and use their parent?s use to justify their own drug use.In some groups, drug-taking the fashionable thing to do. It the badge of belonging and the key to social acceptance. Abstainers are excluded. It is hard to be different; so people go along. Going along may mean using cannabis or drinking heavily to be part of a group which this is the norm without regard to potential negative consequences.Dependence:Some people use drugs because they have become physically psychologically dependent on them. It does not matter whether the drug is mild or strong,whether it was first used for medical or non-medical purposes, or whether it is used legally or illegally. When people continue using a certain drug because they experience discomfort or distress when use is discontinued or severely reduced, they can be said to be drug-dependent.
Previous Drug Use: For most people, trying a drug, particularly using a drug illegally, for the first time is a major step. A single experiment does not mean a person will become a regular user of drugs, but it may remove some of the barriers against trying drugs again.In some cases, people who regularly use one drug are more likely to use other drugs as well. For example, regular smokers are more likely to be heavydrinkers than nonsmokers. Not surprisingly, there is also a high correlation between smoking tobacco and cannabis use. Also, those who start to smokeor drink early in adolescence are more likely to develop drug problems in later life, than those who begin smoking or drinking in later adolescence.
Drug use is often described as being legal or illegal (although, for most drugs, it is the possession, manufacture, cultivation and/or sale of the drugs, which may be judged technically to be legal or illegal). Most drugs used for medicinal purposes are legally available by prescription or sold over-the-counter. A large number of drugs prescribed in each year are psychoactive drugs that can be used to relieve pain, calm nervousness or aid sleep.In some countries alcohol and tobacco are legal drugs for people above a certain age. Some drugs are illegal anywhere in South Asia. These include cannabis (marijuana [marihuana], hashish [hash] and hash oil), heroin etc.
