Understanding Drug Use, Addiction, and Effects
Drug: is any therapeutic substance, which, when introduced into the body, can modify one or more of its functions.
Drug Addiction: is the addiction to drugs and is manifested because the affected person experiences impairment caused by the repeated and regular use of drugs. Psychoactive drugs induce changes in perception and mood. The drugs mimic the physiological functioning of certain neurotransmitters responsible for transmitting messages between neurons. Drugs can be smoked, eaten, sucked, inhaled, or injected.
Why are Drugs Consumed?
- Curiosity about drugs
- Peer group pressure
- Pleasure seeking
- Variable family control
- Availability of drugs
Types of Relationships with Drugs
- Casual: Consumption is accidental, sporadic, or isolated.
- Usage: Does not show medical or social adverse consequences on the consumer.
- Habit: No desire, but not a drug craving.
- Abuse: Frequently damages physical health and produces three types of disorders: physical, psychological, and social (impact on the community, traffic accidents).
- Dependency: The person has a compelling need to use drugs to cope with everyday life.
Physical Dependence and Withdrawal
Physical dependence means the body needs to maintain a certain blood level of the drug to function normally. When this level falls below a certain limit, it results in withdrawal. Tolerance appears as the body adapts to the regular presence of the drug, increasing the dose needed to feel the same effects as in the initial stages. Psychological dependence also occurs.
Drug Classification
- From a legal standpoint: legal social drugs, medical legal drugs, illegal and prohibited drugs.
- Depending on their origin:
- Natural: obtained directly from nature, such as cannabis.
- Synthetic: produced in the laboratory.
- According to their hazard:
- Less dangerous: only create psychological dependence, have lower toxicity.
- More dangerous: physical dependence, more toxic, and quickly addictive.
Effects of Drugs on the Central Nervous System
Drugs Sedatives or Depressants
- Alcohol: The most legally consumed drug.
- Opioids: Substances derived from opium (morphine) or produced by chemical synthesis from morphine (heroin). Opiates are used as narcotic drugs to numb pain.
- Tranquilizers and sleeping pills: Legal drugs used under medical prescription.
- Anxiolytics: Pills used to calm anxiety.
- Barbiturates: Reduce all mental functions and permit sleep; very toxic and create strong dependence.
Drugs Exciting or CNS Stimulants
Accelerate the normal functioning of the brain, causing a state of arousal to hyperactivity.
- Snuff: A legal drug made from the dried leaves of the aloe plant. Used in cigarettes. Contains nicotine, a minor stimulant that causes intense psychological dependence.
- Amphetamines: Produced synthetically in the laboratory (speed); major stimulant drugs that provoke aggression and agitation, originating hypertension and arrhythmia.
- Cocaine: Derived from the coca bush Erythroxylon, the greatest stimulant of natural origin. Symptoms are similar to those of amphetamines.
CNS Drug Disruptive
Disrupt brain function and lead to perceptual distortions and sometimes hallucinations.
- Inhalants: Adhesives and volatile solvents produce euphoria and physical and psychological dependence.
- Cannabis and derivatives: The Cannabis sativa plant contains THC, hashish, or marijuana. Produces relaxation and slows the pace of daily life, hindering memory and concentration.
- Hallucinogens – LSD: Synthetic drugs (ecstasy) produce stimulation and altered perception. Repeated use can cause depressive disorders, psychotic episodes, and anxiety attacks.