Drug Abuse
Drug abuse is the use of illicit drugs, or the abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs. The abuse of legitimate drugs (prescription or over-the-counter) can be done by using the drugsin a manner or in quantities other than directed, or for purposes other than legitimate purposes. See also drug abuse first aid and drug abuse and dependence.
Information
MARIJUANA (also called "grass," "pot," "reefer," "joint," "hashish," "cannabis," "weed," and "Mary Jane")
About 2 in 5 Americans has used marijuana at least once, and approximately 10% of the population uses it on a regular basis. Next to tobacco, and alcohol in some areas, marijuana is the most popular substance chosen by young people for regular use.
The source of marijuana is the hemp plant (cannabis sativa). The active ingredient is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids which are found in the leaves and flowering shoots of the plant.
Hashish is a resinous substance, taken from the tops of female plants. It contains the highest concentration of THC.
The drug dose delivered from any particular preparation of marijuana varies greatly . The concentration of THC may vary as much as a hundred fold, due to diluting or contaminating materials .
The effects of marijuana may be felt within seconds to several minutes after inhaling the smoke (from a joint or a pipe), or within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion (eating foods containing marijuana, such as "hash brownies").
Because the effects are felt almost immediately by the smoker, further inhalation can be stopped at any time to regulate the effect. In contrast, those eating marijuana experience effects that are slower to develop, cumulative (they add up), longer-lasting, and more variable, making unpleasant reactions more likely.
The primary effects of marijuana are behavioral, because the drug affects the central nervous system (CNS). Popular use of marijuana started because of its effects of euphoria (feeling of joy), relaxation, and increased visual, auditory (hearing), and taste perceptions that may occur with low-to-moderate doses. Most users also report an increase in their appetite ("the munchies").
Other marijuana effects may include:
- Blood-shot eyes
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Bronchodilatation (widening of the airways)
- In some users, bronchial (airway)irritation leading to bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airways)or bronchospasm (airway spasms, leading to narrowing of the airways)
- Pharyngitis, Sinusitis, Bronchitis, and asthma in heavy users
- Possible serious effects on the immune system.
The active component in cannabis is believed to have medical properties. Many maintain that it is effective in the treatment of nausea caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients.
Others claim that cannabis stimulates appetite in patients with AIDS, or is useful in the treatment of glaucoma. While the active ingredient in marijuana has been approved as a synthetic medication by the FDA (dronabinol) for these purposes, use of whole marijuana remains hugely controversial. Currently, cannabis is illegal even for medical use under federal law.
PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP, "angel dust")
It is difficult to estimate the current use of phencyclidine in the United States, because many individuals do not recognize that they have taken it. Other illicit substances (such as marijuana) can be laced with PCP without the user being aware of it.
A 1986 National Institute of Drug Abuse survey of high school seniors revealed that over 12% of the students had used hallucinogens (substances that cause hallucinations),and that many of these drugs probably contained PCP.
HALLUCINOGENS
In addition to PCP, other commonly abused hallucinogens include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin (mushrooms, "shrooms"), and peyote (a cactus plant containing the active ingredient mescaline).
The use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, specifically for religious rites, has been documented for centuries. Mushrooms containing psilocybin were used by the native people of Mexico and peyote use was common among southwestern Native Americans.
In contrast, LSD is a synthetic substance, first developed by a legitimate pharmaceutical company in 1938. Today, most hallucinogens are used experimentally rather than on a regular basis, with most users reporting only single or several uses per year.
LSD is an extremely potent hallucinogen, with only tiny doses required to produce effects. Compared to LSD, psilocybin is 100-200 times less potent and mescaline (peyote) is about 4,000 times less potent.
Hallucinogens are commonly associated with extreme anxiety and absence of contact with reality at the height of the drug experience ("bad trips"). These experiences can come back as a "flashback," even without using the drug again. Such experiences typically occur during times of increased stress, and tend to decrease in frequency and intensity if the individual stops taking the drugs.
STIMULANTS ("speed," "crack," "coke," "snow," "crank," "go," "speedball," "crystal," "cross-tops," "yellow jackets")
Cocaine
The abuse of cocaine increased dramatically in the late 1980s and early 1990s but is now on the decline.
Cocaine may be inhaled through the nose ("snorting"), or dissolved in water and administered intravenously. When mixed with heroin for IV use, the combination is referred to as a speedball.
Through a simple chemical procedure, cocaine may be changed into a smokeable form known as freebase or crack. Smoking produces an instant and intense euphoria (sense of joy), which is attractive to abusers. Other effects include local numbness, powerful stimulation of the central nervous system, and feelings of increased confidence and energy, along with decreased inhibition.
AMPHETAMINES
During the 1950s and 1960s, amphetamines were commonly prescribed for conditions such as fatigue, obesity, and mild depression. Such use has ceased as the drugs have a high potential for addiction, and are now categorized as controlled substances.
Over-the-counter (OTC) amphetamine look-alike drugs are often abused. These drugs typically contain caffeine and other stimulant ingredients, and are marketed as appetite suppressants or stay-awake/stay-alert aids.
If taken in high doses, these OTC drugs may cause the same high and other effects associated with amphetamines. Regular users may exhibit irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, tremors, dilated pupils, skin flushing, and weight loss over time.
OPIATES, OPIOIDS, AND NARCOTICS
Opiates are derived from opium poppies. These include morphine and codeine. Opioids refer to synthetically produced substances that have the same effect as morphine or codeine.
Opiates and opioids include heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, propoxyphene, and methadone. All of these substances, natural or synthetic, are considered narcotics. Used as pain-killers, these drugs promote sedation, decrease anxiety, and produce a different perception of painful stimuli.
Because heroin is commonly used intravenously (injected into a vein), health concerns related to sharing contaminated needles among IV drug users must be considered. Complications of sharing contaminated needles include hepatitis, HIV infection, and AIDS.
STAGES OF JUVENILE DRUG USE
There are several stages of drug use. Young people seem to progress more quickly through the stages than do adults.
- Experimental use -- typically involves peers, done for recreational use; the user may enjoy defying parents or other authority figures.
- Regular use -- the user misses more and more school or work; worries about losing drug source; uses drugs to "fix" negative feeling; begins to stay apart from friends and family; may change peer group to others who are regular users; takes pride in noting; increased tolerance and ability to "handle" the drug.
- Daily Preoccupation -- the user looses any motivation; the user is indifferent toward school and work; behavior changes become obvious; preoccupation with drug use overrides all prior interests including relationships; the user engages in secretive behavior; may begin dealing drugs to help support habit; use of other, harder drugs may increase; legal complications may increase.
- Dependence -- cannot face daily life without drugs; denial of problem; worsening physical condition; loss of "control" over use; may become suicidal; financial and legal complications worsen; may have severed ties with family members or friends by this time.
As with any other area of medicine, the least intensive treatment should be the starting point.
Comprehensive residential treatment programs monitor and address potential withdrawal symptoms and behaviors. These programs incorporate behavior modification techniques, and they are designed to get the user to recognize his behavior. Treatment programs include counseling both for the person (and perhaps family), and in group settings. Drug abuse treatment programs have a long after-care component (when the user is discharged from the medical facility),and provide peer support.
Drug addiction is a serious and complicated health condition that requires both physiological and psychological treatment and support. It is important to have an evaluation with a trained professional to determine appropriate care.
Informations obtained from National Institute of Health.