Biology

DRUG ABUSE

PREPARED BY:MUHAMAD NABEEL UDDIN

Definitions
"Drug abuse is the use of illegal drugs, or the misuse

of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for at least a year with negative consequences1.

Drug: is a chemical that alters the functioning of

living tissues2. Drugs can be used medically to improve health of an individual. However, when drugs are used in excessive amounts for non medical purposes, this is called drug abuse 3.

 Name some drugs that are abused

Prescription drugs e.g. Tranquilizers (valium), antibiotics, steroids, and yes, caffeine ? ? ? ?

Why do people abuse drugs?

To fit in (usually due to peer pressure) To relieve boredom Curiosity/experiment

Genetic factor
Escape from reality/ stress/ depression/anxiety

How can those causes be prevented?

Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol in alcoholic beverages acts as a depressant of

the CNS when used in small amounts. Users feel more relaxed from anxiety, and become more self confident2. Symptoms of Alcoholism

Craving urge to consume more alcohol Loss of control- cannot limit amount of drinks Physical dependence- nausea, sweating, anxiety after withdrawal from alcohol Tolerance- large quantity of alcohol needed

An alcoholic?

Physiological effect of alcohol abuse

Can be absorbed quickly into the body Affect thinking, movement and coordination Weaken immune system ( this can therefore lead to?) Cause damage to male and female reproductive

systems Long term effects

Increase risk of cancer: Mouth, Oesophagus, and Throat, liver or breast Cardiomyopathy- enlargement of heart High blood pressure Stroke

Cardiomyopathy- Enlarged heart

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy is a disorder in which excessive, habitual use of alcohol weakens the heart muscle so that it cannot pump blood efficiently.

Social Effects of Alcoholism

Family problems
Arguments Domestic violence Divorce

Work problems
Poor performance at work Increased chance of causing accidents due to error in judgment Absenteeism

Increase risk of sexual abuse

Approximately one-half of those cases (rape) involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, victim, or both (6)

Economic effects
Loss of employment : No income poverty Significant portion of income may be spend on

purchasing alcohol Cost of health related illness increase Less productivity at work company affected countrys economy is affected Losses due to accidents at workplace

Cocaine

Cocaine
Smoking/inhaling cocaine produces a nearly instant

and intense sense of joy (euphoria), which is attractive to abusers. Other effects includes
Increased confidence and energy Local numbness ( also used as anesthetic in medical science) Stimulate nervous system

Negative effects of cocaine use

Regular users of cocaine may need larger amounts of

the drug to feel these effects (become desensitized)

Regular users of cocaine may experience
Loss of interest in school, friends, and family Memory loss Mood swings Sleep problems Social withdrawal- antisocial behavior, become voilent

 Some other effects include

Damage to heart, brain and other body organs High blood pressure Irregular heart rate (usually very fast) Dilates pupil Sudden death even from occasional usage (e.g. due to heart failure)

References

1. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001945.htm 2. Anne Tindale, Biology: A concise revision course for CXC. Stanley Thornes (Publishers) Ltd. 3. Caribbean Examination Council. Biology, Resource for teachers. Book 5 4. http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/alcohol-health/alcohols-effects-body 5. http://www.adf.org.au/policy-advocacy/alcohol-and-its-effects 6. http://pubs.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/arh25-1/43-51.htm 7. http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/cocaine-use-and-its-effects 8. http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=http://remedytip.com/wpcontent/uploads/2013/03/The-Warning-Signs-of-Crack-Cocaine-Abuse.png 10. http://www.healthcentral.com/ency/408/imagepages/18070.html

THE END
Slides prepared by: Muahamd Nabeel Uddin

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