Drug Use and Abuse

Etymology
Drug is thought to originate from Old French
"drogue", possibly deriving later into "droge-vate" from
Middle Dutch meaning "dry barrels", referring to

A drug is a chemical substance that acts upon the

brain and nervous system and changes a persons mood,
emotion, or state of consciousness.

Drugs are often classified by what kind of effect they

have.
stimulants - such as cocaine, are drugs that make people
feel full of energy,
depressants (or sedatives) - such as heroin, are drugs that
make people feel relaxed, and
hallucinogens - such as LSD, are drugs that make people
see, feel and/or hear things that are not real.

Psychoactive Drugs Their Effects and Uses

Drug Group
and Example

Opiates: opium,
morphine, heroin,
methadone, codeine,
meperidine

Typical Short Term Effects

Medical Uses

Pain relief: euphoria (an

Some opiates
exaggerated feeling of wellare used to
being); lethargy, apathy, and
control pain.
inability to concentrate;
lowered responsiveness to
frustration, hunger, and sexual
stimulation; nausea and
vomiting.

Comments

Use of opiates
often leads to
physical and
psychological
dependence.

Central nervous
system depressants:
alcohol, barbiturates
(seconal, nembutal,
amytal, tuinal)
methaqualone
(quaalude),
diazepam (valium)

Reduced anxiety,
mod changes
(obstinacy,
irritability, and
abusiveness are
common), muscular
incoordination,
slurring of speech,
drowsiness or sleep)

Some CNS

depressants are
prescribed for
insomnia and anxiety,
to control seizues, and
to calm patients before
operations and other
medical or dental
procedures

Long-term use of
CNS depressants
can lead to
dependence even at
prescribed dosages.
Withdrawal
symptoms are severe
and resemble the
DTs of alcoholism.

Central
nervous
system
stimulants:
cocaine,
amphetamine,
nicotine,
caffeine

Accelerated heart rate

inceased blood pressure,
constriction of blood
vessels, dilation and
pupils of the eyes and
bronchial tubes,
increased gastric and
adrenal secretions,
greater muscular tension,
increased motor activity,
euphoria, increased
alertness, reduction of
fatigue, disturbance of
sleep patterns

Amphetamines are

sometimes used to curb

appetite. Amphetamine-like
drugs have been used to
treat children and young
adults who have attentiondeficit disorder with
hyperactivity. Caffeine is

available without a
prescription and is
commonly taken to reduce
fatigue.

Taking amphetamines to cope with

a passing situation cramming for
exams or driving long distances 0
can be dangerous because judgment
is impaired and the user may
suddenly fall asleep when the
effects wear off.
High doses of caffeine can cause
nervousness, irritability, headache,
disturbed sleep, gastric irritation or
peptic ulcers, and aggravation of
the symptoms of premenstrual
syndrome. Caffeine is a
dependency producing drug
withdrawal symptoms include
headache and irritability.

Marijuana and
other cannabis
products

Increased heart rate, dilation of

certain blood vessels in the
eyes, euphoria heightened
subjective sensory experiences
and sensory distortion, slowing
down of time sense, relaxation
impaired memory function,
disturbed thought patterns,
attention lapses, subjective
feelings of depersonalization.

Marijuana is sometimes
used to reduce nausea
and improve appetite
during cancer
chemotherapy; it is
being studied for
possible use in cretin
forms of glaucoma, an
eye disease that causes
blindness

Marijuana use
during pregnancy
can result in low
birth weight and
neurological
problems.

Psychedelics:
LSD, mescaline,
psilocybin, STP,
DMT

Altered states of
The therapeutic potential
consciousness
of hallucinogens has not
(changes in mood,
been clearly determined
thinking, and
perception) dilation
of the pupils,
dizziness, weakness,
nausea, panic,
intellectual
impairment,
psychological
disturbances.

Many psychedelics
induce tolerance within
a few days of use.
Even after the chemical
effects of a psychedelic
have worn off,
spontaneous flashbacks
and other psychological
disturbances can occur.

Deliriants:
phencyclidine
(PCP), inhalants
(chemicals found in
some glues, gases
in aerosols,
kerosene, gasoline,
butyl nitrate,
nitrous oxide)

Impairment of brain PCP is used as an

function
animal anesthetic.
characterized by
mental confusion,
emotional
excitement, and
distortion of sensory
input; convulsions;
memory
impairment; coma

High concentrations
of inhalants in the
blood can cause
brain, liver, and
kidney damage or
even asphyxiation.

Designer drugs:
Similar to specific
fentanyl derivatives,
other drugs.
including white;
meperidine derivatives;
mescaline
methamphetamine
derivatives, including
MDA and MDMA, or
Ecstasy, and
phencyclidine, or PCT
derivatives

These substances are

made illicitly and are
intended solely as
street drugs. They
have no known
therapeutic effects

Each of the designer drugs

has its own set of risks
for example, parkinsonism,
including drooling,
neurological symptoms, is
associated with analogs of
the drug meperidine; an
overdose of MDMA can
cause life threatening
disturbances in heart
rhythm, high blood
pressure, and seizures.

Drug Use
People begin using drugs for a variety of reasons
experimenting, giving in to peer pressure, excitement

Drug misuse is when a person regularly takes one, or more, drugs in

order to change their mood, emotion and/or state of consciousness.

Addiction

One of the biggest risks associated with drug misuse is that a person
can develop a drug addiction.

Physical addiction - where a person experiences withdrawal symptoms, such as

nausea, vomiting, or cramping if the supply of the drug is suddenly withdrawn.
Psychological addiction - is where a person develops a psychological compulsion,
or need, to regularly use a drug. If the drug is withdrawn, they do not experience any
physical symptoms but they may experience psychological symptoms, such as
depression, anxiety, and irritability.

Drug Abuse

Drug abuse is a serious public health problem that affects almost every
community and family in some way. Each year drug abuse results in around 40
million serious illnesses or injuries among people in the United States. Abused
drugs include

Amphetamines
Anabolic steroids
Club drugs
Cocaine
Heroin
Inhalants
Marijuana
Prescription drugs

Drug abuse also plays a role in many major social problems, such as drugged
driving, violence, stress and child abuse. Drug abuse can lead to homelessness,
crime and missed work or problems with keeping a job. It harms unborn babies
and destroys families..

Drug dependence
Why do some but not all people become drug dependent? The
answer seems to be a combinations of physical, psychological, and
social factors.

Sudden withdrawal or emotional distance

Rebellious or unusually irritable behavior
Loss of interest in usual activities or hobbies
Decline in school performance
Changes in sleeping or eating habits
Frequent borrowing of money

Prevention of Drug Abuse

As with every health issue covered in the

book, the best solution to the drug abuse problem
is prevention. While the government tends to focus
on stopping the production, importation and
distribution of illicit drugs, it is equally important to
develop creative and persuasive ant drug
educational programs and to disseminate accurate
information about the adverse health effects of
drugs.

What to do Instead of Drugs

Bored? Go for a walk or a run; stimulate your senses at a museum or a
movie; challenge your mind with a new game or book, introduce yourself to
someone new.
Stressed? Practice relaxation or visualization; try to slow down and open your
senses to the natural work; get some exercise.
Shy, lonely? Talk to a counselor; enroll in a shyness clinic; learn and practice
communication techniques.
Feeling low on self-esteem? Focus on the areas in which you are competent;
give yourself credit for the things you do well.

Depressed, anxious? Talk to a friend, parent, or counselor.

Apathetic, lethargic? Force yourself to get up and get some exercise to
energize yourself; assume responsibility for someone or something
outside yourself; volunteer.
Searching for meaning? Try yoga or meditation; explore spiritual
experiences through religious groups, church prayer, or reading.