substance abuse

Let us try to understand what these substances do to the human body and mind and why some people feel such an irresistible urge to take these substances repeatedly ending up in substance abuse.

It is the action on the brain which is responsible for causing addiction even though other organs are also affected. The substances either stimulate the brain or depress some centers of the brain.

Stimulation leads to euphoria (false sense of well being), higher level of alertness, feeling of increased energy levels and increased confidence. As the normal function of the brain is altered these people suffer from distorted perceptions.

Illusions and hallucinations are common. These people often enter another virtual world which seems to be more enjoyable than the “real” world. Hence they experience an uncontrollable urge to consume these substances again and again. Once the action of the drug wears out they come back to the real world.

These people develop such a craving for the psychic effects of these substances that they go to any extent in order to get their favorite drugs. They start stealing money and valuables from their homes or from the houses of friends and relatives.

If someone offers them these substances for killing a person they do not hesitate to do even that. Hence some of the victims of substance abuse end up in underworld gangs. Some resort to prostitution for the sake of getting these drugs.

Depression of brain centers leads to a situation when the person forgets his problems, duties and responsibilities. He enters a different of virtual world where there are no worries. Hence he feels like escaping to that world again and again.

He does not like the real world with all its problems and challenges. As soon as the action of the drug wears off and he is forcibly brought to the real world his only thought is how and where he can get his next dose.

To sum up a drug addict over a period of time becomes completely dehumanized. For such a person family relationships do not matter.

He loses interest in all other activities and wants to live perpetually in his virtual world. His life will be completely ruined. He will be a nuisance and threat to any civilized society.

Substances consumed

Not much can be gained by going into all the details of all the substances. Those more commonly abused will be mentioned. Alcohol and tobacco abuse are separately discussed.

Marijuana (Cannabis): This is a commonly abused substance. It is a mixture of flowers, seeds, stem and leaves of the plant Cannabis sativa. The active ingredient is a chemical known as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

It is usually smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe. Some people empty cigars, fill them with marijuana and smoke. It can also be mixed in food or brewed as tea. A concentrated form of marijuana is called hashish.

It causes altered state of consciousness, euphoria, hallucinations, increased appreciation of sensory stimuli and feeling of relaxation. The effects may vary from one person to another.

It may cause anxiety. Long term use may cause depression and suicidal tendency. It may also predispose to schizophrenia.

Cocaine: Cocaine is an alkaloid derived from the leaves of the coca plant. It is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. It can be snorted (powdered form is inhaled through the nostril. It gets absorbed through the nasal mucous membrane into circulation and reaches brain), injected or smoked. Crack is cocaine hydrochloride powder.

It causes euphoria and feeling of increased energy. It also increases heart rate and blood pressure. It predisposes to heart attack, respiratory failure, seizures, strokes, abdominal pain and vomiting.

Opioids: Opioids are chemicals that work by getting attached to certain receptors in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. They are powerful analgesics (pain killers) and are occasionally used in medical practice to treat severe pain. They also cause euphoria and this can lead to addiction.

Morphine and codeine are natural opioids. Heroin (diacetylmorphine), Hydrocodone and Oxycodone are some of the semi-synthetic opioids. Fentanyl, Meperidine (Pethidine) and Dextropropoxyphene are some of the synthetic opioids.

Additional information-When someone dear to you is hooked on drugs such as heroin or opiates, you should know that treatment is going to be really tough, but doable anyway.

Amphetamines: Amphetamines are drugs with central nervous system stimulant properties. Amphetamine is the original drug which has been subsequently modified leading to development of many derivatives such as methamphetamine, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA or Ecstasy), methylenedioxyethylamphetamine (MDEA) and dextroamphetamine.

Some amphetamines are used to treat attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, obesity, and narcolepsy.

These drugs cause euphoria, increased alertness delirium and hypertension. MDMA or Ecstasy is one of the most widely abused substances. Amphetamines can be taken orally as tablets or capsules, nasally by inhaling, by smoking and also as injections.

GHB or liquid ecstasy: GHB is the abbreviation for Gammahydroxybutyrate also known as liquid ecstasy. It is a depressant of the nervous system.

It exists naturally in the brain in very small amount. It is available in colorless, odorless and tasteless forms and is frequently mixed with alcohol and other beverages. At higher doses it can cause coma.

Sedative-hypnotics: As the name indicates these drugs cause depression of the central nervous system. This group includes barbiturates, benzodiazepines and methaqualone.

Barbiturates are derivates of barbituric acid used in medicine as sedatives, hypnotics, anticonvulsants and anesthetics. Some examples are barbitone, phenobarbitone, allobarbitone and amobarbitone.

Benzodiazepines are tranquilizers used to treat anxiety and insomnia. Some examples are diazepam, clonazepam, lorazepam, chlordiazepoxide, alprazolam and midazolam.

Inhalants: Examples are toluene, benzene, hydrocarbons and fluorocarbons. When inhaled these substances cause euphoria and hallucinations.

Others: LSD short form for Lysergic acid diethylamide is derived from lysergic acid which is found in a fungus. It is a powerful hallucinogen. Peyote is a cactus which contains a substance called mescaline. It is also a hallucinogen.

Some mushrooms also contain hallucinogens. Psilocybin is an active ingredient in such mushrooms. Phencyclidine (PCP) is a drug once used as an anesthetic. It is also a hallucinogen. Jimson weed is a plant and its seeds and leaves contain hallucinogens.

SBI!

Substance abuse (drug abuse)-Part 2 Mechanism and substances used

Substances consumed