What is drug addiction? Drug addiction, also referred to as drug dependence, is

a disorder of the brain brought on by the use of psychoactive drugs. These drugs affect some of the normal processes in the brain related to perception, emotion, and motivation, thus affecting behaviour and thoughts.

People are diagnosed as drug dependent if they have shown or experienced three or more of the following, at some time during the previous year:

Psychoactive drugs are those that work on the brain to alter mood, behavior, thinking, and perception. Using these drugs is probably the most common way individuals alter their states of consciousness. There are four major classifications of psychoactive drugs: depressants, hallucinogens, opiates, and stimulants. Let's take a closer look at each of these and their effects on the individual.

Example Of Psychoactive Drugs

How do psychoactive drugs affect health?

First, stimuli from the external or internal environment are received by the appropriate sensory receptor such as the eyes or the ears. Once sensed, these stimuli are converted into electrical impulses. these impulses are then directed along the neuron’s dendrite, through the cell body, and along the axon toward the synaptic junction near an adjacent neuron.

Upon arrival at the synapse, the electrical impulses stimulate the production and release of chemical messages called neurotransmitters. The neurotransmitters transmit the electrical impulses from one neuron to the dendrites of adjoining neurons. The neurons function in a coordinated fashion to send information to the brain for interpretation and to relay appropriate response commands outward to the tissues of the body.

The role of the neurotransmitters is critically important to relay of information within the system. A substance that has ability to alter some aspects to transmitter function has the potential to seriously disrupt the otherwise normally functioning system. Psychoactive drugs are capable of exerting these disruptive influences on the neurotransmitters.

It is truly viral to understand the body’s reactions to psychoactive drugs. Many of us Filipinos would deny it but the truth is we really are a drug-oriented people. We may not be aware of it but the fact that we take pills for an ordinary headache, muscle pains, colds and cough is a very clear manifestation. Many of our elderly are also alarmed when adolescents use street-drugs but never did they acknowledge their own consumption of alcohol and cigarettes.

Stimulants Stimulants are the opposite of depressants. They speed

up the activity in the central nervous system. Stimulants include, but are not limited to, cocaine, methamphetamine hydrochloride (speed), and amphetamines (uppers). Because they speed up mental and physical activity, they often create a feeling of excitement, higher energy levels, and confidence. However, large doses can create anxiety and hallucinations, and can even cause convulsions and death.

The major dangers of drugs are associated with their classification. The following descriptions will gave you a short background:

Stimulants Effect’s

Side Effects of Stimulants

When used in conservative doses, stimulants do not usually cause significant side effects in children. However, clinicians and parents should be alert for the following potential negative effects. Side effects rarely are sufficiently severe to require discontinuation of medications; many are alleviated by changes in time of administration or dosage reduction.

Common side-effects

Appetite suppression is the most common side effect, affecting 50-60% of children. Although minor in most cases, growth should be monitored at least every 3 months early in treatment. Significant decreases in weight gain can often be managed by giving medications with or after meals and by maximizing caloric intake when children are "off" meds (e.g., breakfast, supper and bedtime snack).

Sleep disturbances may occur in a small percentage of children, but are typically transient. Sometimes children actually sleep better on treatment, for they can finally "turn off the off-switch and go to sleep." If parents give the medication too late in the day, surely the stimulant effect will keep the child from going to sleep, but this is not really 'insomnia as a side effect."

Abdominal pain is reported in 30-40% of children; it seems more common in children who take the medications on empty stomachs and may improve with changes in time of administration relative to meals.

Headache has been reported in 20-40%; as with abdominal pain, this may improve when medication are given after meals rather than before.

Depressants Sometimes called “downers,” these drugs come in

multicolored tablets and capsules or in liquid form. Some drugs in this category, such as Zyprexa, Seroqueland Haldol, are known as “major tranquilizers” or “antipsychotics,” as they are supposed to reduce the symptoms of mental illness. Depressants such as Xanax, Klonopin, Halcion and Librium are often referred to as “benzos” (short for benzodiazepines1). Other depressants, such as Amytal, Numbutal and Seconal, are classed as barbiturates—drugs that are used as sedatives and sleeping pills. Some of the well-known brand and street names can be found

as Zyprexa, Seroquel and Haldol

Depressants Long-TermEffects Tolerance to many depressants can develop rapidly, with larger doses needed to

achieve the same effect. The user, trying to reach the same high, may raise the dose to a level that results in coma or death by overdose.

Long-term use of depressants can produce depression, chronic fatigue, breathing difficulties, sexual problems and sleep problems. As a dependency on the drug increases, cravings, anxiety or panic are common if the user is unable to get more.

Withdrawal symptoms include insomnia, weakness and nausea. For continual and high-dose users, agitation, high body temperature, delirium, hallucinations and convulsions can occur. Unlike withdrawal from most drugs, withdrawal from depressants can be life-threatening.

These drugs can also increase the risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain (instances of up to 100 pounds have been reported).

In a study conducted by USA Today, based on Food and Drug Administration data over a four-year period, antipsychotics (a type of depressant) were the prime suspects in forty-five deaths caused by heart problems, choking, liver failure and suicide.

“I have overdosed twice off of prescription pills (Zyprexa) and had a close friend die of the same drug....There is no worse feeling than knowing that your friend is dead because you gave him pills you knew relatively little about.” —Linda

Depressants Short-Term Effects Slow brain function Slowed pulse and breathing Lowered blood pressure Poor concentration Confusion Fatigue2 Dizziness Slurred speech Fever Sluggishness Visual disturbances Dilated pupils Disorientation, lack of coordination Depression Difficulty or inability to urinate Addiction

Hallucinogens Hallucinogens interfere with your normal thought

processes, altering your perceptions and affecting your senses. Popular hallucinogens include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (mushrooms), and mescaline (peyote). The effects of hallucinogens vary from person to person, and also vary with each use. When a person uses hallucinogens, he is often said to be “tripping.” This trip could range anywhere from a pleasant period of enlightenment to the most hellish of nightmares. Hallucinogens can cause sensory hallucinations (hence the name), the most common being visual hallucinations.

Inhalants “Inhalants” refers to the vapors from toxic substances which are inhaled to reach a quick

high. Of more than 1,000 household and other common products that could be abused as inhalants, most often used are shoe polish, glue, toluene,1 gasoline, lighter fluid, nitrous oxide2 or “whippets,” spray paint, correction fluid, cleaning fluid, amyl nitrite3 or “poppers,” locker room deodorizers or “rush,” and lacquer thinner or other paint solvents.

Most of these produce effects similar to anesthetics, which slow down the body’s functions. After an initial high and loss of inhibition comes drowsiness, light-headedness and agitation.

The chemicals are rapidly absorbed through the lungs into the bloodstream and quickly reach the brain and other organs, sometimes causing irreversible physical and mental damage.

Users inhale the chemical vapors directly from open containers (“sniffing”) or breathe the fumes from rags soaked in chemicals (“huffing”). Some spray the substance directly into the nose or mouth, or pour it onto their collar, sleeves or cuffs and sniff them periodically. In “bagging,” the user may inhale fumes from substances inside a paper or plastic bag. Bagging in a closed area greatly increases the chances of suffocation.

“Poppers” and “whippets,” sold at concerts and dance clubs, are composed of poisonous chemicals that can permanently damage the body and brain.

HOW DO INHALANTS AFFECT YOUR BODY?

Inhalants starve the body of oxygen and force the heart to beat irregularly and more rapidly.

Users can experience nausea and nosebleeds and lose their sense of hearing or smell. Chronic use can lead to muscle wasting and reduced muscle tone, and the poisonous chemicals gradually damage the lungs and the immune system.

An inhalant user risks Sudden Sniffing Death Syndrome. Death can occur the first time or the hundredth time an inhalant is used.

INHALANTS’ EFFECTS Most inhalants act directly on the nervous system to produce mind-

altering effects. Within seconds, the user experiences intoxication and other effects similar to those from alcohol. There are a variety of effects that may be experienced during or shortly after use, including:

Slurred speech Drunk, dizzy or dazed appearance Inability to coordinate movement Hallucinations and delusions Hostility Apathy Impaired judgment Unconsciousness Severe headaches

Drug Misuse The term misuse in this document refers to the illegal or illicit drug taking or

alcohol consumption which leads a person to experience social, psychological, physical or legal problems related to intoxication or regular excessive consumption and/or dependence.

Drug misuse is therefore drug taking which causes harm to the individual, their significant others or the wider community. By definition those requiring drug treatment are drug misusers.

Drug misuse is defined as the use of a substance for a purpose not consistent with legal or medical guidelines (WHO, 2006). It has a negative impact on health or functioning and may take the form of drug dependence, or be part of a wider spectrum of problematic or harmful behaviour (DH, 2006b). In the UK, the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) characterises problem drug use as a condition that may cause an individual to experience social, psychological, physical or legal problems related to intoxication and/or regular excessive consumption, and/or dependence (ACMD, 1998).

Drugs of abuse alter the way people think, feel, and behave by disrupting neurotransmission, the process of communication between brain cells. Over the past few decades, studies have established that drug dependence and addiction are features of an organic brain disease caused by drugs' cumulative impacts on neurotransmission. Scientists continue to build on this essential understanding with experiments to further elucidate the physiological bases for drug abuse vulnerability as well as the full dimensions and progression of the disease. The findings provide powerful leads to new medications and behavioral treatments.

Drug Misuse Effects