Drug Abuse: A Comprehensive Overview
Drug abuse, also known as substance abuse, is the excessive, maladaptive, or addictive use of drugs for nonmedical purposes. It involves complex interactions between a persons environment, brain circuits, genetics, and life experiences. Despite the negative effects, people with drug addictions continue to use drugs compulsively.
Definition and Types of Drugs Abused
Drug abuse is defined as the use of a drug in amounts or by methods that are harmful to the individual or others. Abused substances include anabolic steroids, which are used by some athletes to accelerate muscular development and increase strength, and can cause heart disease, liver damage, and other physical problems. Psychotropic agents, substances that affect the users mental state and are used to produce changes in mood, feeling, and perception, also fall under this category. These include opium and its derivatives like heroin, hallucinogens, barbiturates, cocaine, amphetamines, tranquilizers, several forms of cannabis, and alcohol.
Effects of Drug Abuse
Drug abuse has many potential consequences, including overdose and death. It affects a person’s brain and behavior, leading to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. The major problem that arises from the consumption of psychotropic drugs is dependence, the compulsion to use the drug despite any deterioration in health, work, or social activities.
Dependence and Tolerance
Dependence varies from drug to drug in its extent and effect; it can be physical or psychological or both. Physical dependence becomes apparent only when the drug intake is decreased or stopped and an involuntary illness called the withdrawal (or abstinence) syndrome occurs. Drugs known to produce physical dependence are the opiates and central-nervous-system depressants such as barbiturates and alcohol. Psychological dependence is indicated when the user relies on a drug to produce a feeling of well-being. In its most intense form, the user becomes obsessed with the drug and focuses virtually all his interest and activity on obtaining and using it. Another related phenomenon is tolerance, a gradual decrease in the effect of a certain dose as the drug is repeatedly taken; increasingly larger doses are needed to produce the desired effect.
Conclusion
Drug abuse is a serious global issue that affects individuals and societies at large. It is a treatable, chronic medical disease, but it requires comprehensive understanding and effective interventions to address its root causes and impacts. By understanding the complexities of drug abuse, we can better equip ourselves to address this pervasive issue and help those who are struggling with addiction..
