Is the use of psychoactive drugs. It can also refer to the misuse of prescription drugs or nonprescription. You can abuse these last two if the person takes a drug quantity higher than the normal or recommended, or if used for illegal purposes.
See also:
* First aid Drug abuse
* Drug abuse and dependence
Alternative Names
Or substance abuse, consumption of illicit drugs or psychoactive drug consumption; Hallucinogen
Information
MARIJUANA (also called “grass”, “pot”, “jacket”, “marijuana cigarette”, “hashish,” “weed,” “cannabis,” “Mary Jane”)
About 2 in 5 Americans have used marijuana at least once and about 10% of the population uses it regularly. Next to snuff, and alcohol in some areas, marijuana is the most popular substance chosen regularly by young people.
Its source is hemp or marijuana plant (Cannabis sativa) and its active ingredient is THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids found in the leaves and flower buds.
Hashish is a resinous substance taken from the tops of female plants, which contain the highest concentration of THC.
The drug dose delivered from any particular preparation of marijuana varies greatly, the concentration of THC can vary up to a hundred times because of the polluting materials and thinners.
The effects of marijuana are felt within a period of seconds to several minutes after inhaling the smoke (cigar or pipe), or within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion (eating foods containing marijuana such as “cakes of hashish “).
Because the smoker feels the effects almost immediately, further inhalation can be stopped at any time to regulate them. In contrast, those ingesting marijuana experience effects the development of a more slow, cumulative, longer lasting and more variable, increasing the chances of unpleasant reactions occur.
The primary effects of marijuana are related to conduct, because the drug affects the central nervous system (CNS). Popular use of marijuana started because of its effects of euphoria (feeling of joy), relaxation and increased visual perception, auditory, and taste that can be achieved with low to moderate doses. Most users also report an increase in appetite ( “munchies”).
Unpleasant effects that may occur include depersonalization (inability to distinguish oneself from others), changes in body image, disorientation and acute panic reactions or severe paranoia.
Also been reported cases of severe delirium, hallucinations and violence in which one may suspect the joint use of marijuana and another agent such as PCP.
Marijuana has specific effects that may decrease one’s ability to perform tasks that require much coordination, like driving. Develop impaired visual orientation and sense of time is usually prolonged.
It is possible that learning is greatly affected because the drug produces a decreased ability to concentrate and focus. Studies indicate that learning may become “state-dependent,” meaning that information acquired or learned while under the influence of drugs is remembered more easily when under the same state of drug influence.
The effects of marijuana include:
* Bloodshot eyes
* Increased heart rate and blood pressure
* Bronchodilation (widening of the airways)
* In some users, bronchial irritation leading to bronchoconstriction (narrowing of the airways) or bronchospasm (airway spasms, leading to narrowing of the same)
* Pharyngitis, sinusitis, bronchitis and asthma in heavy users
* Possible serious effects on the immune system.
Among the effects of withdrawal that regular users may experience when they stop using marijuana can include agitation, insomnia, irritability and anxiety. Since the metabolite of marijuana (a substance that forms when the body breaks down the drug) may be stored in fatty tissues, evidence of marijuana in heavy users can be detected until one month after stopping the drug by examining urine.
It is believed that the active component of cannabis have medical properties. Many argue that it is effective in treating nausea caused by chemotherapy in cancer patients. Others say it stimulates appetite in patients with AIDS or is useful in the treatment of glaucoma.
Although the U.S. FDA has approved the active ingredient of marijuana and synthetic drug (dronabinol) for these purposes, the use of marijuana as a whole remains very controversial. At present, cannabis is illegal even for medical use under federal law.
PHENCYCLIDINE (PCP, “angel dust”)
It is difficult to estimate the current use of phencyclidine in the United States because many individuals fail to recognize that they have used. This drug is often mixed with other illicit substances such as marijuana, without the buyer receives their presence.
A survey of students in senior year in 1986 by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (National Institute of Drug Abuse) revealed that over 12% of students had used hallucinogens (substances that cause hallucinations) and that many of these drugs probably contained PCP.
The use of phencyclidine in the United States dates back to 1967 when it was sold as the “Peace Pill” in the Haight-Ashbury district in San Francisco. The use of such a pill never had much popularity because of its reputation for causing “bad trips”. However, its use grew in the mid 70s, mainly because of different packaging (sprinkling on leaves that are smoked) and marketing strategies. Then in the ’80s, became the most commonly used hallucinogen, with the majority of consumers ranging in age from 15 to 25 years.
Although phencyclidine was initially developed by a pharmaceutical company searching for a new anesthetic, their use in humans was not advisable because of side effects psychotropic (mind altering).
Phencyclidine stopped producing be legal and legitimate purposes. Unfortunately, it is a substance that can be made rather easily, low cost, by someone with a knowledge of organic chemistry and, therefore, becomes an ideal product for the illicit drug industry. It is available illegally as a white crystalline powder that can be dissolved in water or alcohol.
PCP may be administered in different ways and rapid effects on the user depends on the means of administration. If dissolved, PCP may be administered intravenously ( “shot”) and its effects begin within seconds. When Sprinkled over dried parsley, oregano, or marijuana-smoking and the effects begin within two to five minutes with a peak at 15 to 30 minutes. When taken orally in pill form or mixed with food or beverages, the effects are felt usually in 30 minutes and tend to reach its peak in 2 to 5 hours.
Lower doses of PCP typically produce euphoria (feelings of joy) and lower inhibitions similarly as with intoxication. Higher doses cause numbness throughout the body, with changes in perception that can cause extreme anxiety and violence.
Large doses may produce paranoia, auditory hallucinations ( “hearing voices”), and psychosis similar to schizophrenia. Massive doses, usually from ingestion of the drug can cause cardiac arrhythmias, seizures, muscle rigidity, acute renal failure and death. Because of the analgesic (pain relieving) of PCP, users who seriously injured may not feel any pain.
Ketamine, a compound related to PCP, has gained much popularity in recent years and is commonly called “Special K (Special K, by its English name).
HALLUCINOGENS
In addition to PCP, other commonly consumed hallucinogens include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide or diethylamide), psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and peyote (a cactus plant containing the active ingredient mescaline).
For centuries, has documented the use of naturally occurring hallucinogens, specifically for religious rites. Mushrooms containing psilocybin were used by native Mexicans, and peyote was common among Native Americans in the southwestern United States.
By contrast, LSD is a synthetic substance, first developed by a drug company in 1938. Today, most hallucinogens are used experimentally, and not regularly, as reported by the majority of users who say use them only once or several times a year.
LSD is an extremely potent hallucinogen, and only tiny doses are needed to produce effects. Compared to LSD, psilocybin is 100 to 200 times less potent and mescaline (peyote) is about 4,000 times less potent.
Hallucinogens are commonly associated with extreme anxiety and lack of contact with reality that occur in the peak of the drug experience ( “bad trips”). These experiences can come back as a “flashback,” even without using the drug again. Such experiences typically occur during times of increased stress and decreased in frequency and intensity if the individual drug suspended.
STIMULANTS ( “stimulant drugs, crack,” “coke,” “snow”, “pasta”, “trip”, “fix” “crystal,” “cross-tops,” “yellow jackets”)
Cocaine
The cocaine has increased dramatically in the late ’80s and early ’90s but is now declining.
Cocaine can be inhaled ( “snorting”) or dissolved in water and administered intravenously. When mixed with heroin for IV use, the combination is called a chute.
Through a simple chemical procedure, cocaine can be converted into a form known as Smoking freebase or crack. Smoking produces a euphoria (elation) is intensely attractive to abusers. Other effects of this drug include local numbness, powerful stimulation of the CNS, feelings of increased confidence and energy, accompanied by a decrease in inhibitions.
The increased use and cocaine dependence is probably related to its specific feature of producing a very pleasurable of very short duration, which encourages consumers to use it more often or regularly to achieve the desired effects.
Chronic use can lead to both cocaine dependence as a tolerance (the need to use increasingly large quantities of drugs to achieve the same effect). Regular users may experience changes in mood, depression, sleep problems, memory loss, social isolation and loss of interest in study, work, family and friends. Because heavy use may cause paranoia, cocaine users may become violent.
AMPHETAMINE
Between the ’50s and ’60s, amphetamines were commonly prescribed for conditions such as fatigue, obesity, and mild depression. Its use in this sense has been suspended because they have a high potential for addiction and are now classified as controlled substances.
Are often abused OTC drugs like amphetamines. These drugs typically contain caffeine and other stimulating ingredients and are marketed as appetite suppressants or as aids to keep the person awake and alert.
If taken in high doses, these OTC drugs may cause the same high and other effects associated with amphetamine use. Regular users may exhibit irritability, restlessness, sleep disturbances, tremors, dilated pupils, flushing and loss of weight over time.
INHALANTS
The consumption of such substances became popular among young people with the “glue sniffing” in the sixties and since then a variety of inhalants have become popular. It is common for school-age children and young adolescents are groups inhalers and this is mainly an experimental behavior among peers and friends.
Commonly abused inhalants include, Model glue, spray paints, cleaning fluids, gasoline, typewriter correction fluid and aerosol propellants for deodorants or hair sprays.
To inhale, the chemicals are poured into a plastic bag or soaked into rags. The drugs are absorbed through the airways and in a period of 5 to 15 minutes you can see an altered mental state.
Adverse effects associated with inhalant abuse include: kidney or liver damage, convulsions, peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage), brain damage and sudden death. The Most inhalant use occurs among teens or preteens who do not have access to illegal drugs or alcohol.
OPIATES, OPIOIDS, AND NARCOTICS
Opiates are derived from opium poppies and opium include morphine and codeine. The term opiate refers to synthetically produced substances that cause the same effect as morphine and codeine.
Opiates and opioids include heroin, oxycodone, hydromorphone, meperidine, propoxyphene and methadone. All these substances, natural or synthetic, are considered narcotics. As analgesics, these substances promote sedation, decrease anxiety and produce a different perception of painful stimuli.
Since the IV is the most common route of administration of heroin, should take into account health concerns related to the sharing of contaminated needles among intravenous drug users. The Complications of sharing needles include hepatitis, HIV infection and AIDS.
STAGES OF JUVENILE DRUG
There are several stages in drug use and, compared with adults, young people seem to progress more quickly through them.
* Experimental use generally between peer groups or friends, the drug is used as a fun and often, consumers can experience the desire to defy parents or other authority figures.
* Regular use the individual leaves school or work more often, worries about losing drug source, use the drug to “fix” negative feelings, began to move away from family and friends. The person is inclined to change their group of friends for different groups who are regular and takes pride in noting increased tolerance and ability to “handle” the drug.
* Daily preoccupation: the user loses any motivation, shows indifference to the study and work, the behavior changes become obvious, the concern for drug use takes precedence over all previous interests of the individual including personal relationships, consumers exhibit mysterious behavior, it is possible that consumption can continue with the use of the drug sales, may increase the use of harder drugs and legal problems of the individual also may increase.
* Unit: The user is unable to perform daily activities without drugs; denies problem; features impaired physical condition, loss of “control” over use; may have a suicidal attitude, the legal and financial problems worse; for this stage may have broken ties with family and friends.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT TREATMENT
As with other areas of medicine, the starting point should be less intensive treatment.
Extensive treatment programs at residential monitor and address the behaviors and potential withdrawal symptoms and incorporate behavior modification techniques and are designed to get users to recognize their behaviors. Treatment programs include counseling both individually (and perhaps family) and in group settings. The programs of drug treatment have prolonged after-care component and offer support from peers.
Drug addiction is a serious health problem that requires complex treatment and support both from the standpoint of physiological and psychological. It is important to make an assessment with a trained professional to determine the appropriate treatment.
SITUATIONS REQUIRING MEDICAL CARE
* If you have concerns about the addictive potential of drugs currently prescribed to it.
* If you have concerns about the drug, either in herself or any member of the family.
* If a person is interested in more information about drug addiction.
* If a person is seeking treatment for drug status in itself or a member of the family
For more information and support, you can also check local support groups that work with the system of the 12 steps-such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Ala-teen-Alanon, or other support groups such as SMART Recovery, Moderation Management, and LifeRing Recovery. See support for alcoholism, support groups for drug dependence.
Psychiatry Consultation
Psychology Consultation
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