General Information on Drug Addiction.

General Trivia

Drug abuse or substance abuse is an illness that is characterised by a destructive patterned use of (mostly) illegal or legal drugs or medication. The condition affects the person’s brain and behaviour such that they are unable to control the use of drug to the point that it interferes with their ability to function. Drug user consumes the substance in amounts or with methods that are harmful to themselves or others. Drug abuses can cause long term damage to the body. Drug addicts who use needles are at a greater risk of having HIV and Hepatitis B & C infections.

Some Common Used Drugs

  • Alcohol
  • Cocaine
  • Opioids
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Cannabis
  • Barbiturates
  • Amphetamine
  • Hallucinogens
  • Inhalants
  • Club Drugs

There are over 200 million drug users around the world & the problem keeps increasing at an alarming rate especially among young adults under age of 30.

Why is it used?

Clinically observed association of drug abuse & depression is well known, but its temporal sequence is difficult to determine. Illicit drugs (mostly) are depressogens, the repeated use of which produce both the subjective feelings of depression & neurovegetative signs. Sleep, appetite disturbances, cognitive impairment & decreased energy characteristics of depressed syndrome.

Why is it used by Kaplan:

Kaplan found that: among adolescents, lowered self-esteem initiated drug use which then produced an improvement in self esteem. Meaning depressive symptomatology preceded drug use.

Why is it used by Kandel:

Kandel observed depressive mood was only a weak predictor of marijuana initiated among non-drug users, but an important factor in the first use of other illicit drugs among adolescents who were already marijuana users.

Treatment

Treatment medications, such as methadone, buprenorphine, and naltrexone (including a new long-acting formulation), are available for individuals addicted to opioids, while nicotine preparations (patches, gum, lozenges, and nasal spray) and the medications varenicline and bupropion are available for individuals addicted to tobacco. Disulfiram, acamprosate, and naltrexone are medications available for treating alcohol dependence, which commonly co-occurs with other drug addictions, including addiction to prescription medications. Apart from this people need to understand this is not a problem, its a disease and can be cured. The patient needs constant care, love, affection so as he gets out of it and stay out for better good of himself as well as his family.