Drug abuse

Drugs #

• any man-made chemical taken into the body, (broadly) any chemical substance taken into the body;
• but this would include nutrients;
• chemicals which interfere with metabolism/physiology, ours or that of the pathogen;
• (narrowly) chemicals which interfere with nervous system/behaviour/brain/.perception/mental function;
• these are described as psychoactive;
• any chemical used in medicine;
• may be restricted to chemicals that cause harm/illicit chemicals/abused chemicals;

Distinguish between physical and psychological dependence on drugs #

• dependence is inability to stop use/addiction;
• withdrawal symptoms if go without drug;
• g. morning shakes with alcohol/cold turkey with heroin

Physical

• drug necessary for continued functioning of the body (metabolism in the body);
• prevents withdrawal/abstinence syndrome;
• withdrawal results in physical (and psychological)
• withdrawal symptoms e.g. opiates
• caused by drug replacing/imitating natural chemicals;

Psychological

• occurs when drug is needed as a compulsive desire to continue to take a drug;
• Reduces stress/anxiety/inhibitions;
• only emotional dependence/no physical dependency;
• withdrawal symptoms results in psychological symptoms
• changes in lifestyle and behaviour;

Withdrawal symptoms

• tremors;
• cravings/irritability/restlessness/anxiety;
• sweating;
• depression;
• sleep disturbance/insomnia;
• altered time perception;
• gastro interstitial problems/nausea/vomiting;

How you might tell whether a drug is socially acceptable or not

• survey of people‘s attitudes to the drug
• legislation i.e. laws governing sale and use of drugs;
• g. banned by law;
• the number of people who use the drug/prevalence of drug taking;
• the number of deaths from illegal drugs;
• general acceptance or rejection of drug – takers;
• g. it is socially acceptable to drink alcohol
• but not acceptable to inject heroin;

Factors that contribute to drug dependence

• to experience its psychic effect;
• to avoid the discomfort caused by its absence/withdrawal;
• the drug (or one of it metabolites) has become necessary for the continued function of the body; – trying the drug out of curiosity;
• because of peer pressure/lack of self-identity;
• boredom

Drug tolerance and why it occurs with heroin #

• progressive decrease in body‘s response/effects become less intense with time/usage;
• user therefore uses larger and larger doses;

   Heroin

• binds to pain receptor molecules at synapses;
• mimics encephalins/natural neurotransmitters;
• body adapts to presence of heroin and tries to restore original state;
• more receptors made at post-synaptic membranes;
• so more heroin needed to saturate them/have same effect;

Why the use of heroin can result in damage to health

• use of unsterile needles to inject drug lead to blood poisoning/abscesses/skin infections at the sites of injection;
• shared needles may lead to transfer of infective hepatitis B/HIV/AIDS;
• long term use can lead to liver disease/failure;
• can lead to blood poisoning;
• transmission of disease e.g. HIV/AIDS/ hepatitis B;
• deficiency diseases/malnutrition due to reduced secretion of digestive juices/money spent on drugs rather than food/loss of appetite
• tend not to eat well therefore malnutrition;
• tend not to maintain standards of hygiene;
• may overdose as tolerance builds up;
• respiratory/ cardiac centres of the brain can be fatally depressed;
• constipation common;
• street heroin may be impure and mixed with harmful substances, this can cause blood poisoning/damage to blood vessels;
• damage to/collapse of blood vessels or veins due to injecting;
• tolerance leads to high doses/physical dependence/addiction is likely;
• associated life style has risks e.g. violence/crime/alcoholisms
• withdrawal/abstinence symptoms may lead to vomiting/choking/diarrhoea/dehydration/fever/high blood [pressure;
• users can become part of a drug subculture/loose contact with family and friends;
• damage to foetus;
• damage to mental health;

Effects of heroin on the nervous system

• heroin is an opiate/depressant;
• does not stimulate vomit and nausea centres;
• psychoactive;
• binds (with high affinity and specificity) to pain receptors on the synapses;
• mimics encephalins;
• inhibits activities of the neurones concerned with pain;
• inhibits activities of cardiac and respiratory systems;
• gives a sense of warmth/rush;