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;
