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"CIRCUMSTANCES LEADING TO DRUG ADDICTION" Drugs In The Modern Society       Most topical areas dealing with promotion and disease prevention have their own special vocabulary of commonly used terms. The drug-problem area is no exception. Therefore, to serve as a foundation for the upcoming articles, some important terms and concepts are herein defined:       ADDICTION- a pattern of behavior characterized by an overwhelming involvement with using a drug and securing its supply, despite adverse consequences associated with the use of drug, and with a significant tendency to relapse after quitting or withdrawal.       ABSTINENCE- condition of not using a particular substance, refraining from using a drug, such as alcohol.       ADDICTION CYCLE- the recurring use of and continued dependence upon a drug because of the perceived effects of the drug.- ie., temporary feeling of enhanced power, confidence, security and creativity. Without these effects, the person experiences lowered self-esteem and mental pain.       DRUG- any substance that, upon entering a body, can change either the function or structure of the organism.       DOSE- quantity or amount of drug taken at any particular time.       DOPING- use of ergogenic rugs to artificially improve athletic competition.       ALCOHOLIC ANONYMOUS- voluntary fellowship of problem drinkers who desire help in maintaining sobriety.       NARCOTIC- drug that has both a sleep-inducing and pain-relieving action; and opiod or opiate.       NARCOTIC ANONYMOUS- self-help group patterned after Alcoholics Anonymous in which recovering drug addicts after help to others seeking recovery from drug dependence.       PHARMACOLOGY- The branch of science that deals with the interaction of chemical agents with living organisms s known as "pharmacology."       WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS- withdrawal sickness or abstinence syndrome consisting of a drastic changes in physical functioning and behavior [insomnia, tremors, nausea, vomiting, cramps, elevation of heart rate and blood pressure, convulsion, anxiety, psychological depression] due to over activity of the nervous system, which are observed or experience after use of a drug by a physically dependent person has been stopped. Drugs Classified As to Their Effects       Psychoactive drugs are classified according to their effects of the central nervous system as:       First, the "Generalized Effects" on the brain; or       Second, the "Localized Effects" on the brain.       Classified under the general effects on the brain are the following:       (1) Central Nervous system depressants [depression or slowing down]- these drugs slow down, reduce the functions of, or depresses excitable brain tissues. Included are ethyl, alcohol, most sleeping medicines and anti-anxiety drugs or minor tranquilizer.       (2) Central nervous system stimulants [or stimulation or speeding up substances]. These drugs increase or speed up the functions of excitable brain tissues. Included are amphetamines, cocaine, nicotine and caffeine.       Classified under localized effects on the brain are:       (1) Affective [limbic] center depressants [ i.e., emotional effects]. These drugs depress or slow down the limbic center of the brain that controls emotional functions. Included are the major tranquilizers, antidepressants, and anti-maniacs. Unlike the barbiturates, there is no depression of the brain's breathing centers.       (2) Psychedelic or hallucinogens [production of hallucinations]- these drugs produce distortions of thought and sensory processes, thereby inducing a psychosis- like state with illusions and hallucinations, often of a visual nature.       (3) Narcotic or opioids [ narcotization or pain relievers]       These drugs, the narcotic analgesics, decrease pain by biding to specific receptors in certain areas of the brain. Included are drugs that are either agonists, antagonists, or mixtures of the two. Drugs Hazards: Their Basic Criterion       Unlike the Philippine Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 as amended, the Controlled Substances Act of USA, known commonly a s" Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act of 1970,Title II", drugs are also classified in relation to personal and social hazards associated with drug use, misuse and abuse.       (1) Very high individual hazard rating: cocaine, amphetamines, ethyl alcohol.       (2) Relatively high individual hazard rating: sedative-hypnotics, heroin, volative inhalants, tobacco, cigarettes.       (3) Intermediate individual hazard rating: LSD, PCP; and       (4) Relatively low individual hazard rating: marijuana. Enter the Body       The branch of science that deals with the interaction of chemical agents with living organisms is known as "pharmacology." This science has 3 major subdivisions, namely:       (1) PHARMACODYNAMICS is the study of where and how drugs act in the body, and how drugs are changed in the body.       (2) THERAPEUTICS- the use of drugs in treating disease. When drugs are used specifically to destroy or weaken invading organisms, the treatment is called or referred to as "chemo- therapy."       (3) TAXICOLOGY- the study of poisons and the treatment of drug poisoning, including intoxication, resulting from the presence of harmful chemicals in the body.       Drugs and other chemical agents to have some superficial effect, must enter the blood-vascular system and must absorbed or transported from the site of administration into the bloodstream and then distributed by the blood throughout the body to various tissues and fluids. Although drugs can be administered in several ways, they are usually given as follows:       1) Given or taken orally such as drugs in capsule, tablet or caplet, pill, o r liquid form which enter the body by way of the mouth. This is known as oral administration and is convenient, permits self-medication and avoids the physical and psychological discomforts of injection. Some are given rectally.       (2) GIVEN OR ADMINISTERED PARENTERALLY [INJECTION].The term parental describes the administration of drugs as such antibiotics, insulin, and anti-clotting medicine into the bloodstream directly or indirectly by injection, without having to be absorbed through the digestive ract. This can be accomplished by intravenous injection [known as mainlining] or intra-muscular injection [directly into muscle tissue; or subcutaneous injection or "skin popping"" [just beneath the skin surface. Administration of drugs by injection:       (a)produces a more rapid response than can be obtained by oral or rectal administration;       (b) Achieves more accurate dosage, since drug destruction in the digestive tract is avoided;       (c) By passes the unpredictable absorption processes occurring in the stomach and intestine;       (d) Provides insufficient time, in comparison with orally administered drugs, to counter act unexpected drug reaction or accidental overdose. Once given, an injection cannot be recalled;       (e) Request sterile conditions in order to avoid infectious disease caused by bacteria and viruses that can damage the liver, heart and other body organs.       (f) Presents a potentially painful situation for the drug taker, and a life-threatening situation if the virus that causes the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome [AIDS] is transmitted by using shared blood-contaminated needles for intravenous injection. [Carroll, p. 89]       (3) ADMINISTERED BY INHALATION.-Certain drugs in mist form can be administered by inhalation, in which chemicals are absorbed into the blood by passing though the lungs. Violative antisthetic gases, paint thinner and gasoline vapors, non-violative aerosols, tobacco and marijuana smoke, and the smoke of free based and "crack" cocaine can pass through the thin membrane of the lungs' air sacs and readily into the bloodstream. Inhalation of drugs produces an extremely rapid effect, because chemicals absorbed into the blood from the lungs go directly to the brain and bypass the heart in their initial distribution [Carroll, p. 89]. The Drug Actions       After absorption of the drugs as administered orally, rectally, parenterally and by inhalation, drugs are distributed in various patterns, metabolized by the liver, and excretion.       (4) Psychosis- i.e. the loss of contact of reality, disorganized thought processes,       (5) Organic brain syndrome- the syndrome may result from longed intake of depressants, inhalants and PCP and the syndrome is manifested by confusion, disorientation, and de- creased intellectual functioning.       (6) Drug dependence- state or condition defined as various undesirable behaviors related with continuing drug use.       Third, the problem of the use of adulterated drugs -i.e., tampering or altering the contents, dosage, ingredients[adulteration] of "street drugs" [i.e., mixed with other chemicals that mimic or even increase another drug's action or use of high-tech designer drugs [i.e., "look alike drugs" ,copies of pharmaceutical amphetamines]; and       Fourth, There is an increasing problems of suicide among the drug users. Also high incidence of HIV infections and AIDS, sexual crimes under influence of drugs being noted among the drug users.       Praise the Lord! Back | Home | Next

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