What is drug misuse and addiction?

All sorts of different drugs can be misused, including illegal drugs, prescription medicines and other medicines.

Drug misuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not attended or using a drug in excessive quantities. Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological dependence on a drug. Physical addiction is characterised by the presence of tolerance (needing more and more of the drug to achieve the same effect) and withdrawal symptoms that disappear when further medication is taken. All sorts of different drugs can be misused, including illegal drugs (such as heroin or cannabis), prescription medicines (such as tranquilisers or painkillers) and other medicines that can be bought off the supermarket shelf (such as cough mixtures or herbal remedies). In the UK we have high levels of drug misuse, including high rates of heroin and crack cocaine use. People who misuse drugs often have a range of health and social problems, which may lead them to misuse drugs or may be a consequence of their addiction. Drug misuse can affect people's relationships and have impacts on their family, friends and the wider community.

What causes drug misuse and addiction?

This depends on the nature of the drug being misused, the person taking the drug and the circumstances under which it is taken. Some drugs for example heroin, cocaine and certain sleeping pills or painkillers are physically addictive. They have a specific effect on the body which leads to tolerance and withdrawal symptoms. Other drugs may lead to a psychological addiction if people have a craving for the effect that the drug causes. There has been some speculation that some people may be more prone to drug misuse and addiction than others. Research is being carried out into whether there may be genes that predispose certain people to addiction. Social circumstances are important in drug misuse. Peer pressure, emotional distress and low self-esteem can all lead individuals to misuse drugs. Ease of access to drugs is another influence. Understanding what the person's motivation is helps to explain why that person is misusing drugs.

How is drug addiction treated?

The first step in treatment is recognition by the individual that they have a problem. The person's GP will be able to advise on treatment for drug addiction. He or she may suggest that the person sees a specialist. Effective treatments are tailored to the needs of the individual. There is no one therapy that is used in all cases. The choice of treatment will also depend on which drug is being misused. The current UK guidelines identify six key points in the provision of treatment for drug misuse. 1. The needs of all drug misusers should be assessed across the four domains of drug and alcohol misuse, health, social functioning and criminal involvement. 2. Risks to dependent children should be assessed for all drug-using parents. 3. All drug misusers entering structured treatment should have a care or treatment plan which is regularly reviewed. 4. Drug misuse treatment involves a range of interventions, not just prescribing. 5. A named individual should manage and deliver aspects of the patients care or treatment plan. 6. Drug testing can be a useful tool in assessment and in monitoring compliance and outcomes of treatment. (See: Department of Health (England) and the devolved administrations (2007) Drug Misuse and Dependence: UK Guidelines on Clinical Management.)

Treatments include psychological therapies and medication. Specific areas that may be focussed on during treatment include: detoxification (coming off the drug if physically addicted) preventing relapse coping with relapse longer term rehabilitation.

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Heroin

Heroin is an opiate processed directly from the extracts of the opium poppy. It was originally created to help cure people of addiction to morphine. Upon crossing the blood-brain barrier, which occurs soon after introduction of the drug into the bloodstream, heroin is converted into morphine, which mimics the action of endorphins, creating a sense of well-being;. One of the most common methods of heroin use is via intravenous injection.

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Cocaine

Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. It is both a stimulant of the central nervous system and an appetite suppressant, giving rise to what has been described as a euphoric sense of happiness and increased energy. It is most often used recreationally for this effect. Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant. Its effects can last from 20 minutes to several hours, depending upon the dosage of cocaine taken, purity, and method of administration. The initial signs of stimulation are hyperactivity, restlessness, increased blood pressure, increased heart rate and euphoria. The euphoria is sometimes followed by feelings of discomfort and depression and a craving to experience the drug again. Side effect can include twitching, paranoia, and impotence, which usually increases with frequent usage.One of the best treatment for drug addiction is to consult with cocaine rehab centers for recovery.

Ecstasy

Ecstasy (MDMA) is a semisynthetic psychedelic entactogen of the phenethylamine family that is much less visual with more stimulant like effects than most all other common trip producing psychedelics. The primary effects of MDMA include an increased awareness of the senses, feelings of openness, euphoria, empathy, love,happiness, heightened self-awareness, feeling of mental clarity and an increased appreciation of music and movement. Other side effects, such as jaw clenching and elevated pulse, are common.

Marijuana

Cannabis, known as marijuana in its herbal form, is a psychoactive product of the plant Cannabis sativa. Humans have been consuming cannabis since prehistory, although in the 20th century there was a rise in its use for recreational, religious or spiritual, and medicinal purposes. It is estimated that about four percent of the worlds adult population use cannabis annually. It has psychoactive and physiological effects when consumed, usually by smoking or ingestion. The minimum amount of THC required to have a perceptible psychoactive effect is about 10 micrograms per kilogram of body weight. The state of intoxication due to cannabis consumption is colloquially known as a high; it is the state where mental and physical facilities are noticeably altered due to the consumption of cannabis. Each user experiences a different high, and the nature of it may vary upon factors such as potency, dose, chemical composition, method of consumption and set and setting.

Drug Categories
Drugs come in various forms, and can be taken numerous ways. Some are legal and others are not. Drug abuse and misuse can cause numerous health problems, and in serious cases death can occur. Treatment for drug abuse is often sought to aid in recovery.

Stimulants
These drugs speed up the bodys nervous system and create a feeling of energy. They are also called uppers because of their ability to make you feel very awake. Stimulants have the opposite effect of depressants. When the effects of a stimulant wear off, the user is typically left with feelings of sickness and a loss of energy. Constant use of such drugs can have very negative effects on the user. In order to prevent extreme negative side effects of these drugs and the impact they have on life, drug treatment centers are often recommended. Types of drugs include:

Cocaine Methamphetamines Amphetamines Ritalin Cylert

Inhalants

Inhalants are sniffed or huffed and give the user immediate results. Unfortunately, these immediate results can also result in sudden mental damage. When inhalants are taken, the body becomes deprived of oxygen, causing a rapid heart beat. Other effects include liver, lung and kidney problems, affected sense of smell, difficulty walking and confusion. Types of drugs include:

Glues Paint thinner Gasoline Laughing gas Aerosol sprays

Cannabinoids
These drugs result in feelings of euphoria, cause confusion and memory problems, anxiety, a higher heart rate, as well as staggering and poor reaction time. Types of drugs include:

Hashish Marijuana

Depressants
Depressants slow down activity in the central nervous system of your body. These drugs are also called downers because they slow the body down and seem to give feelings of relaxation. Depressants are available as prescription drugs to relieve stress and anger, although drowsiness is often a side effect. The relaxation felt from these drugs is not a healthy feeling for the body to experience, to stop abuse of this drug, drug treatment is suggested. Types of drugs:

Barbiturates Benzodiazepines Flunitrazepam GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) Methaqualone Alcohol Tranquillisers

Opioids & Morphine Derivatives

Opioids and morphine derivatives can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, feelings of euphoria, respiratory complications and relieve pain. Types of drugs include:

Codeine Fentanyl and fentanyl analogs Heroin Morphine

Opium Oxycodone HCL Hydrocodone bitartrate, acetaminophen

Anabolic Steroids
Steroids are taken to improve physical performance as well as to enlarge muscles and increase strength. Negative effects of steroids include baldness, cysts, oily hair and skin, acne, heart attack, stroke and change in voice. Hostility is also a frequent side effect of anabolic steroids. Types of drugs include:

Anadrol Oxandrin Durabolin Stanozol Dianabol

Hallucinogens
When taking hallucinogens, switching emotions is frequent. These drugs change the mind and cause the appearance of things that are not really there. Hallucinogens affect the bodys self-control, such as speech and movement, and often bring about hostility. Other negative side effects of these drugs include heart failure, increased heart rate, higher blood pressure and changes in the bodys hormones. Types of drugs include:

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) Mescaline Psilocybin Cannabis Magic Mushrooms

Prescription Drugs
Prescription drugs can be very helpful drugs when used properly and when under the guidance of a qualified physician. These drugs can be used as aids in surgery, to treat medical conditions and while controlling various symptoms. Misuse and abuse of prescription drugs however can be very dangerous. Types of drugs include:

Opiods: Codeine, Oxycodone, Morphine Central nervous system depressants: barbiturates, benzodiazepines Stimulants: dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate