DRUG ADDICTION
A drug is a chemical substance associated with distinct physical or psychological effects. It alters a person’s normal bodily processes or functions. From a pharmacological viewpoint, a drug is any substance other than food that chemically alters the structure or function of a living organism. In medical parlance, a drug is a substance prescribed by a physician or manufactured expressly to treat and prevent disease and ailment by its chemical nature and its effect on the structure and functions of a living organism. In a sociological context, the term drug denotes any habit-forming substance that directly affects the brain or nervous system. More precisely, it refers to any chemical substance that affects physiological functions, mood, perception, or consciousness, has the potential for misuse, and may be harmful to the user or society.
Addiction: The term addiction is used rather loosely to refer to any habitual or frequent use of a drug, with or without dependence. In fact, addiction is a complex phenomenon that involves the drug user’s physical and psychological condition, the type of drug, and the amount and frequency of use. It is a state whereby the body requires continued administration of the drug in order to function.
Drug dependence denotes habitual or frequent use of a drug. Drug dependence is of two types:
Physical Dependence: It refers to the body’s need for a drug. It exists when the use of a drug is stopped and may result in withdrawal symptoms such as vomiting, fever, hypertension, etc.
Psychological Dependence: It refers to the mind’s need for a drug. It is a craving or a strong psychological need for pleasurable mental effects produced by a drug.
Drug abuse is a disorder that is characterized by a destructive pattern of using a substance that leads to significant problems or distress; it is a kind of disease which leads to significant problems involving tolerance or withdrawal from the substance cause for the sufferer. The conditions of modern society often give scope for drug abuse. These drugs, which cause serious health problems to the individuals who use it, also lead to some sort of dependence. It includes smoking ganja or hashish, taking heroin or cocaine or Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), injecting morphine, drinking alcohol, and so forth. Therefore, drug abuse of both legal and illegal drugs is a social problem.
Drug tolerance is the use of increasing amounts of a drug upon repeated exposure to experience its original effect. If a person has high drug tolerance and if he increases his dose of the drug, then this may prove to be costly and harmful in the long run.
Drug addiction means that the body becomes so dependent on the toxic effects of the drug that one just cannot do without it. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), defines Drug addiction is “a state of periodic or chronic intoxication detrimental to the individual and to society produced by the repeated consumption of drug, natural or synthetic…” The characteristic of drug addiction are:
An overpowering desire or need (compulsion) to continue taking the drug and to obtain it by any means.
A tendency to increase the dose.
A psychological and generally a physical dependence on the effects of the drugs.
An effect detrimental to the individual and the society.
Thus, the word addiction is used to describe physical dependence; psychological dependence occurs when a user needs a drug for the feeling of well-being that it produces. Drug abuse, drug addiction, drug trafficking, becoming victims of drug addiction, etc., have been the tragedies of the 20th century. They have been passed on with no less vigour to the 21st century.
Nature and Impact of Abusable Drugs
The abusable drugs or “dependence producing drugs” belong to the following main categories. The impact of these drugs on individual users is not the same but different. They are as follows:
Stimulants:
The most widely known stimulants are amphetamines (popularly known as ‘pep-pills’). When administered by a medical practitioner, a moderate dose of amphetamine can check fatigue and produce feelings of alertness and self-confidence. But the heavy dose of the same may cause extreme nervousness, irritability, headache, sweating, diarrhea, and unclear speech.
These drugs, however, do not cause physical dependence, though they are psychologically addicting. It is not advisable to take a heavy dose of it for a long time. In such cases, it may cause varying degrees of intellectual, emotional, economic, and social deterioration.
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 rapid heartbreak. Other effects include liver, lung, and kidney problems, affected sense of smell, difficulty walking, and confusion. Types of inhalants include glues, paint thinner, gasoline, laughing gas, and aerosol sprays.
Cannabinoids:
It results in feelings of euphoria, causes confusion and memory problems, anxiety, a higher heart rate, as well as staggering and poor reaction time. These drugs include hashish and marijuana.
Sedatives or Depressants:
Barbiturates, bromides, and tranquilizers belong to this category. These drugs are also called ‘drowners.’ They act to relax the central nervous system and induce sleep and provide a soothing effect. Medically, these are used in high blood pressure, insomnia, epilepsy, and to relax patients before and during surgery.
Opioids and morphine derivatives:
It can cause drowsiness, confusion, nausea, feelings of euphoria, respiratory complications, and relieve pain. These include codeine, fentanyl and fentanyl analogs, heroin, morphine, opium, Oxycotin (oxycodone HCL), Vicodin (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen).
Anabolic steroids:
These 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, stanozolol, and Dianabol.
Hallucinogens:
These change the mind and cause the appearance of things that are not really there. Hallucinogens affect the body’s 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 change in the body’s hormones. These drugs include Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, psilocybin, cannabis, and magic mushrooms. These drugs are called “psychedelics.” Medical practitioners do not advise their use. The well-known drug in this group is LSD which is a man-made chemical.
Prescription drugs:
These drugs are very helpful when used under the guidance of a qualified physician. If misuse and abuse of prescription drugs, however, can be very dangerous. Types of drugs include opioids (codeine, oxycodone, morphine), central nervous system depressants (barbiturates, benzodiazepines), and stimulants (dextroamphetamine, methylphenidate).
Alcohol:
By pharmacological definition, alcohol is a drug and may be classified as a sedative, tranquilizer, hypnotic, or anesthetic, depending upon the quantity that is consumed. It relieves tension and lessens aggressive inhibitions. It includes intoxication. Alcohol has a marked effect on the central nervous system. It is not a “stimulant” but a primary and continuous depressant. Alcohol produces psychic dependence of varying degrees from mild to strong. Physical dependence develops slowly.
Narcotics:
Narcotic drugs are of various types, they include opium, marijuana, heroin, morphine, cocaine, codeine, methadone, pethidine, and cannabis such as charas, ganja, bhang, etc. Continued taking of these is regarded as the worst type of addiction because it produces craving and psychic dependence.
Nicotine or Tobacco:
This includes cigarettes, cigars, snuffs, and beedi (which include tobacco). This leads to relaxation, stimulates and central nervous system, increases wakefulness, and removes the bedroom.
Causes of drug addiction or motivations in drug usage
According to Ram Ahuja, the causes of drug abuse may be classified under the following four main heads:
Psychological causes:
It causes such as getting ‘kicks’ and ‘thrills,’ relieving tension, removing inhibitions, avoiding boredom, easing depression, satisfying curiosity, feeling high and confident and intensifying perception, etc., may motivate individuals drug abuse.
Physiological causes:
It causes like removing pain, getting sleep, heightening sexual experiences, staying awake, getting more physical strength, etc., also induce people to become drug addicts.
Social causes:
It causes like to become acceptable to friends, the desire to join “high society,” facilitate social experiences, challenge social values, set new social trends, etc.
Miscellaneous Causes:
It includes sharpening religious insight or getting new spiritual light, improving study, solving personal problems, deepening self-understanding, increasing efficiency, refreshing the mind, and so on.
Some other specific causes:
In addition to four broad categories of factors causing drug abuse, some specific may also contribute to it. Among such causes, the following ones deserve a special mention.
Using drugs for ‘kicks’ or ‘thrills’:
A sizeable number of street children, educated and uneducated youths, become drug addicts because of their intense eagerness to taste it once. They get initiated to its use in the beginning only for ‘fun’ or for a ‘thrill’ or ‘kick.’
Peer group influence:
Peer group influence seems to be very powerful in initiating a new person to drug-taking habit. To get recognition in the company, to satisfy other members of the peer group, to feel superior in the presence of a boyfriend or girlfriend, to avoid ridicule at the hands of fellow members, and other factors, young people become victims of drug abuse.
Feeling of alienation and lack of motivation:
The conditions of modern society are such that they may push some mentally weak or delicate persons towards loneliness. Such persons, though they live in the midst of people, tend to feel that they are alone in the world, for they do not have any companions.
To escape from the pressure and conflicts of life:
Our living conditions also impose various pressures, conflicts, tensions, and dangers in our life. One requires courage and a realistic approach to face such challenges of life. All are not mentally equipped to face successfully such realities of life.
Effects of drug addiction
Drug addiction has become a worldwide problem, especially in teenagers. Many young people in India become dependent on different types of substances and stimulating medicines that come hand-in-hand with a narcotic effect. The life of addicts becomes spoiled in all aspects, as they lose contact with their family and live in a different world. They spend lots of money on drugs and then look for ways to earn money illegally. If we compare the health problems, there are many dangerous effects of drugs.
Drug addiction has numerous detrimental repercussions on both physical and mental health. The obsessive and repetitive use of harmful chemicals is referred to as drug addiction, as was previously described. Addiction to drugs has a broad and lasting influence. The cause of the drug user's addiction, as well as the changes that occur in the brain, are what lead to the psychological impacts of drug addiction. Drug use is a common coping mechanism for stress. The psychological ramifications of drug addiction, however, include wanting the drug and abusing it at the expense of everything else.
Some of the disastrous effects of drug abuse among the youth may be noted here:
Physical and Mental Decline:
Drug addiction can have disastrous consequences on physical and mental health. As the body adapts to the substance, it needs an increasing amount of it to experience the desired outcome. As the individual continues to increase the dosage, they may develop physical dependence. The individual may face deadly withdrawal symptoms once they stop using the substance.
Emotional Effects:
The emotional effects of drug addiction include mood swings, depression, violence, anxiety, decrease in everyday activities, hallucinations, confusion, psychological tolerance to drug effects, etc. Besides these, there are many physical effects of drug addiction that are seen in the systems of the body. The primary effects of drug addiction take place in the brain, which changes the brain functions and impacts how the body perceives pleasure.
Great Damage to Health:
The effects of drug addiction are seen in people because the drug floods the brain repeatedly with chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine. The brain becomes highly dependent on these drugs and cannot function without them. The effects of drug addiction are also seen in babies of drug abusers and can be affected throughout their life.
Drug addiction can cause the liver to work harder, causing significant liver failure or damage. Regarding brain function, drugs can impact daily activities by causing problems with memory, decision making, mental confusion, and even permanent brain damage.
Moral Degradation:
Most youth today find it challenging to think or work without energy-enhancing drugs. Most parents in the family find it difficult to control their children who are under the influence of drugs. As a result of this, most of the youth no longer respect their parents. This moral decay affects not only family but also tradition and other constituted authority. Either the child or youth under the influence of drugs molests their parents and commits all sorts of social and economic crimes. Some even drag to the extent that their parents are compelled to go to police stations or courts. Youth no longer have moral ethics. They are even killed under the influence of drugs, raped, steal from their blood relations, and feel normal.
School Drop Out:
As moral decay is spreading fast in India, most of the youth, who either lost contact with their families or have no regard for all forms of authority, schools, or college seen as a burden to them. They either attend or bunk classes at will and spend greater time with peer groups abusing drugs that were easily acquired from patent medicine dealers. Most of the drug abuse youth who drop out of school or college is not able to complete their education and are not able to get any job to keep their body and soul alive. Thus, they take refuge in drugs and wait for an alternative means of survival.
Drug related crime:
The person who gets addicted or abused often loses interest in other activities, be it school, job, or any other responsibility. As a result, they are not able to take care of their responsibilities and may become a liability for their families. Furthermore, it is expensive to buy substances or drugs on a regular basis. Hence, in desperation, addicted individuals may be forced to engage in petty crimes.
Increase in Psychotic Cases:
The drug awareness guide has indicated that almost of cases of drug abuse may result in psychotic conditions. No one is born a psychopath. They find themselves in such a condition by interacting with drugs. One can account for many factors that make one become a drug addict and, consequently, a psychopath. It can start with a simple panadol tablet for headaches to valium for quiet sleep or rest, and gradually it goes on. Most people take such pills to run away from frustrations of the loss of a loved one, lack of a job, disappointment, poverty, etc.; several factors come in. This small and systematic abuse of drugs advances someone to the psychopathic stage.
Drug addiction causes waste of huge amount of money on drugs:
Addiction is heavily associated with poverty, not just because substance abuse itself is expensive, but because addiction is often a means of escapism. Many youths whose families are living in poverty are targeted for abuse of substances to avoid the severe problems they may be facing in their lives. When any strain arises in one’s life, apart from alcohol, drugs are believed to be another source which can provide the instant gratification that is virtually absent in all other areas of life. Thus, abusing drugs can seriously harm our bodies and mind.
Family disorganization:
Drug abuse among the youth can damage family relations and lose its function. Parents will be accusing each other of neglecting their children, which leads to an increase in divorce. This may bring out children running away from homes. In most cases, parents find it difficult to control the remaining members of the family, which leads to desertion and, ultimately, family disorganization.
Drug addiction is a complex disease that results from several factors such as genetic predisposition, history of violence at home, and stress. A lot of people do not understand why people get addicted to drugs and related substances. They mistakenly view drug abuse as a social problem and characterize the addict as a weak person. Though there is no scientific evidence on how exactly drugs work in the brain, it can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs. Many treatments help people counteract the disruptive effects of drug addiction and regain complete control over life. Among them is behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most drug addicts. The treatment approaches are tailored to meet the drug abuse pattern of patients. It is not uncommon for an individual to relapse and starts drug abuse again. In such a case, an alternate treatment is required to regain control and recover completely.
Control of Drug Abuse or Addiction
The control over drug abuse can be made possible by adopting the following measure:
Educational approach:
Imparting education about Drugs and the evil effects of their consumption is of great importance.
All misleading knowledge to be removed:
The general principle of communication can be applied to increase the effectiveness of the educational approach. The method of Education should be such people involve themselves actively, and there is a free exchange of valuable information.
Clear message to be given:
The message should be unambiguous to the intended audience and come from credible sources of information.
Community approach:
There should be a strong emphasis on action at the community level to prevent drug abuse. Primary health care centers should be strengthened to initiate preventive measures that will influence people’s everyday lives and actions.
Legal approach:
Legislation may be directed at controlling the manufacture, distribution, price, time of sale, or consumption of a substance.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic substances Act, 1985:
The central government introduced this act in the year 1985 to combat trafficking in drugs. It was amended in 1987 to make the legislation still more stringent. The Act provides for a minimum punishment of 10 years rigorous imprisonment for its violation, and it could be extended to 20 years with a fine of 1 to 2 lakh rupees. The courts are also empowered to impose a still heavier amount of penalties.
Punishment to enforcement agencies including police:
No law or legislation is effective itself. It gets strength only if it is effectively enforced.
Changing attitude of Doctors:
The practicing doctors will have to change their approach to prescribing too many and too costly drugs. They have to be careful about the side effects of the drugs they are prescribing.
Follow-up study of drug addicts under treatment:
It is necessary to conduct a follow-up study of drug addicts treated under the Detoxification programme.
Role of teachers:
Teachers can play a vital role in the prevention of drug abuse. They can talk openly and freely about the students’ interests and activities.
Role of parents:
Drug abuse, at times, may have its roots in parental neglect, over-hostility, rejection, marital disharmony, etc. It is thus necessary that parents have to take more care in keeping the family environment pleasant and harmonious.
Parents can do a lot in the prevention of drug abuse:
They could talk to their children openly and affectionately, listen to their problems patiently, and suggest to them how to handle the issues effectively.
Providing alternative activities:
A popular approach to the prevention of drug abuse is providing alternative activities which may help to prevent drug abuse.
Thus, it can be concluded by describing a few points:
Drug Abuse is a common problem these days. Though hard to resist, the usage of drugs can be controlled with proper medication and guidance.
Drug abuse, mainly caused in an attempt to overcome emotional upheaval in one’s life, can be self-damaging. It is suggested to stick to a healthy lifestyle and steer clear of unhealthy practices such as dependence on drugs or alcohol to stay fit and active.
Drug Abuse is a grave problem. Especially common among the youth these days, it can be damaging for those who are addicted as well as the ones related to them. The sensitivity of the issue must be recognized, and one must not start this practice in any case. Remember, there are better ways to handle problems such as loneliness, fear, anxiety, and heartbreak.
Drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among the youths. Many reasons lead to this problem, and the impact it has is highly damaging. It is essential to spread awareness about the negative repercussions of drugs to discourage their use. Those gripped by this problem must consult a doctor and seek help from those close to them to come out of a hellish world of drug abuse.
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