BE ADDICTED TO BOOKS NOT TO DRUGS

BE ADDICTED TO BOOKS NOT TO DRUGS

            Drug abuse refers to the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illicit drugs. With a turnover of around $500 billions, it is the third largest business in the world, next to petroleum and arms trade. About 190 million people all over the world consume one drug or the other.

Today, there is no part of the world that is free from the curse of drug trafficking and drug addiction. Millions of drug addicts, all over the world, are leading miserable lives, between life and death. According to a UN report, One million heroin addicts are registered in India, and unofficially there are as many as five million. Commonly abused drugs and their effects are given below.

Alcohol

Generic name: Ethyl alcohol

Common name: Brandy, Whisky, Gin, Vodka, Arrack

Drug action: Alcoholic drinks though viewed as stimulants they are primarily CNS depressants.

Drug effect / Consequences:

1. Heavy alcoholic use leads to hypertension, stroke.

2. Decreased muscle strength.

3. Cirrhosis of liver.

4. Gastric ulcer (synergistic with Helicobacter pylori).

5. Around 30% of population are addicted to alcohol.                                 

Other facts:

1.   Craving (highest) and withdrawal symptoms are severe for addicts.

2.   Causes nutritional deficiencies.

3.   Tolerance and physical dependence develop quickly.

4.   Alcohol dependence is a disease and has to be treated both medically and psychologically.

5.   Genetic influences play a major role.

Nicotine

Common Source: Cigarette (refined), Hans, Tobacco, Pan (unrefined).

Drug   action: Initial stimulation followed by depression.
Drug effect / Consequences:

1.   Smoker feels alert

2.   Causes muscle relaxation

3.   Activates reward system in the brain

4.    Lung and Oral cancer

5.   Continuous use leads to depressed mood

Other facts:

1.   Most dangerous dependence producing drug. Although more than 80% of smokers express a desire to quit the success rate is only 5%

2.   Reinforcement will be produced within 7seconds

3.   Development of tolerance

Withdrawal symptom:

1.   Irritability

2.   Impatience

3.   Anxiety

4.   Difficulty in concentration

5.   Decreased heart rate

6.   Increased appetite or weight gain

Benzodiazepines

Generic name: Diazepam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam

Drug action: CNS depression

Drug effect:

1.   Therapeutically to sedate, produce sleep, relieve anxiety and muscle spasms, and to control severe epileptic seizures

2.   Withdrawal is dangerous, should be under medical supervision

3.   Abusers may take 1000mg/day for sedation

Withdrawal symptoms:

1.   Aggitation

2.   Increased sensitivity to light and sound

3.   Muscle cramps, Sleep disturbance

Other facts:

1.   Combinations of abuse drugs: Cocaine + BZD; Alcohol + BZD; Opioids + BZD

Opioids

Generic name: Morphine

Common name: Heroin

Drug action: Narcotic pain killers

Drug effect:

1.   Activates the brain reward system

2.   Intense euphoria which last from 45 seconds to several minutes.

3.   Abusers will go up to the level of 100 injections per day.

4.   The most abused drug world wide.

5.   There is no legal supply of heroin for clinical use.

6.   Widely available for illicit use in India

Withdrawal symptoms:

1.      Severe craving comparable to alcohol

2.      Pupilary dilatation

3.       Tachycardia

4.      Sweating

5.      Goose flesh

6.      Diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, cramps within 6-8 hours after last full or reduced dose.

Cough syrup (Codeine):

1.      Used to suppress cough. It contains an alkaloid derived from opium.

2.      Addictive but milder than morphine.

Cocaine:

1.   Derived from Coca plant, white powder.

2.   Therapeutically used for local pain relief.

Other effects:

1. World's most powerful stimulant of natural origin; brief effect (maybe 30 minutes).

2. First choice of addiction in upper class people

3. Psycho stimulant, 20% of population in developed countries are addicted

4. Increased self confidence and euphoria (state of well being)

Combinations:
1. Cocaine + heroin – best cocktail drug

2. Cocaine + alcohol

Withdrawal symptoms:

1.      Depression, Insomnia

2.      Fatigue

3.      Bradycardia

4.      Quality of life will be totally deteriorated

Cannabis: The hemp known as marijuana

Common name: Ganja

Effects:

1.      Psychoactive drugs, 60% of population in developed countries are addicted

2.      Effect vary with the dose, Action up to 2 hours, Perception reaction is modified, hallucination is common

Withdrawal symptoms:

1.      Restlessness

2.      Severe cramping.

Caffeine: Present in Coffee, tea, coco, chocolates

Effects: Mild stimulant

Withdrawal symptom:

Mild withdrawal syndrome, feelings of fatigue and sedation, head ache.

Inhalants and Solvents:

Toluene, Kerosene, gasoline, Glue, Correcting fluid, Deodorisers, Paint Thinners, Nail Polish removers, Shoe polish, House hold cleaners, Room deodorisers, Waxes

Effects:

1.   The materials are usually placed in a plastic bag and the vapours are inhaled

2.   Sustained exposure leads to deprivation of oxygen to brain which is responsible for the sedation. It may even lead to brain damage.

Night club drugs:

Ecstacy + LSD + Phencyclidine + Ketamine - This combination is used among the high class society people.

CONSEQUENCES OF DRUG ABUSE:

1.      Poor quality of life ( poor decision making, decreased efficiency)

2.      Dissociated from family and friends

3.      Deterioration of morality

4.      Possibility of mental illness (depression, segregation, suicidal attempts)

5.      Craving forces to indulge in all kinds of  illegal activities like begging, theft, selling etc.,

6.      Spreading of Sexually transmitted diseases like HIV