Substance Abuse
By Rui Deng
Symptoms of substance abuse
Substance abuse is a medical problem that affects you by:
-Interfering with your relationship with your family and friends
-abilities at school or work
-legal issues and dangerous activities
Substance abuse can involve taking a substance in large quantities of a substance, going to great lengths to obtain the substance, experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you stop using the substance, or you are unable to quit the use of the substance.Substance use problems is a very complicated medical problem because it effects the brain. Since there is a lot of stigma (shameful feelings) associated with substance abuse problems, health care professionals do not use terms such as "addiction," "addict," and "drug abuse" as but Instead, are using "substance use problems" and "people with substance use problems."
Causes of substance abuse
Almost all substances associated with substance use problems affects your dopamine levels"reward system" within your brain. Each time an individual abuses a substance they achieve a feel good, which makes them want to use the substance again. Eventually from continuous usage, changes in the brain occur such as lower level of dopamine, which lessens the "high" feeling of the substance and larger quantities are required to achieve the same high feeling as before.
The main causes of substance abuse are relativity unknown or reported but several factors within a human can contribute to having substance abuse.Heredity (genetics)is a factor as the risk of substance abuse is higher in individual with family members with a substance problem. An individual's environment and society t, such as school, work, friends, family, and cultural and religious beliefs, can also affect substance use problems. mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression can effect a person as the feelings of stress, sadness and anger can encourage individuals to abuse substances
Physical dependence involves building up tolerance to a substance. This means that more of the drug or substance is needed to obtain the same effect. When people stop taking the substance, they suffer withdrawal symptoms which can include shaking, headaches, and diarrhea. Some Drug withdrawal are so severe it can even be life-threatening. Psychological problems such as depression and anxiety can also occur in an individual during drug withdrawal. Some drugs such as heroin and cocaine which are stimulants, are highly addictive which makes users have a difficult time quit from using.
Psychological dependence is the need of a substance to feel good, get high and function. With psychological dependence, people often crave the substance and will go to great lengths to acquire the substance to for fill their craving.People who have psychological dependence use substances because they experience changes in mood (feeling high), reduce stress and anxiety, feel invincible, heightened sensations such as hearing and stimulation.
Types of Drugs
Prescription Drugs
codeine
Codeine is a cough syrup which is addictive. People use codeine by mixing a drink with it consisting of sprite soda and jolly rancher candies. Codeine provides the user with a slow reaction time, slurred speech, a slower heart rate and the possibility of death.
Cannabis
The active ingredient in marijuana is THC (delta-9-tetrahyrdrocannabinol). THC targets specific receptors in our brains in three areas which affect memory and learning, balance and coordination, and movement control. The effects of marijuana wears off after an hour or two, but the chemical remains in the brain for days. Marijuana also increases dopamine levels which gives the user a good feeling.Marijuana causes the user provide a user with a slower reaction time, a sense of pleasure, distorted vision and can promote anxiety and panic attacks.
cocaine
Coccaine is a powerful stimulant drug derived from coca leaves. Cocaine is usually in a powdered form and snorted. Cocaine is a highly addictive drug even after one use.
Some short term effects of cocaine include loss of appetite, increase in heart rate, increase inblood pressur, increase in body temperature, increase in breathing, contracted blood vessel, dilated pupils, change in sleep patterns, nausea,
Short-term effects, hyper stimulation, hallucinations, intense euphoria, convulsion, seizures and death from overdose. Some long effect include severe tooth decay, malnutrition, blood vessel, brain and heart damage, liver, kidney and lung damage, damaged nose tissue, sexual reproduction issues and severe depression.
Codeine
heroin
Heroin is an opioid derived from the poppy opium. Regular users of heroin build up tolerance and require more heroine to get high. A lot of heroin users are at risk of AIDS and HIV because of sharing needles or unsanitary needles. The effects of e heroin include, slowed breathing or stop breathing, severe itching and upset stomach and throwing up.
MDMA
names: X ecstasy, molly
MDMA, short for 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine, is most commonly known as “Ecstasy” or “Molly.” It is a man-made drug that produces energizing effects. Some effects of molly include increase in blood pressure, muscle tension, teeth clenching, nausea, blurred vision, faintness, chills or sweats, high body temperature that can lead to organ failure and increased risk of unsafe sexanabolic steroids
Anabolic steroids are a man-made substances related to testosterone (male sex hormone). Doctors use anabolic steroids to treat hormone problems in men, delayed puberty, and muscle loss from some diseases.Body-builders and athletes may use anabolic steroids to build muscles and improve athletic performance.Effects of steroids can effect an individuals health very seriously. Some side effects include severe acne, kidney damage or failure, high blood pressure, enlarged heart, liver disease and high blood pressure. Some effects for males is testicles shrinking, enlarged breasts and greater risk of prostate cancer. Risk in females include, deeper voice, facial hair, male pattern balding, enlarged clitoris, and changes in the mentstrual cycle.
Treatment for Substance Abuse
Work Cited APA
References
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