Drugs

Introduction

Many people don't understand why or how other people become addicted to drugs. They may mistakenly think that those who use drugs lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop their drug use simply by choosing to. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting usually takes more than good intentions or a strong will. Drugs change the brain in ways that make quitting hard, even for those who want to. Fortunately, researchers know more than ever about how drugs affect the brain and have found treatments that can help people recover from drug addiction and lead productive lives.

What Is drug addiction?

Addiction is a chronic disease characterized by drug seeking and use that is compulsive, or difficult to control, despite harmful consequences. The initial decision to take drugs is voluntary for most people, but repeated drug use can lead to brain changes that challenge an addicted person’s self-control and interfere with their ability to resist intense urges to take drugs. These brain changes can be persistent, which is why drug addiction is considered a "relapsing" disease—people in recovery from drug use disorders are at increased risk for returning to drug use even after years of not taking the drug.

It's common for a person to relapse, but relapse doesn't mean that treatment doesn’t work. As with other chronic health conditions, treatment should be ongoing and should be adjusted based on how the patient responds. Treatment plans need to be reviewed often and modified to fit the patient’s changing needs.

What happens to the brain when a person takes drugs?

Most drugs affect the brain's "reward circuit" by flooding it with the chemical messenger dopamine. This reward system controls the body's ability to feel pleasure and motivates a person to repeat behaviors needed to thrive, such as eating and spending time with loved ones. This overstimulation of the reward circuit causes the intensely pleasurable "high" that can lead people to take a drug again and again.

As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adjusts to the excess dopamine by making less of it and/or reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond to it. This reduces the high that the person feels compared to the high they felt when first taking the drug—an effect known as tolerance. They might take more of the drug, trying to achieve the same dopamine high. It can also cause them to get less pleasure from other things they once enjoyed, like food or social activities.

Long-term use also causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well, affecting functions that include:

learning

judgment

decision-making

stress

memory

behavior

Despite being aware of these harmful outcomes, many people who use drugs continue to take them, which is the nature of addiction.

WHY DO PEOPLE TAKE DRUGS?

People take drugs because they want to change something in their lives.

Here are some of the reasons young people have given for taking drugs:

·         To fit in

·         To escape or relax

·         To relieve boredom

·         To seem grown up

·         To rebel

·         To experiment

They think drugs are a solution. But eventually, the drugs become the problem.

Difficult as it may be to face one’s problems, the consequences of drug use are always worse than the problem one is trying to solve with them. The real answer is to get the facts and not to take drugs in the first place.

Drug addiction Symptoms

Most drug addictions start with experimental use of a drug in social situations. For some people, the drug use becomes more frequent. The risk of addiction and how fast you become dependent varies by drug. Some drugs have a higher risk and cause dependency more quickly than others.

As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. Soon you may need the drug just to feel good. As your drug use increases, you may find that it's increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill (withdrawal symptoms).

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

Feeling that you have to use the drug regularly — this can be daily or even several times a day

Having intense urges for the drug

Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect

Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug

Spending money on the drug, even though you can't afford it

Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social or recreational activities because of drug use

Doing things to get the drug that you normally wouldn't do, such as stealing

Driving or doing other risky activities when you're under the influence of the drug

Focusing more and more time and energy on getting and using the drug

Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug

Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Recognizing drug abuse in family members

Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or angst from signs of drug use. Possible indications that your teenager or other family member is using drugs include:

Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work performance

Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation

Neglected appearance — lack of interest in clothing, grooming or looks

Changes in behavior — exaggerated efforts to bar family members from entering his or her room or being secretive about where he or she goes with friends; or drastic changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends

Spending money — sudden requests for money without a reasonable explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold to support drug use

Recognizing signs of drug use or intoxication

Signs and symptoms of drug use or intoxication may vary, depending on the type of drug. Below you'll find several examples.

Types of drugs and its symptoms

Marijuana, hashish and other cannabis-containing substances

People use cannabis by smoking, eating, or inhaling a vaporized form of the drug. Cannabis often precedes or is used along with other substances, such as alcohol or other illegal drugs, and is often the first drug tried.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"

A heightened sense of visual, auditory and taste perception

Increased blood pressure and heart rate

Red eyes,Dry mouth,Decreased coordination

Difficulty concentrating or remembering,Increased appetite

Slowed reaction time,Paranoid thinking,Long-term (chronic) use is often associated with:

Decreased mental sharpness,Poor performance at school or at work

Reduced number of friends and interests,Synthetic cannabinoids and substituted cathinones

Two groups of synthetic drugs — synthetic cannabinoids and substituted cathinones — are illegal in most states. The effects of these drugs can be dangerous and unpredictable, as there is no quality control and some ingredients may not be known.

Synthetic cannabinoids, also called "K2" or "Spice," are sprayed on dried herbs and then smoked, but can be prepared as an herbal tea. Despite manufacturer claims, these are chemical compounds rather than "natural" or harmless products. These drugs can produce a "high" similar to marijuana and have become a popular but dangerous alternative.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

A sense of euphoria or feeling "high"

Elevated mood

Relaxation,An altered sense of visual, auditory and taste perception

Extreme anxiety or agitation,Paranoia,Hallucinations,Increased heart rate and blood pressure

,Vomiting,Confusion

Substituted cathinones, also called "bath salts," are psychoactive substances similar to amphetamines such as Ecstasy (MDMA) and cocaine. Despite the name, these are not bath products such as Epsom salts. Substituted cathinones can be eaten, inhaled or injected and are highly addictive. These drugs can cause severe intoxication that results in dangerous health effects or even death.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

Euphoria,Increased sociability,Increased energy and agitation,Increased sex drive,Increasedheart rate and blood pressure,Chest pain,Paranoia,Panic attacks,Hallucinations,Delirium,Psychotic and violent behavior

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines

Barbiturates and benzodiazepines are prescription central nervous system depressants. They're often used and abused in search for a sense of relaxation or a desire to "switch off" or forget stress-related thoughts or feelings.

Phenobarbital, amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal Sodium) are examples of barbiturates. Examples of benzodiazepines include sedatives, such as diazepam (Valium), alprazolam (Xanax, Niravam), lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin) and chlordiazepoxide (Librium).

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

Drowsiness,Slurred speech,Lack of coordination,Euphoria or an exaggerated feeling of well-being,Problems,concentrating or thinking Memory problems

Involuntary eye movements (nystagmus),Lack of inhibition,Slowed breathing and reduced blood pressure,Dizziness,Depression,Meth, cocaine and other stimulants

Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine and methylphenidate (Ritalin). They are often used and abused in search of a "high," or to boost energy, to improve performance at work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite.

Signs and symptoms of recent use can include:

Feeling of exhilaration and excess confidence,Increased alertness,Increased energy and restlessness,Behavior changes or aggression,Rapid or rambling speech,Dilated pupils

Delusions and hallucinations,Irritability or changes in mood,Changes in heart rate and blood pressure,Nausea or vomiting with weight loss,Impaired judgment,Nasal congestion and damage to the mucous membrane of the nose (if snorting drugs),Insomnia,Paranoia,Depression as the drug wears off    

Club drugs

Club drugs are commonly used at clubs, concerts and parties. Examples include Ecstasy or Molly (MDMA), gamma-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), flunitrazepam (Rohypnol, or roofie) and ketamine. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.

Because GHB and Rohypnol can cause sedation, muscle relaxation, confusion and memory loss, the potential for sexual misconduct or sexual assault is associated with the use of these drugs.

Signs and symptoms of use of club drugs can include:

Hallucinations,Paranoia,Dilated pupils,Chills and sweating

Involuntary shaking (tremors),Behavior changes,Muscle cramping and teeth clenching,Reduced,inhibitions,Heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste

Decreased coordination,Poor judgment,Memory problems or loss of memory,Reduced consciousness,Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure

Hallucinogens

Use of hallucinogens can produce different signs and symptoms, depending on the drug. The most common hallucinogens are lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and phencyclidine (PCP).

LSD use may cause:

Hallucinations,Greatly reduced perception of reality, for example, interpreting input from one of your senses as another, such as hearing colors,Impulsive behavior,Rapid shifts in emotions

Permanent mental changes in perception,Rapid heart rate and high blood pressure

Tremors,Flashbacks, a re-experience of the hallucinations — even years later

PCP use may cause:A feeling of being separated from your body and surroundings

Hallucinations

Problems with coordination and movement

Aggressive, possibly violent behavior,Involuntary eye movements,Lack of pain sensation,Increase in blood pressure and heart rate,Problems with thinking and memory,Problems speaking,Impaired judgment,Intolerance to loud noise,Sometimes seizures or coma

Inhalants

Signs and symptoms of inhalant use vary, depending on the substance. Some commonly inhaled substances include glue, paint thinners, correction fluid, felt tip marker fluid, gasoline, cleaning fluids and household aerosol products. Due to the toxic nature of these substances, users may develop brain damage.

Signs and symptoms of use can include:

Possessing an inhalant substance without a reasonable explanation,Brief euphoria or intoxication,Decreased inhibition,Dizziness,Nausea or vomiting,Involuntary eye movements

Appearing intoxicated with slurred speech, slow movements and poor coordination,Irregular heartbeats,Tremors,Lingering odor of inhalant material,Rash around the nose and mouth

Narcotic painkillers

Opioids are narcotic, painkilling drugs produced from opium or made synthetically. This class of drugs includes, among others, heroin, morphine, codeine, methadone and oxycodone. Some people who've been using opioids over a long period of time may need physician-prescribed temporary or long-term drug substitution during treatment.

Signs and symptoms of narcotic use and dependence can include:

Euphoria or feeling "high",Reduced sense of pain,Drowsiness or sedation,Slurred speech

Problems with attention and memory,Constricted pupils,Lack of awareness or inattention to surrounding people and things,Problems with coordination,Depression,Confusion

Sweaty, clammy skin, Constipation,Runny nose or nose sores (if snorting drugs)

Needle marks (if injecting drugs)

Factors may contribute to development of drug addiction and dependence

Like many mental health disorders, several factors may contribute to development of drug addiction and dependence. The main factors are:

Environment. Environmental factors, including your family's beliefs and attitudes and exposure to a peer group that encourages drug use, seem to play a role in initial drug use.

Genetics. Once you've started using a drug, the development into addiction may be influenced by inherited (genetic) traits, which may delay or speed up the disease progression.

Risk factors: factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction

People of any age, sex or economic status can become addicted to a drug. However, certain factors can affect the likelihood and speed of developing an addiction:

Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some families and likely involves genetic predisposition. If you have a blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug problems, you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.

Being male. Men are more likely to have problems with drugs than women are. However, progression of addictive disorders is known to be faster in females.

Having another mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic stress disorder, you're more likely to become dependent on drugs.

Peer pressure. Peer pressure is a strong factor in starting to use and abuse drugs, particularly for young people.

Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack of parental supervision.

Anxiety, depression and loneliness. Using drugs can become a way of coping with these painful psychological feelings and can make these problems even worse.

Taking a highly addictive drug. Some drugs, such as stimulants, cocaine or painkillers, may result in faster development of addiction than other drugs. However, taking drugs considered less addicting — so-called "light drugs" — can start you on a pathway of drug use and addiction

Changes in the brain

Physical addiction appears to occur when repeated use of a drug changes the way your brain feels pleasure. The addicting drug causes physical changes to some nerve cells (neurons) in your brain. Neurons use chemicals called neurotransmitters to communicate. These changes can remain long after you stop using the drug.

Complications

Drug use can have significant and damaging short-term and long-term effects. Taking some drugs can be particularly risky, especially if you take high doses or combine them with other drugs or alcohol. Here are some examples.

Methamphetamine, opiates and cocaine are highly addictive and cause multiple short-term and long-term health consequences, including psychotic behavior, seizures or death due to overdose.

GHB and Rohypnol may cause sedation, confusion and memory loss. These so-called "date rape drugs" are easy to give someone without his or her knowledge or consent and are known to impair the ability to resist unwanted contact and recollection of the event. At high doses, they can cause seizures, coma and death. The danger increases when these drugs are taken with alcohol.

Ecstasy or Molly (MDMA) can cause dehydration, electrolyte imbalance and complications that can include seizures. Long-term, MDMA can damage the brain.

One particular danger of club drugs is that the liquid, pill or powder forms of these drugs available on the street often contain unknown substances that can be harmful, including other illegally manufactured or pharmaceutical drugs.

Due to the toxic nature of inhalants, users may develop brain damage of different levels of severity.

Other life-changing complications

Dependence on drugs can create a number of dangerous and damaging complications, including:

Getting a communicable disease. People who are addicted to a drug are more likely to get an infectious disease, such as HIV, either through unsafe sex or by sharing needles.

Other health problems. Drug addiction can lead to a range of both short-term and long-term mental and physical health problems. These depend on what drug is taken.

Accidents. If you're addicted to a drug, you're more likely to drive or do other dangerous activities while under the influence.

Suicide. People who are addicted to drugs commit suicide more often than people who aren't addicted.

Family problems. Behavioral changes may cause marital or family strife and custody issues.

Work issues. Drug use and dependence can cause declining performance at work, absenteeism and eventual loss of employment.

Problems at school. Drug use can negatively affect academic performance and motivation to excel in school.

Legal issues. These are very common for drug users and can stem from buying or possessing illegal drugs, stealing to support your drug addiction, driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or disputes over child custody.

Financial problems. Spending money to support your drug use takes away money from your other needs, could put you into debt, and can lead to illegal or unethical behaviors.

Why do some people become addicted to drugs while others don't?

No one factor can predict if a person will become addicted to drugs. A combination of factors influences risk for addiction. The more risk factors a person has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example:

Biology. The genes that people are born with account for about half of a person's risk for addiction. Gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may also influence risk for drug use and addiction.

Environment. A person’s environment includes many different influences, from family and friends to economic status and general quality of life. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, early exposure to drugs, stress, and parental guidance can greatly affect a person’s likelihood of drug use and addiction.

Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical developmental stages in a person’s life to affect addiction risk. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to addiction. This is particularly problematic for teens. Because areas in their brains that control decision-making, judgment, and self-control are still developing, teens may be especially prone to risky behaviors, including trying drugs.

Can drug addiction be cured or prevented?

As with most other chronic diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, treatment for drug addiction generally isn’t a cure. However, addiction is treatable and can be successfully managed. People who are recovering from an addiction will be at risk for relapse for years and possibly for their whole lives. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medicines with behavioral therapy ensures the best chance of success for most patients. Treatment approaches tailored to each patient’s drug use patterns and any co-occurring medical, mental, and social problems can lead to continued recovery.

More good news is that drug use and addiction are preventable. Results from NIDA-funded research have shown that prevention programs involving families, schools, communities, and the media are effective for preventing or reducing drug use and addiction. Although personal events and cultural factors affect drug use trends, when young people view drug use as harmful, they tend to decrease their drug taking. Therefore, education and outreach are key in helping people understand the possible risks of drug use. Teachers, parents, and health care providers have crucial roles in educating young people and preventing drug use and addiction.

Make an appointment to see a doctor if:

You can't stop using a drug

Your drug use has led to unsafe behavior, such as sharing needles or unprotected sex

You think you may be having withdrawal symptoms after stopping drug use

If you're not ready to approach a doctor, help lines or hotlines may be a good place to learn about treatment. You can find these lines listed in the phone book or on the Internet.

Seek emergency help if you or someone you know has taken a drug and:

May have overdosed

Shows changes in consciousness

Has trouble breathing

Has seizures or convulsions

Has signs of a possible heart attack, such as chest pain or pressure

Has any other troublesome physical or psychological reaction to use of the drug

When to see a doctor

If your drug use is out of control or causing problems, get help. The sooner you seek help, the greater your chances for a long-term recovery. Talk with your primary doctor or see a mental health provider, such as a doctor who specializes in addiction medicine or addiction psychiatry, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor

Staging an intervention

People struggling with addiction usually deny they have a problem and are reluctant to seek treatment. An intervention presents a loved one with a structured opportunity to make changes before things get even worse and can motivate someone to seek or accept help.

An intervention should be carefully planned and may be done by family and friends in consultation with a doctor or professional such as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, or directed by an intervention professional. It involves family and friends and sometimes co-workers, clergy or others who care about a person struggling with addiction.

During the intervention, these people gather together to have a direct, heart-to-heart conversation with the person about the consequences of addiction and ask him or her to accept treatment.

Tests and diagnosis

Diagnosing drug addiction (also called substance use disorder) requires a thorough evaluation and often includes an assessment by a psychiatrist, a psychologist, or a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. Blood, urine or other lab tests are used to assess drug use, but they're not a diagnostic test for addiction. These tests may be used for monitoring treatment and recovery.

For diagnosis of a substance use disorder, most mental health professionals use criteria in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), published by the American Psychiatric Association, to diagnose mental conditions. This manual is also used by insurance companies to reimburse for treatment.

DSM-5 criteria for substance use disorder include a behavior pattern of drug use that causes significant problems and distress, regardless of what drug is used.

You may have a substance use disorder if at least two of these issues occur within a 12-month period:

You often take larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you intended

You want to cut down or quit, but haven't been successful

You spend a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering from the effects of the drug

You have intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts

You aren't meeting obligations and responsibilities because of your substance use

You keep using the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in your life

You give up or cut back important social, occupational or recreational activities because of your substance use

You use the substance in situations that may be unsafe, such as when driving or operating machinery

You use the substance even though you know it's causing you physical or psychological harm

You develop tolerance, which means that the drug has less and less effect on you and you need more of the drug to get the same effect

You have physical or psychological withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the drug, or you take the drug (or a similar drug) to avoid withdrawal symptoms

Drug Problems in the Philippines

Reports of drug related crime are common in the Philippines media. The main concern tends to be towards Shabu which gets the most media attention. It does seem that illegal drug use is on the rise, and this has worrying implications for the future. There is an urgent need to educate young people as to the dangers of drug use, and there is also a great need to help those who are already addicted to escape their misery. Failure to do this could mean there will be further deterioration within many Filipino communities.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs in the Philippines

The most commonly abused drugs in the Philippines include:

* Alcohol
* Marijuana
* Heroin
* Cocaine
* Methamphetamine (locally known as Shabu)
* Inhalants such as nitrates and gasoline. These can be a cheap way for people to get high.
* Opium
* Ecstasy (MDMA)

Concerns for Shabu Abuse

One of the most abused drugs in the Philippines is a local type of methamphetamine mixed with caffeine known as Shabu. This stimulant is believed to be the drug of choice for 90% of the Philippines illegal substance users. This is a powerfully addictive drug that can cause people to have intense hallucinations and become extremely paranoid. Some users of this drug have even jumped off high rise buildings because they believed they could fly. Shabu didn’t arrive in the Philippines until the mid eighties, but it soon became hugely popular among drug users. Methamphetamine causes feelings of euphoria and the user feels full of energy.

Problems Related to Drug Addiction

Drug abuse leads to many problems such as:

* The individual does not have to be abusing a substance like Shabu long before they become addicted.
* Those individuals who become addicted can become obsessed with their habit. This means that everything else in their life will take second place.
* The individual’s behavior will change. They may become physically violent or engage in other types of bad behavior.
* Those who abuse these drugs can struggle to keep down a job. They may become unemployable.
* Young people who use these substances will be unable to perform well in school or college. This means that they will be limiting their future opportunities.
* When drug users run out of money to feed their habit they will be tempted to turn to crime. This may mean stealing from family and friends or from complete strangers.
* Many addicts fall into a life of crime and eventually end up in prison or worse.
* If the drug addict is unable to escape this behavior it is highly likely to lead to their death. This individual will shorten their lifespan as a result of their behavior.
* Illegal drug users run the risk of overdose. It can be difficult to assess the strength of illegal drugs, and it can be similar to playing a game of Russian roulette every time the addict uses these substances – it is even possible for people to die of an overdose after only trying illegal drugs one time.

Cost of Drug Addiction in the Philippines

The cost of drug addiction is high for the Philippines and it involves:

* A great deal of domestic violence is associated with drug abuse.
* A huge proportion of criminal acts are committed by individuals who are trying to satisfy their drug habit.
* The economy suffers because drug users become less productive in their jobs or they become unable to work completely.
* The government needs to spend large amounts of money on tackling drug problems. The resources used by law enforcement alone are a drain.
* Money that could be spent to improve the life of a family is wasted because one member is a drug addict. It can lead to a situation where the rest of the family is living in poverty while one of them wastes thousands of pesos each week on drugs.
* A criminal underworld had developed in order to take advantage of the desire for these illegal substances. The money made from selling drugs is used to finance other criminal acts as well as terrorism.
* Drug addict can destroy communities. It can lead to a situation where people are afraid to leave their homes because of fear of crime.
* The individual who falls into drug addiction can lose everything – including their own self respect. This miserable life is a waste of human potential.

Treatment for Drug Addiction in the Philippines

There are a number of treatment options available to people in the Philippines who need help including:

* Narcotics Anonymous is a twelve step program that supports the individual to escape their addictions. This fellowship is not just focused on stopping the drug use but also on building a life worth living.
* There are a number of drug rehabilitation facilities in the Philippines including Serenity at the Quarry.
* It is becoming more common for Filipinos to go abroad to seek the most effective treatment for their addictions. Drug and Alcohol Rehab Asia is based in Thailand and is considered to be one of the leading rehab in Asia.

Summary

ikaw na! :)

notes: this is a research paper about Drug Addiction
-sociology 

^^. --made by Jenissa Cortez

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