Category: Drug Addiction

Introduction

It has been designed to assess reasons, consequences, and context for the use of drugs in clubs by adults in the city of U.S. There was a report from the adults for the utilization of drugs like GHB, Ecstasy, Rohypnol, LSD Ketamine, etc., in club under the interview discussion which included the measures of qualitative and quantitative. The drug that is most frequently used in the club is Ecstasy along with LSD, and ketamine. Most of the participants have reported that drugs are used for the purpose of experimenting and few of them reported that these have been used for enhancement of social activities. These drugs are mainly used in clubs, bars, and raves. Here around sixteen negative consequences have been reported for the use of drugs in the club. These consequences are characterized by lifestyle, psychological, and physical consequences arising from the use of drugs. Apart from these negative consequences, there are some positive consequences of the use of drugs in recreational clubs. The descriptions have been corroborated by the findings of the use of drugs in various countries and give additional information on the experience of the user based on positive consequences that are perceived by the use of drugs. Further, the reasons have been explored along with the positive consequences from which one can get the information related to growing trends of the drugs and their utilization.

There are hazards related to safety and health have been presented in the events of the rave as the settings are dangerous, further there is a potential for disaster. One single emergency might result in serious injury or death for most of people. Under the scene of the rave, there is a chance of a huge disaster involving substances lethal or toxic related to drugs, fire outbreaks, crushing because of the crowd, police raids, or emergencies [16].

There are some of the findings from the project epidemiological and gong surveys in the U.S. are an increase in the utilization of drugs among adults and adolescents at an alarming rate since 1990 [1]. There is an alert from the community of NIDA’s regarding the drugs and described that six drugs have been used in the raves and events of night dance GHB, MDMA, LSD, Methamphetamine, Rohypnol, and Ketamine. These drugs have the properties of stimulant, anesthetic, and hallucinogenic. Hallucination is caused by the DXM by consuming at higher doses and is popular in rave culture and college students [2]. The attraction of these drugs is for the experience of rave enhancement, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability.

Main body

Current knowledge on drugs

From the Australian and UK research findings it has been found that the use of drugs in the clubs is linked to the use of the poly substance patterns along with the social contexts [3]. As per rave scene studies, the report from the people who attended the rave party used a couple of drugs at the time of the dance event [4]. These drugs have the effects of hallucinogenic and stimulants which are thought to enhance the experience of the rave by increasing the perception of sensory and dancing ability for an entire night. Under the UK dance scene study, most of the dance attendees around 88% consume drugs [4]. These rates of drug consumption have been matched or exceeded tobacco or alcohol use.

The U.S. and Australia have indicated that the users of the drug are educated, employed, and young with a socioeconomic background of upper to middle [5]. The utilization level of the drugs is higher in the male in comparison to that of the females. Anyhow drugs have emerged in association with rave culture in the U.S. and the appearance of the use has been diffused in various social contexts [6]. It has been found in [15] that making use of inhalants, LSD, and amphetamines under the settings of the parties related to nonrave are around 93% in Australia whereas 30% of people make use of Ketamine. In the rave, the one and the only drug used is ecstasy that too with is 85.7%, and under the context of the nonrave, it is 66.7%. As per the reports of the U.S. that is from the city of New York, the utilization of drugs is with respect to the locations like schools and shopping malls and context which is outside the venue of the club or even rave [10]. Due to the popularity of the drugs especially are mentioned above, information related to the utilization reasons followed by the negative consequences like impairment of the memory and negative effect in association with emerged use.

Reasons for the utilization of drugs in club

The research is limited to finding the reasons for the utilization of drugs in clubs. The main focus of the research is to find the reasons for the purpose of utilizing illicit substances along with alcohol before the popularity of the drugs. [7] Provides the reasons for the utilization of various substances like LSD, alcohol, and marijuana in the U.S. As per their research, they found some of the reasons for drug utilization are relaxation, activities of recreational and social enhancement, and experimentation. In [8] young adults and adolescents study found the reasons in three categories reducing tension, experiencing the effect of drugs, and peers relating.

As per the [14], the reasons have been assessed for the drug usage which includes two types of drugs such as LSD and ecstasy between the UK adult users of the polydrug. Out of which 48.6% are using Ecstasy and 25% are using LSD. The report from the users of ecstasy stated that they make use of the physical activity increase, remain awakened, and are intoxicated. Users of LSD have reported that the drugs have been used for the effects of euphoric and intoxicating purposes for increasing physical activity and followed by social interaction enhancement. The experience of the individual related to the consequences resulting from drug utilization is used for the purpose of influencing drug usage reasons and frequency.

The organization along with the events of rave settings are the factors responsible for the customer’s ill health, accidents, and injuries along with the issues where attention is needed and addressed. Initially, due to overcrowding, there are several problems such as exceeding the regulation of safety and fire, and is due to over capacity or people allowed by the staff of security from fire door, fainting, and bruised feet. Second hazards related to safety and health are consistent in the events of raves specifically due to the management practice of negligence and poor facility maintenance such as slippy floors, dirty toilets, broken glass, stuffy and humid atmosphere, inadequate security, seating insufficiency and facilities of unhygienic food [16].

The negative consequences are documented related to the club drugs and their utilization and further, the consequences have been categorized into general lifestyle, psychological, and physical effects.

Physical Effects: Ecstasy contains the effect of neurotoxic on the neurons of serotonergic which affects memory, sleep, and mood through depleting the levels of serotonin [6]. Topp along with their colleagues have found that on average it has experienced four side effects related to psychology and eight effects related to the physical by ecstasy users in Australia. It has been found by the users of ecstasy that there will be a memory and concentration deficit along with the slow processing of mental ability are the resultants from the use of ecstasy [9].

The major hazards for the utilization of particular drugs are difficult as most of the users are poly-drug consumers. The normal measure for the physical harmful effects of the use of drugs is visiting the emergency room pertaining to the drugs [10].

Psychological Effects: Users of ecstasy also reported negative effects to a greater extent like aggression, depression, mood swings, and anxiety after utilization of ecstasy [11]. In a review of the effects related to the psychology of the consumption of ecstasy [9]. It has been reported that the heavy utilization of ecstasy may lead to hostility, impulsivity, anxiety, and heightened depression. The effects caused due to the ecstasy may remain for days and even for months [9]. The reports from colleagues of Verheyden on the female users of ecstasy revealed that the depression after four days is more as compared to that of the same day which is in the users of male ecstasy through a control group of polydrug usage.

Dependence and abuse: Here the information related to the abuse by the use of drugs is limited. In [12] it has been found from the U.S. users of ecstasy in both adults and adolescents 43% are under the criteria of diagnosis and 34% are under the criteria of abuse. In the early study [13] it was found that 32% of the people had been using for five years and continue to use whereas have been dropped which is they stopped using. The report from ecstasy regular users stated that debauching is not at all effective for increasing positive effects it is giving side effects in a negative way.

For the younger people who are not entered into work is difficult to determine the negative consequences of the lifestyle in association with the use of the drugs. As per the ecstasy users of the Australian study, it has been found from the colleagues of the top for the 40% of the people there are problems in the general lifestyle in terms of work, relationship, and financials further there will be a psychological and physical problem by the ecstasy use.

The utilization of drugs around New York has been on the rise compared to that of the past. The report from the narcotic division stated that there is an increase in drug investigations and arrests. Further, it has also been found that people remain high by using ecstasy rather than alcohol which is common in clubs on Saturday nights.

As per the report, ecstasy plays a major role in the negative consequences such as 50% of people facing problems with blurred vision, tingling, cold flashes, and sweating. For the additional 20% of the participants, there is breath shortness, memory lapse, vomiting, urinating inability, muscle aches, energy and weight loss, and so on. For the other 20%, they are facing the problem of paranoia, irritability, anxiety, confusion, and depression.

Through ecstasy use some of the positive consequences have been reported such as feeling good in terms of the sensitivity increase and along with the benefits of social like inhibition reduction, energy increase followed by the social skill improvement. By the use of LSD people have reported that insights can be gained along with open-mindedness.

Conclusion

As per the report stated in [4] drug user studies from both the Australia and UK, it has been found that the users of the drug are users of the poly substance. Further, people started using illicit drugs in the past year. It has been found there is a concurrency in the utilization of alcohol and marijuana along with the drugs.

The major reasons for the utilization of the drugs it is centered on the social context, it is mainly for enhancement of the experiences related to positive sensory instead of negative effect escape. Some of the reported positive consequences are good feelings, positive emotions, and social relationship enhancement in the party’s clubs and raves. Despite this, it has been reported that there are some physical symptoms associated with the dependence and abuse of drugs.

Raving along with ecstasy is associated with the devils related to overdose, damage of the brain, disease, exploitation, foreigners, death, crime, promiscuity, moral corruption, and public disorder. Even in the nineties, the figures of scaremongering authority have been quoted by mass media under politics, criminal justice, and medicine have been promoted as the drug scare as heroin screw-up and crack menace [16].

By the use of ecstasy, negative consequences have been reported in [5] and it has been found that Australian users of drugs have consequences related to psychological, physical, and lifestyle. Anyhow most of the symptoms have been recorded after the drug usage experience; it has been found the negative effects through multiple substance usage at one point in time. Some of the consequences that are reported positive in the U.S. are social relationship enhancement, and creating a good feel along with some negative consequences. It has been reported as per the context of the rave party [10].

References

1. Johnston, L.D.; O’Malley, P.M. & Bachman, R. 2001. Monitoring the Future National Results on Adolescent Drug Use: Overview of Key Findings, 2000. Washington, D.C.: National Institute of Drug Abuse.
2. Knowles, C.R. 2000. Up All Night New York: Red House Press.
3. Parrott, A.; Sisk, E. & Turner, J.J.D. 2000. Psychobiological problems in heavy “ecstasy” (MDMA) poly-drug users. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 60: 105-10.
4. Akram, G. & Galt, M. 1999. A profile of harm reduction practices and co-use of illicit drugs among users of dance drugs. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy 6(2):215-25.
5. Topp, L.; Hando, J; Dillon, P.; Roche, A. & Solowij, N. 1999. Ecstasy use in Australia: Patterns of use and associated harm. Drug and Alcohol Dependence 55: 105-15.
6. McDowell, D.M.2001. Ecstasy and club drugs: established and possible dangers. Washington, D.C.: U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary. Available at: www.house.gov/judiciary/mcdo0615.htm.
7. Johnston, I..D. & O’Malley, P.M. 1986. Why do the nation’s students use drugs and alcohol? Self-reported reasons for nine national surveys. Journal of drug issues 16(1): 29-66/
8. Segal, B. 1986. Confirmatory analyses of reasons for experiencing psychoactive drugs during adolescence. International Journal of the Addictions 20 (11-12): 1649-62.
9. Morgan, M.J. 2000. Ecstasy (MDMA): A review of its possible persistent psychological effects. Psychopharmacology 152:230-48.
10. Community Epidemiology Work Group (CEWG). 2000. Epidemiologic Trends in Drug Abuse: Volume 1: Highlights and executive summary. Bethesda. Maryland: National Institute of Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health.
11. Morgan, M. 1998. Recreational use of “ecstasy” (MDMA) is associated with elevated impulsivity. Neuropsychopharmacology 19(4): 252-64.
12. Cottler, L.B.; Womack, S.B.; Compton, w.m. & Ben-Abdallah, A.2001. Ecstasy abuse and dependence among adolescents and young adults: Applicability and reliability of DSM-IV criteria. Human Psychopharmacology: Clinical and Experimental 16: 599-606.
13. Beck, J. & Rosenbaum, M. 1994. Pursuit of ecstasy: the MDMA Experience. Albany, New York: State University of New York Press.
14. Boys, A,; Marsden, J. & Strang, J. 2001. Understanding reasons for drug use amongst young people: A functional perspective. Health education Research 16:457-69.
15. Lenton, S.; Boys, A. & Norcross, K. 1997. Raves, drugs, and experience: Drugs used by a sample of people who attend raves in Western Australia. Addiction 92 (10): 13327-37.
16. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320623461_The_Use_of_Ecstasy_and_Dance_Drugs_at_Rave_Parties_and_Clubs_Some_Problems_and_Solutions

The Spread the News assignment was a fantastic way to get my issues across to a wider audience and I thoroughly enjoyed taking the time to alter my traditional way of learning; switching from writing essays and assignments to making interesting and interactive projects that involve social media and an increased amount of classmate interaction. My choosing to focus on drug addiction stemmed from my current place of employment, which deals with members of the public taking public transit. What I had seen were many individuals suffering from drug addiction, as well as mental health issues. I decided to relate my experiences with the course itself. Looking at the idea of drug addiction I found was a big task, considering there was so much data and literature about the issue. In the beginning weeks that led up to the final presentation, I decided to keep the issue local, to maintain a sort of relatability for those participating in this course since my focus was on drug addiction in the Region of Waterloo. Basic Google searches showed me the beginning facts, and I realized that I was only scratching the surface of this project. In Week 7, I tweeted out my problem using the hashtag “#EM203Problem” to showcase the issue that I am focusing on for my peers and everyone else using Twitter. I was having some difficulty finding an article and expert for my issue of drug addiction, as I did not feel that the articles I found merited a post during that week. That being said, I continued to look at sources and articles that were both non-academic, to see what consistencies there were between both types of research and continued to work on course content such as infographics, Venn diagrams, and of course the final presentation, putting it all together in a way that was easy to digest and process.

Beginning first with the “How Do You Learn” assignment at the beginning of the course, I, as well as Dr. Persad, found that I did well when presenting information through the platform of PowerPoint. I was fully comfortable with the software, and I already had a vision early on in the course as to how my final presentation would be. I asked myself questions such as: Is this information relevant? Is it redundant? Is it necessary? I took the time to work with my classmates and analyze how they presented their information when discussing their topics of interest. I very much learned by doing, as I created multiple informative graphics and added details that may not have been as obvious as others. For instance, when working on my mind map, I took a step back and considered what other factors that may cause a person to lapse into drug addiction. I also browsed the Internet, including social media platforms to get a general idea as to why addiction occurs. From there, I proceeded to create my mind map from sources that I gathered from common websites, specifically clinics, and websites catered to helping those in need and educating those who do not understand. This type of education was what I agreed with the most, so I decided to do the same. My mind map consisted of three aspects, Social, Economic, and Psychological. From there, I tweeted out relevant articles and information to raise some awareness as well. I proceeded to create a simple and easy-to-follow infographic that was poignant, yet informative. I listed multiple symptoms that a person can follow to see if someone they know could be suffering from drug addiction and to know what the signs are. Upon receiving positive feedback from classmates and the instructor, I was satisfied that the infographic belonged to my final presentation. Further, my Venn diagram that showcased differences and similarities between academic and non-academic literature belonged on my presentation as well, mainly because commonality between both types of sources would arguably make it easier to narrow down the most relevant information available. I also believed that this would be relevant in my final presentation. Twitter is an outstanding social media platform that can reach millions of people in an instant. I understand that my work has only begun, but I have hope that I can have others read my presentation and begin to help others. I also discussed with classmates the benefits of spreading information through online channels, as the Internet is accessible by billions of people, which is sure to hopefully spread the problem that I have presented, analyzed, and discussed in length throughout my time in the course. I also do understand that the Internet may have its drawbacks.

While ease of access to the web is a cornerstone of the Internet itself, it can be argued that tweets are easy to be overlooked by those who do not actively use Twitter or even any social media whatsoever. To counter this, a joint task needs to be completed: online and offline information sharing. I can take the information that I presented to the next step, which would be presenting my information in person, regardless of where I am. It can be as small as going to the Laurier campus, going to a friend’s house, or letting my coworkers become more aware of the situation. Regarding the latter, it would be beneficial to them as well, considering that the majority of our clientele are members of the public who may not have the funds or the means to treat themselves for their drug addiction. It is important to make them aware of the signs and symptoms that a person dealing with drug addiction is experiencing to see if they can help in any way. When examining possible solutions to the identified problem, I realized that tolerance and awareness are both immensely important aspects of beating drug addiction, as well as social assistance. The term “social assistance” does not even have to be through government or local programs, it can be as simple as checking in on a friend that one suspects is dealing with drug issues. The idea can also be taken a step further, opting to even go to city council meetings and discuss in detail the problem and present solutions to solve it.

To conclude, I felt that my way of presenting information was intuitive, however, I understand that it is not the most creative. Taking this into account, I made sure to make my PowerPoint presentation as informative and easy to process as possible. Although I did not receive much feedback through social media, I remain confident about my hopes that more people will become aware and more understanding of the issues going on in our city. The main point that I made in my presentation is that we can only help others if we are truly informed and aware of what is going on first. The second half of that is to see if those who are struggling want to be helped; From there, we can begin to analyze and assess the issues presented and come up with a way to effectively execute the solutions suggested. I hope that my contributions to the class were informative and fun, for both my classmates and the instructor.

It is a known fact that drug overdose deaths are on the rise. Based on research I have read, most addicts say they start with pills, turn to heroin, and die from the synthetic opioid painkiller fentanyl. Opioids are too accessible; other effective alternative pain management is rarely discussed as a treatment option. Other medications like Ibuprofen (Motrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Naproxen (Advil) are good effective options. Discussing these options and implementing them would drop the rate of drug addiction to an all low. Unfortunately, many patients leave the post-surgery recovery room with a prescription for 30 or more highly addictive opioid pills (such as Vicodin, Hydrocodone, and Oxycodone), and about 6 percent are still using them three months or longer after the procedure (asahq.com, 2018). Noticing the signs and managing the pill intake could also save their life. Too many lives are lost simply because their doctor prescribed them opioids after a certain surgery and they became drug dependent. We need to stop this epidemic at the source, and that source is prescription drugs.

We live in a world where opioids are prescribed just as easy as or easier than antibiotics are. Not since the HIV/AIDS epidemic has the United States faced as devastating and lethal a health problem as the current crisis of opioid misuse and overdose (Science Daily, 2018). The Drug Enforcement Administration found that most overdose deaths are caused by prescription drugs, including opioids. While opioid abuse continues to plague certain states more than others, each state is unique in how it attempts to stem the crisis and its effect on families (Science Daily, 2018). More than two dozen states have implemented laws or policies limiting opioid prescriptions in some way and insurance companies have done the same. The most common is to restrict a patient’s first prescription to several pills that should last a week or even less. According to Dr. Grant, “Nobody needs a prescription for 30 or 50 opioids, and even those who are in major pain and may benefit should only take them for a day or two,” said ASA President James D. Grant, M.D., M.B.A., and FASA. “There are effective alternatives and many people don’t need opioids at all or at least should drastically reduce the amount they take” (asahq.com, 2018). A few states have pledged to come after those responsible for the rising death toll (Science Daily, 2018). Although two dozen states are almost half of the US, there are still two dozen states left without this implementation, and that needs to change.

The full extent of the public health consequences of prescription opioids is further complicated by the increased availability and use of heroin, which is less expensive and stronger than prescription opioids. Many people who develop habits from prescription opioids eventually switch to heroin. In one study, about 80 percent of current heroin users reported that they began with prescription opioids (Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, 2010-2015). With this information, it is safe to say that the connection of the effects of prescription opioids and heroin are intertwined.

In the last decade, US deaths due to opioid-related overdoses have tripled. Between 2001 and 2011 the rate of heroin overdose deaths increased more than 2.5-fold among whites aged 18 to 44. The mounting effect is a 200 percent increase in opioid-involved overdoses from 2000 to 2014 (Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, 2010-2015). Only in more recent years, national initiatives to reduce opioid prescribing have decreased the number of prescription opioids distributed. However, many people who otherwise would have been using prescription opioids have transitioned to heroin use due to this restriction, which resulted in a three-fold increase in heroin-involved overdose deaths from 2010 to 2014 (Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, 2010-2015). As you can see, the overall frequency of heroin deaths has been speeding up since 2010 when restrictions to prescription medication started take place; but by then, it was too late. We need to stop this epidemic, starting with prescription medication.

People who become dependent on opioids may experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking the pills. These prescription opioids can cause hyperalgesia, meaning they can increase pain sensitivity (asahq.com, 2018), which equals to more medication being needed to ease the pain. Dependence is often coupled with tolerance, meaning that opioid users need to take increasingly larger doses of the medication for the same effect. People who become dependent on pain pills may switch to heroin because it is less expensive than prescription drugs and has a stronger high. Other indicators suggest that prescription control may have contributed to a reduction in some prescription opioid problems, without clearly stunting the growth in heroin use. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimates that half of the people who inject heroin turn to the street drug after abusing prescription painkillers, also that three in four new heroin users start out using prescription drugs (CNN.com, 2019). We need to stop the drug abuse of prescription medication before they go down an ever harder path. Alternative pain management needs to be prescribed more frequently. Instead of prescribing Vicodin or Percocet, Doctors should prescribe medications like Ibuprofen (Motrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Naproxen (Advil).

It is impossible to keep everyone safe from addiction; even when restricting prescription opioids but treatment to reverse this addiction should be readily and easily accessible. Over 2.5 million Americans are addicted to opioids but fewer than 50% of private sector treatment programs offer medications for Opioid Use Disorder and only one-third of patients in those programs receive them (CNN.com, 2019). At the first signs of addiction- rehabilitation, and detox should be a plan of attack so that this addiction doesn’t grow. Traditional treatment, which begins with detox and relies on lifelong abstinence, is no match for today’s opioid addiction. Like other medical conditions, to stabilize and manage opioid use disorder requires a medical model, using one of three FDA-approved medications. These medications significantly diminish cravings and reduce the risk of relapse. As detoxification alone for Opioid Use Disorder is an ineffective and potentially dangerous practice, it should not be the choice for most patients. All patients with Opioid Use Disorder should have access to one of three FDA-approved medications (buprenorphine, methadone, XR-naltrexone) as their primary treatment and treatment should continue for a minimum of one year, without a predefined length of treatment, under a long-term medical model (CNN.com, 2019). Opioid addiction hits hard, we need to hit even harder with reversal treatments. People currently on prescription pain medication should be closely monitored to reduce the chance of addiction. Over several years, the US Department of Justice promoted Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs (PDMPs) (Stefan G. Kertesz, Adam J. Gordon, 2018) but these programs are not available nationwide nor are they public knowledge and they should be.

While no one has gone against the new legislation and rules to reduce the amount of opioids prescribed, not even pharmaceutical companies who gained money from this prescription medication surplus, there is the argument that pain still needs to be treated. That argument is indeed valid as many people are suffering from chronic pain due to certain illnesses and diseases like cancer and musculoskeletal diseases. New rules have made it hard for these patients to get the appropriate amount of pain medication needed (Will Stone, KJZZ, 2018). For some, alternative medications are not enough to ease the pain and help them live regular lives. Patients and doctors are now being held accountable and this is causing doctors to limit their prescribing of opioids because they do not want the liability (Will Stone, KJZZ, 2018), therefore, patients with chronic pain suffer. The new laws should maintain monitored access for chronic pain sufferers and others who rely on these drugs. The new restrictions should only apply to new patients. Cancer, trauma, end-of-life, and other serious cases should be exempt to avoid this problem that some patients view as dehumanizing and unfair.

We all know that knowledge is power, so we need to use that to our advantage. Educating yourself and others on the dangers of prescription and street drugs is just as important as staying away from them. As President Donald Trump stated, ‘The best way to prevent drug addiction and overdose is to prevent people from abusing drugs in the first place,’ President Trump continued by saying, “If they don’t start, they won’t have a problem. If they do start, it’s tough to get off (CNN.com, 2019). For this to be successful, the proper education is needed. Reading stories online or the news isn’t enough because the real gruesomeness of it is covered up. I think people need to see actual pictures of overdose victims not just before death, but what they looked like when they were found because seeing them at their funeral isn’t scary enough. They are made up and look so peaceful then. People should also see what their surroundings looked like and what their life was really like. People need to see the nitty-gritty of it and most importantly, the truth of how it all began and how easy it is to get caught up in drug addiction. In an article in the NY Times, a coroner went to a New York High School to speak on this very subject. The kids there were shown actual crime scene photos along with the story of the victims. That is powerful and effective education; it gives an actual visual which is always worse than what you have created in your head. As Mr. Whitehead stated in a statement to school officials, “Are you so afraid to expose students to the graphic and harsh reality in our community that you simply turn a cold shoulder to it and hope for the best?” (Foderaro). Hoping for the best, as we know, it is not enough. This problem will not just disappear on its own.

Alternatives to prescription opioids like Ibuprofen (Motrin), Acetaminophen (Tylenol), and Naproxen (Advil), can help save lives and reduce not only the number of drug overdoses but the number of drug-addicted Americans. The opioid epidemic was and is too great to be ignored. Drug addiction has a beginning and for many Americans that beginning was prescription pain medication. It was the introduction and gateway to cheaper, lethal street drugs like heroin. People who are in a situation where opioids are an option should not be afraid to ask questions and listen when being spoken to about alternative treatments and be active participants in their care! Opioid addiction can affect everyone and anyone. As Mr. Whitelaw stated “he flashed slides explaining the ABCs of addiction and the diversity of its victims: “gifted, smart, rich, poor, doctors, lawyers, cops, judges, moms, dads, bus drivers, pilots, nurses, financial planners…”(Foderaro). Your race, social status, or income cannot protect you; only you can protect yourself. As previously mentioned, many states and even insurance companies have implemented new laws to restrict the amount and duration of prescribed opioids, but not all 50 states have. These new laws and policies need to be implemented in all 50 states, not just half as the opioid epidemic and the rise of drug overdose deaths are nationwide. Treatments for those addicted should be accepted by more insurance companies and more readily available to everyone to be effective. Chronic pain patients should be exempt and should not be placed under the same rules as non-chronic pain patients. With the new laws in place nationwide, this epidemic should not increase, but decrease. This Opioid epidemic should not have a future, the people should and that future needs to be as drug-free as possible with new laws, regulations, and education in play, a drug and addiction-free future is now a possibility for everyone.

Works Cited

1. “Impact of Opioid Epidemic on Children Varies by State.” ScienceDaily, ScienceDaily, 6 Nov. 2018, www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/11/181106104300.htm.
2. Rudd RA, Seth P, David F, Scholl L. Increases in drug and opioid-involved overdose deaths—United States, 2010–2015. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. 2016; 65:1445–1452.
3. “Opioid Crisis Fast Facts.” CNN, Cable News Network, 17 Jan. 2019, www.cnn.com/2017/09/18/health/opioid-crisis-fast-facts/index.html.
4. Kertesz, Stefan G., and Adam J. Gordon. “A Crisis of Opioids and the Limits of Prescription Control: United States.” Addiction, vol. 114, no. 1, 2018, pp. 169–180., doi:10.1111/add.14394.
5. “Opioids Often Not the Answer to Post-Surgery Pain, Discomfort, Note Physician Anesthesiologists.” American Society of Anesthesiologists, www.asahq.org/about-asa/newsroom/news-releases/2018/01/opioids-often-not-the-answer-to-post-surgery-pain.
6. HealthLeaders. “Analysis.” Top 5 Differences Between NFPs and For-Profit Hospitals, www.healthleadersmedia.com/clinical-care/patients-chronic-pain-feel-caught-opioid-prescribing-debate.
7. Foderaro, Lisa W. “From Opioid Epidemic’s Front Lines, Filling In the Brutal Back Story.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 19 June 2017, www.nytimes.com/2017/06/19/nyregion/from-opioid-epidemics-front-lines-filling-in-the-brutal-back-story.html.

Ask children about the first thing that comes to their mind when they hear the words ‘drug addict’ and ‘rehab.’ They will likely tell you that drug addicts are bad people—deranged criminals with no hope of salvation. Their parents would have told them to avoid people who came out from rehab. So, children will have negative thoughts about those people as well. The dehumanization of drug addicts is so pervasive that it permeates the home. The way how media and popular culture depict drug addiction contributes to dehumanization.

Media oversimplifies the drug problem and instills specific stereotypes of drug addicts, according to Liverpool John Moores University researcher Stuart Taylor. It does not help that the government’s drug policy treats addiction as a criminal instead of a medical problem. Both media and government preclude a more holistic public discussion of drug addiction. In effect, these institutions relegate drug addicts to the sidelines.

The killings of thousands of drug addicts in the Philippines are one way to demonstrate what would happen if US educators would allow children to swallow drug stereotypes hook, line, and sinker. As educators, we have to enlighten our children on how to properly view drug rehabilitation and drug addiction.

Inpatient vs. Outpatient Rehab

The public doesn’t understand the importance of drug rehab in the first place. This is why people who underwent drug rehabilitation face so much stigma. Teachers should show that drug rehab is similar to going to the hospital when we are sick. Thus, there is nothing wrong with going to rehab, especially when it is necessary. When patients commit themselves to a drug rehabilitation center, they undergo what is called ‘inpatient drug rehab.’

While inpatient drug rehab is what comes to mind when the word rehab is mentioned, children should know that there is also ‘outpatient drug rehabilitation.’ Just like how people don’t need to stay in the hospital for all kinds of illnesses, not all forms of drug rehab require going to an inpatient rehabilitation facility. There is also what is called ‘wilderness rehab,’ a variety of inpatient addiction treatment where nature itself is the setting instead of a typical hospital environment.

All of these methods offer short-term drug rehab and long-term drug rehab. The length of rehab depends on the needs and characteristics of the patient. All aim to end a patient’s addiction and reduce the chances of relapse.

Why do some patients need to undergo inpatient drug rehab?

Inpatient drug rehab takes a patient away from their home and their work without feeling like a prisoner. In the process, inpatient rehab centers provide a safe and comfortable environment to reduce a patient’s stress. A person becomes a drug addict not because it ‘simply happens.’ Stress triggers people to use drugs as a form of escape from their problems. Outpatient rehab might not work if there are stressors in the patient’s home or place of work that can cause them to use drugs again.

The best inpatient rehab centers apply a holistic approach to treating a patient’s drug addiction. A holistic approach seeks to detoxify the patient, improve their behavior, and develop their skills. The rehab program should also help them discover their talents and interests. Through inpatient treatment, drug patients can gradually integrate themselves with society instead of isolating themselves.

How young people should view addiction and rehabilitation

Educators need to separate drug addiction from the person who suffers from it. Children should know that drug addicts are still human beings who have rights as everyone else. We should make our students understand why drug addicts need rehabilitation to recover from their suffering. Hence, we should work to remove the stigma associated with drug rehab. When drug rehab patients feel that society still accepts them despite their past, they can move on and pursue their dreams.

Children should also learn to think critically. As educators, we should teach them how to study drug issues more in-depth. They should not content themselves with what they already know or what the media or government tells them. They must realize that they have to take an active part in shaping discourse and policy that is more just and humane towards drug addicts.

Not just one single war, individual, leader, or group can beat drugs. Hence, we should also underscore the importance of tackling drug addiction at its root causes. In the process, children will understand the need for collective action and social change to solve drug addiction.

Illicit drug use is disapproved in most societies. It is highly stigmatized and for this reason, those people who have been lost in the world of drugs find this behavior harmful. While there is a wide research on drugs and alcohol abuse, few studies have addressed the problem of stigmatization among drug addicts. Specific social beliefs and opinions drive social stigma and stigma occurs when an individual is termed as an antisocial due to some perceived behavioral flaws. According to Palamer (2013), social stigma includes stereotype and labelling. In his recent metanalysis, discrimination due to gender, race or mental conditions are the most prevalent. Stigmatization on the other hand is a process by which an individual is stigmatized, labelled or termed as a disgrace or unworthy due to engaging in perceived negative acts. For this reason, they may seek self-isolation as they feel unwanted.

Frischknecht, Beckhmann, Heinrich, Kniest, Nakovics, (2011), and their colleagues conducted a study that assessed the vicious circle of stigmatization, anxiety, depressiveness, and low quality associated with heroin addicts. They noted that stigmatization may cause discrimination, loss of status and separation. Although stigmatization attitudes serve as an individual’s protective measure to abstain from addiction in some people, to others it may lead to adverse outcomes among those who don’t want to refrain. In this regard, the negative impacts of stigmatization dates to its infancy. Those who stigmatize drug users are reported to have no contact with users. While both Palamer (2013) and Frischknecht et al., (2011) identify and discuss the aspects of stigma, including its role in increasing addiction and its effects on individual and society, this essay extends the problem of stigmatization of drug addicts through exploring the reasons why drug addicts are stigmatized. Emancipating the public on an objectified information on drugs may lessen the effects of stigma, hence a greater way to fight addiction as a health issue, as opposed to a moral issue.

According to a study by Palamar (2013), a respondent who is old, a drug user and links with users stand s a higher chance to report that alcohol is actually a drug. The study further reveals that white, older, users and exposed to users’ respondents termed nicotine as a drug especially on the female clique. On whites, religious and those who report higher stigmatization stands a higher chance of terming addiction as a choice. Females with the first degree are prone to do otherwise. Nonwhite, older and those who have experienced stigmatization stands a high chance to reveal the bad effects of marijuana and heroin. Exposure, higher degree and drug use altered the same. According to Frischknecht et al., 2011, even in politics, people discriminate candidates who have had history of drug addiction. For instance, Non-whites, who have faced stigmatization and are religious could not vote for a candidate who is a drug addict. Those with a degree, use drugs and relate with drug users had a higher chance of voting for an addicted candidate. Individuals inclined to religiosity, and had been stigmatized at higher levels have a low chance to agree that they would use drugs if they were legal. This shows that educated people will rarely stigmatize drug addicts as compared to the rest of population.

Stigmatization is not a detriment to understanding the drug nature of alcohol or nicotine. Alcoholics who are of color stands a lower chance of understanding that nicotine can be termed as a drug. The difference between legal and illegal drugs is still complex because of their simplicity in purchase. It’s however notable that these drugs pose danger to users due to psychoactive and detrimental effects. Emancipated and educated females refute that an individual’s choice can make one an addict especially amongst the minority racially discriminated societies (Palamer, 2013). Criminalization of drugs is one of the major causes of stigmatization. While Palamer (2013) note that trying drug for the first time can be a personal choice, it is not the choice of addicts to compulsively abuse drugs. However, when nations started passing anti-drug legislations, they sent a message to societies that drug use is immoral. Since then, drug abuse has been associated with other crimes such as prostitution, drug trafficking, rape, murder and thievery.

It is important to note that these anti-drug laws have made it very difficult even for people who recover from drug abuse to reintegrate with other members of society. In most countries, one is required to declare whether or not they have ever used drugs in their lifetime when they are seeking employment in some careers. Consequently, it has become very hard for people with drug abuse and drug addiction history to get jobs in such societies. Besides, governments have been strict to drug addicts even when they are reviewing their driving license credibility. People who have history of drug addiction always face difficulties when trying to get driving licenses or even receive welfare benefits. Such stigmatization caused by criminalizing drug abuse makes it difficult for former drug addicts to adopt long-term recovery method.

Another factor that contributes to stigmatization of drug addicts is high rates of relapse that surrounds the phenomenon. While Frischknecht et al., (2011) agrees that many people in society doesn’t understand substance use disorders, it is significant to point out that drug addiction is different from other diseases. While there are other chronic diseases that also have relatively high relapse rate, such as high blood pressure and diabetes, people with drug addiction are influenced by various factors including developmental, environmental, and also genetic factors. People however, tend to stigmatize drug addicts while treating those who encounter relapse from other chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension.

A good public education is good in reducing stigma associated with addiction especially if the concerned learn that addiction is a medical, rather than perceptional ideal; and that some people are susceptible than others. Educated people are able to distinguish the strengths of different drugs. Minorities who are racially segregated, are religiously inclined and have been stigmatized agree that all drugs are dangerous. Those who stigmatize addicts agree that any type of drug is dangerous and unacceptable. Those who stigmatize users are under educated or are not informed about drugs and otherwise. Illicit drug users agree that marijuana use is okay but refute hard drugs like heroin or cocaine.

The language used to refer to former or current drug addicts also plays a significant role in promoting stigma among this group. Using language such as “substance abuser” evokes negative reactions to members of society. When the terms “substance abuser” is used to refer to a person who has history of drug addiction, members of society often perceive them as guilty of drug abuse and therefore in need of punitive measures. Several terms have been proposed to help language-use as a source of stigma among drug addicts. For instance, there has been proposals for the term “addict” to be replaced with “person with a substance use disorder” and “addiction” with “substance use disorder”. Use of preferred language can be very helpful in tackling stigmatization among drug addicts.

Stigma related to alcoholism is the most common in the societies. Those who are known to use alcohol and other related substances at the work place are subjected to negative assumptions, as their ability to be productive is doubted by other colleagues. They are therefore discriminated during hiring or promotion hence experiencing discrimination; which affect their career progression. They are also marginalized and excluded in major decision making and life processes.it is important hat workplaces implement policies and other measures to help employees who are on drugs. This should be done inadvertently in order to reduce the effects of stigmatization including the use of whole-of-workplace approach.

In conclusion, reduced stigma may curtail drug addiction or even deteriorate it. While the two studies have explored the issue of stigma widely, this essay has extended the argument by focusing on factors that cause stigmatization, including criminalizing drug abuse, high rates of relapse among former drug addicts and the language used to refer to drug addicts. Education is the only antidote to misinformation and myths to addicts. Media education can increase emancipation and reduce stigma. In the US for example, addicts are educated on an objective manner to help them view addiction as a health other than moral construct. Workplace anti -stigma strategies can be employed to address addiction without stigmatizing. They include societal support, availing education and information, policies and support.

Nature alludes to the entirety of the qualities and inherited elements that impact our identity, from our physical appearance to our character attributes. Nurture can be defined as all the environmental factors that sway who we are, including our youth encounters, how we were raised, our social connections, and our encompassing society. Some philosophers, for example, Plato and Descartes recommended certain things are intrinsic, or that they happen normally paying little mind to environmental impacts. According to the NIH, drug addiction is “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness. The NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms defines drug abuse as ‘the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in large amounts.’ Drug abuse may prompt social, physical, enthusiastic, and work-related issues.

Does a dependence start because of a sign from the genes? Or on the other hand, does a habit start because of something an individual experiences in their environment? These are the questions I will be dealing with. In this paper, I will explain how drug addiction is classified as a disease and how it’s used for recreation only. First, let’s talk about what addiction is and how it can be hereditary. Some people are born biologically wired to be addicts says Addiction Research and Theory. Having an addictive personality is attributed to this because some people can’t help liking certain things. Their brain works differently and tells them “Just one more time” or “You’ll stop eventually just not right now.” However, heating the mind-boggling issue of addiction down to a personality type can be destructive for a few reasons. One is that it can lead individuals to erroneously accept they aren’t in danger since they don’t have the ‘right personality’ for addiction. It might also make individuals who have an addiction believe that they’re not able to recoup if addiction is ‘hardwired’ into what their identity is. Addictions are decent to profoundly heritable. Family, appropriation, and twin investigations uncover that a person’s hazard will in general correspond to the level of genetic relationship to a dependent family member. Heritability of addictive issues extends from 0.39 for drugs to 0.72 for cocaine. The Virginia Twin Study uncovered that in early pre-adulthood the commencement and utilization of nicotine, liquor, and cannabis are all the more firmly dictated by familial and social components, however, these bit by bit decrease in significance during the movement to youthful and centered adulthood, when the impacts of hereditary elements become maximal, declining fairly with aging.

According to Drug Addiction: The Neurobiology of behavior gone awry; drug addiction can be seen in the brain. The brain of an addict looks much different than the brain of a clean sober person. Drug use is not just something that is learned and repeated, it is a habit that becomes necessary in the individual’s life. Withdrawal is mental and physical, which makes the addict keep doing drugs because the pain of withdrawal is terrible. Going with withdrawal is hard because that person knows exactly what will take that pain away so it convinces them to give up detoxing. The abnormal social appearances that happen during addiction have been seen by numerous individuals as ‘decisions’ of the dependent individual, yet ongoing imaging contemplates have uncovered a fundamental disturbance to brain areas that are significant for the ordinary procedures of inspiration, reward, and inhibitory control of independent people. This gives the premise to an alternate view, that illicit drug use is a sickness of the brain, and the related unusual conduct is the consequence of brokenness of brain tissue, similarly as cardiovascular deficiency is an illness of the heart and irregular blood course is the aftereffect of dysfunction of myocardial tissue.

Addicts can be clean for years and relapse as soon as they have one thought about using. They aren’t relapsing to cure the physical withdrawal symptoms because those are gone, they are relapsing because they thought about getting high and went and did it. Getting high has such a strong control over the brain that nothing else in that individual’s life matters except drugs. Michael Lyvers’s journal titled “Drug addiction as a physical disease: The role of physical dependence and other chronic drug-induced neurophysiological changes in compulsive drug self-administration” makes a good point about addiction being chronic. This helps back up the reason addicts relapse after so many years of being clean. In the same article, the withdrawal-relief paradigm, or opiate model of addiction, is analyzed in light of recent tests and clinical proof for different addictive medications. It is inferred that despite the opiate model, the star grouping of neurotic practices characterizing addiction (impulsive medication use, wanting, loss of control, and a constant inclination to backslide) doesn’t essentially mirror a need to assuage real or adapted autonomic withdrawal side effects. Regardless of the disappointment of the opiate model, the latest proof proposes that determined medication-actuated changes in the physical brain may underlie addictive conduct, steady with the general thought of addiction as a physical illness.

Now, we are going to transition into the nurture of drug addiction.

Watching family and friends use drugs can make it convincing that it’s safe, because why would they do something harmful? Recreational drug use is common among younger kids. Smoking weed is usually recreational whether it is at a party, before class, to help alleviate pain, etc. Guardians who drink before their kids could be sustaining enslavement in those kids regardless of whether they ever expected to do so. The organization Drinkaware says that there is a solid connection between beginning-stage drinking and a kid’s presentation to savoring the home. It may be the case that adolescents see their folks drinking frequently and become persuaded that the action is innocuous and fun, or it may be the case that teenagers with drinking guardians have simple access to liquor. Despite the explanation, guardians who drink could cause a sustained enslavement trigger. Research has demonstrated that kids who are raised by guardians adopting the authoritative model of parenting will in general be more effective than their companions, when estimated for mental self-view and substance misuse. The key explanation for the definitive style so viable is that youngsters who experience childhood in that structure learn significant ways to deal with critical thinking, and how to direct and communicate their feelings, to where they can create aptitudes and procedures against the destructive idea designs that regularly precede substance misuse. The support and discipline provided by authoritative parents foster healthy decision-making about making potentially harmful choices to healthy childhood development, like whether to drink before the child is emotionally and intellectually ready. In this way, a nurturing environment could offset the nature of the genetic component of addiction.

Peer pressure can be a staggering and practically unavoidable piece of growing up. It’s hard for a ton of children to push back against companions, and as an individual arrives at pre-adulthood a feeling of innate network turns out to be very nearly a formative goal, or possibly a crucial right of section. Subsequently, it turns out to be much progressively harder for somebody to ‘simply state no’ as a juvenile than it will be as the youngster develops into a youthful grown-up. A child will pick what appears to be a holding involvement in a dear companion over practical insight as a rule. So also, a few people create drug abuse because of early utilization of drugs. At the point when the cerebrum is created, it is increasingly vulnerable to the harm drug use and abuse can cause. At the point when individuals start drug use at an early age, they can encounter such a great amount of harm to the cells of the mind that they think that it’s difficult to recuperate. The prior youngsters start, the more hazardous things can be. The developing cerebrum can likewise be increasingly powerless to peer pressure, as per the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Developing synapses makes it difficult for youngsters to gauge current delight against future torment. At the point when friends constrain youngsters to settle on a decision, they collapse.

People diagnosed with diseases that cause a lot of pain are given a medical card. They smoke instead of taking painkillers. This is a learned behavior of drug use; they aren’t smoking because their brain is telling them to. They are doing this to help the pain they are in from something else. For instance, a few people experience a form of trauma while growing up. They live in disorderly family units in which they feel as if they are in peril most or constantly. They are stressed, concerned, and dreadful, and they carry those sentiments with them into adulthood. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network says that one child in four in the United States encounters something like this as they develop, and these children have higher paces of substance use and misuse. They utilize these substances as a type of self-prescription, and in time, they could create physical and mental reliance issues on those substances. This is a support issue. These youngsters don’t create addictions because of their qualities. They are creating addictions because of an encounter they have suffered and endured. Their qualities don’t assume a job here.

As opposed to accusing either nature or nurture, specialists propose that addictions will in general spring up through a confounded interaction of the two qualities and conditions. Having only one kind of hazard factor can be risky, yet the individuals who have factors that could fall into the two camps may have such an exceptional danger of harm that no one but treatment can assist with switching things around. The vast majority who have addictions build up those issues because of an exchange between nature and support. They may not plan to build up a fixation, however their qualities may start habit’s pleasure. Their condition may make a habit simpler to continue than it may be were there an alternate sustaining condition around that individual.

An individual with a hereditary affinity to like liquor may appreciate that absolute first taste, however, if the individual lives with a consumer, that debut drink may be all the more prone to occur. The two kinds of factors expand upon each other and reinforce each other, making an undeniable enslavement all the more conceivable. Those equivalent interlacing components could be vital to recovery. People who get help for addiction may get medications (for the nature issue) and therapy (for the nurture issue). Attempting to isolate out nature and nurture as clarifications for conduct, is currently said to be both unthinkable and inefficient. Geneticists contend that nature and nurture connect to influence conduct through complex and not yet completely got ways, however, practically speaking, the discussion proceeds.

Say No To Drugs Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should fail to abstain from drugs because drugs affect our health, and lead to academic failure. Drugs have been used for a long time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased since the late 1960s and 1970s. Drugs can quickly take over our lives. Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person’s body and mind work. On the other hand, there are some causes and side effects of drugs. Drugs are not good for health as they have many side effects and they also damage our brain, heart, and other important organs. The types of drugs, causes, and disadvantages, and so on, I have discussed in upcoming paragraphs also.

Introduction –

A drug is a chemical that interacts with proteins in the body and affects many functions of the body furthermore, Drugs are used in medicines but due to some limits. That’s why we should take only that much medicine how much the doctors suggest to us. Especially to the kids. So that’s why the proteins also act as drug marks. It needs to be bound to a protein. It can be the idea of as a catch and input method; Where the drug is the input and the protein is the catch. Once the drug is bound in this catch and input device then it can have one of the two most key powers over the small room. It can produce a change in response or it can stop a normal response of the small room.

There is a list of different drugs and their actions in the body. Like Cancer, Pain, Infection, and many others.Many of the reasons that we see such a wide and different range of efficacies of drugs across people are that drugs work differently in different people. A drug will usually produce the same qualitative effect across persons, that is to say, it will produce the same results on the same side. But the amount of these belongings will be dissimilar. So that’s why some people may run through a shorter action of the drug or a more powerful side effect. Taking away the drug from the body is openly slanted by age Newborns and the aged understand the effects of drugs for longer and the drug takes a lot of time to be taken away from the body. When the babies are born to point their renal function is very quick to start similar levels to adults within one week after delivery. If the drugs are given before the renal function, at this level, the drug taking away from the body takes a lot of time and so do the effects of the drugs. The differences in our genes are also an important determinant of unevenness in what our bodies do the drugs. PEOPLE face many problems like liver and kidney pain because of drugs. During pregnancy, the process of drug taking away from the body becomes very difficult. Moreover, many drugs are known to be harmful. During pregnancy, drugs should be avoided like Alcohol and Cigarettes Smoke because these things are very unsafe for well-being.

History of drugs —

It Is not based on science and health harm, but most often because of some people who are perceived to be using illegal drugs. On the other hand, ‘’The Real History of Illegal Drugs ‘’ explains Why, When, And How some drugs became illegal. There are some drugs which are used in Coca–Cola. The drugs did not become illegal until 1985. As drugs have been physically abused for hundreds of years all over the world, their effects have been felt for just as long time. Since drugs have been used, there are always those who abuse them. As the physical and mental health suggestions became clearer. As a result, The history of rehabilitation in the United States dates back hundreds of years.

One of the beginning Fathers of America, BENJAMIN RUSH, was one of the first who believed that alcoholism was not a material of individual self-control but rather due to the alcohol itself. At the University of UTAH, in the past, addiction was treated as a criminal offense, with the demanding devotion–based prayer, but this signified a transfer to performance dependence as an illness that could be managed. In 1964, the New York STATE INEBRIATE ASYLUM, the first hospital intentionally to exclusively treat alcoholism as a MENTAL health condition, was founded. Nowadays, thousands of drug REHABILITATION programs offer a variety of treatment approaches. A major step for the REHABILITATION movement came in 1935 When Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson – founded Alcoholics Anonymous. From the AA format, various other branches formed, such as NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS [NA], COCAINE ANONYMOUS [CA], and MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS [MA].

Types of drugs –

Drugs can be categorized based on their effect on users. There are many types of drugs, each with its effects and dangers.

1. Stimulants.
2. Depressants.
3. Hallucinogens.
4. Dissociative.
5. Opioids.
6. Inhalants.
7. Cannabis.
8. Amphetamines.
9. Ecstasy.
10. Heroin.
11. Cocaine. There are some other points of drugs that we will discuss ahead –

Drugs can be categorized based on their effects on users, there are some drugs that we have discussed in the above lines . Now we will discuss some effects and dangers or characteristics of drugs

1. Stimulants –

It impacts the body’s central nervous system, causing the user to feel as if they are “speeding up”.These drugs increase the user’s level of alertness and pump up heart rates, Moreover, blood pressure, and breathing. On the other hand, most doctors prescribe stimulants for [ ASTHMA ] because the drugs can open the breathing passages, but there is some limit to using the things where it is needed or how much needed, there are some conditions that are regarded as these. On the other hand, drugs can also help to reduce weight. Stimulants often come in the form of pills. Examples of stimulants include –

1. Adderall
2. Ritalin
3. Synthetic Marijuana
4. Cocaine
5. Methamphetamine
6. Ecstasy.

2. Depressants –

Like stimulants, depressants also impact the body’s CNS, but with the opposite results of effects, making the users feel as if things are “slowing down “. Thus, they are often called downers on the street.

On the other hand, Doctors prescribe some depressants for [ anxiety, insomnia, and some other medical issues that prevent the sufferer from fully relaxing. All these drugs are often a sedative experience to users, Moreover, making them a tempting choice for teens who wish to escape everyday stresses.

3. Alcohol as a depressants —

Alcohol acts as a depressant, making it a popular choice for users looking to relax. Although drinking is often associated with immediate bursts of energy after a sip, the user’s vital functions are inevitably delayed But overdosing on alcohol can cause severe toxicity and even it can cause death.

4. Tobacco as a depressants —

The main ingredient in tobacco is nicotine; this is a chemical that acts as both a stimulant and a depressant besides, Tobacco gives users a minor, immediate rush, which is followed by a feeling of relaxation.

5. Risks of depressant abuse —

Depressants can be useful or better only when used properly, excluding, on the other hand, depressant abuse can cause issues in both terms, the long term as well as the short term. Higher risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain.

6. Hallucinogens —

Hallucinogens work by disrupting communication within the brain. Users report intense, rapidly shifting emotions and perceptions of things that aren’t there. For example, a hallucinogen user might believe that they see a person speaking to them – When that person does not even exist. On the other hand, Hallucinogens come in many forms, which can be smoked, there are some pills also available, and even which were mixed into some beverages.

Risks of Hallucinogen Abuse —

There are some risks of Hallucinogen abuse which can have devastating effects that can last a lifetime;

• Hallucinogen persisting perception Disorder, also known as flashbacks
• Fear.
• Paranoia.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Anxiety.

7. Dissociatives –

Dissociative distorts the user’s perception of reality, and can cause feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their bodies. Besides this, They may gain a false sense of invincibility, then they may engage in risky behavior such as driving under the influence. These drugs work by interfering with the brain’s receptors, which play a significant role in emotionality and pain perception. Dissociatives can be taken as liquids, powders, solids, or gases.

8. Cannabis —

Most commonly recognized as cannabis acts like a Hallucinogen, but also produces depressant–like effects. It is a schedule, which has a high increasing medicinal uses in the United States. Still, it is often abused by those who do not medically require it. Moreover, Cannabis can be smoked and even it can be eaten There are some risks of Cannabis abuse which can destroy lives and can have both short-term as well as long-term impacts on users ;

• Lowered immunity to illness
• Sedation
• It also reduces sperm count in men
• Depression
• Slowed reaction times
• Enhanced senses, such as seeing brighter colors

· Causes of drug addiction –

Drug addiction refers to the repeated use of drugs with the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when drug use ceases While the causes of drug addiction are not known, Genetic, Psychological, and environmental factors play a significant role. Rather than a single cause of drug addiction, It is likely multiple factors lead to drug addiction in any given person. Some drug addicts also identify drug use and ignorance as a cause of drug addiction. Like, If a person is dealing with pain–management issues, the drug they receive, like oxycodone, can be very addictive. The ignorance of drug addiction, along with the Physical pain of the condition, becomes a cause of drug addiction.

1. A mental illness such as depression.
2. Lack of friends
3. Poor performance at work or school.
4. Poor stress coping skills

Environmental causes of drug addiction –

Drug addiction is more common in environments where drug abuse is seen. Moreover, Children who grow up in homes with drug addicts can become drug addicts themselves. Because most drug use starts in teenagers only. Other environmental factors that can be causes of drug abuse include

• Participation where drugs are encouraged
• A peer group that uses drugs or promotes drugs.
• Poor people are at greater risk of drug addiction
• Gender contributes to addiction to some drugs.

Disadvantages of drug addiction —

Some people think everyone who takes drugs will end up dead, But others seem to think that drug use is not dangerous at all, In between it is true. Drug use can be never 100 percent safe, but not always dangerous. Drugs are not always the same. Different drugs have different dangers associated with them Some drugs such as alcohol and heroin have an effect that slows down the way the body and brain function. If the drugs are taken a lot then it is very dangerous Drugs like alcohol and heroin can lead to more and more accidents For People who have heart or blood pressure problems and are drug addicts it is very dangerous to their health. And of course, some drugs are legal to use and others are not.

Taking too much of drugs can lead to attacks and heart problems, it can lead to overindulgence. Combining drugs can also produce dangerous effects on other individuals

Conclusion —

More on Specific Drugs, No matter the type of drugs, all types of drugs have the potential to be dangerous. It is very important to talk to your loved ones about drugs, and how these substances container negatively impact their lives. There are several free resources to help facilitate discussion, including our comprehensive. So, we should talk to our friends about the side effects of the drugs these were used in some medicines also but in other ways, people use the drugs to complete their needs without knowing their side effects or bad effects on their bodies or health also. So, that’s why people should be aware of the uses of drugs because everything has some limits to using those things in our lives.

References –

There are some examples for reference, which I have discussed in further lines.

• https;//www.therecoveryvillage.com .
• https;//drugaware.com.au.
• https;//au.reachout.com.
• https;//www.addictioncenter.com .

The Sri Lankan Army (SLA) is the oldest and biggest organization of the Sri Lankan military and established in 1949 as the Ceylon Army, modified its name when Sri Lanka became a republic in 1972. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces are the unified forces of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, including Sri Lankan Army, Sri Lankan Navy and Sri Lankan Air Force; they are managed by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). These three services have approximately 276,700 incumbents who can effectively employ of war and peace both.

The SLA is attempting to get the best out of its human resources to have proper duties and feature an effective, safe, geared up-to-use military. However, individual behaviors related to the carrier and interpersonal may effect to the organization as well individually. Historically, substance abuse has been a critical problem for army soldiers around the world. Some studies have proven that military soldiers use bad substances within the trendy populace higher than their friends such as Heroin and Cannabis. Substance abuse can be an assignment to battle, self-medication of bodily problems such as ache, assuaging mental fitness troubles, and assisting to deal with trauma or worrying activities. However, illicit drug use which consisting of opium, heroin, methamphetamine and marijuana, as well as non-medical use of prescription drugs has spread rapidly within the military. ( Larson et al, 2012).

The unique culture of the organization and challenges of military service make active and experienced service members for the organization. This cultural impact plays an important role in health care trends and has a major impact on mental health and drug abuse. Therefore, the impact of SLA experience on Heroin, Cannabis and other drug use, as well as drug abuse, and its impact on best practices for preventing and treating substance use disorders must be considered ( Bray et al, 2008). Furthermore, SLA being a highly organized and disciplined military organization has taken several remedial actions to overcome the drug addiction, drug abuse and to prevent the spreading of drugs related diseases in the Army while doing everything possible to uplift the image of the SLA.

Factors behind drug addiction among the Army personnel as well as the civilians need to be considered and understood. It will be the most important area to address this issue. Some researchers examined the role of stress as a risk factor and motivation for cannabis and heroin. According to their findings, cannabis and heroin are commonly used due to the job and life-related stress. Negative life events, trauma, and maladaptive were all related to consumption. Drugs use for stress-coping purposes was most evident when examining chronic as compared with experimental use. Although many individuals may be able to use drugs without consequences, there appears to be a subset of individuals who experience greater life stress and who may be more likely to use for stress-coping purposes. These individuals may be at greatest risk for addiction ( Scott, M. Rajitha, S. 2008).

Significance of the study

The deployment pressure during the war and the unique culture of the SLA explained some of the differences. Zero tolerance policies and stigma have difficulties in identifying and addressing the material use of military personnel, and the lack of confidentiality has hampered many people in need of treatment ( Wilk et al, 2014). Personnel with multiple deployments and combat exposures face the greatest risk of developing material use issues. They are more likely to engage in new weekly heavy Heroin and Cannabis, suffer from alcohol and other drug-related problems, and use more behavioral health medications. They are also more likely to start Heroin and Cannabis. Reported incidents and through the arrested military personnel on drug addiction and drug abuse revealed that always there are several factors to addiction as well as the increase of drug addiction. Moreover, SLA has started to find solutions to this matter because developing threat on drugs in civil society shows a connection with the service personnel too. Same time, the relation between drugs related crimes and military displays growing threat and future challenges. Therefore, disciplinary regulations, amendments, and legal actions have originated to address the matter. But, reporting incidents have not stopped and it has indicated significant increment as Figure 1 below (up to 28 February 2019).

SER YEAR DRUG CANNABIS HEROIN INCIDENTS PERSONNEL INCIDENTS PERSONNEL (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) 1 2015 77 77 17 17 2 2016 83 88 21 21 3 2017 87 132 41 27 4 2018 115 194 38 44 5 2019 20 30 7 8 6 TOTAL 382 521 124 117

Figure 1: Source – Directorate of Provost Marshal, 2019.

Therefore, probably there should be various reasons behind this which are concealed. Hence, this study has a timely significance to address this matter.

Problem statement

Drug addicted members of the Sri Lankan Army is affecting to other segments of society and individually too. It has reported in last few years, the number of drug addicts found in SLA increased in significant even though there is tight control to prevent such activities through punishment and legal procedures of SLA. In addition, military environment like Army maintains very discipline and secure environment for their persons, but however reported numbers of drug addiction are increased in annually. This issue leads to problems like tarnish of goodwill of Army, loss of Human capital (weapon handling capable), and finally security of civil society.

Research question

a. Main Research Question.

What are the factors behind increasing addiction to drugs among the SLA?

b. Sub Research Question.

What are the solutions to prevent/reduce drug addiction within the Army?

Research objectives

As per the above research questions based their rationality, objectives of the research categorized as below;

• a. The main objective of this research is to identify the factors behind increased addiction to drugs among the SLA personnel.
• b. The other objective is to find out solutions to prevent/reduce drug addiction within the Army.

Literature review

Substances that are abused can cause bipolar, depression, anxiety, mental illness and other mental illnesses that require timely diagnosis and treatment and have a negative impact on the performance of service personnel. Some studies have shown that suicide rates are high, and other deaths are associated with this untreated substance use disorder. Those problems have critical outcomes that can lead to main problems in instruction, field, and bodily and intellectual health. Then again, drug abuse may also lead to small businesses which include the Army, and the organization might face difficulties to overcome this complex issue. Substance-related issues can prevent them from adapting to their task obligations. Especially because figuring out it could cause separation from the Army ( Wilk et al, 2014).

Controlling substance abuse is even more difficult in Sri Lanka because the geographical location is generating a favorable environment for the drug trafficking and related abuse. A few research estimate that there are about 0.7 million material users within Sri Lanka, which is important due to the fact service participants are decided on from these well-known populations ( Larson et al, 2012).

In this situation, an extended-time period plan for an incorporated approach to the usage of substances related by army personnel is essential. Several proof-based totally interventions were proposed as effective treatments for substance use disorders. Alternatively, going through this type of chaos in the Army requires particular concerns and even changes primarily based on military constraints and possibilities. Army forces around the arena have special complete plans to prevent, diagnose, and treat substance use issues that had been hooked up as a part of an Army health machine ( Adams et al, 2013). Widely, it has discussed on future plans to reduce the drug addiction and reasons for drug addiction, but this research will be mainly focused on investigate in to the incisive reasons for drug addiction and continues remain of drugs using while considering the effectiveness of existing legal procedures and mechanism in the Sri Lankan Army.

According to the Nick Heather (1998) definition addictions means ‘addiction…is best defined by repeated failures to refrain from drug use despite prior resolutions to do so. This definition is consistent with views of addiction that see decision-making, ambivalence and conflict as central features of the addict’s behavior and experience. On this basis, a three-level framework of required explanation is (needed) consisting of; a. The level of neuroadaptation. (Neuroadaptation refers to a process where the body compensates for a chemical’s presence in the body in order to function normally. For people who use drugs or alcohol, this neuroadaptation can lead to tolerance and dependence over time). b. The level of desire for drugs. c. The level of “akrasia” (the state of mind in which someone acts against their better judgment through weakness of will) or failures of resolve (Heather. N, 1998).

Further, according to Robert West (2008) ‘Addiction’ is a social construct which can be usefully defined as a reward-seeking behaviour that has become ‘out of control’. It can involve a wide range of abnormalities in the system of forces that energize and direct our actions – the ‘motivational system’ (Robert. W, 2008). There are numerous theories in the field of addiction. Some of them are described as theories of addiction. Examples of theories that focus on addiction as a choice are Becker’s Rational Addiction Theory (Becker and Murphy 1988) and Skog’s Choice Theory (Skog 2000). Others focus on addicts’ ‘expectancies’ (e.g. Brown, Christiansen et al. 1987). Slovic (2002) has developed a theory of judgment relating feelings to analytical judgments and applied this to smoking. There are theories that focus on attentional biases (e.g. Mogg, Field et al. 2005). A raft of theories argues that the behaviour of addiction can be understood in terms of concepts derived from economic theory (e.g. Bickel, De Grandpre et al. 1995). Theories focusing on the addict that, focus on the addict’s sense of identity (Kearney and O’Sullivan 2003). Other theories propose that addicts are self-medicating for psychological problems (e.g. Gelkopf, Levitt et al. 2002). Cloninger (1987) has proposed a theory derived from a theory of personality, thus focusing on individual susceptibility to addiction. Considering all those concepts and theories we can see most of the researchers and scholars have identified common factors for drug addiction where it may apply for SLA scenario.

Conceptual frame work

According to the discussed literature on this matter has identified a few factors which have a relationship as above mentioned. The combat exposure and the military culture members are experiencing may be an influencing factor for drug addiction. Personal isolation from his own society and the family leads to the loneliness where he needs to endure all ups and downs with an unfamiliar atmosphere most of the time. It is a susceptible factor to such addiction. Since the beginning of SLA personnel are experiencing rigorous training and facing several hardships to be appropriate within the organization and where he seeking relaxation by any means which can be unsuitable. SLA members failing to find appropriate solutions for their family issues and mental stress also may be supportive reasons for the drug addiction too.

Methodology

Research Approach

In order to meet the purpose and answer the research questions, positivistic approach will apply which can be scientifically verified or capable of logical or mathematical proof, and therefore rejecting metaphysics and theism. The research planned to conduct by means of Deductive Reasoning (Deductive Approach) and as a quantitative method survey research by using proportionate sampling method. Under the quantitative method, the questionnaire will be utilized in order to gather information and the descriptive data gathered through the interviews will be quantified finally.

Type of Research

This research will be done by using quantitative method.

Target Groups.

Drug addicted persons in SLA. a. Population. Population will be reported drug addiction cases from year 2017 to 2019. b. Sample Size. Utilizing proportionate sampling method plan to select 100 respondents of drug addicts of SLA.

Sampling Procedure.

Sampling procedure will be the Proportionate sampling. Proportionate sampling is a sampling strategy used when the population is composed of several subgroups that are vastly different in number. The number of participants from each subgroup is determined by their number relative to the entire population. Proportionate sampling gives the best chance to create a sample that is truly representative of the population. Proportionate sampling uses statistical theory to select randomly, a small group of people (sample) from an existing large population and then predict that all their responses together will match the overall population.

Data Collection Methods and Tools.

Plan to prepare a questionnaire with close ended questions and distributed to the selected respondents personally in order to protect confidentiality of respondents. Reasons to select close ended questionnaire is it generates a limited set of responses that can be coded easily in a database with some number of symbols that represents a response and due to following advantages;

• a. It is easier and quicker for respondents to answer.
• b. The answers of different respondents are easier to compare.
• c. Answers are easier to code and statistically analyze.
• d. The response choices can clarify question meaning for respondents.
• e. Respondents are more likely to answer about sensitive topics.
• f. There are fewer irrelevant or confused answers to questions.
• g. Less articulate or less literate respondents are not at a disadvantage.
• h. Replication easier.

Same time, interviews with key persons in the field will be conduct to investigate issues in a depth way and due to following reasons;

• a. To discover how individuals think and feel about topic and why they hold certain opinions.
• b. To deep understanding and explain statistics data.
• c. To investigate the effectiveness and usefulness of particular mechanism.
• d. To have strong recommendations on decision making and strategic planning.
• e. To clarify ambiguities and compare findings on subject matters.
• f. To obtain uninfluenced information and statistics.

Data Analysis Methods.

Plan to utilize SPSS for analysis of data gathering form questionnaire and interviews.

Research Ethics.

Since this drug addict is personal issue and punishable offence, no one willing to express their ideas openly. Hence here researcher has to ensure their confidentially and protection of data. Therefore following actions need to be taken before data collection

• a. Obtaining informed consent from participants.
• b. Protecting the anonymity and confidentiality of participants.
• c. Avoiding deceptive practices when designing research.
• d. Providing participants with the right to withdraw from the research at any time.

Limitations.

• a. Military biasness and afraid to give exact details.
• b. Based on time frame and information constraints, this study will possess on some limitations that must be considered.
• c. There may be some cases due to security reasons, paper needs to reduce some quotes and descriptions.
• d. All information will be gathered by one person (an author) and errors can be happened.

Time plan

Item 2018 2019 (a) (b) (c) Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May June July Aug Sep Oct Issue of list of subject areas Submission of choice of titles Approval of titles Issue of CRP Assignment 1 Submission of CRP Assignment 1 Preliminary Review Conference Submission of Chapter 1 &2 Review of Chapter 1 & 2 Submission of work of Chapter 3 Submission of work of Chapter 4 Submission of work of Chapter 5 Submission of first draft Submission of final draft Submission of the Commandant’s Research Paper

Bibliography

1. Adams, R.S., Corrigan, J.D., Larson, M.J. (2013) Traumatic Brain injury among US Active Duty Military Personnel and Negative Drinking Related Consequences. Available at; ttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3721380/ (Accessed 8 January 2019).
2. Bray, R.M., Pemberton, M.R., Lane, M.E., Hourani, L.L., Mattiko, M.J.(2008).Substance use and mental health trends amongst U.S. Army active duty personnel: key findings from the 2008 DoD Health Behavior Survey. Available at; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20572470 (Accessed 10 January 2019).
3. Larson, M.J., Wooten, N.R., Adams, R.S., Merrick, E.L. (2012). Military Combat Deployments and Substance Use: Review and Future Directions. Available at; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3321386/ (Accessed 11 January 2019).
4. Wilk, J.E., Bliese, P.D., Kim, P.Y., Thomas, J.L., McGurk, D., Hoge, C.W. (2014) Impact of Combat and Social Support on PTSD and Alcohol Consumption in OEF/OIF Veterans. Availableat;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC 4111153/(Accessed 10 January 2019).
5. Robert, W. (2006). Outline of a synthetic theory of addiction, University College London and Cancer Research UK, 1-4 f. Scott, M. Rajitha, S. (2008). Stress-Related Factors in Cannabis Use and Misuse: Implications. For Prevention and Treatment, [Internet]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696937/ [Accessed 13 Marche 2019]

Nature alludes to the entirety of the qualities and inherited elements that impact our identity, from our physical appearance to our character attributes. Nurture can be defined as all the environmental factors that sway who we are, including our youth encounters, how we were raised, our social connections, and our encompassing society. Some philosophers, for example, Plato and Descartes recommended certain things are intrinsic, or that they happen normally paying little mind to environmental impacts. According to the NIH, drug addiction is “a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking, continued use despite harmful consequences, and long-lasting changes in the brain. It is considered both a complex brain disorder and a mental illness. The NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms defines drug abuse as ‘the use of illegal drugs or the use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs for purposes other than those for which they are meant to be used, or in large amounts.’ Drug abuse may prompt social, physical, enthusiastic, and work-related issues.

Does a dependence start because of a sign from the genes? Or on the other hand, does a habit start because of something an individual experiences in their environment? These are the questions I will be dealing with. In this paper, I will explain how drug addiction is classified as a disease and how it’s used for recreation only. First, let’s talk about what addiction is and how it can be hereditary. Some people are born biologically wired to be addicts says Addiction Research and Theory. Having an addictive personality is attributed to this because some people can’t help liking certain things. Their brain works differently and tells them “Just one more time” or “You’ll stop eventually just not right now.” However, heating the mind-boggling issue of addiction down to a personality type can be destructive for a few reasons. One is that it can lead individuals to erroneously accept they aren’t in danger since they don’t have the ‘right personality’ for addiction. It might also make individuals who have an addiction believe that they’re not able to recoup if addiction is ‘hardwired’ into what their identity is. Addictions are decent to profoundly heritable. Family, appropriation, and twin investigations uncover that a person’s hazard will in general correspond to the level of genetic relationship to a dependent family member. Heritability of addictive issues extends from 0.39 for drugs to 0.72 for cocaine. The Virginia Twin Study uncovered that in early pre-adulthood the commencement and utilization of nicotine, liquor, and cannabis are all the more firmly dictated by familial and social components, however, these bit by bit decrease in significance during the movement to youthful and centered adulthood, when the impacts of hereditary elements become maximal, declining fairly with aging.

According to Drug Addiction: The Neurobiology of behavior gone awry; drug addiction can be seen in the brain. The brain of an addict looks much different than the brain of a clean sober person. Drug use is not just something that is learned and repeated, it is a habit that becomes necessary in the individual’s life. Withdrawal is mental and physical, which makes the addict keep doing drugs because the pain of withdrawal is terrible. Going with withdrawal is hard because that person knows exactly what will take that pain away so it convinces them to give up detoxing. The abnormal social appearances that happen during addiction have been seen by numerous individuals as ‘decisions’ of the dependent individual, yet ongoing imaging contemplates have uncovered a fundamental disturbance to brain areas that are significant for the ordinary procedures of inspiration, reward, and inhibitory control of independent people. This gives the premise to an alternate view, that illicit drug use is a sickness of the brain, and the related unusual conduct is the consequence of brokenness of brain tissue, similarly as cardiovascular deficiency is an illness of the heart and irregular blood course is the aftereffect of dysfunction of myocardial tissue.

Addicts can be clean for years and relapse as soon as they have one thought about using. They aren’t relapsing to cure the physical withdrawal symptoms because those are gone, they are relapsing because they thought about getting high and went and did it. Getting high has such a strong control over the brain that nothing else in that individual’s life matters except drugs. Michael Lyvers’s journal titled “Drug addiction as a physical disease: The role of physical dependence and other chronic drug-induced neurophysiological changes in compulsive drug self-administration” makes a good point about addiction being chronic. This helps back up the reason addicts relapse after so many years of being clean. In the same article, the withdrawal-relief paradigm, or opiate model of addiction, is analyzed in light of recent tests and clinical proof for different addictive medications. It is inferred that despite the opiate model, the star grouping of neurotic practices characterizing addiction (impulsive medication use, wanting, loss of control, and a constant inclination to backslide) doesn’t essentially mirror a need to assuage real or adapted autonomic withdrawal side effects. Regardless of the disappointment of the opiate model, the latest proof proposes that determined medication-actuated changes in the physical brain may underlie addictive conduct, steady with the general thought of addiction as a physical illness.

Now, we are going to transition into the nurture of drug addiction.

Watching family and friends use drugs can make it convincing that it’s safe, because why would they do something harmful? Recreational drug use is common among younger kids. Smoking weed is usually recreational whether it is at a party, before class, to help alleviate pain, etc. Guardians who drink before their kids could be sustaining enslavement in those kids regardless of whether they ever expected to do so. The organization Drinkaware says that there is a solid connection between beginning-stage drinking and a kid’s presentation to savoring the home. It may be the case that adolescents see their folks drinking frequently and become persuaded that the action is innocuous and fun, or it may be the case that teenagers with drinking guardians have simple access to liquor. Despite the explanation, guardians who drink could cause a sustained enslavement trigger. Research has demonstrated that kids who are raised by guardians adopting the authoritative model of parenting will in general be more effective than their companions, when estimated for mental self-view and substance misuse. The key explanation for the definitive style so viable is that youngsters who experience childhood in that structure learn significant ways to deal with critical thinking, and how to direct and communicate their feelings, to where they can create aptitudes and procedures against the destructive idea designs that regularly precede substance misuse. The support and discipline provided by authoritative parents foster healthy decision-making about making potentially harmful choices to healthy childhood development, like whether to drink before the child is emotionally and intellectually ready. In this way, a nurturing environment could offset the nature of the genetic component of addiction.

Peer pressure can be a staggering and practically unavoidable piece of growing up. It’s hard for a ton of children to push back against companions, and as an individual arrives at pre-adulthood a feeling of innate network turns out to be very nearly a formative goal, or possibly a crucial right of section. Subsequently, it turns out to be much progressively harder for somebody to ‘simply state no’ as a juvenile than it will be as the youngster develops into a youthful grown-up. A child will pick what appears to be a holding involvement in a dear companion over practical insight as a rule. So also, a few people create drug abuse because of early utilization of drugs. At the point when the cerebrum is created, it is increasingly vulnerable to the harm drug use and abuse can cause. At the point when individuals start drug use at an early age, they can encounter such a great amount of harm to the cells of the mind that they think that it’s difficult to recuperate. The prior youngsters start, the more hazardous things can be. The developing cerebrum can likewise be increasingly powerless to peer pressure, as per the National Institute on Drug Abuse. Developing synapses makes it difficult for youngsters to gauge current delight against future torment. At the point when friends constrain youngsters to settle on a decision, they collapse.

People diagnosed with diseases that cause a lot of pain are given a medical card. They smoke instead of taking painkillers. This is a learned behavior of drug use; they aren’t smoking because their brain is telling them to. They are doing this to help the pain they are in from something else. For instance, a few people experience a form of trauma while growing up. They live in disorderly family units in which they feel as if they are in peril most or constantly. They are stressed, concerned, and dreadful, and they carry those sentiments with them into adulthood. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network says that one child in four in the United States encounters something like this as they develop, and these children have higher paces of substance use and misuse. They utilize these substances as a type of self-prescription, and in time, they could create physical and mental reliance issues on those substances. This is a support issue. These youngsters don’t create addictions because of their qualities. They are creating addictions because of an encounter they have suffered and endured. Their qualities don’t assume a job here.

As opposed to accusing either nature or nurture, specialists propose that addictions will in general spring up through a confounded interaction of the two qualities and conditions. Having only one kind of hazard factor can be risky, yet the individuals who have factors that could fall into the two camps may have such an exceptional danger of harm that no one but treatment can assist with switching things around. The vast majority who have addictions build up those issues because of an exchange between nature and support. They may not plan to build up a fixation, however their qualities may start habit’s pleasure. Their condition may make a habit simpler to continue than it may be were there an alternate sustaining condition around that individual.

An individual with a hereditary affinity to like liquor may appreciate that absolute first taste, however, if the individual lives with a consumer, that debut drink may be all the more prone to occur. The two kinds of factors expand upon each other and reinforce each other, making an undeniable enslavement all the more conceivable. Those equivalent interlacing components could be vital to recovery. People who get help for addiction may get medications (for the nature issue) and therapy (for the nurture issue). Attempting to isolate out nature and nurture as clarifications for conduct, is currently said to be both unthinkable and inefficient. Geneticists contend that nature and nurture connect to influence conduct through complex and not yet completely got ways, however, practically speaking, the discussion proceeds.

Say No To Drugs Few people deny the dangers of drug use, while many teens are curious about drugs. They should fail to abstain from drugs because drugs affect our health, and lead to academic failure. Drugs have been used for a long time in many countries. The concentration of drugs has increased since the late 1960s and 1970s. Drugs can quickly take over our lives. Drugs are chemicals that change the way a person’s body and mind work. On the other hand, there are some causes and side effects of drugs. Drugs are not good for health as they have many side effects and they also damage our brain, heart, and other important organs. The types of drugs, causes, and disadvantages, and so on, I have discussed in upcoming paragraphs also.

Introduction –

A drug is a chemical that interacts with proteins in the body and affects many functions of the body furthermore, Drugs are used in medicines but due to some limits. That’s why we should take only that much medicine how much the doctors suggest to us. Especially to the kids. So that’s why the proteins also act as drug marks. It needs to be bound to a protein. It can be the idea of as a catch and input method; Where the drug is the input and the protein is the catch. Once the drug is bound in this catch and input device then it can have one of the two most key powers over the small room. It can produce a change in response or it can stop a normal response of the small room.

There is a list of different drugs and their actions in the body. Like Cancer, Pain, Infection, and many others.Many of the reasons that we see such a wide and different range of efficacies of drugs across people are that drugs work differently in different people. A drug will usually produce the same qualitative effect across persons, that is to say, it will produce the same results on the same side. But the amount of these belongings will be dissimilar. So that’s why some people may run through a shorter action of the drug or a more powerful side effect. Taking away the drug from the body is openly slanted by age Newborns and the aged understand the effects of drugs for longer and the drug takes a lot of time to be taken away from the body. When the babies are born to point their renal function is very quick to start similar levels to adults within one week after delivery. If the drugs are given before the renal function, at this level, the drug taking away from the body takes a lot of time and so do the effects of the drugs. The differences in our genes are also an important determinant of unevenness in what our bodies do the drugs. PEOPLE face many problems like liver and kidney pain because of drugs. During pregnancy, the process of drug taking away from the body becomes very difficult. Moreover, many drugs are known to be harmful. During pregnancy, drugs should be avoided like Alcohol and Cigarettes Smoke because these things are very unsafe for well-being.

History of drugs —

It Is not based on science and health harm, but most often because of some people who are perceived to be using illegal drugs. On the other hand, ‘’The Real History of Illegal Drugs ‘’ explains Why, When, And How some drugs became illegal. There are some drugs which are used in Coca–Cola. The drugs did not become illegal until 1985. As drugs have been physically abused for hundreds of years all over the world, their effects have been felt for just as long time. Since drugs have been used, there are always those who abuse them. As the physical and mental health suggestions became clearer. As a result, The history of rehabilitation in the United States dates back hundreds of years.

One of the beginning Fathers of America, BENJAMIN RUSH, was one of the first who believed that alcoholism was not a material of individual self-control but rather due to the alcohol itself. At the University of UTAH, in the past, addiction was treated as a criminal offense, with the demanding devotion–based prayer, but this signified a transfer to performance dependence as an illness that could be managed. In 1964, the New York STATE INEBRIATE ASYLUM, the first hospital intentionally to exclusively treat alcoholism as a MENTAL health condition, was founded. Nowadays, thousands of drug REHABILITATION programs offer a variety of treatment approaches. A major step for the REHABILITATION movement came in 1935 When Dr. Bob Smith and Bill Wilson – founded Alcoholics Anonymous. From the AA format, various other branches formed, such as NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS [NA], COCAINE ANONYMOUS [CA], and MARIJUANA ANONYMOUS [MA].

Types of drugs –

Drugs can be categorized based on their effect on users. There are many types of drugs, each with its effects and dangers.

1. Stimulants.
2. Depressants.
3. Hallucinogens.
4. Dissociative.
5. Opioids.
6. Inhalants.
7. Cannabis.
8. Amphetamines.
9. Ecstasy.
10. Heroin.
11. Cocaine. There are some other points of drugs that we will discuss ahead –

Drugs can be categorized based on their effects on users, there are some drugs that we have discussed in the above lines . Now we will discuss some effects and dangers or characteristics of drugs

1. Stimulants –

It impacts the body’s central nervous system, causing the user to feel as if they are “speeding up”.These drugs increase the user’s level of alertness and pump up heart rates, Moreover, blood pressure, and breathing. On the other hand, most doctors prescribe stimulants for [ ASTHMA ] because the drugs can open the breathing passages, but there is some limit to using the things where it is needed or how much needed, there are some conditions that are regarded as these. On the other hand, drugs can also help to reduce weight. Stimulants often come in the form of pills. Examples of stimulants include –

1. Adderall
2. Ritalin
3. Synthetic Marijuana
4. Cocaine
5. Methamphetamine
6. Ecstasy.

2. Depressants –

Like stimulants, depressants also impact the body’s CNS, but with the opposite results of effects, making the users feel as if things are “slowing down “. Thus, they are often called downers on the street.

On the other hand, Doctors prescribe some depressants for [ anxiety, insomnia, and some other medical issues that prevent the sufferer from fully relaxing. All these drugs are often a sedative experience to users, Moreover, making them a tempting choice for teens who wish to escape everyday stresses.

3. Alcohol as a depressants —

Alcohol acts as a depressant, making it a popular choice for users looking to relax. Although drinking is often associated with immediate bursts of energy after a sip, the user’s vital functions are inevitably delayed But overdosing on alcohol can cause severe toxicity and even it can cause death.

4. Tobacco as a depressants —

The main ingredient in tobacco is nicotine; this is a chemical that acts as both a stimulant and a depressant besides, Tobacco gives users a minor, immediate rush, which is followed by a feeling of relaxation.

5. Risks of depressant abuse —

Depressants can be useful or better only when used properly, excluding, on the other hand, depressant abuse can cause issues in both terms, the long term as well as the short term. Higher risk of high blood sugar, diabetes, and weight gain.

6. Hallucinogens —

Hallucinogens work by disrupting communication within the brain. Users report intense, rapidly shifting emotions and perceptions of things that aren’t there. For example, a hallucinogen user might believe that they see a person speaking to them – When that person does not even exist. On the other hand, Hallucinogens come in many forms, which can be smoked, there are some pills also available, and even which were mixed into some beverages.

Risks of Hallucinogen Abuse —

There are some risks of Hallucinogen abuse which can have devastating effects that can last a lifetime;

• Hallucinogen persisting perception Disorder, also known as flashbacks
• Fear.
• Paranoia.
• Increased blood pressure.
• Anxiety.

7. Dissociatives –

Dissociative distorts the user’s perception of reality, and can cause feel as if they are watching themselves from outside their bodies. Besides this, They may gain a false sense of invincibility, then they may engage in risky behavior such as driving under the influence. These drugs work by interfering with the brain’s receptors, which play a significant role in emotionality and pain perception. Dissociatives can be taken as liquids, powders, solids, or gases.

8. Cannabis —

Most commonly recognized as cannabis acts like a Hallucinogen, but also produces depressant–like effects. It is a schedule, which has a high increasing medicinal uses in the United States. Still, it is often abused by those who do not medically require it. Moreover, Cannabis can be smoked and even it can be eaten There are some risks of Cannabis abuse which can destroy lives and can have both short-term as well as long-term impacts on users ;

• Lowered immunity to illness
• Sedation
• It also reduces sperm count in men
• Depression
• Slowed reaction times
• Enhanced senses, such as seeing brighter colors

· Causes of drug addiction –

Drug addiction refers to the repeated use of drugs with the appearance of withdrawal symptoms when drug use ceases While the causes of drug addiction are not known, Genetic, Psychological, and environmental factors play a significant role. Rather than a single cause of drug addiction, It is likely multiple factors lead to drug addiction in any given person. Some drug addicts also identify drug use and ignorance as a cause of drug addiction. Like, If a person is dealing with pain–management issues, the drug they receive, like oxycodone, can be very addictive. The ignorance of drug addiction, along with the Physical pain of the condition, becomes a cause of drug addiction.

1. A mental illness such as depression.
2. Lack of friends
3. Poor performance at work or school.
4. Poor stress coping skills

Environmental causes of drug addiction –

Drug addiction is more common in environments where drug abuse is seen. Moreover, Children who grow up in homes with drug addicts can become drug addicts themselves. Because most drug use starts in teenagers only. Other environmental factors that can be causes of drug abuse include

• Participation where drugs are encouraged
• A peer group that uses drugs or promotes drugs.
• Poor people are at greater risk of drug addiction
• Gender contributes to addiction to some drugs.

Disadvantages of drug addiction —

Some people think everyone who takes drugs will end up dead, But others seem to think that drug use is not dangerous at all, In between it is true. Drug use can be never 100 percent safe, but not always dangerous. Drugs are not always the same. Different drugs have different dangers associated with them Some drugs such as alcohol and heroin have an effect that slows down the way the body and brain function. If the drugs are taken a lot then it is very dangerous Drugs like alcohol and heroin can lead to more and more accidents For People who have heart or blood pressure problems and are drug addicts it is very dangerous to their health. And of course, some drugs are legal to use and others are not.

Taking too much of drugs can lead to attacks and heart problems, it can lead to overindulgence. Combining drugs can also produce dangerous effects on other individuals

Conclusion —

More on Specific Drugs, No matter the type of drugs, all types of drugs have the potential to be dangerous. It is very important to talk to your loved ones about drugs, and how these substances container negatively impact their lives. There are several free resources to help facilitate discussion, including our comprehensive. So, we should talk to our friends about the side effects of the drugs these were used in some medicines also but in other ways, people use the drugs to complete their needs without knowing their side effects or bad effects on their bodies or health also. So, that’s why people should be aware of the uses of drugs because everything has some limits to using those things in our lives.

References –

There are some examples for reference, which I have discussed in further lines.

• https;//www.therecoveryvillage.com .
• https;//drugaware.com.au.
• https;//au.reachout.com.
• https;//www.addictioncenter.com .