Psychoactive Substance and Drug Abuse

What is Psychoactive Substances

A psychoactive substance is any substance that interacts with the central nervous
system. When a person uses them, it causes changes in how the brain responds to
stimuli.

Psychoactive drugs are substances that, when taken in or administered into one's
system, affect mental processes, e.g. perception, consciousness, cognition or mood
and emotions. Psychoactive drugs belong to a broader category of psychoactive
substances that include also alcohol and nicotine.

What is Drug Abuse

Drug Abuse or Substance Abuse is Excessive use of psychoactive drugs, such as
alcohol, pain medications or illegal drugs. It can lead to physical, social or emotional
harm.

Types of psychoactive drugs

Psychoactive drugs fall into different categories, depending on what effects the drug
has on a person. These includes:

 Depressants: These drugs can calm the brain, cause sleepiness, and make a
person feel relaxed. However, they can also cause nightmares, anxiety and
aggression. Alcohol is an example of a depressant.

 Stimulants: These include drugs such as cocaine and caffeine. Stimulants

can increase energy, alertness, and wakefulness.

 Opiates: These are pain-killing drugs that increase feelings of happiness or

euphoria and create a tranquilizing effect. They can lead to addiction if a
person misuses them, and they include drugs such as heroin.

 Hallucinogens: These drugs can cause a person to have hallucinations,

which means they may see or hear things that are not there. They can also
cause a person to perceive time differently, feel detached from their
surroundings, or feel deeply insightful.
Examples of psychoactive drugs

There are several different examples of psychoactive substances, and they all have
different effects on the body and brain.

While not all psychoactive substances are illegal, a person can misuse any of these
substances.

The following are common examples of psychoactive drugs and their effects on the
body.

Heroin

Heroin is an illegal drug that binds to opioid receptors in the brain, causing a “rush”
of pleasurable sensations.

Despite the initial feelings of euphoria, heroin can cause a slower heart rate, feelings
of sleepiness, and clouded thinking. However, the physical effects of heroin, such as a
slower heart rate and reduced breathing, may sometimes be life threatening.

Cocaine

Cocaine is a stimulant that is illegal in many countries. It can cause an immediate

euphoric effect that lasts from a few minutes to about an hour.

Higher doses of this drug can cause a person to experience erratic behaviors,
including violence, anxiety, panic, and paranoia. It can also lead to severe
complications, including heart attacks and sudden death, potentially with a person’s
first use.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

LSD and other hallucinogens can cause a person to experience, hear, or see things that
do not exist. Some of these experiences can feel pleasurable and profound, while
others can feel frightening.

LSD can also cause elevated blood pressure, sleeplessness, and dizziness.
Additionally, using LSD can lead to the development of tolerance for both the drug
itself and other hallucinogens, meaning an individual needs to take higher doses to
experience the same “high.”

Methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA)

MDMA, also called molly or ecstasy, can have both stimulant and hallucinogen
effects. Some people who use it feel increased empathy and emotional closeness, an
elevated mood, and increased energy.

However, moderate use can cause irritability, depression, sleep problems, and
anxiety.

Amphetamines

Amphetamines are a type of stimulant. They canTrusted Sourcecome in the form of

prescription medications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or narcolepsy,
with the brand names Adderall or Dexedrine.

People sometimes use these as recreational drugs, as they can give a person a “rush”
of euphoria and increase energy and alertness.

However, they can also cause paranoia, anger, and psychosis. High doses can
cause heart failureor seizures.

Cannabis

Cannabis, also called weed, is a type of psychoactive drug that can have the effects of
a depressant, stimulant, or hallucinogen.

This drug affects everyone differently, but common effects include an increased
appetite, euphoria, and relaxation. Some people might also have altered senses, for
example, seeing brighter colors.

However, some may have negative effects after taking the drug, such as feeling panic,
fear, and distrust.
Alcohol

People generally class alcohol as a depressant because it slows down a person’s

thinking and responses. It canTrusted Source make someone feel calm, relaxed, or
euphoric.

However, it can also reduce a person’s ability to think rationally and lead to impaired
judgment. Over time, an individual can develop a tolerance to or dependency on
alcohol.

Nicotine

Nicotine, which people can find in smoked and chewed tobacco products, is a
stimulant and depressant. Nicotine first provides a “buzz” of energy and pleasure.

However, this effect fades over time and leaves a person feeling fatigued. Their body
can also become dependent on nicotine, which can lead to addiction.

Caffeine

This is the most commonTrusted Source form of legal psychoactive drug. Caffeine
acts as a stimulant that can aid alertness.

However, it can also disrupt a person’s sleep. Like nicotine and alcohol, an individual
can build up a tolerance to caffeine, which means they need to consume more to feel
its effects. This can lead to dependency and withdrawal symptoms when a person
stops taking it.

Prescription opioids

A doctor can prescribe opioids to someone for moderate to severe pain. Common
brand names of prescription opioids include OxyContin and Percocet.

They are generally safe when a person takes them as a doctor prescribes and over the
short term. However, people can misuse prescription medications by:

 taking medication that doctors have prescribed to someone else

 taking the medication in amounts or ways other than doctors have prescribed
  taking the medication to get high

Prescription opiates can be very harmful if someone takes them differently from how
a doctor has prescribed them.

Because they cause a person’s breathing to slow, misusing them can cause hypoxia,
when the brain does not get enough oxygen. This can lead to coma, permanent brain
damage, or death.

Other psychoactive drugs includes: shisha, codine, mixed substances (skuchies)

Causes of Drug Abuse

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

 Family history of addiction. Drug addiction is more common in some

families and likely involves an increased risk based on genes. If you have a
blood relative, such as a parent or sibling, with alcohol or drug addiction,
you're at greater risk of developing a drug addiction.

 Mental health disorder. If you have a mental health disorder such as

depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or post-traumatic
stress disorder, you're more likely to become addicted to drugs. Using drugs
can become a way of coping with painful feelings, such as anxiety, depression
and loneliness, and can make these problems even worse.

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

 Lack of family involvement. Difficult family situations or lack of a bond

with your parents or siblings may increase the risk of addiction, as can a lack
of parental supervision.

 Early use. Using drugs at an early age can cause changes in the developing
brain and increase the likelihood of progressing to drug addiction.

 Lack of Parent-Child Communication: One of the greatest things a

parent can do to prevent their daughter’s drug use is simply to communicate. If
you believe your teenager is at risk of using drugs, talk to her about the
consequences of drug abuse and her options. Teach her how to say no. Educate
her about the risks of substance abuse.

Other causes includes

 Low self esteem

 Depression and Mental Illnesses

 Poverty

 Unemployment ETC

Recognizing unhealthy drug use in family members or friends

Sometimes it's difficult to distinguish normal teenage moodiness or anxiety from

signs of drug use. Possible signs that your teenager or other family member is using
drugs include:

 Problems at school or work — frequently missing school or work, a sudden

disinterest in school activities or work, or a drop in grades or work
performance

 Physical health issues — lack of energy and motivation, weight loss or gain,
or red eyes

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

 Changes in behavior — major efforts to bar family members from entering

the teenager's room or being secretive about going out with friends; or drastic
changes in behavior and in relationships with family and friends

 Money issues — sudden requests for money without a reasonable

explanation; or your discovery that money is missing or has been stolen or that
items have disappeared from your home, indicating maybe they're being sold
to support drug use

Symptoms of Drug Abuse

Drug addiction symptoms or behaviors include, among others:

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

 Having intense urges for the drug that block out any other thoughts
  Over time, needing more of the drug to get the same effect

 Taking larger amounts of the drug over a longer period of time than you
intended

 Making certain that you maintain a supply of the drug

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

 Not meeting obligations and work responsibilities, or cutting back on social

or recreational activities because of drug use

 Continuing to use the drug, even though you know it's causing problems in
your life or causing you physical or psychological harm

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

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

 Spending a good deal of time getting the drug, using the drug or recovering
from the effects of the drug

 Failing in your attempts to stop using the drug

 Experiencing withdrawal symptoms when you attempt to stop taking the drug

Effects of Drug Abuse

 Hallucinations

 Paranoia

 Lung damage from smoking

 Chills and sweating

 Involuntary shaking (tremors)

 Behavior changes

 Muscle cramping and teeth clenching

 Muscle relaxation, poor coordination or problems moving

 Reduced inhibitions

 Heightened or altered sense of sight, sound and taste

 Poor judgment

 Weak immune system

 Memory problems or loss of memory

 Reduced consciousness

 Increased or decreased heart rate and blood pressure

 addiction

 worsening mental health issues

 unintended weight loss

 complications in pregnancy

 Death