essay on drug abuse a menace to the society

Essay on Drug Abuse

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Essay on Drug Abuse in 150 words

Essay on drug abuse in 250-300 words, essay on drug abuse in 500-1000 words.

Drug abuse is a global issue that poses serious risks to individuals and society. It involves the harmful and excessive use of drugs, leading to physical and mental health problems. Drug abuse can result in addiction, organ damage, cognitive impairment, and social and economic difficulties. Prevention efforts should focus on education, raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is crucial for recovery. Strengthening law enforcement measures against drug trafficking is necessary to address the supply side of the problem. Creating supportive environments and opportunities for positive engagement can help prevent drug abuse. By taking collective action, we can combat drug abuse and build healthier communities.

Drug abuse is a growing global concern that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have negative effects on physical and mental health.

Drug abuse has severe consequences for individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, damage vital organs, and increase the risk of overdose. Mentally, it can cause cognitive impairment, and psychological disorders, and deteriorate overall well-being. Additionally, drug abuse often leads to social and economic problems, such as strained relationships, loss of employment, and criminal activities.

Preventing drug abuse requires a multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs play a crucial role in informing individuals about the dangers of drug abuse and promoting healthy lifestyle choices. Access to quality healthcare and addiction treatment services is vital to help individuals recover from substance abuse. Strengthening law enforcement efforts to curb drug trafficking and promoting international cooperation is also essential to address the supply side of the issue.

Community support and a nurturing environment are critical in preventing drug abuse. Creating opportunities for individuals, especially young people, to engage in positive activities and providing social support systems can serve as protective factors against drug abuse.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant societal problem with detrimental effects on individuals and communities. It requires a comprehensive approach involving education, prevention, treatment, and enforcement. By addressing the root causes, raising awareness, and providing support to those affected, we can combat drug abuse and create a healthier and safer society for all.

Title: Drug Abuse – A Global Crisis Demanding Urgent Action

Introduction :

Drug abuse is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to individuals, families, and communities. It refers to the excessive and harmful use of drugs, both legal and illegal, that have detrimental effects on physical and mental health. This essay explores the causes and consequences of drug abuse, the social and economic impact, prevention and treatment strategies, and the importance of raising awareness and fostering supportive communities in addressing this crisis.

Causes and Factors Contributing to Drug Abuse

Several factors contribute to drug abuse. Genetic predisposition, peer pressure, stress, trauma, and environmental influences play a role in initiating substance use. The availability and accessibility of drugs, as well as societal norms and cultural acceptance, also influence drug abuse patterns. Additionally, underlying mental health issues and co-occurring disorders can drive individuals to self-medicate with drugs.

Consequences of Drug Abuse

Drug abuse has devastating consequences on individuals and society. Physically, drug abuse can lead to addiction, tolerance, and withdrawal symptoms. Substance abuse affects vital organs, impairs cognitive function, and increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and psychosis, are often associated with drug abuse. Substance abuse also takes a toll on relationships, leading to strained family dynamics, social isolation, and financial instability. The social and economic costs of drug abuse include increased healthcare expenses, decreased productivity, and the burden on criminal justice systems.

Prevention and Education

Preventing drug abuse requires a comprehensive and multi-faceted approach. Education and awareness programs are essential in schools, communities, and the media to inform individuals about the risks and consequences of drug abuse. Promoting healthy coping mechanisms, stress management skills, and decision-making abilities can empower individuals to resist peer pressure and make informed choices. Early intervention programs that identify at-risk individuals and provide support and resources are crucial in preventing substance abuse.

Treatment and Recovery

Access to quality healthcare and evidence-based addiction treatment is vital in addressing drug abuse. Treatment options include detoxification, counseling, behavioral therapies, and medication-assisted treatments. Rehabilitation centers, support groups, and outpatient programs provide a continuum of care for individuals seeking recovery. Holistic approaches, such as addressing co-occurring mental health disorders and promoting healthy lifestyles, contribute to successful long-term recovery. Support from family, friends, and communities plays a significant role in sustaining recovery and preventing relapse.

Law Enforcement and Drug Policies

Effective law enforcement efforts are necessary to disrupt drug trafficking and dismantle illicit drug networks. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial in combating the global drug trade. Additionally, drug policies should focus on a balanced approach that combines law enforcement with prevention, treatment, and harm reduction strategies. Shifting the emphasis from punitive measures toward prevention and rehabilitation can lead to more effective outcomes.

Creating Supportive Communities:

Fostering supportive communities is vital in addressing drug abuse. Communities should provide resources, social support networks, and opportunities for positive engagement. This includes promoting healthy recreational activities, providing vocational training, and creating safe spaces for individuals in recovery. Reducing the stigma associated with drug abuse and encouraging empathy and understanding are crucial to building a compassionate and supportive environment.

Conclusion :

Drug abuse remains a complex and multifaceted issue with far-reaching consequences. By addressing the causes, raising awareness, implementing preventive measures, providing quality treatment and support services, and fostering supportive communities, we can combat drug abuse and alleviate its impact. It requires collaboration and a collective effort from individuals, communities, governments, and organizations to build a society that is resilient against the scourge of drug abuse. Through education, prevention, treatment, and compassion, we can pave the way toward a healthier and drug-free future.

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Drug Abuse – A Threat To Society (Essay Sample)

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Drug Abuse a Threat to the Society

Drug abuse otherwise known as substance abuse is the continued excessive and unregulated use of a drug or drugs whereby the users take the drugs in amounts and methods that are harmful to themselves and others. Drug abuse is common in the modern society; it has affected all regions. Drug abuse is practiced by people from all walks of life, in both rural and urban areas, the rich and the poor, females and males. Drug abuse affects not only individuals who abuse them but also their families, friends, neighborhood and the community as a whole. Drug abuse has numerous negative consequences, especially to the addicts. This paper is meant to discuss drug abuse as a threat to the society.

Drug abuse causes multiple illnesses, injuries, and deaths worldwide and is common among youths. Some of the drugs abused are beneficial to mankind, but when taken regularly in excessive amounts, they tend to be detrimental to the human health. Cocaine, marijuana, heroin, alcohol are commonly abused and even prescribed drugs like opioids. Drug abuse has both long term and short term effects to the consumers and the whole society.

The effects of drug addiction are profoundly manifested in the addicts’ health and behaviors. Drug abuse deteriorates the human health. Individuals abusing drugs tend to lose their appetites and moods, they have impaired judgments, sleeping problems, and they are confused and depressed. Lung, kidney, and heart diseases are common among addicts who smoke drugs like tobacco and marijuana. Injection of drugs also leads to infection and transmission of diseases like HIV/ AIDS and Hepatitis. Mental disorders and cancer are also common diseases to drug addicts. Drug abuse also leads to addiction. In extreme cases, drug abuse leads to death.

Drug abuse leads to the destruction of social and professional ties and relations between the addicts and people around them. Addicts tend to lose their relationships after losing themselves to drugs. Drug abusers abandon their loved ones to fully embark on taking drugs without interference and commitments to family and friends. Drug addicts also destroy their professional ties and lose their jobs easily by doing avoidable mistakes at work.

Economically, a lot of money and time is pumped into solving health and adverse social effects related to drug abuse. Such resources could be channeled into the establishment of career opportunities and businesses that could absorb unemployed people hence solving the issue of unemployment. Drug abusers are not able to work on a full-time basis. The ones who are lucky to get employed either endanger the lives of others in their respective fields or produce shoddy work as a result of an inability to work properly and absenteeism. Drug abusers also tend to overuse emergency funds and insurance benefits availed to them by their employees.

Drug abuse is also highly associated with criminal activities and violence that poses a significant security threat to the society. To start with, drug abuse is a leading cause of homicides worldwide. Drug abusers tend to steal cash and other valuables to get money to cater for their drug needs. Due to impaired judgment, drug addicts tend to be impatient, arrogant and very violent; they fight for nothing and are big trouble makers in the society.

In conclusion, drug abuse is a significant health and social problem that should be looked into and resolved before it gets out of hand. It negatively affects individuals who abuse the drugs as well as the people around them and the whole society. Though quitting drugs requires a strong will from the addicts themselves, initiatives should be established by concerned people to rehabilitate the addicts.

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The Menace of Drug Abuse and Its Impact on Society, Country, and Global Communities. 

Drug abuse has significantly skyrocketed in recent times, ultimately elevating the number of abusers in the global space. It is a global epidemic that transcends borders, affecting individuals, communities, and entire countries. The devastating consequences of drug abuse reverberate throughout societies, leading to severe social, economic, and health-related repercussions. According to a 2021 report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), an estimated 275 million people (or 5.5% of the global population aged 15-64) used drugs at least once in 2020. Out of this number, 36.3 million people suffer from drug use disorders, with opioids being the most harmful drug globally.

A significant aspect of world concern is the strain the act of drug abuse has on the healthcare system, contributing to a significant burden of disease worldwide. It takes an immense toll on the physical and mental health of individuals which leads to addiction, overdose, and even death. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that drug abuse is the direct cause of around 585,000 deaths annually. Moreover, drug abuse increases the risk of contracting infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis, with an estimated 1.7 million people living with HIV attributed to drug injection.

This menace is closely associated with criminal activities, addicts may resort to theft, burglary, or other forms of crime to fund their drug habits. The illegal drug trade perpetuates violence and fuels organized crimes, leading to a breakdown of law and order in communities. Furthermore, the ripple effects of drug-related violence extend beyond the immediate individuals involved, creating an environment of fear and insecurity in society.

Family which have an important influence on individuals are not spared from this, strained relationships, domestic violence, neglect, and child abuse sets in with children growing up in such households are affected with educational difficulties, behavioral problems, and long-term psychological trauma. The breakdown of families disrupts the social balance, perpetuating a cycle of drug abuse and negatively affecting future generations

The economy suffers low productivity, healthcare costs, and criminal justice expenditures, it disrupts employment stability, reduces work productivity, and increases absenteeism, impacting both individuals and businesses. Additionally, governments are forced to allocate substantial resources to combat drug-related crimes and provide addiction treatment services, diverting funds that could be used for education, infrastructure, and social welfare programs.

Addressing this complex issue requires a comprehensive approach encompassing prevention, increased awareness, education, treatment, and law enforcement. Collaboration between governments, healthcare professionals, community organizations, and individuals is crucial in curbing drug abuse and its destructive consequences. By fostering a supportive environment, raising awareness, reducing stigmatization, and providing accessible treatment options, we can work together to mitigate the societal and national threats of drug abuse, fostering a healthier and more resilient society.

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Understanding the Global Problem of Drug Addiction is a Challenge for IDARS Scientists

1 Neurochemistry Laboratory, NCTR/FDA, Jefferson, AR, USA

2 William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ, USA

3 Molecular Neurobiology Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, NIH, Baltimore, MD, USA

4 University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

5 Molecular Neuropsychiatry Branch, NIDA/NIH/DHHS, Baltimore, MD, USA

6 Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand

7 Yerkes National Primate Research Center of Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

8 The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA

IDARS is an acronym for the International Drug Abuse Research Society. Apart from our scientific and educational purposes, we communicate information to the general and scientific community about substance abuse and addiction science and treatment potential. Members of IDARS are research scientists and clinicians from around the world, with scheduled meetings across the globe. IDARS is developing a vibrant and exciting international mechanism not only for scientific interactions in the domain of addiction between countries but also ultimately as a resource for informing public policy across nations. Nonetheless, a lot more research needs to be done to better understand the neurobiological basis of drug addiction – A challenge for IDARS scientists.

INTRODUCTION

Drug addiction is a chronically relapsing disorder that has been characterized by the compulsive use of addictive substances despite adverse consequences to the individual and society [ 1 ]. Addiction to drugs and alcohol is increasingly becoming a worldwide trend in lifestyle that is prevalent in rich and poor countries alike. Addiction to alcohol, drugs and cigarette smoking is now regarded as a major public health problem. Other forms of addiction including computer games, gambling, sex and food also have severe consequences on the health of the individual and to society. The commonly abused drugs have profound action in the nervous system, particularly in the brain. Some of these substances such as opium, marijuana, cocaine, nicotine, caffeine, mescaline, and psilocybin are obtained from natural sources while others are synthetic or designer drugs. Furthermore some of these substances like alcohol and nicotine are legal while some others that are legally available by prescription have addictive potential in vulnerable individuals. A number of addictive substances are illegal in most countries and this fuel the illegal drug trafficking and business that are often associated with criminal activities. The initiation of the use of these substances induces euphoria, reward and a state of well-being that can lead to physical and psychological dependences. Withdrawal syndrome occurs when the individual attempts to stop the use of addictive substances and this leads to the cycle of dependency. The mechanism(s) associated with the cycle of addiction include neuronal adaptation with tolerance or sensitization involved in the action of addictive substances. A number of factors have also been associated with addiction, including the availability, cost, method of administration, environmental factors such as behaviors acceptable in a community, peer influences and genetic and epigenetic factors. Over the years a number of therapeutic approaches for drug and alcohol addiction have been utilized. However, relapse the resumption of drug taking following a period of drug abstinence, is considered the main hurdle in treating drug addiction. Unfortunately pharmacological treatment of drug and alcohol dependency has largely been disappointing and new therapeutic targets and hypotheses are needed. Drug addiction is also influenced by the interaction of genes, epigenetics and the environment. Twin studies consistently show that there is a heritable component to drug abuse and addiction [ 2 ]. Now using modern genomic techniques, we are able to examine genetic variants, or single nucleotide polymorphisms that contribute to addiction vulnerability. So a lot more research needs to be done to better understand the neurobiological basis of drug addiction and hence a continuous challenge for IDARS scientists. IDARS is therefore engaged in a vibrant and exciting international mechanism, not only for scientific interactions among scientists in the domain of addiction research between countries but also as a resource for informing public policy across nations. This is an exciting period in the study of the neurobiology of addiction where brain circuitry and molecular mechanisms are providing hope for understanding not only the vulnerability to addiction but also providing new targets for the treatment of various types of substance abuse/dependence as presented in this report.

MARIJUANA HIGHLIGHTS

Various forms of marijuana preparations comes from the cannabis plant and is the most commonly used drug in the world, for recreation and suddenly, we are awakened to potential therapeutic applications. Therefore, these are high times for marijuana research with new findings on the biological effects of cannabinoids and as new potential applications in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders [ 3 ]. The new advances and understanding indicate that the cellular, molecular and behavioral responses to marijuana are encoded in our genes [ 3 ]. The discovery that specific genes codes for cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) that are activated by marijuana use, and that the human body makes its own marijuana-like substances - endocannabinoids [ 4 ], that also activates CBRs have provided surprising new knowledge about cannabinoid genomic and proteomic profiles. These remarkable advances in understanding the biological actions of marijuana, cannabinoids and endocannabinoids, is unraveling the genetic basis of marijuana use and the implication in human health and disease. We know that the two well characterized cannabinoid CB1 and CB2 receptors are encoded by CNR1 and CNR2 genes that have been mapped to human chromosome 6 and 1 respectively. A number of variations in cannabinoid receptor genes have been associated with human disorders including drug dependency [ 4 ], osteoporosis [ 5 ], ADHD and PTSD, [ 6 , 7 ], obesity [ 8 , 9 ], and depression [ 10 , 11 ]. Thus, because of the ubiquitous distribution and role of the endocannabinoid system in the regulation of a variety of normal human physiology, drugs that are targeted to different aspects of this system are already benefiting cancer subjects and those with AIDs and metabolic syndromes [ 8 ]. In the coming era of personalized medicine, genetic variants and haplotypes in CNR1 and CNR2 genes associated with obesity or addiction phenotypes may help identify specific targets in conditions of endocannabinoid dysfunction. Most strikingly, variants of CNR genes co-occur with other genetic variations and share biological susceptibility that underlies comorbidity in many neuropsychiatric disturbances [ 12 ]. Therefore, understanding the endocannabinoid system in the human body and brain will contribute to elucidating this natural regulatory mechanism in health and disease.

CHRONIC ALCOHOLISM IN HUMAN SUBJECTS

Illicit drug use has well-known detrimental effects, but the legal drugs tobacco and alcohol have far greater impact on human health world-wide. By a standard measure of morbidity, dalys, tobacco is at 4.1%, alcohol 4.0% (6.6% for males, 3.1% for females [ 13 ]); all illicit drugs combined add only 0.8% to global disease burden [ 14 ]. Alcohol consumption is common: in one survey, 82% of respondents over 14 had imbibed it in the previous 12 months [ 15 ]. The social cost of alcohol use is also very high [ 16 , 17 ]. Alcohol misuse leads to selective brain pathology, though subjects differ markedly [ 18 ]. Brain shrinkage, reduced white-matter volume, and dendritic pruning may be reversible with abstinence; irreversible effects are more focal: superior prefrontal cortex (sfc) is particularly vulnerable [ 19 , 20 ]. Common comorbidities (cirrhosis of the liver and the Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome), which are more prevalent with higher rates of alcohol consumption [ 21 ], lead to greater brain atrophy [ 18 ]. Neuronal death may be due to excitotoxicity , an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory inputs mediated by NMDA receptors (NMDAR) and reduced GABA A -mediated responses [ 22 , 23 ]. This allostasis [ 24 , 25 ] maintains a proper balance between excitation and inhibition in the presence of alcohol. When alcohol is removed, as in periods of abstinence, the balance is skewed towards over-excitation. This leads to a large influx of Ca 2+ ions into cells, affecting many signaling pathways and eventually leading to cell death. In rat and mouse models NMDAR are increased after chronic alcohol, but there are regional and species differences due to modes of administration, age, time of withdrawal, etc [ 26 - 29 ]. All studies show increases in at least one NMDAR subunit [ 30 - 34 ]. However, the area affected and the subunit(s) that change are paradigm-dependent [ 30 , 32 ].

In human autopsy studies, NMDAR are increased in sfc and hippocampus [ 35 , 36 ]. Alcoholics without comorbid disease shift the excitatory balance by GABA A receptor subunit switching to reduce inhibitory function. GABA A shifts are small in cirrhotic alcoholics, and the key change may be increased excitability via altered NMDAR expression. Using quantitative real-time PCR we found that alcoholics without liver cirrhosis did not differ significantly from controls in the expression of any subunit, whereas all subunits were significantly lower in cirrhotic alcoholics [ 37 - 40 ]. Promising NMDAR-specific tracers for PET and SPECT provide the potential to study NMDAR changes in human subjects in the future [ 41 - 43 ].

Chronic alcohol misuse affects the expression of many genes in the brain, leading to long-term changes in neural function. Microarray and proteomic studies have found changes in the expression of genes involved in metabolism, immune response, cell survival, cell communication, signal transduction, and energy production, DNA-binding proteins, transcription factors, repair enzymes, myelination, and cell-adhesion [ 44 - 46 ].

The Genetics of Alcoholism

Alcoholism in human subjects is mediated by many societal and genetic factors. Genes may mediate etiology and pathogenesis, although this issue is still hotly debated. Different genetic markers are associated with increased risk of alcohol misuse, dependence, craving, tolerance, and withdrawal severity [ 47 ]. Risk-factor genes code for alcohol-metabolising enzymes, and also for the effectors of neurotransmission – receptors, transporters and signal-transduction components – for a variety of transmitter classes, including dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and GABA. Some genes are associated with general aspects of addiction [ 48 , 49 ].

The effects of these polymorphisms can be divided into two categories: those that pre-dispose the individual to alcohol abuse, and those that make an individual more susceptible to the toxic effects of alcohol. Polymorphisms may not only alter the product of the parent gene (e.g., by changing the amino-acid codon) but may also have pleiotropic effects, i.e., the changes in one gene may affect the expression of, or activity of the product of, another gene. An emerging microarray literature is showing that knocking out a single gene alters the expression of hundreds of transcripts, many of which have no discernible association with the knocked-out gene. Knockout mice strains that differ in alcohol responsiveness have been compared to find transcripts that show discriminant expression [ 50 ]. Affected transcripts are from genes located on a range of chromosomes – not only that bearing the knocked-out gene. It is difficult to transfer this concept to human brain but an analogue of a gene knockout relevant to human alcoholism is the ALDH2 gene ( ALDH2 -2,2 homozygotes have no ALDH activity [ 51 ]). More generally, allelic variants of alcoholism-associated genes are very likely to moderate the expression of a range of genes. There is a multiplier effect for expression whereby proteins usually show larger effect sizes than mRNA transcripts [ 52 ]: proteins are more readily linked to functional differences than transcripts.

Dopamine and Alcohol

Dopamine (DA) is a monoamine transmitter that mediates motivation, attention, short-term memory and reinforcement. Many dopaminergic neurones originate in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and project to the cerebral cortex, nucleus accumbens (NAc) and amygdala [ 53 ]. The mesolimbic system of the brain has been a focus of addiction research because it involves the so-called pleasure-centers such as the NAc. Dopaminergic transmission in this system may play a central role in many, if not all, addictions [ 54 ]. Animal studies show a dose-dependent increase in DA in response to alcohol in the NAc, indirectly mediated via the VTA. An increase in DA in the NAc occurs in conditioned animals in anticipation of ethanol administration. The local application of dopaminergic-specific neurotoxins in the NAc can lead to a reduction in ethanol consumption in alcohol-dependent rats. In human subjects, PET studies show a significant decrease in DA D 2 receptor binding in alcoholics. Alcoholics also show reduced dopaminergic function that correlates with addiction severity. Despite these observations, DA agonists and antagonists have had limited success as treatments for alcoholism [ 55 ].

Genetic variation in DRD2

The DRD2 gene that encodes the D 2 receptor has several well-characterized polymorphisms, some of which have been associated with diseases such as schizophrenia and dependence. The Taq IA SNP has been extensively studied in relation to alcohol misuse. There is, however, little agreement whether it is [ 56 - 64 ] or is not [ 65 - 69 ] associated with alcohol dependence. This work is further complicated by some studies being limited to special populations [ 66 , 68 ], limited to a single gender [ 61 , 64 ], or broadened to additional psychiatric disorders [ 58 , 60 , 64 ]. Meta-analyses also disagree, with some finding an association with alcohol dependence [ 70 , 71 ] and others not [ 72 ]. The Taq IA story was further complicated when it was found that the SNP, which is ca. 9 kbp downstream of the last exon of DRD2 , is in fact in the coding sequence of a poorly characterized neighboring gene, ankyrin-repeat containing kinase 1 ( ANKK1 ) [ 73 ]. Work in this area continues.

CURRENT TRENDS IN METHAMPHETAMINE USE AND ABUSE

Abuse of methamphetamine (METH) is a growing international public health problem with an estimated 35 million users worldwide, including countries like Canada, China, Japan, Mexico, and USA [ 74 ]. It is thought that over half of the world’s METH consumers reside in Southeast Asia. In Mexico, the number of people admitted to treatment for psychostimulant addiction from 3% in 1996 to 20% in 2006. METH is the most commonly synthesized illegal drug in the United States and has been cited by law enforcement officials as the leading cause of criminal problems in the country. A 2006 survey showed that 5.8% of Americans aged 12 years or older used METH at least once [ 75 ]. There have been substantial increases in METH-related emergency room admissions at hospitals in the Southwest of the USA.

After taking the drug, users experience a sense of euphoria, increased productivity, hypersexuality, decreased anxiety and increased energy. These effects can last for several hours. METH abuse is also associated with a number of negative which include acute toxicity, altered behavioral and cognitive functions, and neurological damage [ 76 ]. Ingestions of large doses of the drug can also cause more serious consequences that include life-threatening hyperthermia, renal and liver failure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart attacks, cerebrovascular hemorrhages, strokes and seizures. Chronic abuse of METH contributes to anxiety, depression, aggressiveness, social isolation, psychosis, mood disturbances, and psychomotor dysfunction. Withdrawal from METH can produce anhedonia, irritability, fatigue, impaired social functioning, and intense craving for the drug [ 76 ]. Neuroimaging studies have revealed METH-induced neurodegenerative changes in the brains of human addicts [ 77 ]. These include persistent decreases in the levels of dopamine transporters (DAT) in various brain. Structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in METH addicts have documented substantial morphological changes in their brains [ 78 ].

Studies in animal models have reported that METH can cause depletion of dopamine, serotonin, and of their metabolites in the brain [ 79 ]. These abnormalities are associated with marked decreases in the DA and 5-HT transporters in various brain regions. These abnormalities are thought to be related to the production of oxygen-based radicals including superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals. Damage to mitochondria and abnormal metabolism of other reactive compounds might also play a role in causing METH-induced damage in monoaminergic terminals [ 79 ]. Some of the damage are prevented by pretreatment with dopaminergic receptor blockers and trophic factors such as GDNF or BMP7 [ 80 ]. Another process that has shown to be protective involves administration of low doses for METH that are not toxic, suggesting that small doses of the drug can trigger molecular and cellular changes that render the brain refractory to its pro-oxidant properties [ 81 ]. If we can project this idea to the human condition, this process might explain why drug addicts do not develop signs and symptoms of Parkinsonism.

In summary, METH addiction is a major neuropsychiatric problem. Research is under way in order to understand the basic mechanisms involved in switching from exposure to drug to being addicted to METH. These studies involve behavioral, cellular and molecular neurobiological approaches. It is hoped that understanding of the pathways involved will lead to better treatment approaches to the clinical population of METH addicted individuals.

TIME TO TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT MDMA USE/ABUSE

MDMA became a popular drug in the USA in the 1970s and its use rapidly spread to Europe. Initially, drug use was associated with "raves" and the youth dance culture and in the early 1990s reports of excessive use were restricted to case studies [ 82 - 85 ]. Early surveys suggested that use was limited [ 86 , 87 ] and the seeming ability to control intake led to the belief that the drug had limited abuse potential [ 88 , 89 ] did “not seem addictive” [ 90 ] and had “almost no potential to lead to dependence” [ 91 ]. In 1995, the Monitoring the Future survey in the USA indicated an increase in ecstasy use among high school students. subsequent surveys indicated an increase in prevalence rates through to 2001 followed by a decrease. Current prevalence rates (2007) are at about 4% of high school students in the USA. The pattern of ecstasy use also appears to have changed quite considerably in more recent years. While most users consume MDMA relatively infrequently, increasingly the data indicate that many users consume MDMA frequently and in large amounts and some users met criteria for abuse and/or dependence as measured by DSM. The changes being observed in MDMA use and abuse are reminiscent of those that were seen with cocaine in the 1980s. Cocaine was also not initially considered to be “addictive” [ 92 ], a conclusion that we now know is not true. Some cocaine users consume the drug in a compulsive manner that characterizes abuse. MDMA users have also been classified as either novice or light users, moderate users or heavy users based upon either length of time of use, number of pills typically ingested per use or total lifetime use. When one examines the use patterns, it becomes apparent that heavy users take more pills on each occasion [ 93 - 96 ]. Specifically, the number of tablets usually taken and the largest number of tablets ever taken on one occasion was largest in the subjects classified as heavy MDMA users.

There is considerable controversy about the extent of short- and long-term consequences of MDM use and abuse. We have several decades of preclinical research that has investigated self-administration and other models of drug abuse. This knowledge and paradigm development is being applied to the study of MDMA abuse to ultimately understand the neurobiological mechanisms and the consequences of use and abuse of this drug.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Dr. Onaivi acknowledges financial support from William Paterson University center for research, the Dean, Dr. Sandra DeYoung for continued student worker support and the Provost office for release time. Dr. Dodd’s group in Australia are grateful to Neuropathologists from the Queensland Brain Bank, SCMB, University of Queensland, and from the NSW Tissue Resource Centre, for providing tissue samples; and to the next of kin, for informed written consent for the studies. The tissue banks are part of Australian Brain Bank Network supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). The NSW Centre and Australian Brain Donor Program are supported by The University of Sydney, NHMRC, Schizophrenia Research Institute, National Institutes of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse USA (NIAAA), and NSW Department of Health. Financial support was provided by the NIAAA under grant NIH AA12404 and the NHMRC under grant #401551. Work in Dr. Cadet’s laboratory is supported by the DHHS/NIH/NIDA Intramural Research Program. Dr. Schenk’s studies on the behavioral and neuro-chemical consequences of MDMA self-administration are supported by the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand and the Royal Society of New Zealand Marsden Fund. Dr. Koob was supported by the Pearson Center for Alcoholism and Addiction Research and National Institutes of Health grants AA013517 and AA006420 from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and DA010072, DA004398, and DA023597 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

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Socio-cultural Context of Drug Addiction and Ways to Deal with It

• Categories: Drug Addiction Drugs

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Words: 1347 |

Published: Jul 15, 2020

Words: 1347 | Pages: 2 | 7 min read

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