The Effects of Drug Abuse

The Effect of Drug Abuse Jason Russ The Effect of Drug Abuse Many batch do not understand why or how opposite people become accustomed to doses. It can be wrongfully assumed that medicate crimers lack moral principles or willpower and that they could stop using drugs simply by choosing to change their behavior. In reality, drug addiction is a complex disease, and quitting takes to a greater extent than good intentions. In fact, because drugs change the brain in shipway that foster compulsive drug cry, quitting is difficult, even for those who are ready to do so.Through scientific advances, we know more about how drugs work in the brain than ever, and we besides know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and prolong productive lives. Today, thanks to science, our views and responses to drug blackguard has changed dramatically. Groundbreaking discoveries about the brain have revolutionized our understanding of drug addiction, ena bling us to respond effectively to the problem, (Volkow).Addiction is a modernisemental disease that begins in babyhood and adolescence and is influenced by a combination of factors involving genes, environment, and an individuals age at first drug use. The genes that people are born with in combination environmental influences of their addiction defenselessness. To addition that, gender, ethnicity, and the mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction. Scientists estimate that genetic factors account for between 40 and 60 per centum of a someones vulnerability to addiction, including the effects of environment on gene expression and function.Adolescents and individuals with mental disorders are at greater risk of drug abuse and addiction than the general population, (Volkow). Few weakness genes have been found for alcohol dependence and nicotine addiction. Alcoholism is a genetically inherited disease. in that respect are several evidences proving that Scien tists at Washington University School of Medicine conducted a genome-wide association study in 2006 and identified several novel genes composite in nicotine dependence.In 2004, researchers at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine found a protein, called Arc, which may be a culprit in drug addiction. The protein helps the brain retain memories for longer than an min or two, (Association of American Medical Colleges). In 1994, scientists at the Oregon Health & Science University were the first to clone the mammalian gene for the D2 dopamine receptor. dopamine is a brain neurotransmitter that is thought to be essential to the brains response to drugs like opiates and psycho stimulants, (Association of American Medical Colleges). Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine researchers inform in 2006 that mens brains show evidence of up to three times the amount of the brain chemic dopamine as womens brains when undefended to amphetamines. This is the first clinical study that explains why more men than women abuse amphetamines and could lead to tailored treatments for drug abuse and neurological diseases, (Association of American Medical Colleges).On the other hand, many people believe that Addiction is a choice, meaning anyone can stop or moderate their use of addictive drugs anytime they want to by just going to Meditation, Yoga, Exercise, Acupuncture and Counseling. However, drug addiction is a certain disease because one of the main reasons is called dopamine. Addictive drugs trigger the release of the brain chemical dopamine, which in turn creates a reward circuit in the brain. This circuit registers that intense experience as important and creates lasting memories of it as a pleasing experience.Dopamine changes the brain on a cellular level, commanding the brain to do it again, which heightens the possibility of relapse even long after the behavior (or drug) has stopped. Dopamine in addition helps to explain why intense experiences can be j ust as addictive as drugs, (Smithstein). A persons environment includes many contrasting influences, from family and friends to quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and quality of parenting can greatly influence the occurrence of drug abuse and the growth to addiction in a persons life.Many people today do not understand why some become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster obsessive drug abuse. Parents who abuse drugs or engage in criminal behavior can increase childrens risks of developing their own drug problems. Use of substances by parents and their children is strongly correlated generally, if parents take drugs, sooner or later their children will also. Teenagers who use drugs are more likely to have one or more parents who also use drugs. Children who depend on illicit drugs usually have poor social skills or academic failures. In 2004, researchers at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA use d structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computational brain mapping to detect structural abnormalities in the brains of degenerative water ice users, (Association of American Medical Colleges). A 2005 study at the University of California, San Diego, School of Medicine showed that functional MRI might be used to predict relapse in substance-dependent individuals. A simple two-choice test correctly predicted 20 of 22 subjects who did not relapse and 17 of 18 subjects who did, (Association of American Medical Colleges). In one study, 41% of addicted parents reported that at least one of their children repeated a grade in school, 19% were involved in truancy, and 30% had been suspended from school, ( issue Association for Children of Alcoholics). People, who believe that drug addiction is not a disease, claim that have nothing do with the environment. only the scientist enjoins that a people were influenced by a combination factors including genes and environment increas ed drug abuse. In 1995, nearly 3. 1 million children were reported to child tutelary services as abused or neglected. Approximately one million of these reports were substantiated.Substance abuse was found to be a factor in a legal age of these cases, (sparkaction. org). Behavioral treatments help engage people, modifying their attitudes and behaviors related to drug abuse and increasing their life skills to handle complicated, stressful life circumstances and environmental cues that may trigger intense cravings for drugs. Additionally it can enhance the effectiveness of medications and help people remain in treatment in the longer term. The combination of genetic and environmental, factors with sombre developmental stages in a persons life to affect addiction vulnerability.Even though taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it will progress to more serious abuse, which teenagers will suffer more. Because their brains are s till developing in the areas that choice, and self-control, young people may be especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse. Babies may be born premature and underweight were exposed to legal and misbranded drugs in the womb. This drug exposure will damage and slow the childs intellection and behavior later in life. Adolescents who abuse drugs often, do ill academically, and drop out of school.They are at risk of unplanned pregnancies, violence, and infectious diseases. Adults have problems thinking clearly, remembering, and paying attention because the drugs damaging their brain cells. They often develop poor social behaviors as a result of their drug abuse, and their work performance and personal relationships suffer. Parents drug abuse often means chaotic, stress-filled homes and child abuse and neglect. Such conditions harm the development of children in the home and may set the stage for drug abuse in the next generation. It is a proven fact tha t substance abuse is the leading cause for people to commit crimes.Drugs and alcohol can mess with a persons mind and cause them to do stupid things, as in robberies, murders, become violent, etc. Drugs such as alcohol, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, narcotics and non-narcotics (prescription drug pills), opium, ecstasy, and mushrooms can all lead to psychological effects on a persons mind. Amphetamines and cocaine increase wakefulness, alertness and vigilance, improve concentration, and produce a feeling of clear thinking (Barton R&M, 2008). There is generally an elevation of mood, humble euphoria, increases sociability, and a belief that one can do just about anything. Depending on the drugs that are being used and the way they are being used, depends on how long the effects from it will last. Some can last from a few minutes to a few hours. Usually the prescription pills last for hours and cocaine effects last for only a few minutes. Any drug can lead to problems with a persons brai n it can blade one mentally disabled. It can also lead to regular nose bleeds, loss of smell, swallowing problems and inflammation of nasal septum. This can occur if one abuses drugs by let out it through their nose.The abuse of prescription drugs are the second most abused drugs in our Nation, with Marijuana being first and Cocaine being third, heroin fourth, and methamphetamine fifth. This list will give an idea of exactly how serious this type of drug addiction is to our Nation today and how it will impact our future. According to the National Health Institute about 20% of people have used prescription drugs for non-medical issues (National Institutes of Health). When you are prescribed pain medication for an injury you may be told to take one pill every 4 hours but you feel that one is not working so you take two this is prescription drug abuse.You may not think that it is that big of a deal but studies say that if you abuse it once you are more at risk of abusing prescription drugs again. Although most people who abuse prescription drugs abuse pain killers there are other types that are abused also. Drug addiction is a chronic yet preventable. According to NIDA-funded research, they have shown that prevention programs relating families, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many actions and cultural factors affect drug abuse trend, when people recognize drug abuse as harmful, will stop taking drugs.Thus, education is key in helping people and the public understands the risks of drug abuse. Teachers, parents, medical and public health professionals must keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if one never takes drugs. References Barton R&M 2008. , Mexicos Drug-Related Violence, congressional Research Service Drug Use and Abuse Fighting the Destructive Grip of Addiction Kirst-Ashman, K. (2011). Human behavior in the macro social environment (3rd ed. ). Brooks Cole.ISBN 9780495813651. Kola r, A. F. , Brown, B. S. , Haertzen, C. A. , & Michaelson, B. S. , CHILDREN OF ADDICTED PARENTS IMPORTANT FACTS. National Association for Children of Alcoholics, 1994 Nora D. Volkow, Science of Addiction. National Institutes on Drug Abuse, April 2007 Samantha Smithstein, Dopamine why its so hard to just say no. Psychology Today, 19 August 2010