Drug Addiction

Before I tell you the affects, first I should explain how your brain communicates. Our brains are made up of a network of billions of neurons that send messages back and forth thousands of times a minute. Everything we think, feel, or do is controlled by this network of neurons. In order for these neurons to communicate with each other, the neuron creates a neurotransmitter. These neurotransmitters travel to nearby neurons and attach to their receptors. Once attached, the neurotransmitter sends the message through the receptor. Drugs, however, change the way this process works. When drugs enter the body, the chemicals from the drug tamper with the way the brain communicates. Different drugs have different affects, there are two ways that drugs work in the brain. Drugs can

Addiction is a disease that causes individuals to be compulsive and seek for substances in order to relieve craving. Addiction is commonly associated with drugs and is a great concern to the well beings of people around the world. The physiological and psychological effects of drug addiction can be deadly. Mood swings, hallucinations, and confusion are common physiology side effects, while psychological effects include inevitable depression, cravings, paranoia, and anxiety. By researching and gathering more data about substance addiction, it could lead to a decrease in the number of deaths associated to drug abuse and find healthier alternatives.

Hallucinogens alters moods and distorts perception, and thoughts. Ecstasy is a stimulate as well a hallucinogen. Ecstasy increases dopamine and serotonin. It creates a sense of euphoria, increases blood pressure, cause dehydration, it also damages neurotransmitters that creates serotonin. LSD also has an damaging impact on serotonin neurotransmitters. It also changes your perception and sensation.

There are many withdrawal symptoms when people stop using crack cocaine. Some of them are depression, anxiety, stress, worry, irritable, easily agitated, and intense craving for more. The reason it is so addictive is because it is the most pure and concentrated form of cocaine which means it has a higher addiction

methamphetamine), also known as ecstasy or “Molly,” is a psychoactive drug that is similar to both the stimulant drug amphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline. Those taking the drug typically experience feelings of increased energy, euphoria, emotional warmth and empathy. However, there can also be negative side effects to its use, including confusion, depression, insomnia, and anxiety. Additionally, heavy users also experience confusion, memory loss, and problems with attention. It is unknown whether or not the drug is addictive, but some experiments have shown that some users report symptoms of dependence, tolerance, and withdrawal. (Volkow, 2013)

Ring, Ring, Ring… every time I hear that sound in the middle of the night, I am terrified to answer my phone; I am waiting for the call where someone says “Andy has died from an overdose.” Andy is my stepbrother, he has been battling his heroin addiction since we were fifteen years old, and I have seen firsthand how this disease can rip a family apart. Andy’s addiction has inflicted such tremendous stress and hurt on my parents and watching them try to help him recover from this addiction is heartbreaking. It is heartbreaking because I am powerless to help heal our family; I would not wish this pain on my worst enemy, because my stepbrother’s addiction has been one of the greatest trials of my own life.

The distortion and disorganization of a person’s ability to recognize reality, think rationally, and communicate can sometimes result in the user in engaging in high-risk behaviour (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2015). In the long term, hallucinogens may eventually cause psychological and physiological dependence on the drug and thus, affect various aspects of life such as health and well-being, work, social life, and finance (Druginfo.adf.org.au, 2015).

Drugs have been around for a very long time. They are used for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include relaxation, socialization, curiosity, stress relief, or a form of escapism. However, most people don’t know the threats and danger that it can cause to the body. In this paper, we are going to examine the changes that happen inside the brain due to the effects of different drugs. We will look closely at how drugs such as hallucinogens, ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, and cannabis affect an individual psychologically. I will explain the origin of the drugs, how a person feels while on the drug, how the drugs

When you find out that someone you deeply care about is using drugs or drinking alcohol excessively it can be a scary situation. These substances will not only change their typical behavior but can also cause serious long term damage to their bodies. Not only is it hard drugs that can be an issue; prescribed drugs can cause damage as they are very addictive. It is something that no family wants to have to deal with and can be a daunting task if it is the first time it has happened. Having to step in and take away a substance which is starting to play a larger and larger role in their life can be a very hard thing to do. Sometimes it is tough to know if you should be stepping in as you do not want to make their situation worse, however it’s a catch 22 as doing nothing is clearly not the best option when it comes to substance addiction. These addictions rarely stop on their own so having someone push the user in the right direction is always a necessary step in their recovery. If a family member is scared to inhibit them then they can become an enabler to their habit, some reasons for this may be they do not want to deal with the stresses of the users withdrawal, maybe they have tried before and the user lashes out at them for trying to make them stop, or maybe they are just too scared to say anything.

The first group is the hallucinogens, such as LSD, mushrooms, and PTP. These drugs distort the user's perception of reality, perhaps seeing/feeling/hearing things that are not really there. The next category is depressants. Examples of this include cannabis, inhalants, heroin, morphine, and alcohol. When under the influence of these, the brain and nervous system activity is slowed. People may feel sluggish, confused, and have decreased coordination. The last group is the stimulants. Also known as coffee, ecstasy, cocaine, and methamphetamines. A person would feel excited and more alert, like they're under a rush. Each drug within it's group has it's own little "world," and many people have found themselves stuck

Drug dependence is a situation where an addict feels he/she must have drugs in order to live; this is the term to describe psychological dependence. Physical dependence occurs when the body metabolism adapts to the presence of the drugs, when the drug is removed strong withdrawal symptoms are produced. This withdrawal syndrome is experienced as sickness, stomach upset and muscular pain. Hallucinations and convulsions may also occur.

It is no secret that drug use has the ability to completely alter a person’s state of consciousness, whether it be through extreme euphoria, increased hyperactivity, pain relief or psychedelic hallucinations. Although many drugs are used for medical purposes, the global issue of recreational drug use is now being fronted as an extremely serious matter that is steadily on the uprise. Recreational drug use is often associated with negativity, addiction and as having serious physical and mental repercussions. One of the few class of drugs that is often associated with both positive and negative connotations are hallucinogens, otherwise known as “psychedelics”, which have powerful altering effects on ones sense of perception, brain function

Addictions can be something scary for everyone involved. There are several different types of addictions that are dealt with every day in our society. When someone has an addiction to something it not only affects them, but also anyone around them that could be impacted. There are many different treatments depending on the specific addiction. As well, there are many different causes to various addictions. This is an important topic to understand whether you are the one addicted or someone looking in. There are too many addictions that go untreated because of failure to recognize.

A narrow definition of the term addiction refers to habitual psychological and physiological dependence on a substance beyond one 's voluntary control. Terms such as "workaholic," "sex addict," and "computer junkie" arose to describe behaviors that have features in common with alcoholism and other substance addictions. Substance addiction is a multi-pronged system in which lifestyle has a role but the biology of a person 's body is a major factor. These substances, which are called psychoactive drugs, are what people become addicted to and are described as chemicals that affect mental processes and behavior by temporarily changing perception and awareness. There are many different theories about what addiction is and why it happens but

Have you ever dealt with the effects of drug addict? A drug is a person who is addicted to drugs or alcohol, which has a psychological effect when ingested or otherwise introduced into the body. The effects of drug use can vary depending on the person. According to “Causes and types of narcotic addiction: A Psychosocial View” in the Psychiatric Quarterly it says, “The causes of drugs stem from the manner of which you were introduced to it whether it be by abnormal curiosity, chance encounters with addicts and narcotic peddlers, or prolonged illness” (Ausubel). The effects of drugs can be have different effects on everyone differently depending if its for pleasure or for relieving pain Most of the effects of drugs occur in the brain, where it increases the level of dopamine at a specific site possibly giving the addict the pleasure they were feigning for (Robbins). As a child I didn’t know much about drugs except for what your parents and teachers at school tell you which is, “Just Say No.”