Personal Drug Philosophy Andy Emroch University of Virginia 9/7/17 Introduction I am yet to experiment with drugs and narcotics in any form, even though I am surrounded by recreational drug users and addicts. My parents and siblings are avid caffeine consumers, so much so that they cannot start their day without a cup of coffee. My friends and colleagues also indulge their pallets and block their adenosine receptors to suppress their urge to sleep and heighten their arousal. Nor am I partial to the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and prescription medications. I particularly loathe the so-called hard drugs like marijuana, cocaine, molly, and heroin. The effects of these toxins, no matter the verbs used to describe their deliriously exhilarating experience, have never appealed to me. The adverse effects of their use are all too apparent to ignore, and on top of that, I am partial to maintaining control of my thoughts, actions, and body in general. My partiality to being in charge of everything that defines me perhaps make me one of the few people who abhor drug use. All too often my friends will cajole me by calling me chicken after I turn down their request to join them for a few beers at the local pub, for the umpteenth time. That has never deterred me from my resolution to remain free of drugs, of any type. The above is the constitution of my personal drug philosophy – I will not use them in any form, but at the same time, I will not look down, or shun, anyone
When it comes to determining the type of abuse treatment program that you should enlist in, its important to note, that everyone has a unqie situation anad as such, the type of treatment faclity that you should partake in, should have a history of curtaling to ndvuals whwo have been in simalr crumctance. Each type of treatment faciliaty program has been desgned to curtal to ndvuals who have a varos shistory's of drug use. For example, people who have been using drugs for a limited about of years, would fit in a short teerm drug treatment program. However,m indivualss who have a long history of drug use, would be most ssuitbale in a long term drug treatment program.
1b. List and describe briefly the major structures of the brain, as presented in your textbook, including the function of those elements that are most related to psychoactive drug reaction.
Spearheaded by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, the movement known as the “War on Drugs” sought to control the sale and use of psychoactive drugs as well as promote access to treatment for those who abuse and misuse these substances (Bagley, 1988; Elkins, 1990). Policies implemented prohibited the possession and distribution of narcotics (e.g. marijuana, cocaine, heroin); the punitive policies, which often resulted in hefty fines and prison sentences for violators, ultimately prompted the emergence of a black market, more potent and lethal drugs, synthetic drugs as well as led to the increase in organized crime and prison population (Bagley, 1988; Broden, 2013; Cussen & Block, 2000; Elkins, 1990; Friedman, 1991; Henderson, 1990; MacCoun, 1993; Powell, 2013). Despite the initial intention, there was rarely sufficient funding allocated towards achieving the latter goals—of promoting and advocating treatment for drug addicts (Bagley, 1988).
Prescription drug abuse is the use of prescribed medications for reasons other than intended by a doctor or medical professional. Prescription drug abuse involves the misuse of any and all drugs to alter the physical or mental status of a person. The misuse of prescription drugs is described as taking excess amounts, more frequently, or for much longer than originally prescribed.
This paper will illustrate several aspects of how drugs affect our lives. Addiction philosophies including the psychology and physiology will be explained in an attempt to describe how drugs affect our bodies both physically and mentally. Secondly, different drug categories types will be covered including: stimulants, depressants, narcotics, hallucinogens, and cannabis. Each of these categories has different addiction potentials and effect levels including withdrawal symptoms. Finally, the abuse of prescription drugs and their effects will be discussed.
Drug culture in the United States is constantly portrayed in the media and various entertainment outlets. The heavy presence of drug use in mainstream music, television, and news, is often glorified or excessively denounced, causing many to hold misconceptions about the factual consequences illegal drugs have on the human body. The United States Drug Enforcement Agency has categorized illegal drugs into five groups: narcotics, stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, and drugs of concern.
“Substance Use Disorders” are new to the DSM-5. Previously, the terms “abuse” and “dependence” where used instead. In general, the DSM-5 considers a Substance Use Disorder to be recurrent drug use that causes impairment and continued use, despite substance use related problems. The DSM-5 also focuses on how substance use causes a change in brain functioning. The change is primarily responsible for intense drug cravings, as well as repeated relapses. Finally, the DSM-5 divides use into four groups, including impaired control, social impairment, risky use, and pharmacological criteria (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).
-One of the two basic ways of looking at drugs is psychological and sociological effect which focus is on the study of substances that alter our feelings, thoughts, perception of the world, and behavior. Psychoactive drugs are illegal drugs such as heroin, cocaine, marijuana, ecstasy, LSD, PCP, ketamine and GHB, that influence the functioning of the brain, behavior, and experiences .The other way to look at drugs is the social circumstances that lead to drug-taking behavior. First the use of psychoactive drugs modifies the functioning of the brain both at the time during which the drug is present in the body and later when the drug taking behavior stops. Second, drug dependence is a result of a complex interaction of the individual and his and her environment. All drugs, whether illegal or legal, can become dangerous substances when abused. Therefore, the legal classification of drugs means little in terms of how toxic or addictive a substance may be. Some of the most potent medications prescribed by doctors are as harmful if not more so as some of the drugs classified as controlled or banned substances.
The main type of dangerous drugs you hear about are the illegal ones. However, if you abuse prescription drugs they can have major consequences as well. Most people use drugs prescribed by doctors or physicians without abusing them. The estimated amount of adults using prescription drugs as a recreational use is as high as 20%. Many of the people using prescription drugs do not understand how harmful the side effects of these drugs are. Most people abuse prescription drugs to get the better mood, adrenaline rush, or to ease mental or physical pain. Most of the abused prescription drugs are sedatives, tranquilizers, or painkillers. These are widely found and easy to obtain. Many of the addicts are either prescribed by a doctor or stolen from a friend or relative. Most of the addicts are oblivious
ADHD is defined as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in which one possesses a chronic condition including attention difficulty, hyperactivity, and impulsiveness (Hart and Ksir, 2015, p. 139). After taking a substance abuse class, I will critique my old argument surrounding my philosophy of substance abuse.
Today in America a lot of young people experiment with illegal drugs. Some people try drugs for recreational purposes, others are addicted to drugs and can't survive without them. Usually it all starts from recreational purposes, and people who can not control their recreation become a drug addicts. There are many different types of drugs, but all drugs are similar in that they change one's understanding of the environment, feelings, senses and mood. Some drugs cause physical addiction, which means that after several tries of the particular drug, the body requires that chemical in order to function. Some drugs destroy lives; people use drugs so much that it changes their personality and acceptance of environment,
Drug Class: A drug may belong to more than one drug class. A drug class consists of a collection of drugs that may have a few things in common. They are not identical, but alike in some way.
Ever since I was only a few months old, my birth mother put drugs and herself before anyone else, including my father and I. My father is originally from Saudi Arabia and came to America for better opportunities and to make his family proud. After a few months of living in Oklahoma, he met my mother and they ended up getting married. They soon found out that my mother was pregnant with me and they were both elated. After I was born, my father began to notice that my mother was acting strangely and not being herself; this was obviously a result of her getting back on drugs. My father did not have the prior knowledge that my mother had been on drugs and had quit them multiple times before having met him. One night my father came home from work
Substance abuse is a mistreatment of liquid or solid substances or drugs. When you think of individuals who take advantage of substances, what is your impression? Do you feel it is a choice and are exceptions? If so what are those exceptions. Substances come in various forms. You have your gateway substances such as marijuana and alcohol, which are common among the majority, are considered “harmless” then you have your “harmful” frowned upon substances like cocaine and “meth” that are notoriously known for damages on the brains functionality.
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.”