Production of a chronic, expensive, craving condition with a very rapid onset, susceptible to crime and violence as well as to relapse having been produced by smoking, inhaling, snorting, smelling, swallowing, inserting or injecting man-made or processed naturally available prohibited substances obtained illegally or initially via prescriptions, substances that overwhelm and oftentimes rewire the mind by enhancing pleasure and/or reducing pain, sometimes causing hallucinations while suppressing doubt, anxiety and fear.
“The opioid family of drugs includes natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic opioids.”2 Opioids block sensations of pain and cause euphoria. They pose very high risks for addiction and overdose. Many pain-relieving medications contain Opioids. As controlled substances, they attract illegal vendors. In the past two decades, they caused a surge of drug related deaths in the US.
As an illegal, highly addictive opioid, Heroin poses serious risks for overdose. Heroin, especially when mixed with fentanyl, has brought on devastating opioid epidemic in the United States. Morphine and Codeine occur naturally in opium poppy. As opiates, Methadone is synthetic, while Heroin is semi-synthetic derived from chemically processed Morphine.
“Heroin binds to and activates specific receptors in the brain called mu-opioid receptors (MORs). Our bodies contain naturally occurring chemicals called neurotransmitters that bind to these receptors throughout the brain and body to regulate pain, hormone release, and feelings of well-being. When MORs are activated in the reward center of the brain, they stimulate the release of the neurotransmitter, Dopamine, thereby reinforcing drug taking behavior.” 3/sup>
“Derived from South American coca leaves, sometimes used as a local anesthesia, Cocaine is quite addictive illegal drug. To increase profits, vendors sell it as a fine, white, crystal powder, sometimes mixed with cornstarch, talcum powder, or flour. It may be further tampered with other drugs such as amphetamine, synthetic opioids like fentanyl making it especially hazardous to unaware buyers for it causes OD deaths.” 4
By causing interference in the absorption mechanism of brain cells, Cocaine causes an increased availability of the naturally occurring brain chemical, Dopamine. “This chemical assists in the control of movement and reward. Typically, Dopamine reenters the cell that released it thereby shutting off the signal between nerve cells. But with Cocaine, the excess production cannot be recycled and so it stays around and interferes with communication between two nerve cells.” The excessive presence of Dopamine desensitizes brain’s reward assessment system, thereby encouraging increasing amounts of Cocaine to be ingested. “Cocaine immediately causes euphoria, sharpening of the senses, hypersensitivity to light, sound, and touch, irritability and paranoia—extreme and unreasonable distrust of others. Large amounts of cocaine can lead to bizarre, unpredictable, and violent behavior.” “Cocaine's effects disappear within a few minutes to an hour. The duration and intensity of effect depend on the method of use. Injecting or smoking cocaine produces a quicker and stronger but shorter-lasting high (5-10 minutes) than snorting (15-30 minutes).“ Internationally, Cocaine is the second most illicitly traded drug. 5 In about 50% of European dance clubs, clients have been high on it. In the US, Urgent Care centers reported it to the Drug Abuse Warning Network as the most frequently abused drug. “Addiction creates a wide variety of social, emotional, physical, and behavioral issues. With Meth-addiction, getting, using, and recovering from it can be so consuming that other activities take a backseat. Interpersonal relationships suffer as mood swings can be unpredictable, and the person may consistently shirk regular responsibilities and obligations. Grades and work output drop, and unemployment, financial strain, and homelessness can be its result. Also, Meth abuse lowers inhibitions, and increases risk-taking and possible suicidal tendencies.” 9
“Found as a white powder or in glass-like form called crystal meth, it is usually smoked, injected, swallowed, or snorted. When someone is taking meth, they are alert and energized, and can stay awake for long periods of time. Thus, heart rate, body temperature, respiration, and blood pressure all rise under the influence. When meth wears off, however, a significant “crash” generally occurs, leaving individuals feeling fatigued, lethargic, hungry, depressed, and anxious. As a result, meth is commonly taken in a binge pattern, often called a “run,” where small amounts of meth are taken every few hours for a couple days to prolong the high. This pattern of abuse can more quickly lead to drug dependence and addiction.” “Skin sores and infections from picking scabs, tooth decay and “meth mouth,” significant and unhealthy weight loss, and an increased risk for contracting an infectious or sexually transmitted disease are common side effects. Addicts who inject the drug may suffer from collapsed veins and a higher risk for contracting HIV/AIDS or hepatitis. Snorting meth could damage sinus cavities and nasal passages, and lead to chronic nosebleeds and/or a perpetual runny nose. Smoking meth may lead to respiratory damage and lung complications.” As with most drugs, weaning has to be done gradually and carefully under supervised detoxification that may take at least 90 days for the brain to rewire. There is no medicine to bring about a cure. Abstinence is the only long-run solution while redefining values, attitudes and behaviors under Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) promoted by a spiritual rehabilitation program. Source :
Cocaine Addiction and Abuse
Methamphetamine Addiction and Abuse
1 https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/addiction-statistics/
2 https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/heroin
3 https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/research-reports/heroin/how-heroin-used
4 https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/cocaine
5 https://www.drugfreeworld.org/drugfacts/cocaine/international-statistics.html
6 European Monitoring Centre on Drugs and Drug Addiction
7 National Survey on Drug Use and Health
8 Monitoring the Future Study by the National Institute for Drug Abuse
9 https://americanaddictioncenters.org/meth-treatment/facts
10 NIDA – National Institute on Drug Abuse
11 TEDS – National Treatment Episode Data Set
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