Drug Profiles & Addiction
There are many substances that an individual can use for altering his state of mind. Such
substances are not restricted to just name-brand drugs regular all through history like
cocaine, marijuana, heroin & other narcotics. Drug usage also consists of inhalants like
huffing, bath salts, fermented body waste, etc. It is a wide spread spectrum. Law
enforcement has its hands full trying to keep up with abuse & its many forms.
The below paragraphs will look at the different aspects of the psychology & physiology of
addiction, illegal drug detection including the classes of depressants, cannabinoids,
stimulants, narcotics and hallucinogens. The ensuing paragraphs will also deal with the
subject of addiction potential of different substances, the effects of drug, and withdrawal
symptoms. Lastly, the discussion will address prescription drugs including addiction and
abuse.
Psychology & Physiology of Addiction Detailed
Addiction may be anything a person does to conceal emotional pain. Anything could be
addictive but for the purpose of discussion, illegal drugs are the chief areas of concern
because they not just affect a person’s psychological state but they affect his physical state
also.
For most people, addiction starts as a flight from reality while giving the illusion of control.
However, what eventually follows is a pathological link to the occurrence of the changedmood state that results in life-damaging, depressing circumstances (Merten, 2011).
Essentially the person becomes hooked to the experience rather than the substance itself.
Kendra Cherry (2012, para. 1) states, "Addiction is a sickness painted by relentless drugseeking actions in addition to drug abuse, alcohol, chemical, or other substances. The
symptoms could include a severe psychological resolve to find and abuse illegal substances.
Addiction definitions generally focus on the psychological craving for the substance instead
of the physiological withdrawal symptoms triggered by substance removal.
Drug Categories: Stimulants, Narcotics, Depressants, Cannabinoids and Hallucinogens
For a greater understanding of addiction & abuse, it’s necessary to have knowledge of the
different drug categories. A discussion about the ensuing 5 drug categories includes
Hallucinogens, Narcotics, Stimulants, Depressants, and Cannabinoids. The below bullet
points refer to each category & the associated drug subcategory.
Hallucinogens

CannabisMescaline

LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
Depressants

Alcohol

Tranquillizers

Barbiturates

Methaqualone

Benzodiazepines

GHB
Narcotics

Morphine

Oxycodone

Heroin

Opium

Codeine

Cocaine

Methadone

Hydrocodone

Heroin
Stimulants

Cocaine

Ritalin

Amphetamines

Methamphetamines

Cylert
Cannabinoids

Marijuana

Hashish

Marijuana Derivatives (Casa Palmera, 2009)
The aforesaid categories cover a section of the drug domain. While the chief section of
abused substances was the subject of discussion, several more exist from huffing, ecstasy,
prescription drugs & derivatives of current drugs. Every one of these categories & the
underlying drugs has varying addiction levels, effects & withdrawal symptoms.
Abused Substances’ Addiction Potential, Effects & Withdrawal Symptoms
Since the checklist of drugs & abusive substances are immense, this paragraph focuses on
only a section of main-stream substances & their abuse: Heroin & Crack/Cocaine abuse.
Heroin abuse tops the list. Heroin returned in full force in the 60s & 70s. Heroin began in
urban ghettos & in due course, with increased media coverage, it seeped into the white
society during the times of Woodstock & the hippie era (Levinthal, 2010, p. 123).
Indeed, heroin addiction is damaging as it affects not just the individual, but also everyone
around him. People familiar with heroin addicts are aware that these people will do just
about anything to get his next fix. This addiction begins with relaxation use and finally
makes one dependent. This dependency arises from the human body's physical carving for
this drug and finally this dependency will change the person's behavior.
Heroine was intended to ease pain and addicts feel euphoric when fully under its effects.
Such individuals are putting their bodies under immense trauma both on & off the drug.
The side effects include circulatory, respiratory & central nervous system complications.
Also the heart, brain and lungs could fail from an overdose of heroin (Waismann Method,
2008). The toughest part of overcoming heroin addiction is going through the distressing
withdrawal symptoms.
Another devastating drug is cocaine. Its street name is crack. Just like heroin, this is an
overwhelmingly addictive drug. The body's physical craving takes over the person's state
of mind & basically controls the levels of addiction. Relapse commonly happens in
recovering addicts because cocaine has a high addictive state. Cocaine intoxication
produces a feeling of pleasure & euphoria making the person overly active & alert.
However, as with the case of any drug, the more cocaine a person takes, the less powerful
its effects and the user requires higher doses to reach the same level of high he once
attained (Edwards & Stoppler, 2011). Due to this need for greater dosage, the risk of
overdose rises exponentially. This may happen from medical risks like rupturing of the
body's main artery & stroke.
Explain how prescription drugs may be abused & lead to addiction
Quite simply, using prescription drugs for purposes other than those they are intended for
is substance abuse. Nora Volkow (2011) says that using prescription drugs for nonmedical
use is a massive public health problem in the US. Almost 52 million people have, at some
time in their life, utilized prescription drugs for purposes other than those prescribed.
Similar to any significant narcotic, when prescription drugs are used for enjoyment
purposes can cause addiction & major health concerns. Today, oxycontin is a very popular
prescription pill, which is usually prescribed for patients experiencing average to extreme
pain and has the same effects as that of heroin. The pill has a time-release characteristic
that’s intended to ease into an individual's system. Oxy addicts either crush or chew this
medication for snorting.
People who take large doses of this pill have an increased risk of developing respiratory
depression that could be fatal. Inexperienced or new oxy users are at greater risk because
they may not know the pill dosages and tolerance for this drug. Also users suffer
withdrawal symptoms like bone/muscle pain, restlessness, diarrhea, insomnia, vomiting
and cold flashes (NDIC, 2003).
Irrespective of the kind of prescription medicine & its influence levels, prescription drugs
can cause grave health problems or death when consumed in excess of the suggested doses.
The craving for more arises from the psychological/ physical effect and hence addiction
follows.
Conclusion
Addiction occurs in every size, shape and form. It can arise from cleanliness, exercising and
several other avenues. The severest form of addiction arises due to the introduction of
illegal substances, i.e. drugs, into one’s body.
Addiction’s a grave issue & not one effortlessly controlled. Dealing with addiction arises
from a better grasp of the problem. The earlier paragraphs dealt first with identifying the
underlying physiology & psychology of drug addiction. Next the discussion addressed the
drug categories & their relevant components. In recognizing drugs & their categories, more
knowledge was gained learning each drug’s addiction levels, effects & withdrawal
symptoms. The paper concluded with prescription drug abuse & its effects.
This paper ends with this quote drawn from Motivational Quotes (2008), "Champions in
any field have made a habit of doing what others find boring or uncomfortable."
References
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(2003).
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Fast
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(2012).
What
is
Addiction?
http://psychology.about.com/od/aindex/g/def_addiction.htm
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from
Levinthal, C. (2010). Drugs, Behavior, and Modern Society (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Allyn &
Bacon.
Edwards, R., & Stoppler, M. (2011). Cocaine and Crack Abuse. Retrieved from
http://www.medicinenet.com/cocaine_and_crack_abuse/article.htm
Quotes - Motivational. (2008). Conquering Addiction Quotes. Retrieved from http://quotesmotivational.com/Motivational/-Overcoming-Addiction-Quotes.html
Merten, P. (2011). The Physiology and Psychology of Addiction and Recovery (PowerPoint
Slides). Retrieved from http://www.authorstream.com/Presentation/grammadoc-4734222-the-physiology-and-psychology-of-addiction/
Casa
Palmera.
(2009).
Top
8
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from
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Method.
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