Drugs

Drug is any substance taken into the body that modifies or affects chemical
reactions in the body. Drug used in medical care, or to relieve mild pain,
are very helpful to us. However, some people misuse drugs, so that they
cause harm to themselves and to others around them.

Mood Influencing Drugs

Mimic the effects of out hormones or neurotransmitters and produce a
corresponding state of mind
Drugs used for a prolonged period of time can cause tolerance and
dependence which is extremely dangerous
Tolerance
The need to constantly increase dosage to have the same effect
Eventually the dosage increases to the point where it may cause death
Dependence
Condition in which the user cannot do without the substance
Emotional dependence is when a person requires the drug to maintain
his state of mind and may go to no ends in order to obtain it

Physical dependence is the same experience with physical symptoms,

or withdrawal symptoms, which may include diarrhea, vomiting,
nausea etc.
Another word for physical dependence is addiction
Dependence varies drug to drug and must be prescribed with great
caution
Social Drugs
Non-medicinal drugs taken in excessive quantity is called drug abuse
Withdrawal symptoms include:
Anxiety
Sweating
Vomiting
Bad temper
Trembling
Hyperthermia
Clotting in brain
Heart attack
Jerky movements
Dilated pupils
Dangers include:
Malnourishment
Financial problems
Crimes
Infections
Dangerous behavior
Stimulants
Caffeine: found in coffee and tea, it is a mild stimulant which makes
one more wakeful without building up tolerance and dependence
Amphetamines: reduce fatigue and increase alertness whilst reducing
accuracy and giving a false sense of confidence. It may result in high
blood pressure, tolerance and addiction. It is used by students to study
better and by athletes to perform better.
MDMA is related to amphetamines but also results in high blood
pressure, heart beat and depression.
Cocaine gives a sense of excitement but is followed by depression and
is likely to cause addiction and mental disorders
Depressants
Depress the central nervous system to decrease emotional tension and
anxiety
It may also suppress the breathing center of the brain and cause death
Barbiturates
Tranquilizers: cure mental illnesses and relieve one from stress

It must be remembered that a certain level of anxiety is needed for

mental and physical activity which may be dimmed in the usage of
depressants

Alcohol

Depressant of the central nervous system

Small amounts give a feeling of well-being and confidence
Our reaction time is elongated and we may not be able to react fast
enough in certain situations if under the influence of alcohol
It causes vasodilation which gives a sense of warmth but actually leads
to a greater loss of body heat
Ninety percent of alcohol taken in is detoxified by oxidizing it to carbon
dioxide and water in the liver in about 3 hours
If the alcohol amount exceeds the rate of oxidization, the level of
alcohol in the body builds up to toxic proportions causing intoxication
Some people build up a tolerance to alcohol and this may lead to both
emotional and physical dependence known as alcoholism
High doses of alcohol can cause the liver to form too many fat
droplets, leading to a disease called cirrhosis, in which the liver is less
able to stop poisonous substances in the intestinal blood from reaching
the general circulation
Pregnancy:
alcohol can cross the placenta and damage the fetus which may result
in underweight, deformed children
Behavior:
alcohol reduces inhibitions because it depresses the part of the brain
which causes shyness
it can also lead to irresponsible behavior such as aggression and
vandalism
Effects:
Depression
Coma/death
Reduced self-control
Damages liver
Aggression and violence
Slow reaction time

Hallucinogens

Cannabis produces a sense of wellbeing, detachment and hallucination

although there is little or no tolerance or addiction. It is known to have
harmful effects on the lungs, CNS, immune system and reproductive
system.

Narcotics

Morphine and heroin are made from opium

They relieve severe pain and free one from anxiety
They can lead to tolerance and dependence within weeks
Additional hazards include blood poisoning, hepatitis, AIDS etc. from
the use of unsterilized needles when injecting the drug
After effects include:
Addiction
Vomiting
Restlessness
Respiratory depression
Weight loss

The effects of the abuse of heroin

Heroin is a powerful depressant.

It is a narcotic, producing a dream-like feeling of
relaxation and reducing severe pain.
It is very addictive, leading to dependency
(addiction).
Withdrawal symptoms can be very unpleasant
involving cramp, sleeplessness, violent
vomiting, sweating and hallucinations.
The body develops a tolerance to the drug, so an
addict needs to take increasing amount to
achieve the same feeling. This leas t the risk
of overdosing on the drug.
When injected using unsterilized and shared
needles, there is a risk of infections such
as hepatitis and HIV.
Addiction creates financial problems leading to family
breakdown, criminal activity and sexual promiscuity.

Solvent Misuse

Inhaling of vapors from organic solvents in order to become

intoxicated
They last for only a minute
In the long run, they may affect the liver and kidneys
Less likely to cause tolerance and dependence

Smoking
Chemical

Effects on Respiratory System

Effects on Other Systems

Carbon
Monoxide

A poisonous gas which may combine

with hemoglobin in RBCs and prevent Increases the risk of
them from transporting oxygen
coronary heart disease

Nicotine

Raises blood pressure

and heart rate
Increases chances of
thrombosis and could
lead to a stroke
Stimulates the brain
Can pass to the blood of
Addictive, resulting in the continuation a fetus from the mother
of smoking and exposing the lungs to and result in reduced
harmful chemicals
birth weight

Irritates the air passages, causing

inflammation and increased mucus
production, which may lead to chronic
bronchitis. Coughing and the presence
of particles in the alveoli can lead to
Smoke Particles emphysema.

Tar

A carcinogen which increases the risk

of lung cancer. Lines the air passages,
increases mucus production and
paralyzing and damaging the cilia,
causing bronchitis.
Emphysema: the breakdown of alveoli which causes coughing and
reduction in the absorption capacity of the lungs which results in the

smoker not being able to oxygenate his blood properly and thus
becomes breathless and exhausted
Chronic Bronchitis: the smoke stops the cilia in the air passages from
beating so the irritant substances in the smoke and the excess mucus
collect in the bronchi which leads to inflammation
Heart Disease: blockage of coronary arteries by fatty deposits which
reduces the supply of oxygenated blood to the heart muscle and
eventually leads to heart failure. The nicotine and carbon monoxide
from cigarette smoke increases the tendency for the blood to clot and
block the coronary arteries. Carbon monoxide increases the rate at
which the fatty material is deposited in the arteries.
Other Risks:
Leg amputations
Strokes
Cancer of the bladder
Ulcers in the stomach and duodenum
Tooth decay
Gum disease
Tuberculosis
Smaller babies
Passive Smoking
Non-smokers are affected as well by second hand smoke
They have an increased chance of lung cancer

Antibiotics

Credit: Scienceaid.co.uk
Since the discovery of penicillin in 1928, many more antibiotics have been
developed and used to treat bacterial infections. Some bacteria have
mutated and become resistant to antibiotics, but new drugs are constantly
being developed and tested.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Many antibiotics kill bacteria by
damaging their cell walls. Viruses do not have cell walls, so they are
unharmed by antibiotics. It is difficult to develop drugs that kill viruses
without damaging the bodys tissues.