Marijuana, derived from the cannabis plant, refers to any number of preparations of the plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug. Marijuana can also be intended for medicinal purposes, although this is only allowed in certain locations in which the drug in legal. Marijuana is the most commonly abused illicit drug in the United States. The psychoactive chemical compound in cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol (known as THC). Cannabis has both psychoactive and physiological short-term effects, including alteration in perception and mood, increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, impairment in short-term memory, and concentration. However, the long-term effects of marijuana usage are less clear. Marijuana is consumed in a variety of ways. The most common way is through inhalation. Users typically inhale (or smoke) marijuana from small pipes, bongs (with water chamber), paper-wrapped joints, or tobacco-leaf-wrapped blunts. Fresh, non-dried cannabis can be consumed orally. Many users that consume cannabis orally, rather than through inhalation, typically use it in baking (e.g., brownies, etc.) or in a liquid, such as tea. Marijuana has a variety of effects on a person’s health. Marijuana increases heart rate by 20-100 percent shortly after smoking and can last for up to 3 hours. It is estimated that individuals who smoke marijuana have almost a 5-fold increase in the risk of heart attack in the first hour after using the drug. Marijuana also poses problems for the user’s lungs, similar to those who smoke tobacco. Research has found that individuals who use marijuana demonstrate problems in daily life. However, studies have concluded that this only holds true for about 10% of recreational users who do not develop other mechanisms for solving their problems and rely on marijuana instead. More people tend to use the drug recreationally for relaxation and social purposes.
Archive for Opiate addiction
Marijuana
Crack Cocaine
Crack cocaine is a
freebase form of cocaine (e.g., a form of cocaine that has been processed in order to be smoked), which is a stimulant drug. Crack cocaine is derived through a process that involves baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), water, and a spoon. When smoked, crack cocaine can leave the tongue numb where the smoke enters the mouth. Crack cocaine affects the brain chemistry of the individual who uses the drug. This can cause euphoria, supreme confidence, loss of appetite, alertness, and energy. The brain releases a large amount of dopamine, creating euphoria. The high usually lasts from 5-10 minutes, after which dopamine levels plummet leaving the user feeling low and depressed. Physiological effects of the drug when smoked include increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Some users of crack cocaine have reported feelings of restlessness, irritability, and anxiety. Long-term use of the drug can lead to paranoia and hallucinations. Crack cocaine is thought to be the most addictive forms of cocaine, and possible one of the most addictive forms of any drug. There are many health issues associated with the use of crack cocaine. Because crack cocaine refers to a non-pure version of cocaine, the health issues also include risks beyond the use of cocaine itself. Treatment for addiction of cocaine typically is derived from behavioral intervention procedures. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for treating cocaine addiction or abuse. Treatment should be tailored to the individual and his or her needs in order to optimize prognosis. This often involves a variety of treatment, social support, and other services
Heroine
Heroin is an opiate drug that is synthesized from morphine. Heroin typically appears as a brown or white powder. The drug can be injected, snorted, or smoked. These routes of administration rapidly deliver the drug to the brain. All of these methods for administering heroin can lead to severe health problems and addiction. Risks associated with these methods of administration include HIV, hepatitis, contamination, any many more. When the drug enters the brain, it binds to receptors that control perception of pain and receptors that are involved in reward. These receptors, known as opioid receptors, are located in the brain stem, which is important for breathing, blood pressure, and arousal. Tolerance to heroin can develop with regular usage of the drug, requiring more and more of the drug to experience the same intensity of effect. This puts users at a high risk for addiction. Chronic use of the drug leads to a physical dependence, a state in which the body has become accustomed to the presence of the drug within the body. This makes withdrawal from heroin very tricky. If the user stops the drug abruptly, he or she may experience severe symptoms of withdrawl, including muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, vomiting, cold flashes, and kicking movements. Treatments for users who wish to withdraw from use of heroin include medications and behavioral therapies. Medications used to help prevent relapse include Methadone, Buprenorphine, Naltrexone, and Naloxone. Typically a combination of medication and behavioral therapies are used for withdrawal from heroin. Treatment procedures should be individual-specific.
Opiate Addiction
Opiate addiction is a central nervous system disorder, caused by long-term continuous opiate consumption. Opiates include heroin, oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and others. Opiates are a type of narcotic that have been used to treat pain. After long-term use, the cells in the brain that produce endorphins cease to work normally. The brain learns to not produce endorphins because it is receiving opiates instead. This process causes a physical dependency to opiates. Sudden cessation from opiates could cause withdrawal syndrome, damaging one’s heart, lungs, and brain. It is not uncommon for opiate addicts to display moderate to severe mood swings and changes in behavior. Individuals who abuse opiates typically display one or more of the following symptoms while on the drugs: fits of euphoria followed by fits of depression, rapid heartbeat, altered judgment, hyperactivity, slurred speech, restlessness, diminished coordination, and difficulty concentrating. Individuals who are addicted to opiates exhibit the following symptoms after using the drug: increase in body temperature, a rush of euphoria, a heavy feeling in limbs, and dry mouth. These symptoms can last up to a few hours, and the user may alternate between wakeful and sleepy states. The individual is unable to participate in normal activities while in this state, and this can be detrimental to their daily social and personal functioning. Treatment for opiate addiction should be sought through a professional detox specialist. There is real danger in attempting to withdraw from heavy opiate use alone. Treatment facilities are recommended to all who abuse opiates as they provide a safe, controlled environment for coming off of the drugs.
