Substance Abuse

What is the difference between psychoactive druggs and nonpsychoactive drugs?

A Psychoactive drug is a substance that affects brain functions, mood, and behavior and are subdivided primarily on the basis of physiological and pychological effects. Nonpsychoactive drugs are substances that in normal doses do not affect the brain. Some examples of nonpsychoactive drugs include vitamins, anitbiotics, and topical skin preparations

(Fields, 79).

What are the classifactions of psychoactive drugs?

Psychoactive drugs can be classified into seven different categories. These categories include: narcotic analgesics, central nervous system depressants, central nervous system stimulants, hallucinogens, cannabis sativa, inhalants, and phencyclidine (PCP).

Narcotic Analgesics Defined

Webster's defines a narcotic as:

Any of a class of substances that blunt the senses, as opium, morphine, belladonna, and alcohol, that in large quantities produce euphoria, stupor, or coma, that when used constantly can cause habituation or addiction, and that are used in medicine to relieve pain, cause sedation, and induce sleep; anything that exercises a soothing or numbing effect or influence.

An analgesic is a substance that "relieves pain, without producing unconsciousness" (Fields, 79). New Encyclopedia Britannica describs narcotic analgesics as drugs that relieve pain by imitating

natural brain endorphins that are responsible for the perception of pain.

Route of Administration

Narcotic Analgesics can be administered several different ways: intravenously, subcutaneously, or deep within the muscle (Fields, 81). In addition, they can be snorted, smoked, or absorbed.

Effects of Opiates

Depending on the route of administration, effects of the drug can be seen anywhere from five seconds after administration to forty-five minutes after administration. The intensity of the drug is also related to the way that it is administered.

Some effects that draw people to narcotics include pain relief, euphoria, and drowsiness. Columbia Encyclopedia notes, "It produces a dreamlike state of warmth and well-being".

The negative effects largely outnumber the seemingly and deceptively positive ones. Some that fall into this category include: constricted pupils, nausea, and respiratory depression, which in its extremes can result in death.

The risks are great for users. Drug impurities, infections, and the high possibility of an addictive way of life are luminous dangers. Many users contract HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, tetanus, and a number of other infections due to dirty or shared needles. The effects of these infections are very serious, and often fatal. Some experience allergic reactions, which can result in cardiac arrest, lung reaction, coma, shock, respiratory arrest, and death (Fields, 81).

Tolerance

As strange as it may seem, once someone begins using a narcotic, he has to increase his intake to get the same effects he had upon his first use of the drug. The rate is dependent

on several things- the route of administration, the pattern of use, and the physical aspects of the individual.

Withdrawal

Depending on the specific drug being used, withdrawal symptoms can be incredibly intense. On average, Heroin users experience the highest intensity of withdrawal after two or three days. For methadone users, the peak is around five to seven days. There are many symptoms associated with withdrawal:

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