Drug use and misuse

Definition: A drug is any chemical substance that affects the normal functioning of the body.
Some drugs are used to treat medical conditions and to improve health while others are illegal. All
drugs can have harmful effects on the body if they are used incorrectly.

Drug dependence
Drug dependence takes place when a person takes a drug over a period of time and needs the
drug in order to function. The person is said to be addicted to the drug.

Drugs affect the body in different ways. Some drugs affect the physical functioning of parts of the body,
and are said to have physiological effects. Some drugs affect the brain and cause changes in mood and
behaviour. These are described as psychological effects.

Drug dependence can be physical or psychological:

• Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the drug and the body’s cells cannot function
without it. The person will experience withdrawal symptoms if drug use stops suddenly; these are
often painful and include tremors, nausea, diarrhoea and body aches.
• Psychological dependence occurs when the person feels the constant need for the drug. The drug
becomes the central focus of their lives and they feel they cannot function without it.

Definition: Drug misuse refers to the use of a drug for purposes for which it was not intended or using a
drug in excessive quantities.

Prescription drugs
Definition: A prescription drug is a drug that legally requires a prescription from a medical practitioner
to be dispensed.

Some prescription drugs have very strong effects, and persons may develop dependence
on these drugs. Prescription drug abuse is an area of growing concern.

Examples of prescription drugs that can be abused include:

• Sedatives – These are drugs that are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They slow down body
functions, cause the user to feel calm and induce sleep. Examples include sleeping pills and
tranquillisers. Sedatives are depressants of the central nervous system. They slow the heart rate,
breathing rate and the speed of transmission of nerve signals. Sedative misuse can lead to poor
muscular coordination, slurred speech, blurred vision and mental confusion.

• Painkillers – These drugs interfere with the transmission of nerve signals and reduce the perception
of pain. Examples include paracetamol, aspirin and morphine. They also reduce anxiety and promote
muscle relaxation. Some painkillers have similar effects to depressants, slowing the breathing rate,
lowering the blood pressure and causing drowsiness. Misuse of painkillers may result in nausea,
vomiting, mental confusion, dizziness and fluctuations in the heart rate.
• Antibiotics – These are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections, as they either kill or inhibit
the growth of bacteria. Examples include penicillin and streptomycin. Misuse of antibiotics may
result in the development of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. Some persons are also allergic to
antibiotics, in which case their use can be fatal.

Non-prescription drugs
Some non-prescription drugs are legal and can be obtained over-the-counter at a pharmacy (without
a prescription from a medical practitioner). Other non-prescription drugs, e.g. alcohol, may only be
used legally by persons who are of a certain age. This age limit differs in different countries. Some
non-prescription drugs are illegal, e.g. cocaine and heroin.

Cocaine
Cocaine is a white powdery substance that is usually inhaled through a tube. It is a highly addictive
illegal drug which is a powerful stimulant of the central nervous system. Misuse of cocaine causes
increased heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure and body temperature. These can lead to sudden
death by a heart attack or stroke. Cocaine use may also result in weight loss, destruction of the
septum of the nose, reduced need for sleep, paranoia, anxiety, depression and, later, schizophrenia
and other mental illnesses.

LSD (acid)
LSD, also known as acid, is a very powerful hallucinogenic illegal drug. It is taken as a pill or on blotting
paper, and causes the user to go on a ‘trip’ or a state of altered consciousness, during which colours
seem more intense and lights seem brighter. The pupils become dilated and the body temperature and
blood pressure increase. Users may also become disoriented, anxious and have impaired judgement.

Heroin
Heroin is a highly addictive, illegal narcotic obtained from the opium poppy. It is taken by sniffing
or by injections into the limbs or directly into veins. It is a depressant of the central nervous system,
which initially reduces stress and anxiety by slowing the heart rate, breathing rate and the speed of
transmission of nerve impulses. Dependence is established very quickly and withdrawal symptoms
are severe, including diarrhoea, vomiting, muscle pain and cold flashes with goose bumps. Injection
of heroin is also associated with the transmission of HIV and other pathogens, as drug users often
share unsterilised needles.

Ecstasy
Ecstasy is a hallucinogenic drug that is taken in tablet form. It causes heightened perception, sexual
stimulation and reduced appetite. Ecstasy users experience mood changes and the reduction of
inhibitions, which may result in unprotected sexual intercourse. It also causes increased heart rate,
blood pressure and body temperature. Heat exhaustion may occur as a result of the elevated body
temperature, which could lead to death. Long-term ecstasy use often results in an irregular heartbeat,
brain damage and kidney failure.
Marijuana (cannabis)
Marijuana (also known as cannabis, ‘ganja’, ‘herb’ and ‘pot’) is a hallucinogen that is usually
smoked. It is the most commonly used illegal drug. Marijuana produces a feeling of wellbeing
(a ‘high’) followed by a feeling of despair (a ‘low’).
Short-term effects include dilated pupils, red eyes due to dilation of capillaries in the eyes, dizziness,
increased appetite, slowed reflexes, increased heart rate and hallucinations.

Heavy marijuana use may cause long-term lung and heart problems, mental disorders in vulnerable
individuals and reduced fertility in males.

Alcohol
Alcohol is a legal drug that is a depressant of the central nervous system. It slows down the passage
of nervous impulses. It is a very commonly used and misused drug which acts on the body quickly,
as it is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream. Persons who are dependent on alcohol are called
alcoholics. Alcoholism is considered to be a disease. Misuse of alcohol has short-term and long-term
effects on the body.

Short-term effects of alcohol use

• Slowed reflexes and reduced muscular coordination.
• Impaired concentration and judgement.
• Lack of self-control and aggression.
• Slurred speech, distorted vision and hearing.
• Dehydration due to frequent urination.
• Memory lapses (blackouts).
• Vomiting.
• Drowsiness.
• Loss of consciousness.

Long-term effects of alcohol use

• Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver.
• Increased blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.
• Cancer of the mouth, throat and oesophagus.
• Ulcers and other intestinal disorders.
• Permanent brain damage.
• Long-term memory loss.
• Alcohol poisoning.
• Malnutrition.

Alcohol can be passed across the placenta from the mother’s blood into the blood of the foetus.
Babies that were exposed to large quantities of alcohol prior to birth may develop foetal alcohol
syndrome (FAS), which is characterised by mental retardation.
The social effects of drug misuse
Drug misuse has a devastating impact on individuals, families and communities. Addiction may lead
to broken relationships, loss of parents from households, personal neglect and neglect of family
members. Higher suicide rates and antisocial behaviour are associated with drug use.

Babies born to drug addicts may have developmental problems or they may be addicted to the drug as
well.

Drug addicts may suffer the negative health effects associated with the misuse of drugs and require
treatment and rehabilitation. The cost to society to provide these services is very high. Drug use may
also lead to loss of jobs and reduced productivity. This affects families directly and the society as a
whole.

In the case of Caribbean countries, it may mean reduced foreign exchange earnings.
Criminal acts such as murder, burglary and prostitution are often carried out in order for drug addicts
to obtain money to buy drugs. Thus, the crime rate tends to be higher in areas where drug misuse
is prevalent. There are also more automobile accidents when people drive under the influence
of drugs.

Revision questions
1 What is a drug?
2 Define drug dependence.
3 Distinguish between physical and psychological dependence.
4 What is the function of EACH of the following prescription drugs?
a antibiotics
b sedatives
5 Describe FIVE effects of cocaine use on the human body.
6 Name TWO hallucinogenic drugs and describe their effects on the human body.
7 Why is alcohol considered a drug?
8 Describe FIVE short-term and FIVE long-term effects of alcohol misuse.
9 Discuss the social effects of drug misuse in your country.

SOLUTION:
1. A drug is any chemical substance that affects the functioning of the body.
2. Drug dependence is a condition that takes place when a person takes a drug over a period of
time and needs the drug in order to function.
3. Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to the drug and the body’s cells cannot
function without it. The person will experience withdrawal symptoms if drug use
stops suddenly.
Psychological dependence occurs when the person feels the constant need for the drug and
feels he or she cannot function without it.
4. a) Antibiotics are drugs that are used to treat bacterial infections, as they either kill or inhibit
the growth of bacteria.
b) Sedatives are drugs that are used to treat anxiety and insomnia. They slow down body
functions, cause the user to feel calm and induce sleep.
5. Any five of the following effects:
- Increased heart rate
- Increased breathing rate
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased body temperature
- Sudden death by a heart attack or stroke
- Weight loss
- Destruction of the septum of the nose
- Reduced need for sleep
- Paranoia, anxiety or depression
- Schizophrenia and other mental illnesses
6. Any two of the following drugs:
- LSD (acid): This drug causes the user to go on a ‘trip’ or a state of altered consciousness during
which colours seem more intense and lights seem brighter. The pupils become dilated and the
body temperature and blood pressure increase. Users may also become disoriented, anxious
and have impaired judgement.
- Ecstasy: This drug causes heightened perception, sexual stimulation, reduced appetite, mood
changes and the reduction of inhibitions. It also causes increased heart rate, blood pressure and
body temperature. Heat exhaustion may occur, which could lead to death. Long-term
ecstasy use often results in an irregular heartbeat, brain damage and kidney failure.
- Marijuana (cannabis, ganja, herb, pot): This drug produces a feeling of well-being (a ‘high’)
followed by a feeling of despair (a ‘low’). Short-term effects include dilated pupils, red eyes due
to dilation of capillaries in the eyes, dizziness, increased appetite, slowed reflexes, increased
heart rate and hallucinations. Heavy marijuana use may cause long-term lung and heart
problems, mental disorders in vulnerable individuals, as well as reduced fertility in males.

7. Alcohol is considered a drug because it alters the normal functioning of the body. Alcohol is a
depressant of the central nervous system, as it slows down the transmission of nervous
impulses. Its misuse has several short-term and long-term effects on the body.

8. Any five of the following short-term effects:

- Slowed reflexes and reduced muscular coordination
- Impaired concentration and judgement
- Lack of self-control and aggression
- Slurred speech, distorted vision and hearing
- Dehydration due to frequent urination
- Memory lapses (blackouts)
- Vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Loss of consciousness
Any five of the following long-term effects:
- Fatty liver disease and cirrhosis (scarring) of the liver
- Increased blood pressure, heart attack and stroke
- Cancer of the mouth, throat and oesophagus
- Ulcers and other intestinal disorders
- Permanent brain damage
- Long-term memory loss
- Alcohol poisoning
- Malnutrition

9. Drug misuse in my country often leads to broken relationships, loss of parents from
households, personal neglect and neglect of family members. Higher suicide rates and
antisocial behaviour are also associated with drug use. Babies born to drug addicts may have
developmental problems or they may be addicted to the drug as well. Drug addicts may suffer
the negative health effects associated with the misuse of drugs and require treatment
and rehabilitation. The cost to the country to provide these services is very high. Drug use may
also lead to loss of jobs and reduced productivity. This affects families directly and the society
as a whole. In the case of Caribbean countries, it often means reduced foreign exchange
earnings. Drug addicts often carry out criminal acts such as murder, burglary and prostitution in
order to obtain money to buy drugs. Thus, the crime rate is higher in areas where drug misuse
is prevalent. There are also more automobile accidents when people drive under the influence
of drugs.