Understanding Drug Use and Addiction

The provided assignment delves into the topic of drug use and addiction, examining the interplay between individual characteristics, environmental factors, and societal influences. It presents a comprehensive overview of the subject, drawing from academic research and online resources to inform its analysis. The document aims to provide students with a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding drug abuse, shedding light on the multifaceted nature of this issue.

DRUG USE

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................8

INTRODUCTION
Drug use has become common in society specially amongst youngsters and teenage
population. The excessive use of substance is leading to misuse for illegal purpose which is not
good point for development of society. Increasing use of drugs is making people dependent and
addicted because of which millions of people across the globe are getting involved in illicit
activities. The essay will outline why people use drugs with the help of history and prevalence of
drug use. This, the assessment will identify theories and attitude of drug use which will helps in
developing critical understanding over the reasons why people consume substance.
MAIN BODY
Drug is a substance which can be inhaled, consumed, smoked, absorbed or injected and has
temporary effect on mind and human body. It alters body functioning either psychologically or
physically. There are different types of drugs which are consumed for different purposes where
some are legal and other are illegal. For example, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol are legal as they
have minimal effect on human body if consumed in limit but on the other hand there is cannabis,
opium, cocaine, ecstasy and heroin which are illegal substance as they having lasting impact and
are not at all good for human consumption.
The emergence of drugs is historical and is there types are segmented according to their
risks and set of effects on body. The classification of substance is based on their type that is
stimulant, Dissociative, Opioids, Hallucinogens, Depressants, Cannabis and Inhalants.
Developing critical understating over consumption of substance will help in determining reasons
behind intake of drugs (Tosato and et.al., 2014). However, some common reason behind
increasing substance use among youngsters is to fit in with specific population. There are people
according to whom it is the medication which helps them to escape reality of life and relax with
which they become dependent.
Drugs are considered as poisons which act as stimulant and speed up functioning of human body.
When the substance is consumed in greater amount then it acts as a sedative and slows down
person body working of person. Substance intake is considered as illegal because it blocks off all
sensation and therefore is taken by people as pain reliever (Aldridge, Measham and Williams,
2013). The person using drugs become isolated from society and lives in own world away from
reality which for sometimes make them feel relived from stress and boredom, but it is the most
dangerous situation where people do not even know when they get dependent on substance use.
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The use of drugs is increasing regardless of its addiction because of sedation which helps the
individual is isolating themselves from unusual circumstances for which they are resistant.
Figure 1: Current situation of UK over drug abuse
(Source: UK drug report 2017, 2017)
Use of substance is common behaviours among youngsters of society who use it for
recreational purpose. Illicit drugs have become common among western society and young
people and its misuses is leading to anxiety, increasing dependency and depression. Misuse and
dependence of drugs among young children is increasing because of resistance. For example,
Young individual starting abusing drugs because of increasing education pressure or for dealing
with failure. Mowen and Visher, 2015, discussed about neurological explanation over drug
dependence from where it is outlined that Cocaine is highly dependent and has indicated
abnormal responses in basal ganglia and prefrontal coretex. Thus, it can be argued that people
use drugs for its short term effects that is feeling of extreme energy or happiness. In addition,
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provides mental alertness and hypersensitivity to sound sight and touch. The delusional effects
after drug consumption leads to sound mind due to use of drug is increasing among people.
History of Drugs
Substance misuse has created devastated changes in society because of government of
UK ha enforced various regulation to prohibit use of substance like Dangerous Drug Act 1920,
Pharmacy Act 1868, Poison and Pharmacy Act 1908, Heroin Act 1924, Narcotic Drug Import
and Export Act 1922. The laws of government of UK are regulated to either control or monitor
use of drugs which helped in gaining understanding over whey people use drugs and their history
of evolution.
As per Hall, 2015, it is outlined that in UK around 4 million people are making illegal use of
drugs like, opioids, stimulants and Cannabis. According to study, it is determined that the
stimulant activates neural activity where the most commonly used substance is Cocaine and
ecstasy. It is extracted from plant named Cocoa and is sniffed in powder form and is smoked or
injected. The leaves of plant include dexamphetamine sulphate which is used for treating medical
condition that is attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. The drug was first recognized by
Sigmund Freud, who was a world famous psychologist. He advocated rug as tonic which can be
used for treating or curing Sexual impotence and depression. Further, the sue of drug was came
into acceptance when John Pemberton in 1866 used it as core ingredient of soft drink that is
Coca- Cola. In addition, there is Cannabis which is extracted from leave from Sativa plant and is
generally smoked by people. The key constituent of drug is Tetrahydrocannabinol which has
psychoactive effect on human body (Patel and et.al., 2016). It is most commonly use of
substance in UK and is large dependent population. Further, Marijuana which was came into
acceptance for medication purpose and sue to give to patient suffering from rheumatism, gout,
malaria and absent-mindedness. It was misused by people for recreational purpose to treat
anxiety, depression, loneliness, stress, etc.
Apparently, Opium is n another drug which is used by young population as it has deleterious
effects on human body. The drug came from rom the milky sap of a flower called the opium
poppy. The cultivation of plant was spread by ancient Egyptians, Persians and Greeks. The plant
is used for medical purpose like for curing epidemics disorders and specific illnesses of females.
In 220- 264 AD Chinese surgeons use opium as sedative and was used to provide to patient
before surgery. It is used by health professionals for severe medical purposes and person named
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Thomas Jefferson identified significant use of dug which is killing od Diarrhoea. The
professional done test on himself and therefore stated that the substance uses of effective abut at
the same time it was addictive and therefore he became habitual of its consumption (Pollack and
et.al., 2016). During 19th century there came Mrs, Winslow Soothing Syrup which contained
Opium and was used by mother to treat acute pain of baby which occurs due to teething. As per
this, it was determined that the syrup was effective in reliving in pain and helps in quiet sleeping
of child.
In accordance with misuse of Cocaine, it can be outlined that in ancient times when drug
was emerged as recreational substance, it was used by Spanish army to force labour Indian army
(Ferris and et.al., 2015). In this Coca leaves were given to farmers for chewing while working
and during work they lose sense over time and temperature and were able to work day and night
in uncertain conditions. The example of history clearly denotes addiction and misuse of drugs in
historical period and the reason why it is continued.
Figure 2: Cocaine
(Source: Cocaine, 2018)
Prevalence of substance
Prevalence of substance misuse is increasing continuously among young people and
teenagers of society. The statistical report of National health services UK denotes that in 2016\
17 around 8.5 % if adults of age between 16 to 59 were found misusing drug and were presented
in hospital for dependence and overdose (Statistics on Drug Misuse: England, 2018). On the
other hand, 24 % of children were reported for taking illicit drugs which has increased
prevalence of diseases and dependency among children. However, on the basis of Home office
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crime Survey for England and Wales, it is analysed that around 11 % of adults has taken drugs in
2016 which makes total of 3 million people.
However, prevalence of drug misuse is implied by increasing sue prescription drugs from
where it is evaluating that most of youngsters of society gets admitted in pain complaining for
acute pain or serious illness just to get drug prescribed in forms medication. This helps in easy
availability and making awful use of substance. Apart from this, there are various illegal drugs
which are continuously increasing in society that is Alcohol and Tobacco. It is analysed that
these substances have become necessity for society. For example, students of colleges or
secondary school have attitude towards strong drinking culture. It is determined the use of legal
substances is increasing not because of addiction but because of societal acceptance.
As per focal point Annual report 2016: drug situation in UK, it is demonstrated that
prevalence of illicit and harmful drugs has been reduced because of increasing use of Cannabis
which is an herbal leaf that support drug use but have minor effects in comparison to illicit drugs
like, Opium, Cocaine, etc. However, European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction
stated that majority of death in UK are caused due to consumption of illegal drugs. Further, the
average death age of people was in between 37.6 to 41.6 specially males. However, largest
proportion of death in UK was in between of age 40 to 44 (Patterns of illicit drug use in each UK
country analysed in annual report, 2017). On the other hand, the report represented treatment of
124237 people by 2015 for drug overdose.
Apparently, from different studies it has been determined that drug prevalence is
increasing in society specially among youngsters. There has been rapid shift of people from one
illicit drug to another because increasing resistance and lack of tolerance, On the basis of history
it clear that the illegal drugs are very expensive and therefore the increasing misuse of substance
has made a rapid change in crime rate. The teenagers are getting involves in forced activities just
for the sake of getting drug or earning money (Carliner and et.al., 2016). Drug prevalence
implied increasing involvement of society in illicit activities because it is the easiest mode of
earning and using substance with not boundaries.
Theories for drugs
Theories relating to drugs helps in developing critical understanding over why people use
drug and increasing misuse of drugs. There is self-medication theory of addiction which implies
about suffering which is at heart of addictive disorders. This is focused on people who lacks
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control over emotions. In accordance with this theory, it is determined that use of drugs assist
people in managing control over emotional reaction and distressing feeling (Heshmat, 2017).
For example, Alcohol which is legal drug helps society in temporarily dealing with anxiety and
stress. In accordance with this theory it is outlined that addictive behaviours of people towards
drug makes them resistant towards pain and management daily activities like, frustration, pain,
fear, etc. Thus, it can be that substance use is chemical shortcut of people to escape reality and
emotions.
On the other hand, there is CAP control theory of drug abuse which focuses on affective
experience of substance and individual style of using drugs. In this cognitive behaviour of drug
user is considered as pivotal factor where the people undergo substance experimentation to
substance misuse. Further, there is Bad habit theory of drug abuse which denotes harmful,
repetitious, semi reflexive behaviours of drug user to susceptible. This theory is limited to
alcoholism (The Bad-Habit Theory of Drug Abuse, 2018). The major factors of consideration in
this theory is inheritance from where it can be stated that behaviour associated with drug among
people is genetic or develops from surroundings and cultural attitude of people. The common
features of theory are loss of control, tolerance and tendency to relapse. For instance, talk about
women who more alcoholic then men have high blood alcohol levels after ingesting. As per this
example and theory, it is determining that women experience unpleasant side effects of alcohol
that is headache, addiction and nausea because of lack of digestive enzyme.
Attitude towards drugs
Drugs are addictive, therefore its regular consumption make them intolerant and anxious.
However, the main reason of increasing dependence of people over drug is lack of will power
and self-confidence. the increasing addiction over drugs is leading to waste of money and growth
of unethical activities like, crime (Ttofi and et.al., 2016). The attitude of people towards drugs is
significant where people get involved in unethical activities because of dilemma. For example, if
in case there is a group of rebel in secondary school who bully innocent boy for being simple and
nerd. This the case of different behaviours and habits but the continuous bullying and torture
forced that bullied person to involve sin illicit activities to prove his personality regardless of
interest. However, the continuous use of drugs will make him addict. Hereby, from the example
it is clear the drug use if more about self-control and preferences rather than getting influenced
with cultural and attitude of different people in society.
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Apparently, attitude to drug taking dependence if individual circumstance and
willingness to involve drug abuse. There day society is facing numerous changes and people are
becoming resistance. The individual attitude towards use of drugs is different from one another
and therefore addiction of substances is termed as brain illness. Under the influence of drug,
addicts feel isolated from surroundings which make the people relaxed for specific period of
time. Nevertheless, increasing use of substances starts making people dependent where the
individual starts losing control over their feelings, emotions and brain. The lack of control of
body functioning make people immoral where the person is unable to determine illness,
addiction and needs of help.
There are different types of drug users who are involved in illicit activities because of
own concerns. For example, lonely addict is the person who lacks positivity and is isolated from
societal activities. These individual take consumes substance for self-medication to get away
from the feeling of unhappiness and isolation (Mowen and Visher, 2015). Lonely addict is the
situation where the individual is subjected to pain and sense of problems from oneself. The
situation leads to substance abuse eating disorders and social tendency. As per this, it is
determined that the individual habits and attitude can be controlled by taking with addict and
staying with person every time. This encourages sense of living among people which can change
their attitude towards substance abuse. Apparently, there are many other people with different
preferences over drug use which can be or can be controlled like impulsive personality, self-
medication for person suffering from depression and genetic vulnerability.
CONCLUSION
The essay summarized about people who use drugs from where it is determined that every
person has own perception over substance use. It evaluated different types of drugs and their
effectives like, delusions, depressants, etc. The study assisted in outlining the historical exposure
of drugs where it was use for modern slavery, and medical purposes. Besides, the essay
discussed different addiction theory of drug which helped in developing critical understanding
why people use drugs. Thus, it concluded by stating about attitude of people towards drugs
which depends on their surroundings, vulnerability, addiction and personality traits.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Tosato, M. and et.al., 2014. Potentially inappropriate drug use among hospitalised older adults:
results from the CRIME study. Age and ageing. 43(6). pp.767-773.
Aldridge, J., Measham, F. and Williams, L., 2013. Illegal leisure revisited: Changing patterns of
alcohol and drug use in adolescents and young adults. Routledge.
Mowen, T.J. and Visher, C.A., 2015. Drug use and crime after incarceration: The role of family
support and family conflict. Justice Quarterly. 32(2). pp.337-359.
Hall, W., 2015. What has research over the past two decades revealed about the adverse health
effects of recreational cannabis use?. Addiction. 110(1). pp.19-35.
Patel, V. and et.al., 2016. Addressing the burden of mental, neurological, and substance use
disorders: key messages from Disease Control Priorities. The Lancet. 387(10028).
pp.1672-1685.
Carliner, H. and et.al., 2016. Childhood trauma and illicit drug use in adolescence: A population-
based national comorbidity survey replication–adolescent supplement study. Journal of
the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry. 55(8). pp.701-708.
Ttofi, M.M. and et.al., 2016. School bullying and drug use later in life: A meta-analytic
investigation. School psychology quarterly. 31(1). p.8.
Ferris, M.J. and et.al., 2015. A single amphetamine infusion reverses deficits in dopamine nerve-
terminal function caused by a history of cocaine self-administration.
Neuropsychopharmacology. 40(8). p.1826.
Pollack Jr, C.V. and et.al., 2016. Patient‐reported Outcomes from A National, Prospective,
Observational Study of Emergency Department Acute Pain Management With an
Intranasal Nonsteroidal Anti‐inflammatory Drug, Opioids, or Both. Academic Emergency
Medicine. 23(3). pp.331-341.
Online
Cocaine. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <https://www.history.com/topics/history-of-
cocaine>.
Heshmat, S., 2017. 7 Common Reasons Why People Use Drugs. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/science-choice/201711/7-common-reasons-
why-people-use-drugs>.
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Patterns of illicit drug use in each UK country analysed in annual report. 2017. [Online].
Available through: <http://www.sdf.org.uk/patterns-illicit-drug-use-uk-country-analysed-
annual-report/>.
Statistics on Drug Misuse: England. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <
https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/statistics-on-drug-
misuse/2018>.
The Bad-Habit Theory of Drug Abuse. 2018. [Online]. Available through: <
https://www.addictioninfo.org/articles/520/1/The-Bad-Habit-Theory-of-Drug-Abuse/
Page1.html>.
UK drug report 2017. 2017. [Online]. Available through: < http://www.russellwebster.com/uk-
drug-report-2017/>.
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