Causes and Effects of Drug Abuse free essay sample

Many people do not understand why individuals become addicted to drugs or how drugs change the brain to foster compulsive drug abuse. They mistakenly view drug abuse and addiction as strictly a social problem and may characterize those who take drugs as morally weak. One very common belief is that drug abusers should be able to Just stop taking drugs if they are only willing to change their behavior. What people often underestimate is the complexity of drug addiction†that it is a disease that impacts the brain and because of that, stopping drug abuse is not simply a matter of willpower. Through scientific advances we now know much more about how exactly drugs work in the brain, and we also know that drug addiction can be successfully treated to help people stop abusing drugs and resume their productive lives. Addiction is a chronic, often relapsing brain disease that causes compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences to the individual that is addicted and to those around them. Drug addiction is a brain disease because the abuse of drugs leads to changes in the structure and function of the brain. Although it is true that for most people the initial decision to take drugs is voluntary, over time he changes in the brain caused by repeated drug abuse can affect a persons self control and ability to make sound decisions, and at the same time send intense impulses to take drugs. It is because of these changes in the brain that it is so challenging for a person who is addicted to stop abusing drugs. Fortunately, there are treatments that help people to counteract addictions powerful disruptive effects and regain control. Research shows that combining addiction treatment medications, if available, with behavioral therapy is the best way to ensure success for most patients. Treatment approaches that are tailored to each patients drug abuse patterns and any co-occurring medical, psychiatric, and social problems can lead to sustained recovery and a life without drug abuse. Similar to other chronic, relapsing diseases, such as diabetes, asthma, or heart disease, drug addiction can be managed successfully. And, as with other chronic diseases, it is not uncommon for a person to relapse and begin abusing drugs again. Relapse, however, does not signal failure† rather, it indicates that treatment should be reinstated, adjusted, or that alternate reatment is needed to help the individual regain control and recover. What happens to your brain when you take drugs? Drugs are chemicals that tap into the brains communication system and disrupt the way nerve cells normally send, receive, and process information. There are at least two ways that drugs are able to do this: (1) by imitating the brains natural chemical messengers, and/or (2) by overstimulating the reward circuit of the brain. Some drugs, such as marijuana and heroin, have a similar structure to chemical messengers, called neurotransmitters, which are naturally produced by the brain. Because of this similarity, these drugs are able to fool the brains receptors and activate nerve cells to send abnormal messages. Other drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamine, can cause the nerve cells to release abnormally large amounts of natural neurotransmitters, or prevent the normal recycling of these brain chemicals, which is needed to shut off the signal between neurons. This disruption produces a greatly amplified message that ultimately disrupts normal communication patterns. Nearly all drugs, directly or indirectly, target the brains reward system by flooding he circuit with dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter present in regions of the brain that control movement, emotion, motivation, and feelings of pleasure. The overstimulation of this system, which normally responds to natural behaviors that are linked to survival (eating, spending time with loved ones, etc), produces euphoric effects in response to the drugs. This reaction sets in motion a pattern that teaches people to repeat the behavior of abusing drugs. As a person continues to abuse drugs, the brain adapts to the overwhelming surges in dopamine by producing less opamine or by reducing the number of dopamine receptors in the reward circuit. As a result, dopamines impact on the reward circuit is lessened, reducing the abusers ability to enjoy the drugs and the things that previously brought pleasure. This decrease compels those addicted to drugs to keep abusing drugs in order to attempt to bring their dopamine function back to normal. And, they may now require larger amounts of the drug than they first did to achieve the dopamine high†an effect known as tolerance. Long-term abuse causes changes in other brain chemical systems and circuits as well. Glutamate is a neurotransmitter that influences the reward circuit and the ability to learn. When the optimal concentration of glutamate is altered by drug abuse, the brain attempts to compensate, which can impair cognitive function. Drugs of abuse facilitate nonconscious (conditioned) learning, which leads the user to experience uncontrollable cravings when they see a place or person they associate with the drug experience, even when the drug itself is not available. Brain imaging studies of drug-addicted individuals show changes in areas of the brain that are critical to Judgment, decisionmaking, learning and memory, and ehavior control. Together, these changes can drive an abuser to seek out and take drugs compulsively despite adverse consequences†in other words, to become addicted to drugs. Why do some people become addicted, while others do not? No single factor can predict whether or not a person will become addicted to drugs. Risk for addiction is influenced by a persons biology, social environment, and age or stage of development. The more risk factors an individual has, the greater the chance that taking drugs can lead to addiction. For example: * Biology. The genes that eople are born with†in combination with environmental influences†account for about half of their addiction vulnerability. Additionally, gender, ethnicity, and the presence of other mental disorders may influence risk for drug abuse and addiction. Environment. A persons environment includes many different influences†from family and friends to socioeconomic status and quality of life in general. Factors such as peer pressure, physical and sexual abuse, stress, and parental involvement can greatly influence the course of drug abuse and addiction in a persons life. * Development. Genetic and environmental factors interact with critical deve lopmental stages in a persons life to affect addiction vulnerability, and adolescents experience a double challenge. Although taking drugs at any age can lead to addiction, the earlier that drug use begins, the more likely it is to progress to more serious abuse. And because adolescents brains are still developing in the areas that govern decisionmaking, Judgment, and self-control, they are especially prone to risk-taking behaviors, including trying drugs of abuse. Prevention is the key Drug addiction is a preventa ble disease. Results trom NIDA-tunded research nave shown that prevention programs that involve the family, schools, communities, and the media are effective in reducing drug abuse. Although many events and cultural factors affect drug abuse trends, when youths perceive drug abuse as harmful, they reduce their drug taking. It is necessary, therefore, to help youth and the general public to understand the risks of drug abuse and for teachers, parents, and healthcare professionals to keep sending the message that drug addiction can be prevented if a person never abuses drugs Main causes and effects Yaritza Medina Eng 163 Prof. Jones 1/21/2008 Homework Cause Effect Essay Outline Drugs l. Introduction II. Thesis Ill. First cause or effect- Chemical Dependance IV. Second cause or effect-Very little support/Peer support V. Third cause or effect- Pressure from friends and family VI. Conclusion My father has been a cigarette smoker since he was 12 years old. At times he wants they stop, but seems to fail. Last week, he didnt smoke for two days. By the end of the second day, he couldnt any more. He broke down and right away had a cigarette. I have learned that there are three reasons why my father cant stop smoking: his dependence on it, ery little support, and pressure from friends and family. The chemical dependence is the main factor that keeps him from stopping. The nicotine in all tobacco products is the drug that affects the central nervous system. It also creates a psychological dependence on smoking. The withdrawal symptoms he experienced during the two days without smoking were numerous. He felt dizzy, weak, and nauseous. He had an increased appetite, and sleepless nights, and cigarette cravings. Cigarettes are health risks. From every puff on a cigarette, he is damaging his lung. Let alone, the risk of lung cancer. Peer support in another tactor in kicking the habit The support ne received during his two days without smoking was almost non-existent. During the day, I gave my dad a lot of confidence and encouragement needed to get me through the crucial first day, and some of the second day. However, I couldnt be with him 2417. His brother Miguel is a very heavy smoker and lacked the confidence in my fathers ability to stop. Instead of saying something like, l know you can do it because I have faith in you, he kept saying things like, Why even try? You know you cant do it! At first it made my ad so angry that he was determined to prove him wrong. When my dad finally grabbed that first cigarette, he was really disappointed in himself and his brother for not trying to help me. He was very hurt, angry, and very disgusted. Smokers who want to quit need to make sure that the people whom they spend the most time with are for them, not against them; otherwise, theyll never be able to quit! Friends and family pressures play an important role in stopping, and can be more severe than lack of support. Right now my dad is experiencing trouble with his friends. His friends pressure him all the time. They seem to be waiting for him to explode like a time-bomb. When my dad quit smoking those two days he was worse than a grouch. He turned into a monster. He yelled at my kids, punched the wall, kicked the dog, Just to name a few. There are pressures everyday, some more serious than others, but add normal pressures to something big like trying to stop smoking, and we have a major disaster. The pressures are Just another example why smokers need a special hideaway of their very own. Cigarette smoking is very dangerous. Smoking causes cancer of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, urinary bladder, and lungs. Smoking also causes coronary heart disease and Buergers disease. Non-smokers can also get lung cancer from sitting or working in smoke-filled rooms. Even though smokers know all this, they continue to endanger the lives around them, as well as their own, but as I have experienced its not because they want to, but because they cant stop themselves. Cigarette smoking is a drug and should be treated like one. People are out here screaming for HELP! So join forces as a nonsmoker and lets helped these people to kick the habit once and for all! Not the paper youre looking for?