Drug Abuse

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Drug abuse is the ingestion of a substance, whether legal or illegal, to excess. Whether the substance is sniffed, swallowed, inhaled, or injected, the user takes it for its mind-altering effects. Drug addiction is characterized by an overwhelming physical and/or psychological need to take the drug. A person who is addicted to a drug eventually centers his or her entire life around the substance. Nothing matters except the next "fix". Drug dependence is reinforced by the fact that the user knows, perhaps from past experience, that being without the substance will result in intolerable symptoms, whether physical or psychological (or both). This gives rise to feelings of intense panic if the drug is not readily available.

People begin abusing drugs for many reasons, primarily because a substance seems to the user to improve performance, produces a changed outlook, relieves feelings of anxiety or depression, or bring oblivion. Because the most commonly abused drugs are illegal (with the exception of tobacco and alcohol), it is impossible to arrive at a reliable count of drug abusers in the United States. However, it has been estimated that more than 4 million people use cocaine regularly and at least 2 million people have experimented with heroin. One of the most insidious characteristics of most abused drugs is that the user builds up a tolerance to their effects. This means that as time goes by, the user requires ever-increasing amounts to produce the desired effect - or to prevent the unpleasant effects that occur when the addict's physical and psychological needs are not fully met.

Everyone knows the dangers of drug overdose. However, many people are unaware of other dangers associated with recreational drug use. Cocaine and heroin can cause life-threatening damage to the heart. The long-term use of marijuana can reduce the protective abilities of the immune system by as much as 40 percent. This is because it destroys white blood cells, the body's first line of defense against infection. Most other drugs of abuse weaken the immune system as well. Intravenous drug use, which commonly includes the sharing of needles among several users, is a documented risk factor for HIV disease and hepatitis.

Women who abuse drugs - including cocaine, heroin, methadone, diazepam (Valium), Phenobarbital, and alcohol - while pregnant are at high risk of having children with birth defects, including subnormal intelligence. Their babies may also be born drug-addicted. An infant born addicted to drugs suffers horrendous withdrawal symptoms, including breathing distress, excessive sweating high fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration. Dehydration can be life threatening, and convulsions are common. These babies are pale, cry shrilly, sneeze, and suck desperately on their fists but eat poorly. They yawn, but have difficulty born with nose and knee abrasions, caused by thrashing around in the womb under the influence of the drug.

One variation within the realm of drug abuse includes the international infliction of mind-altering drugs on other people. This problem has come to light in recent years with the case of Rohypnol (sometimes referred to as "roofies"), the so-called "date-rape drug". Illegal in the United States but accessible south of the border, this agent, when mixed with alcohol, not only can knock a person out, but can affect the memory of recent events to the point of amnesia. There have been numerous reports on this drug being used, especially on college campuses, to render women unable to resist - or even remember - a sexual attack, often multiple assaults. A second compound, gamma-hydroxy-butyrate (GHB) has also been used for these purposes. GHB is a natural chemical, manufactured by the body that is useful as a relaxant. Though it can promote sleep and enhance the effects of alcohol, it is nontoxic (unlike Rohypnol, or the alcohol it is mixed with).

Many different kinds of drugs are commonly abused. The potential for physical addiction varies. Drugs that depress the central nervous system are the most likely to cause physiological dependence. These agents include alcohol, antianxiety agents such as diazepam (Valium) and oxazepam (Serax); barbiturates, such as Phenobarbital, pentobarbital (Nembutal) , and secobarbital (Seconal); methaqualone (Quaalude); the opiates, principally heroin; and synthetic narcotics such as codeine, hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), and oxycodone (in Percocet, Percodan, Tylox, and other medications). Other drugs, though they are very difficult to give up and do result in tolerance, do not technically cause physiological dependence. Examples include marijuana, mescaline (peyote), cocaine, amphetamine, methamphetamine, and lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as LSD. Other commonly abused substances include phencyclidine (PCP or angel dust), solvents, and amyl nitrite ("poppers").

This entry focuses on what you can do to minimize withdrawal symptoms and restore health to your body once you decide to stop abusing drugs. Although medical treatment is mandatory for true cases of addiction, alternative therapies - including strong nutritional support - are immensely valuable. Many drugs deplete the body of essential nutrients. The understanding and help of concerned family and friends play an important part as well.

Treatment for drug abuse: This section provides information about drug abuse treatment.
Drug abuse diet: It gives information and guidelines to choose your sample diet to eliminate your drug abuse.
Drug abuse nutritions and supplements: This section provides comprehensive list of nutritional supplements for drug abuse.
Herbal treatment for drug abuse: This section focuses on various traditional herbal treatments used to cure drug abuse.
Drug abuse acupressure treatment: This section provides various acupressure points on the body to treat drug abuse.
Drug abuse homeopathy treatment: It provides information about homeopathic medicines required for curing drug abuse.

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