Understanding of the Harmful effects of drug abuse/misuse 1


  • *Addiction vs. Dependence* When people talk about addiction, they are usually referring to the harmful behavior associated with substance abuse. Dependence refers to the physical symptoms of withdrawal and tolerance
  • *The difference between addiction and dependence* can be difficult to understand. Some organizations have different definitions, use the words interchangeably or even abandon both terms altogether. (“Substance use disorder” is a preferred term in the scientific community.) Because of this lack of consistency, some ground rules can help differentiate between the two terms. When people use the term *“dependence,”* they are usually referring to a physical dependence on a substance. *Dependence* is characterized by the symptoms of tolerance and withdrawal. While it is possible to have a physical dependence without being addicted, addiction is usually right around the corner. *Addiction* is marked by a change in behavior caused by the biochemical changes in the brain after continued substance abuse. Substance use becomes the main priority of the addict, regardless of the harm they may cause to themselves or others. An addiction causes people to act irrationally when they don’t have the substance they are addicted to in their system. “ *Addiction* encompasses both a mental and physical reliance on a given substance. ” 
  •  *Mental Dependence vs. Physical Dependence* Mental dependence is when use of a substance is a conditioned response to an event or feeling. These are known as “triggers.” “ Triggers can be emotional responses to events, certain people, places or anything a person associates with using a substance. ” Something as simple as driving can trigger a desire to use. These triggers set off biochemical changes in a person’s brain that strongly influence addictive behavior. When the symptoms of mental and physical dependence are apparent, an addiction is usually present. However, the main characteristic that distinguishes addiction from dependence is the combination of mental and physical dependence with uncontrollable behavior in obtaining and using a substance. So, why do some organizations scrap the word “addiction” from their vocabulary? The DSM believes the term carries too much negative connotation and is ambiguous. The World Health Organization also wanted to replace the medical designation of “addiction” with the word “dependence” back in 1964 (which probably contributed to the confusion). 
  • *Tolerance* is a person's diminished response to a drug, which occurs when the drug is used repeatedly and the body adapts to the continued presence of the drug. Resistance refers to the ability of microorganisms or cancer cells to withstand the effects of a drug usually effective against them. 
  •  *threshold* dose the minimum dose of ionizing radiation, a chemical, or a drug that will produce a detectable degree of any given effect.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Deliberate parenting

Deliberate parenting A week ago something happened to me that is noteworthy, the impact of this experience is significant enough to share. I am a smart kid. Mum and dad are happy and proud. Not that they don't deserve to be. Just occurred to me last week, that they weren't part of the smarts. No. Not deliberately. Allow me to say this, my parents were so busy pulling punches at each other they totally forgot to raise me. Trial and error raised me. Books raised me. The church raised me. God raised me. Friends helped raise me. I used to be grateful for food, clothes, shelter and health care. But food, clothes and shelter don't make a man.. Man shall not live by bread alone. Man cannot survive by bread alone. So, dear mum and dad, if all you're giving your child is bread, clothes and a place to stay, then you are not raising a child. You are simply raising the 'house' that houses the child. You have only scratched the surface. Taking the child to the lat...
Read more

Deliberate parenting 2

Image
Lots of things become clearer as one gets older. Real life stories shared, inspires, clarify and help one to focus on the most important things. Sometimes, the greatest stories begin in deep despair or difficulty and end in triumph and clarity. I am writing my stories from a place of triumph and clarity. So don't miss the lesson here because of pity. I am writing about emotional care, which I believe was and is more important to me than the physical essentials. And I'm going to touch a nerve on this one. When parents fight in front of kids, it is the children that suffers it all. The effect is brutal, harsh and sometimes lives the child too scared or numb to count numbers 1-10. I had a child in my class one time who was following the lessons excellently, and suddenly stopped. He couldn't spell, do simple additions and the usual things he used to do. I did everything to resuscitate him from that coma. I prayed. Used other methods. Taught him letters from scratch. The...
Read more

How to stay safe at old age

Image
*HOW TO STAY SAFE AT OLD AGE* (Remember only you can save yourself safely at old age). *1. Do not retire*. If you're over-aged, retire and get all the benefits but find another income-generating job or open a business that will keep you active physically and mentally. Travel and bond with true friends, play a sport, learn a new hobby and volunteer in your community or parish. Don't loaf around. Your spouse will hate you because you've become a sloppy, listless bum with nothing good to say about the household and things that you never bothered about before. Solve crossword puzzles, play Scrabble, write your memoirs, and above all, read ...this will keep you alert and keep Alzheimer's at bay. *2. Live in your own place to enjoy independence,* privacy and a solo life. If you move in with your children, your rank or degree of importance is reduced to that of a bed spacer who has no place of honor or, worse, like crumbling furniture merely displayed with no added value. May...
Read more