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DRUGS

What is a drug?
A drug is any chemical substance that produces physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral change in the user.

What is drug abuse?
Drug abuse is the use of a drug for other than medicinal purposes which results in the impaired physical, mental, emotional, or social well-being of the user. Drug misuse is the unintentional or inappropriate use of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, with similar results.

Which drugs are abused?
Narcotics, sedatives, tobacco, stimulants, marijuana, inhalants, hallucinogens, Phencyclidine-these are the major drugs of abuse. All have one thing in common: To one degree or another, they affect the user's feelings, perceptions, and behavior. Most of these drugs affect the user in physical ways as well, but they are abused because of their psychoactive (mind-altering) properties.

What is drug addiction?
The term drug addiction has been popularly used to describe a "physical" dependence on a drug. Originally associated with narcotic dependence, the term is gradually being replaced by the more neutral drug dependence.

What is tolerance?
Tolerance is a state which develops in users of certain drugs and requires them to take larger and larger amounts of the drug to produce the same effect. Tolerance often, but not always, occurs along with (physical) dependence.

Why do people abuse drugs?
There are many reasons: the wish or belief that drugs can solve every problem, the pressure from friends to experiment, the enjoyment of drug effects, and easy access to socially acceptable drugs like alcohol and tobacco.
Reasons for drug experimentation-like curiosity or social pressure-differ from reasons for occasional drug use-like enjoyment or availability. And reasons for continuing to use drugs-like dependence and fear of withdrawal are different still.

What is drug dependence?
Drug dependence is the need for a drug which results in the continuous or periodic use of that drug. This need can be characterized by mental and/or physical changes in the user which makes it difficult for them to control or stop their drug use. They believe that they must have the drug to feel good, or normal, or just to get by. This mental aspect of drug dependence is often called psychological dependence.
Some drugs, like narcotics and barbiturates, change the body's physical system so that it becomes used to the drug and needs it to function. When a user stops taking the drug, he or she will experience withdrawal symptoms, like vomiting, tremors, sweating, insomnia, or even convulsions. So to avoid withdrawal and to continue to function, the user takes the drug again. This aspect of drug dependence is often called physical dependence.

Many people try to distinguish between psychological and physical dependence, believing one type is worse than the other. However, heave use of any psychoactive drug produces some type of dependence; and this dependence interferes with the social, behavioral, and physical functioning of the individual.

Are drugs harmful?
Any drug can be harmful. Drug effects depend on many different variables, including the amount of the drug taken, how often it is taken, the way it is taken, and other drugs used at the same time. Also, user's weight, set (personality, mood, expectations), and setting of use (environment) help determine how a drug affects a person.

How can misuse of legally obtained drugs be controlled?
Drugs should be used only as prescribed and should be destroyed when they are no longer needed. All drugs, including nonprescription, over-the-counter drugs, should be kept away from children. Doctors and pharmacists should watch prescription renewals for drugs that can lead to dependence.

Are substances other than those commonly called drugs ever abused?
Yes. Substances like various aerosols, gasoline, paint thinner, and model airplane glue contain anesthetic-like chemicals which people sometimes sniff to get high. These inhalants should be sold and used with caution. Young children often get into common household products such as volatile solvents, so parents should take precautions to keep these substances out of reach.

Do drug abusers ever take more than one drug?
Yes. Multiple drug use is common. People who abuse one drug are likely to abuse other drugs, either by taking a variety of them all at once or at different times. Multiple drug abuse means multiple risk. Mixing alcohol and sleeping pills, sedatives, or tranquilizers is especially dangerous. Unfortunately young people are experimenting more and more now with these potentially lethal combinations.

Do most drug experimenters become drug dependent?
No. Most people who experiment with drugs do not become dependent. In fact, most do not even become regular users.

What is the effect of drugs on sexual response?
No drug seems to be a true aphrodisiac (capable of creating sexual desire rather than reducing inhibitions), although various substances have been considered throughout history. What users expect is probably more important than what drugs do. In fact, narcotics and alcohol in particular often actually reduce sexual responsiveness. Small doses of certain drugs, however, may make a person feel less inhibited.

Is it unsafe to use drugs during pregnancy?
It can be. Pregnant women should be extremely cautious about taking any drug, even aspirin, without first consulting their physician. Research has shown that heavy smoking and drinking can harm the developing fetus. Babies born of narcotic and barbiturate dependent mothers are often born drug dependent and require special care after birth.

What is drug overdose, and what can I do about it?
An overdose of drugs is any amount which produces an acute and dangerous reaction. A severely low breathing rate, stupor, or coma are indicative of a drug overdose. Get medical help immediately! In the meantime, make sure the overdosed person gets plenty of air. Artificial respiration may be necessary. Sometimes hallucinogens, PCP, marijuana, or stimulants produce a panic reaction. The person may become frightened, suspicious, and may fear harm from others. It is crucial that everyone remain calm and reassure the person that these feelings are drug related and will subside. Outside help is usually available from community hot lines, drug crisis centers, or hospital emergency rooms, and should be sought out as soon as possible.

Is it possible to get medical help for drug problems without getting into trouble with the law?
Yes. There are important regulations which safeguard the confidentiality of patients in treatment. Federal law requires doctors, psychologists, and drug treatment centers to keep confidential any information obtained from patients. However, under certain conditions, the law does allow disclosure. (The information might be necessary so other doctors can treat the patient, or so insurance carriers can provide benefits.)

Can over-the-counter (nonprescription) drugs be dangerous?
Yes. When these drugs are overused or misused in some other way, they too can cause serious problems. Drugs bought without a prescription, such as antihistamines, aspirin, cough medicines, diet pills, sleeping pills, and pep pills, can be helpful for minor, short term discomforts. Although these preparations are relatively safe, users should always read labels carefully and check with their doctors if uncertain about the effect a particular over-the-counter drug may have.

What are controlled drugs?
Controlled drugs are those placed on a schedule or in a special categories to prevent, curtail, or limit their distribution and manufacture. Under the Controlled Substance Act of 1970, the Attorney General of the United States (on the recommendation of the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare) has the authority to place drugs into five schedules or categories, based on their relative potential for abuse, scientific evidence of the drug's pharmacological effect, the state of current scientific knowledge about the drug, and it's history and current pattern of abuse.

What are the legal distinctions between possession, dealing, and trafficking in controlled substances?
A) Possession means:
Having controlled legal drugs that are not obtained either directly from a doctor, or from a pharmacist using a valid prescription
Having controlled drugs which are illegal for use under any circumstance, like heroin or marijuana.

B) Dealing is illegally supplying or selling controlled drugs to users on a small scale.
C) Trafficking is the illegal manufacture, distribution, and sale of these drugs to dealers on a large scale.
D) Penalties for each offense vary from state to state and according to schedule.

What kind of treatment is available for the drug abuser?
In the recent years, the kind of treatment programs have multiplied since no single therapeutic approach seems to succeed for all people and with all drugs. Treatment approaches for narcotics abusers principally include drug-free or methadone maintenance in residential or outpatient facilities. Approximately two-third of the 3,400 treatment programs located across the country are drug-free;
the remaining one-third utilize methadone maintenance. Rehabilitation services such as career development, counseling, and job skills training are also available. For alcohol-dependent people, treatment often includes drug therapy during the alcohol withdrawal phase, group or individual psychotherapy, and the particular kind of support provided by self-help groups similar to Alcoholics Anonymous.
There are many other programs providing short-term counseling or drug crisis therapy in health agencies, schools, community mental health centers, and other organizations. And telephone hotlines are often the first source of confidential advice and referral information in the community.