DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ABUSE:
Opioid:
- The drugs which bind to specific opioid receptor present in central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract.
- Heroin commonly called smack, chemically diacetylmorphine.
- It is white, odourless, bitter crystalline compound.
- Obtained by acetylation of morphine.
- Extracted from latex of poppy plant Papaver somniferum.
- Generally taken by snorting and injection.
- Heroin is depressant and slows down body function.
Canabinoids:
- Group of chemicals that interact with the canabinoid receptors of brain.
- Obtained from inflorescence of Cannabis sativa.
- Flower top, leaves and resin of cannabis plant are used in various combinations to produce marijuana, hashish, charas and ganja.
- Generally taken by inhalation and oral ingestion
- Effects on cardiovascular system of the body.
Cocaine:
- Coca alkaloid or cocaine is obtained from coca plant Erythroxylum coca.
- It interferes with transport of neuro-transmitter dopamine.
- Cocaine is commonly called as coke or crack is usually snorted.
- Potent stimulating effect on central nervous system.
- Produces sense of euphoria and increased energy.
- Excessive dosage causes hallucination.
- Other plants with hallucinogenic properties are :
- Atropa belladonna
- Datura.
- Canabinoids are also being abused by some sportspersons.
Medicinal use of drugs:
- Barbiturates, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, lysergic acid diethyl amide (LSD) used as medicines to help patients cope with mental illnesses, depression and insomnia.
- Morphine is a very effective sedative and painkiller used for surgery patient
- Plant product with hallucinogenic property have used as folk-medicine, religious ceremonies and rituals.
Tobacco:
- It is smoked, chewed or used as a snuff.
- Tobacco contains nicotine an alkaloid.
- Nicotine stimulates Adrenal glands to raise blood pressure and increased heart rates.
- Smoking tobacco is associated with cancer of lung, urinary bladder, and throat, bronchitis, emphysema, coronary heart disease, gastric ulcer etc.
- Smoking increased CO content of blood reduce oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin.
- Tobacco chewing is associated with cancer of oral cavity.
Adolescence and Drug/Alcohol Abuse:
- The period between 12-18 years of age may thought of an adolescent period.
- Adolescent is a bridge linking childhood and adulthood.
- Curiosity, need for adventure and excitement, and experimentation, are the common cause of drug/alcohol abuse.
Addiction and dependence:
- Addiction is a psychological attachment to certain effects such as euphoria and a temporary feeling of well-being associated with drugs and alcohol.
- With repeated use of drugs the tolerance level of the receptors present in our body increases. Consequently the receptors respond only to higher doses of drugs or alcohol leading to greater intake and addiction.
- Use of drugs even once, can be a fore-runner to addiction.
- Dependence is the tendency of the body to manifest a characteristic and unpleasant withdrawal syndrome if regular dose of drugs/alcohol is abruptly discontinued.
- Withdrawal syndrome characterized by anxiety, shakiness, nausea and sweating.
Effects of Drug / Alcohol Abuse:
- Immediate effects are reckless behavior, vandalism and violence.
- Excessive doses of drugs may lead to coma and death due to respiratory failure, heart failure or cerebral hemorrhage.
- Warning sign of drug and alcohol abuse among youth include:
- Drop in academic performance,
- Unexplained absence from school/college.
- Lack of interest in personal hygiene
- Withdrawal, isolation, depression fatigue, aggressive and rebellious behavior.
- Deterioting relationship with family and friends.
- Loss of interest in hobbies.
- Change in eating and sleeping habits.
- Fluctuation in weight and appetite.
- Intravenous drug user more prone to acquire infections like AIDS and hepatitis.
- The chronic use of drugs and alcohol damages nervous system and cause of liver cirrhosis.
- Use of drug and alcohol during pregnancy affect the foetus.
Prevention and control:
- Avoid undue peer pressure.
- Education and counseling.
- Seeking help from parents and peers.
- Looking for danger signs.
- Seeking professional and medical help.
Abbreviations:
- PMNL : Polymorpho-Nuclear Leukocytes
- CMI : Cell Mediated Immunity
- ELISA : Enzyme Linked Immuno sorbent Assay
- HLA : Human Leukocyte Antigen
- MALT : Mucosal Associated Lymphoid Tissue
- SCID : Severe Combined Immuno Deficiency
- NACO : National AIDS Control Organization
- MRI : Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- CT: computerized tomography.
CBSE Biology (Chapter Wise) Class XII ( By Mr. Hare Krushna Giri )
Email Id : harekrushnagiri@yahoo.com
